Motor Heads - coil Qustion?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,462
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From: Reno nevada
Motor Heads - coil Qustion?
I have all Crane ignition. I have to make a choice on which coil to use.
Crane makes two coils a PS92 and it's 1/2 size brother the LX92. Is a bigger coil better?
Crane makes two coils a PS92 and it's 1/2 size brother the LX92. Is a bigger coil better?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Put your hand onan old factory small dia. points coil it will be very hot to the touch. One coil, one coil wire is working there hind end off trying to fire 8 cylinders. The new LS coils are barely even working at all just to fire one cylinder, what I'm getting at one place I would never try to save a dime on is the quality of a coil or the coil wire trying to keep up with 8 cylinders.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Nov 27, 2009 at 10:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 1
From: Reno nevada
I'm not installing the modern 8 coil system in my old 71 vette. I'm just doing one coil and wondered if going with a modern bigger single was better than some light weight racing model.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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One coil having to fire eight cylinders has a very tuff job to do.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Nov 27, 2009 at 10:53 PM.
Race Director
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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A coil will only put out as much as is required to jump the plug gap. Doesn't matter if you put a coil on the size of a truck battery, it's pretty much going to only take what it needs.
The leaner the mixture, the higher the cylinder pressure etc increases needs. The individual coils work great to allow individual cylinder timing though.
But it really doesn't take anything super fancy to run well.
I can tell you my 540 runs 9's@140+ mph using a simple parts store/stock sized Bosch coil and it's been doing it for years.
JIM
The leaner the mixture, the higher the cylinder pressure etc increases needs. The individual coils work great to allow individual cylinder timing though.
But it really doesn't take anything super fancy to run well.
I can tell you my 540 runs 9's@140+ mph using a simple parts store/stock sized Bosch coil and it's been doing it for years.
JIM
Race Director
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
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2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Bigger coils have the *potential* to create a stronger spark if needed. If it only takes 5000 volts...that's all you're gonna get.
Top Fuelers have a monster ignition system on them and create lots of potential...sort of like a decent welder...then they tune to need that much.
Yes....multiple coils definitely have an easier life. But I can't remember the last time I ever had a bad one on a *one coil* system.
JIM
Top Fuelers have a monster ignition system on them and create lots of potential...sort of like a decent welder...then they tune to need that much.
Yes....multiple coils definitely have an easier life. But I can't remember the last time I ever had a bad one on a *one coil* system.
JIM
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 1
From: Reno nevada
Well I bought the smaller lighter LX92. The directions say that it needs to be away from heat and have air flow. It also says that the aluminum heat finned mount has to be grounded. I might take it back and get the larger model
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Take it back and get a different one...there aren't many places inside a C3 engine compartment that have "good, cool airflow". If you are still running a points type system, get the coil you want, but don't gap the plugs more than .035". If you do, the points will wear-out much sooner from the higher voltage spark. Also, find out what the supply voltage needs to be for the coil you are buying. Pre-HEI C3 ignition systems had a resistor wire built into the wiring harness which limited 'effective' power getting to the stock coil. If your new coil is for 12vdc continuous duty, you will need to run a separate 12vdc feed wire from an "Ignition" voltage source at the fuse block.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Reno nevada
I'm using the crane electronic dist and H6R multispark. The Lx92 and ps 92 coils are made for cd ignitions without a ballast voltage dropping resistor.
I also run the crane 238/248 solid cam with 1.6 rockers. It purrs up to 7000 rpm, but I rarely exceed 6 or 6.5K
I also run the crane 238/248 solid cam with 1.6 rockers. It purrs up to 7000 rpm, but I rarely exceed 6 or 6.5K
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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Anyway I was not trying to suggest anyone needs to have 120,000 ( LS engine ) volts to jump an old style narrow plug gap, or anyone should run out have to buy a CDI for there low compression street car, just another part added that could fail.