Which coil to use???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
Which coil to use???
I've determined (with a lot of help from the Mallory tech rep) that my problem with a misfire is due to insufficient voltage to the coil. I will upgrade to a Mallory ceramic ballast resistor which should help.
As I need to replace my coil anyway,I'm asking for opinions of different brands of coils. The requirements are that it is a high performance variety that is still in a "cylinder" shape that will fit in the stock location (no "box" types).
I really had no idea the coil and voltage it gets and sends to the distibutor could affect a motor so much. Symptoms were: fouled plugs, intermittant mis-fire, poor idle, poor performance, etc.
Any opinions appreciated.
Regards. Mark :flag :chevy
As I need to replace my coil anyway,I'm asking for opinions of different brands of coils. The requirements are that it is a high performance variety that is still in a "cylinder" shape that will fit in the stock location (no "box" types).
I really had no idea the coil and voltage it gets and sends to the distibutor could affect a motor so much. Symptoms were: fouled plugs, intermittant mis-fire, poor idle, poor performance, etc.
Any opinions appreciated.
Regards. Mark :flag :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
Re: Which coil to use??? (Alwyn678)
I'm using the Flamethrower along with the Pertronix. Am thinking of going back to points, given all the problems here. I haven't had any, but the concerns on the forum are significant. Any problem using the Flamethrower with stock points? I still have the stock coil and can replace if necessary....
Marky Mark....you can peel the sticker off the Flamethrower for a totally stock look. It is exactly the same size as the stock unit.
Marky Mark....you can peel the sticker off the Flamethrower for a totally stock look. It is exactly the same size as the stock unit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: Which coil to use??? (marky mark)
I'm using the MSD Master Blaster 2 on my Z28. No problems so far.
P.S. that's with a Mallory Unilite distributor.
[Modified by 79MakoL82, 12:28 PM 11/20/2001]
P.S. that's with a Mallory Unilite distributor.
[Modified by 79MakoL82, 12:28 PM 11/20/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Which coil to use??? (68shark)
I am running the Flame thrower coil with Stock points...Car runs great....Once the pertronix II was taken out and the points were re-installed :D :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Which coil to use??? (marky mark)
The new 'E' core coil designs are teh most efficient coil designs, offering higher voltage and amperage than conventional coils. MSD and others offer them. I use the MSD HVC coil with an MSD Digital 6 + ignition box, and it works very well. The HVC coil is definitely not stock appearing, but it's easy to mount. The MSD HVC coil and MSD Digital 6+ box actually made a 8hp difference over the MSD 6AL and MSD Blaster coil on my motor on the dyno.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Re: Which coil to use??? (Eric 70)
Is there any reason to change to better plug wires when you change the coil or add MSD or like modules? (I have Bosch wires now) I have the Mallory unilite unit but I'm changing back to points thanks to Lars recommandation. (Lars is currently fixing my distributor)
73 L-48
Brian
73 L-48
Brian
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Re: Which coil to use??? (redwingvette)
PerTronix Flamethrower coil in the black stock-looking version. Peel the PerTronix sticker off. Trigger it with a good quality set of points, and you'll have a great combo. I've seen more problems with aftermarket electronic conversions than you'll ever imagine, so my recommendation is to use points and get a good, aggressive advance curve dialed into the distributor (and I fully recognize that we have many Forum members who have had great luck with the e-conversions).
As long as the plug wires are in good condition, not arcing to ground, and have continuity, you will find little to gain by switching from one brand or type to another. Just make sure they're of good quality with good ends that won't pull off when you yank spark plugs out, and you're in good shape. We just got some incredible engine dyno numbers on an engine we ran with a used set of stock carbon wires and a point-style distributor, so these ol' parts really do work.
As long as the plug wires are in good condition, not arcing to ground, and have continuity, you will find little to gain by switching from one brand or type to another. Just make sure they're of good quality with good ends that won't pull off when you yank spark plugs out, and you're in good shape. We just got some incredible engine dyno numbers on an engine we ran with a used set of stock carbon wires and a point-style distributor, so these ol' parts really do work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Which coil to use??? (lars)
Hi Lars...
