Ignition System Upgrade Advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Asheville, NC
Ignition System Upgrade Advice
I'd like to upgrade my Stock HEI for more "spark" and efficiency. Any recommendations on a high voltage coil/cap? Plug Wires? Are high performance ignition modules hi-perf or hype? Plugs? Any other tips?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: Camden SC
Re: Ignition System Upgrade Advice (Austin89)
If your car start and runs good now, then the secondary spark is OK.
For stock applications, spark does not make performance. Fuel and air does that. Assuming you double the spark voltage, it would be like lighting the trash with a blow torch. Thermal energy released would be the same. You called it "hype", sounds good to me. I suspect if you have a stock engine, spend money on parts and dynos, the results would reflect dyno variance.
Now, in heavily modified engines, maybe. Just maybe. Show me the numbers off a dyno.
Spend your money on something else.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
For stock applications, spark does not make performance. Fuel and air does that. Assuming you double the spark voltage, it would be like lighting the trash with a blow torch. Thermal energy released would be the same. You called it "hype", sounds good to me. I suspect if you have a stock engine, spend money on parts and dynos, the results would reflect dyno variance.
Now, in heavily modified engines, maybe. Just maybe. Show me the numbers off a dyno.
Spend your money on something else.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Ignition System Upgrade Advice (CSM87)
I'll agree that a lot of the high performance ignition stuff is just hype, but what's it gonna hurt. As part of your tune up you might as well put a good hot coil on there, and especially those MSD wires.
Those are probably some of the best wires out there right now for durability and extreme low resistance. The best spark in the world does no good if it's all disappated as heat by the plug wire. It won't make any horsepower magically appear, but it will make sure that each cylinder fires every time.
Those are probably some of the best wires out there right now for durability and extreme low resistance. The best spark in the world does no good if it's all disappated as heat by the plug wire. It won't make any horsepower magically appear, but it will make sure that each cylinder fires every time.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: Ignition System Upgrade Advice (Silver89)
Silver89,
Where did you install the MSD 6, in your vette.....can't figure out where to put it?????
Let me know. OK?
Thanks
tony :cheers:
Where did you install the MSD 6, in your vette.....can't figure out where to put it?????
Let me know. OK?
Thanks
tony :cheers:
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Re: Ignition System Upgrade Advice (oldace84)
Silver89,Where did you install the MSD 6, in your vette.....can't figure out where to put it?????
Let me know. OK?
Thanks
tony :cheers:
Let me know. OK?
Thanks
tony :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Re: Ignition System Upgrade Advice (Silver89)
Let me add that if you plan on taking it to the track, the spark-based rev limiter on an MSD is far safer than the stock fuel-shutoff rev limiter. For that reason alone, an MSD 6AL is worth it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,728
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Ignition System Upgrade Advice (CSM87)
Unless your engine has been significantly modded to allow you to go higher than about 4500-5000rpm, you do not need to modify the ignition system.
The HEI is very good until you get to those high rpm.
For now, just a new cap/rotor and MSD plug wires will perform very well. And you can save the money that you would spend on the Digital 6 box for something else.
The HEI is very good until you get to those high rpm.
For now, just a new cap/rotor and MSD plug wires will perform very well. And you can save the money that you would spend on the Digital 6 box for something else.
