7AL or Digital?
 

What are the pros and cons of a 7AL vrs the Digital 7?
Thanks

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Well besides the obvious price difference, the Digital contains every thing in one package. Timing control, rev limiters, output ability. I've had both set ups, they both work well, obviously the 7al is easier to install however if you require timing retards or any output controls they would need to be added. Besides the installation wiring you can pretty much have all the features with a 7al but you need to add alot of extra modules. If $ is not an issue I'd recommend the Digital, once it's in you can pretty much do any thing you'de want to with it. Joe

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

We use the 7AL-3 and it does most of that stuff (rev limits, retard, etc.). Works like a charm. And you don't need a programmer, just pop in chips.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

I bought a car with a programable in it so far it is a pain in the butt.I think this winter we will put a 7 al -3 in

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Yes the 7al3 does have quite a few functions. I hadn't considered the 3 box, every one I know that has one has had it to the MSD trailer more than once, not saying their no good just I've heard of alot of issues with them. I've found the Digital to fairly user freindly, though it does require a little experience using a laptop or the hand held programmer. Diaperman if you decide to sell your unit shoot me a message. Either way good luck with whichever one you decide on. Joe

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

There were -3 issues at one point, but as far as I know they were largely nailed. I and several people I know use them without issues.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

I have been using the MSD 7 (75301) for over 2 years. Only had one issue. All I did was reinstall the software and all was OK. I use my laptop to program with. I have set up different settings in the computer (SC, BRKT, Hot track, etc.) and just download at the track for each scenario. It takes less than a minute to install each program. Plus if you have to chenge out the box.......everything just plugs in.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

FWIW I have seen too many Digital 7 and 7AL-3 problems....have run the 7AL-2 for years without a problem and really haven't heard anyone else complain. I think the Dig-7 would be the cats azz if they were as dependable....?????

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Finally just got new car done and planned on testing saturday,decided on the 7 al3,only problem is it is bad out of the box.Always ran the 7 al2 with no problems.hopefully the replacement one works!

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

SC3347, can you ellaborate on the it's bad out of the box? what didn't it do? I'm just curious as I've never had a 7al3. Joe

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Same question from me, and I run a 7AL3. Been great.

Make sure you have the 0 chips in the four retard slots if you're not using them. That messes people up some time.

FWIW, friend at the track this weekend had his 7-digital die on him. Talked to 1/2 dozen others, we all run the 7AL3, and we're all good with it.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

I mean it did nothing,no spark no led showing signal,went through all msd testing with thier tech guy,he said return it to the speed shop for another unit.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

If you do buy the digital 7 dont get the one with traction control. Bought it by mistake. It goes into a fail mode for no reason. Then you have to get it unlocked by leaving the ignition on for 24 hours to unlock it. MSD says that it cant happen. It has happened twice now, once using the msd tester and last friday. Just forked out 800.00 for a new digital 7 without TCD. Its a great unit when it works.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Most of the digital units I'm aware of that go into traction lock mode have been traced down to the crank trigger pickup, you need to run the shielded one with the ground strap. For some reason it seems to get stray signals from the older non shielded ones. Joe

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Thanks for the info. I will check into the crank trigger. You never knew when the box would lock up. Did it to me friday fifth round at ten grand nationals. Is that crank trigger a three wire unit?

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

This thread came at a perfect time, I'm getting ready to wire up a 7AL3 after using a digital 6 box, if I add the zero chips to the retards do I need to ground the terminals also? Just wondering as I have heard people having issues if not wired properly.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

My 7AL-3 has gone out twice in 85 runs. The most recent was at Darlington Pro Am. I was in the second round on Saturday, did my burn-out, lit the first bulb, and the car shut off and that was it. No more 7AL-3's for me.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Craig, the sheilded pickup is not a 3 wire it has a shield wire wrapped around it and a grounding lug at the motor end, obviously to ground to motor. This prevents"noise" from entering the pickup wires. Joe

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

I don't think so. I've run one with just the essential wiring, and the zero chips all year without a single glitch (knock wood). Of course, I'm absolutely anal about bigger than spec wire, soldered connections, great grounds, etc. Wiring right takes a little more time up front but has a huge payback. There are no more frustrating problems than electrical ones.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Joe thanks for the info. Found it online. Getting ready to go to Budds Creek. I left the other box in the car for there since it ran well with it. I talked to MSD numerous times and they never told me about the shielded pickup.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Chris, thanks for your input.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

Recieved replacement box today and it seems to work fine....just hope it lasts.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

HELP ? I have a Programmable Digital-7 with the hand held #7550 programmer/monitor. The programmer is mounted in the car and always connected to the ignition box. my question is are the settings i read in my hand held monitor the actual settings in the ignition box ? Reason I ask is I have raised my starting line leave RPM and my shift RPM significantly with no change in 60' times ,reaction times or overall ET's. I do not have a laptop to read any info or a playback tac. any help would be appreciated.

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

I have the same stuff and a laptop. The settings you put into the 7550 do stay in the MSD. If you hit Monitor, it will scroll throuogh your settings on the handheld. It can be done, but it is very easy to view this stuff on a laptop. I would suggest that you buy one. The memory and OS required is so minimal any old laptop will do. In fact we carry one in the trailer for that. It is so old, no one would pay anything for it and it works fine for this application. No need to spend a bunch of $$$. Ask around or ask your kids to ask around to see if they have a cheap laptop. I bet for $100-200 you can get what you need. Jim

Re: 7AL or Digital?
 

There's a good post on a question asked on www.promodzone.com regarding the 7 Dig. We us ethe 7531 in our Pro Mod car and it will serve as a nitrous controler and has done track retards and traction control which is unnessecary in a .90 car and illegal in everything else. I have a 7AL in my SG car and it's ok and no real trouble but I have a Mallory 7C Digital in may Sc Dragster and I've had one in my last Dragster and it is miles ahead of everything else. I can change my starting line in one second in the waterbox if I want. My shift point retard,start retard all right there from the drivers seat in seconds. I will probably put one in the SG roadster this winter because it is head and shoulders over them all and we sell them all.