Spark makers . . . . Difference ?
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
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Spark makers . . . . Difference ?
While I'm on a bit of a streak of stupid questions, Is there any real difference in the size and output of coil packs, is GM or OEM the same as say MSD or other after market brands ? and the same goes for wire sets, all the same ?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 657
Likes: 301
From: Nova Scotia Canada
The simple answer is YES. There is a difference. The question is do you need to spend the extra money for MSD ect? Doubtful unless your boosting to the moon.
OEM coil packs are fine up to very high power levels. Any quality plug wire is more than adequate for even high power levels. I'm using oem coils and decent after market wires with zero issues at up to almost 700whp. Plugs on the other hand will make a difference especially with boost.
OEM coil packs are fine up to very high power levels. Any quality plug wire is more than adequate for even high power levels. I'm using oem coils and decent after market wires with zero issues at up to almost 700whp. Plugs on the other hand will make a difference especially with boost.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Stock LS coils are proven to be good for up to around 1100hp. And plenty of guys running 30lbs of boost without issue. If you're planning on exceeding 1100hp then upgrading to Mercury Marine coils makes sense. But they aren't a not a simple plug and play.
MSD coils are crap. Plenty of issues with MSD coils reported on this forum over the years. Junk.
Stick with OEM if under 1100 and spend money where it's needed.
MSD coils are crap. Plenty of issues with MSD coils reported on this forum over the years. Junk.
Stick with OEM if under 1100 and spend money where it's needed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 1,642
From: North Coast
The bigger coils also come in under more RPM. Especially with the older HEI. The GM ignitions are a very good system and unless you are doing high RPM and long term RPM there is not a major need to upgrade.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,795
Likes: 4,614
The simple answer is YES. There is a difference. The question is do you need to spend the extra money for MSD ect? Doubtful unless your boosting to the moon.
OEM coil packs are fine up to very high power levels. Any quality plug wire is more than adequate for even high power levels. I'm using oem coils and decent after market wires with zero issues at up to almost 700whp. Plugs on the other hand will make a difference especially with boost.
OEM coil packs are fine up to very high power levels. Any quality plug wire is more than adequate for even high power levels. I'm using oem coils and decent after market wires with zero issues at up to almost 700whp. Plugs on the other hand will make a difference especially with boost.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 1,642
From: North Coast
Street wise for most no.
In racing with higher heat, higher vibration and higher sustained RPM and with some higher grade ignitions they will require better coils.
But on the street your car will likely never exceed the need for more.
In racing with higher heat, higher vibration and higher sustained RPM and with some higher grade ignitions they will require better coils.
But on the street your car will likely never exceed the need for more.
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Nothing wrong wtih the factory coil packs and if you want to change the wires, I recommend the GMPP red wires.
Stick with OEM, I did.