We've ran about 100 races on magnetos, plus 2 little 500's. Only had one condenser go back (which is tough to trouble shoot). One down side to a mag is the limited spark energy, you have to be more careful with plug selection. Msd have more spark energy and multiple soarks. They will fire about any plug/fuel mix (won't foul plugs). But down side is needing a spare spark box as typically when they quit your have to send off for checking out.
With the heads and big injectors on newer engines a traditional mag has a harder time making enough spark. They will run, but run better with the MSD. I have my box, tach and switch on one dzus-in plate. Two backups setup the same. Easy to remove for washing car. Can swap a box in 30 seconds under a caution if needed. I have a system down where I can change the generator/distributor in around 5 minutes and be within 1 degree on timing. Close enough to race w/o hurting anything. MSD system makes that all possible. We can also run a chip in the MSD to limit rpm"s. Can't do that with a standard mag.