I have a question ..
What ever happened to the "Capacitive Discharge" ignitions that were around
in the late sixties and seventies.
They were a great improvment to a stock ignition. You could take a high
compression engine that would breakdown under heavy load, and connect
this "box" to the existing points/coil, and never have another problem.
I had a Mallory unit (about the size of a loaf of bread).
It would fire a spark over two inches long.
If you used the Delco HP points, D112P, you could rev. 7K all day long.
(Well, unless the engine blew up)
Just a curiosity question.
Thanks
Barry
I have a question ..
What ever happened to the "Capacitive Discharge" ignitions that were around
in the late sixties and seventies.
They were a great improvment to a stock ignition. You could take a high
compression engine that would breakdown under heavy load, and connect
this "box" to the existing points/coil, and never have another problem.
I had a Mallory unit (about the size of a loaf of bread).
It would fire a spark over two inches long.
If you used the Delco HP points, D112P, you could rev. 7K all day long.
(Well, unless the engine blew up)
Just a curiosity question.
Thanks
Barry
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Re: Which coil to use??? (Barry's70LT1)
Barry -
You and I must be about the same "vintage," 'cause I remember those, too: I had one installed on a GTO I used to street race. They were great - or at least I was convinced of it back then. It would be interesting to find one of those puppies and compare it to a well set up standard unit like I've been talking about - I just love to compare stuff... If you happen across one, let me know, and we can arrange for a little comparison test!
You and I must be about the same "vintage," 'cause I remember those, too: I had one installed on a GTO I used to street race. They were great - or at least I was convinced of it back then. It would be interesting to find one of those puppies and compare it to a well set up standard unit like I've been talking about - I just love to compare stuff... If you happen across one, let me know, and we can arrange for a little comparison test!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Which coil to use??? (lars)
Lars..
I still have the the Mallory unit.
It's been sitting on a shelf for about 25 years now. (Buried somewhere)
It was working when I removed it.
I remember one of the disadvantages of this particular unit.
You could hear it screaming from about 10 feet away.
Let me know if you would like to try this unit.
Barry
I still have the the Mallory unit.
It's been sitting on a shelf for about 25 years now. (Buried somewhere)
It was working when I removed it.
I remember one of the disadvantages of this particular unit.
You could hear it screaming from about 10 feet away.
Let me know if you would like to try this unit.
Barry
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: Bend, Oregon
Re: Which coil to use??? (marky mark)
Lars,
If I were running a full 12 volts to the coil with my petronix system, Should I go back to the reduced voltage if I return to a points system?
I do not want to burn up the points .......
Garson :cheers:
If I were running a full 12 volts to the coil with my petronix system, Should I go back to the reduced voltage if I return to a points system?
I do not want to burn up the points .......
Garson :cheers:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
Re: Which coil to use??? (Garson)
I got the MSD Blaster 2 coil today. It is the chrome version and looks good in the engine compartment.
But, still am only getting 7 volts at idle and 9 volts at 1500 rpm to coil + from ballast resistor. Then I re-connected the ballast resistor wires to have the wire from the ignition switch and the red Unilite wire and the wire that was going to coil + all connected on the same side of the ballast resistor and this gives me 9 volts at idle and 11 volts at 1500. Which seems better based on the fact that Mallory recommends minimum 7 to maximum 11 volts for Unilite to run properly. Not sure if this has completely solved my problem, I am starting a new thread under title of "low rpm mis-fire??"
Thanks for the help!!!
Regards, Mark :flag :chevy
But, still am only getting 7 volts at idle and 9 volts at 1500 rpm to coil + from ballast resistor. Then I re-connected the ballast resistor wires to have the wire from the ignition switch and the red Unilite wire and the wire that was going to coil + all connected on the same side of the ballast resistor and this gives me 9 volts at idle and 11 volts at 1500. Which seems better based on the fact that Mallory recommends minimum 7 to maximum 11 volts for Unilite to run properly. Not sure if this has completely solved my problem, I am starting a new thread under title of "low rpm mis-fire??"
Thanks for the help!!!
Regards, Mark :flag :chevy