msugoose

Ok, I have a 1994 Toyota Ext. Cab with a sbc V8 swap and currently running MSD 6AL ignition. I want to find a way to use the factory tach in the instrument cluster. The truck came with a 22re from the factory, so it has the 4cyl. tach currently installed. I cannot find anything or anyone who has this similar combination and is still using thier original tachometer. I am getting frustrated with the idea of having to use an aftermarket tach just to keep up with what rpms my motor is running. I have read all the tach/motor swap threads and none of them discribe what ignition system they are running. Msd states that you will need to use a tach adapter while using Msd products in a toyota, however they cannot provide any support when running a sbc V8 in a toyota. I think MSD is a bunch of Mother F#@^&* for making someone have to buy 70.00 worth of extra stuff just to run an aftermarket tach or much less an OEM tachometer. I am familiar with the mods to adjust the factory tach to match engine rpms with the potieniometer on the back of the guage. This is not my problem. I can't even get a signal that it will recognize or register. I have tried to hook the tach up directly to the neg. side of the msd coil and to the msd tach signal output on the side of the box and still no luck. Any help from anyone, who is familiar with these issues, would be greatly appreciated.

msugoose

Msd tech support guy stated, after almost asking everyone in the building, that I will need an MSD Tach Adapter 8920 to covert the signal from the Msd box as an 5volt square signal to an signal that the OEM tach will recognize then calibrate the tach to read the correct rpms from a 4cyl to a
V8. Before I buy another Msd product does anyone know if this will work. I have also heard of the Dakota Digital SGI 8 that can convert the tach signal down to make it read right with the 4cyl tach and a 8cyl pulse. Will this product also covert the signal from square to pulsed like the msd 8920? I feel like giving up!

xxxtreme22r

There is an engine swap section here, might want to troll through there.

pfmedic

BUMP. I am having a similar problem with my 22r. I have installed MSD 6a and I have an MSD 8910eis tach adapter which MSD told me I needed. I have been unable to get the tach to work without the tach adapter and the diagram from MSD is sketchy at best. I called them and they weren't able to help me figure out how to complete the process. If anyone has done this and can share the info I need please do. Thanks