Question on batteries; CCA and AGM

spstan

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Looking for battery for my New Yorker (440 engine, MSD coil). Fellow from MSD said the MSD coil needs a strong signal to produce a quality spark at the plug. I'm thinking of a 850 CCA Interstate. Stopped at Advanced Auto and they showed me an AGM battery. Saw where AGM batteries can produce 900 CCA and they have tractor batteries that produce 1000 CCA. What is the ideal battery (amperage) for a 440 engine with MSD coil. Would too much current "fry" the coil or the starter? Paul
 
Any of those batteries would be plenty good. A lead acid battery would be just fine. Your alternator is what provides power when the engine is running. The car doesn't (and shouldn't) run off the battery.
 
Any of those batteries would be plenty good. A lead acid battery would be just fine. Your alternator is what provides power when the engine is running. The car doesn't (and shouldn't) run off the battery.
Thanks for reply but I was thinking more about initial startup. Paul
 
You should have pressed the MSD person for what the minimum requirements are for the coil getting a solid voltage/amp feed! Until you know the lowest voltage/amp threshold, it's only speculation. UNLESS there is something in on the MSD website about such information.

I also highly suspect the min requirement would not be more than the OEM coil and battery can supply. Which would mean a battery of ANY type that meets the basic needs would be fine. In other words, "Spend only for what you need", unless you just want to spend money.

Enjoy!
CBODY67
 
Looking for battery for my New Yorker (440 engine, MSD coil). Fellow from MSD said the MSD coil needs a strong signal to produce a quality spark at the plug. I'm thinking of a 850 CCA Interstate. Stopped at Advanced Auto and they showed me an AGM battery. Saw where AGM batteries can produce 900 CCA and they have tractor batteries that produce 1000 CCA. What is the ideal battery (amperage) for a 440 engine with MSD coil. Would too much current "fry" the coil or the starter? Paul
The original batteries were rated at 440 CCA so anything you install above that will be more than it ever had. Just get a good quality 27 series with 800+ cca and you will be just fine. You don't have ultra high compression like a race engine would have and as long as your starter is in good condition, pretty much any battery should start the car. Your MSD coil only uses 12+ volts so it won't know any difference if you have a 800 cca or whatever.

Are you running MSD or just their coil? "A stable 12 volt supply" is what I see that MSD recommends.

"The MSD can be used with 16 volt batteries and can withstand a momentary 24 volts in case of jump starts. The Ignition will deliver full voltage with a supply of 9 - 18 volts."

No need to over engineer your decision.
 
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