Ignition Coil Voltage
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Ignition Coil Voltage
Does anyone know why on earlier model C3 vettes, does Chevy only use 6 volts approx. on the line side of the coil? Why not use the full 12 volts? Why can`t I just go ahead and use the full voltage? (The answer to that one is because it will toast my new coil, I am sure)
Just curious and was wondering if anyone knew any more about it.
Just curious and was wondering if anyone knew any more about it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Re: Ignition Coil Voltage (Eddie 96)
Eddie, I'm no expert ... but I believe the system is designed to run at 6V and crank at 12V ... coil gets 12V at cranking ... coil gets 6v when running (via a resistor wire). What'll happen if you go 12V all the time? I believe it'll eventually ruin a 6V coil ... and quickly burn up your points. Suggest leaving things as they were designed ... or change to a 12V coil with a pertronix ignitor (points eliminator). Others please chime in if I'm off the mark.
