Do I even need a "performance" ignition coil?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,475
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Do I even need a "performance" ignition coil?
It looks like i need a new ignition coil for my stock '93. I contacted Autozone and they have a "performance" Accel coil for $40. But they have a non-performance Duralast coil for $15. I'd have to order the performance coil if I wanted it. So my question is, will a "performance" coil make any bit of difference in my vette? Or will the Duralast coil work just as well?
Thanks.
VetteUSA
Thanks.
VetteUSA
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I'd recommend neither of the above. If you want aftermarket, get MSD. Otherwise, get an OEM or an Echlin.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Originally Posted by VictorRussell'92
I have an MSD coil. Probably doesn't do any more than stock but it looks nice. 
Very accurate!!I had a MSD and the LT1 would not "quick start" put the factory one back on and all returned to normal.....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
GM did a very good design job with the HE ignition and their coil developes high spark energy and lasts a long time. To get higher spark energy by changing only the coil, you need to increase the primary current which shortens the life of the spark control module, or you have to increase the primary inductance which causes reduction of spark energy at high rpm. GM made a good compromise , what does an aftermarket coil compromise? IMHO, use the GM coil.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,475
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Thanks guys for the input 
.... I kind of need a coil asap... so i called around to auto parts stores to see what they had in stock. Basically, if i want an OEM coil, they'd have to order it, and i'd be waiting for one to arrive for 2 or so days. I don't have that kind of time to wait for a coil. But i contacted Napa and they have the Echlin brand.
Normally I wouldn't mind waiting a couple days, but circumstances require otherwise.
.... I kind of need a coil asap... so i called around to auto parts stores to see what they had in stock. Basically, if i want an OEM coil, they'd have to order it, and i'd be waiting for one to arrive for 2 or so days. I don't have that kind of time to wait for a coil. But i contacted Napa and they have the Echlin brand.Normally I wouldn't mind waiting a couple days, but circumstances require otherwise.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Pete K
You don't "need" a performance coil.
A coil will build voltage until it reaches the point at which the spark will jump the plug's gap.
Therefore, spark voltage is dependant upon plug resistance, not coil capability. I.e. if it takes 14,000 volts to jump the plug gap, then the spark will be 14,000V, regardless whether the coil is a 20,000V coil or a 50,000V coil.
Any coil that is in good condition will result in the same power output of the engine as any other coil.
Best bet: buy the stock coil; you know it will work with the stock system.
Larry
code5coupe
Last edited by rocco16; Mar 21, 2006 at 03:29 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by vetteusa
Thanks guys for the input .... I kind of need a coil asap... so i called around to auto parts stores to see what they had in stock. Basically, if i want an OEM coil, they'd have to order it, and i'd be waiting for one to arrive for 2 or so days. I don't have that kind of time to wait for a coil. But i contacted Napa and they have the Echlin brand.
Normally I wouldn't mind waiting a couple days, but circumstances require otherwise.
.... I kind of need a coil asap... so i called around to auto parts stores to see what they had in stock. Basically, if i want an OEM coil, they'd have to order it, and i'd be waiting for one to arrive for 2 or so days. I don't have that kind of time to wait for a coil. But i contacted Napa and they have the Echlin brand.Normally I wouldn't mind waiting a couple days, but circumstances require otherwise.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: green valley az
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
If it's anything like the price of the napa cap and rotor, its highway robbery. They charged me $50 for those, but I had no choice.
