I am looking for an MSD coil for my bone stock 1979 225 pickup. I've seen a Blaster #8200 and 8203 that come with a ballast resistor. The 8202 red Blaster 2 does not. I have the stock Mopar electronic ignition. Is the ballast resistor that comes with these coils necessary? Or' would the 8202 be my best choice for a stock application? Is MSD the best for stock slants or would you recommend other brands? THANKS.

If you run a stock Chrysler electronic ignition, you need a ballast resistor.
Forget the red 8202, it's for MSD ignitions. The chrome 8203 and red 8200 are for stock or MSD ignitions. I think the 8200/8203 resistor is .85ohms.

As for other coils, the OEM coil that came with your truck may be the best for your application. Chrysler's coil used from '79-'92 was a good one for stock motors. Coils are a bit like camshafts and carbs, bigger isn't always better. Hi-performance coils generally sacrifice lower RPM performance for an increase in higher RPM capability.

I you are on a budget, get a junkyard OEM coil. Other options would be the Accel 8140 coil, almost a copy of the Chrysler coil. I have one I got at a swap meet for $20. New in the stores, around $32.

There's nothing wrong with MSD products. It's just their strong advertising has allowed them to charge a premium price for their product. Mallory, Accel, Pertronix, Crane will all have simlar products to MSD at less cost and usually added features. Example, my next ignition I plan to buy will be a Mallory Hy-Fire 6AL at $180, the MSD equivilent is the Digital 6 at $320.

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Slant Cecil

I am running the 8203 Chrome MSD Blaster coil with the stock Chrysler ignition. I do not use the resistor that comes with it. I am running NGK UR4 plugs gapped at .040 and they stay nice and clean with a dusting of a light cinnamon color. Voltage at the coil at idle (650 rpm) is 5 volts. As you increase the rpm the voltage goes up. The coil never gets warm or hot. I also use the Blue Streak Cap and the Echlin M0-3000 longer tip rotor and Summit 8mm blue silicone wires. I have been using this setup for about a year now. It seems to be very responsive and puts out allot of power at cruise.

I would recommend using the chrome Baster 2 coil if your interested in mileage and power for a daily driver.

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

Or the summit labeled one for $160...........

(which looks like it is the Mallory, but painted black)

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

My son bought one for his rig and ran about a month and burned up. We took it apart and the components are Chinese printed circuits and the components are light duty......
You get what you pay for.......

The stock MSD 6AL is much better built with real components hand wired. That is why NASCAR and many circle tracks mandate them for every one.
At least that part is controlled or fixed.

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

Thanks much for the replies. Happy Thanksgiving to all!