Pertronix Coils
Thread Starter
POSSE ZR-1 Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,980
Likes: 139
From: Groton CT
Pertronix Coils
I have given up in my quest to get a Pertronix coil that will perfom and last.
I'm running the Pertronix Igniter III System.
The 0.3 ohm Blaster coil is the best for performance, being able to run to 6500 rpm and beyond, but I have been through 4 of them. None lasted more than 100 miles before the oil leaked out and/or secondary windings failing.
I tried the Pertronics epoxy 1.5 Ohm coil, but it will not allow the engine to rev past about 5800.
My backup coil is a NAPA replacement which I've had for several years. It is also limited to about 5800 rpm, but hasn't ever failed me.
The Igniter III is a multispark unit that seems to saturate lower performance coils at higher RPMs.
I'm looking for a high perfomance coil that will fit the original coil bracket and will not fail. Any suggestions out there?
I'm running the Pertronix Igniter III System.
The 0.3 ohm Blaster coil is the best for performance, being able to run to 6500 rpm and beyond, but I have been through 4 of them. None lasted more than 100 miles before the oil leaked out and/or secondary windings failing.
I tried the Pertronics epoxy 1.5 Ohm coil, but it will not allow the engine to rev past about 5800.
My backup coil is a NAPA replacement which I've had for several years. It is also limited to about 5800 rpm, but hasn't ever failed me.
The Igniter III is a multispark unit that seems to saturate lower performance coils at higher RPMs.
I'm looking for a high perfomance coil that will fit the original coil bracket and will not fail. Any suggestions out there?
Thread Starter
POSSE ZR-1 Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,980
Likes: 139
From: Groton CT
I've had no problem with pionts/condenser/stock coil well past 6500. I installed the Igniter III due to the multi spark capability which helps my car in lower rpm drivablilty.
Last edited by Subfixer; May 15, 2011 at 11:42 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,479
Likes: 8,957
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
A compleat picture of my car's ignition system is:
points/condensor inside a stock, Corvette tach drive distributor
solid core wires
Champion, non-resistor racing plugs with cut back ground electrode.
Simple and, to date, very reliable.
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 381
From: Strongsville, OH
2016 C2 of the Year Finalist
I went through two Pertronix coils while using my Ignitor I Pertronix unit. I ran the first coil without the ballast resistor in line as a call to the company said I could. It failed in a year and a half. Bought another and wired with the ballast in line. That one failed after one year. Good thing I always carried the NAPA replacement coil that I'd taken out. It saved me twice on the road and has been in place ever since the last Pertronix dumped. The Ignitor I is still going strong after 10 years and 25K miles but I'll never buy another one of their coils. 
Dave
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
My '69 Z/28 has its original Delco 480 distributor with Accel 28-32 oz. points, original 42-year-old Delco coil, and new stock plug wires, and revs happily to 7000 regularly; I've found no reason to use any aftermarket ignition stuff on it.
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, WA
I recently installed the Ignitor III system and was contemplating acquiring their coil. I definitely won't waste my $'s after reading the above. The directions said to remove the ballast resistor but I decided not to. Does anyone know what good that would do?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 516
Likes: 39
it gives you full voltage to the coil when you remove the ballast
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Hi-perf Accel coil, high perf (Z)points, for 20 years, no problem, and fits in the bracket,
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
I've had both an Accel coil and Carquest coil fail on me.. I replaced the last one with a MSD Blaster coil and it has been there for a few years. Painted it black and called it a day. I think that the 6AL box was the cause of the failures.
Dave
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
I have given up in my quest to get a Pertronix coil that will perfom and last.
I'm running the Pertronix Igniter III System.
The 0.3 ohm Blaster coil is the best for performance, being able to run to 6500 rpm and beyond, but I have been through 4 of them. None lasted more than 100 miles before the oil leaked out and/or secondary windings failing.
I tried the Pertronics epoxy 1.5 Ohm coil, but it will not allow the engine to rev past about 5800.
My backup coil is a NAPA replacement which I've had for several years. It is also limited to about 5800 rpm, but hasn't ever failed me.
The Igniter III is a multispark unit that seems to saturate lower performance coils at higher RPMs.
I'm looking for a high perfomance coil that will fit the original coil bracket and will not fail. Any suggestions out there?
I'm running the Pertronix Igniter III System.
The 0.3 ohm Blaster coil is the best for performance, being able to run to 6500 rpm and beyond, but I have been through 4 of them. None lasted more than 100 miles before the oil leaked out and/or secondary windings failing.
I tried the Pertronics epoxy 1.5 Ohm coil, but it will not allow the engine to rev past about 5800.
My backup coil is a NAPA replacement which I've had for several years. It is also limited to about 5800 rpm, but hasn't ever failed me.
The Igniter III is a multispark unit that seems to saturate lower performance coils at higher RPMs.
I'm looking for a high perfomance coil that will fit the original coil bracket and will not fail. Any suggestions out there?
Sure it's your coil?
I have blown 2 flamethrower coils.An oil and a solid. I gave up on them. It could be the Pert II doesn't use a ballast resistor. Maybe thats bad for the coil? But if that was the case? It would blow the GM coil too.
But I am able to get 6500 anytime with my Pert II ignition and my stock replacement coil.
Ps. For some reason, that setup also blew an Accel coil too. GM PURRS along.
Last edited by MiguelsC2; May 16, 2011 at 01:55 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
I've run Pertronix equipment (including their coils) for decades under pretty brutal conditions with no problems in Mustangs, Chevy passenger cars and now my Corvette. Other old-timers on here (Tom Parsons) have similar good experiences. Most of the problems I've found with them when friends asked me to troubleshoot were improper installation or pinched wires or leaving the key in the ON position too long.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,869
Likes: 196
From: Maryland
I have given up in my quest to get a Pertronix coil that will perfom and last.
I'm running the Pertronix Igniter III System.
I tried the Pertronics epoxy 1.5 Ohm coil, but it will not allow the engine to rev past about 5800.
My backup coil is a NAPA replacement which I've had for several years. It is also limited to about 5800 rpm, but hasn't ever failed me.
I'm running the Pertronix Igniter III System.
I tried the Pertronics epoxy 1.5 Ohm coil, but it will not allow the engine to rev past about 5800.
My backup coil is a NAPA replacement which I've had for several years. It is also limited to about 5800 rpm, but hasn't ever failed me.
One item not mentioned is the choice of rotor. Most replacement rotors are the emissions design. The tang is about 1/8" shorter and will inhibit hi revs. Use an older Accel rotor w. the natural brass finish tang and matching cap. The newer Accel rotor s tang has a black finish and is the shortened design.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
One item not mentioned is the choice of rotor. Most replacement rotors are the emissions design. The tang is about 1/8" shorter and will inhibit hi revs. Use an older Accel rotor w. the natural brass finish tang and matching cap. The newer Accel rotor s tang has a black finish and is the shortened design.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
I've been running the Mallory chrome high output coil for many years with no problems. If you go to the Summit Racing catalog, you will find that Mallory makes these for various types of ignition systems, and each will state what type of system it should be run on.
For example part 29219 states: "Designed for Mallory Unilite and Magnetic Breakerless distributors and conversion kits. Not compatible with aftermarket high energy inductive or capacitive discharge ignition systems."
For example part 29219 states: "Designed for Mallory Unilite and Magnetic Breakerless distributors and conversion kits. Not compatible with aftermarket high energy inductive or capacitive discharge ignition systems."