Read This First
If you want launch control on a 2018-up car and you would rather not fight the hardware, skip to the alternative.
If you have read that and still want to proceed, here is what the MSD instructions do not tell you. These are supplementary notes, not a complete installation guide. Use them alongside MSD's own documentation.
Plugging Into the Engine Harness
Where the factory engine harness meets the MSD harness, the connector has two wires: a purple wire and one other colour, which varies.
Cylinder 6 has a trap
Cylinder 6 may have two purple wires. Use cylinder 5 as your reference for which one is correct: if the purple wire on cylinder 5 sits on the left, use the purple wire on the left of cylinder 6 to mate with the gray wire.
Cylinder 3 and the Remote Coil
Plugging the MSD harness into the coils themselves is straightforward everywhere except cylinder 3, which uses a remote coil because of the direct injection mounting.
- Reverse the polarity of the wires at the coil side.
- Pop off the blue cap and use a small pick or flathead to release the wires from the connector.
- Swap them and reseat them. In most cases the gray wire ends up on the right side.
Connectors on the Box
Same as the standard 2015-2017 install. Three connectors, and each has a tell.
| MSD connector | Plugs into | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Group of gray wires | The single red wire connector | Gray and red are both power |
| Group of black wires | The connector with tan wires | These are your trigger wires |
| Remaining connector | The ground and activation harness | These are your activation wires |
See the warning above for 2018-up
MSD 8731 also available for 2011-2016
A Better Option for a DI Car
We would rather sell you the right part than the one you asked for, so here is the honest recommendation.
On a 2018-up direct-injection Mustang, the N2MB WOT Box is the launch control we actually fit. It does not require reversing coil polarity, shaving connector nipples, or working out which of two purple wires is the real one. It gives you a two-step and a flat shift, and it is the box on our own project cars.
No DI workarounds needed
What we run on our own cars
We wrote it up in full here: The N2MB WOT Box, Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MSD 87311 work on a 2018-up Mustang?
It is not intended for direct-injection 2018-up cars. It can be made to work with the wiring changes on this page, but you are outside the product's design intent and we cannot take responsibility for the outcome.
What should I use instead on a 2018-up car?
The N2MB WOT Box. It gives you a two-step and a flat shift without any of the coil polarity or connector modifications this install needs.
Which purple wire do I use at cylinder 6?
Cylinder 6 may have two. Use cylinder 5 as your reference: whichever side the purple wire sits on at cylinder 5, use the same side at cylinder 6.
Why does cylinder 3 need reversed polarity?
Cylinder 3 uses a remote coil because of the direct injection mounting. Pop the blue cap, release the wires with a pick, swap them and reseat. The gray wire usually ends up on the right.
Why do the connectors not seat properly?
Because the part is built for 2015-2017 cars. You may need to shave a small nipple from inside the connector for a clean fit.
Which MSD connector goes where?
Gray wires to the single red wire connector, both being power. Black wires to the tan connector, those being triggers. The last one goes to the ground and activation harness.
Where are the full MSD instructions?
These notes are a supplement, not a complete guide. The PDF we used to host is no longer available, so contact us for a copy or get it from MSD.
Questions before you start? Call 877-2-LETHAL or email us. Our tech reps have done this one.
Launch Control, Done Right
On a 2018-up direct-injection car, the WOT Box is the one we would put in our own Mustang.
