I've been thinking of upgrading my ignition in conjunction with adding an AI system to my car over the winter.

I'm currently running stock FC coils with 8mm Taylor wires and 9's all around. Haltech E6X for EMS and its in an '87 TII.

I'll be spraying a 50/50 mix of water/meth through a 630ml/min nozzle (slightly larger then an M10, yes?) So nothing drastic, but AI nonetheless.

I know the FC coils are durable, but they're also aging at this point despite my car's low mileage. I have considered LS1 coils by themselves as they're readily available etc. but don't know if they are considered an upgrade in any other apsect aside from them being new. (meaning are they actually stonger then FC coils? or are they just more reliable because they're new?)

It boils down to: I want a stronger then stock, reliable ignition system that will provide enough juice to light the swish I'm spraying at it. What's needed? CDI + stock coils? New coils? New aftermarket (ie. MSD LS1 coils)?

Enlighten and discuss please.

Thanks in advance.

 

Most likely your stock setup will light it up with no problems. How much boost are you planning on running?

 

18-20 psi on a GT-3574 (basically maxing it out efficiency wise)

I realize the stock setup *will* work, but what might work better and more reliably then my 20y/o coil packs?

 

You can have a full set of delphi Ls2 coils harness and plug wires to suit for about 135$

 

Where from?

Thanks

 

Ebay http://motors.search.ebay.com/d514a_W0QQfromZR40 about 20 dollars per coil

Your local Gm deal should have the bracket and harness in stock for about 20 dollars each (you really don't need the bracket, it makes more sense to make your own:
better to have the coils: C C rather than C C C C
better to have the coils: C C
Then call magnecore and order a set of crimp on spark plug ends for Ls2 coils and new boots and use them on your existing plug wires.

 

Nice, and these coils themselves in conjunction with adjustable dwell via the Haltech will be more powerful then the OEM coils?

 

I have no proof, but many people think so as do I.

 

The stock ignition will not work. My car was sent for tuning with Steve Kan a couple weeks back. Pretty much the same setup you have. 9's spark plug, A-spec GT3574, stock ignition and spraying 100% methanol.

Very bad ignition break-ups. Steve told me to upgrade and boost the front coils. He showed me how bad the break-up was on the dyno graphs. This was with methanol at about 18psi. Then he tune for 14psi w/o methanol and there was break-ups too.

I always thought the stock ignition was strong, but after seeing what I saw, an ignition upgrade is a must.

 

Did you upgrade? And it fixed the problem? Or is that just what he told you to do?

 

Thanks, what kind of power were you putting down and what kind of coils? FC? FD?

 

My ignition was stock at that time, and yeah Steve told me it wasn't going to make it even before the tune. During the tune he confirmed that the ignition wasn't enough to burn the fuel on the upper ends.

My car's a FC. Tune was unfortunately cut short and incomplete due to an unfortunate event that happened on the dyno. It was making around 300whp at 14psi in its last few pulls. That was without a fine tune and with ignition break-ups.

I'll be upgrading my ignition to MSD coils and a MSD box for the leading plugs. Steve told me the leading ones are the ones that need it. The trailing ones I can leave it stock.

I've yet to confirm that this will solve the breakups on a dyno yet as the car needs a new engine now but if this doesn't solve the break-ups, I don't know what else will.

 

My ignition is stock except for a Twin Power and 11.5 range pluge and I had no problems lighting up my pump gas and 100% meth at 22 psi. Steve tuned my car as well. I never get any break up. Maybe the twin power makes that much difference, but i kind of doubt it.

 

Well it sure better do something for $400!!

I'm thinking of just going the proven route and adding an MSD 6A. Might even throw on a pair of boosted MSD LS1 coils for the leading. Having too much spark won't hurt me thats for sure

Any other thoughts?

EDIT: Zinx, how much meth are you spraying? And to me, 100% is FAR easier to light up then 50/50 meth/water.......

 

I can't remember the exact nozzle size, but i think i have an M8 and M12 with a line pressure of 150 psi. Its quite a bit of meth.

 

There is a summit racing digital CDI for like 120 bucks, with avertised specs as good as the basic MSD digital boxes:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

Interesting....Thanks slo!

zinx - what specific plugs are you running that are 11.5 heat range?

Also, any thoughts on these for coils?

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

Sorry, they are not 11.5s, just 11s. B11EGV.

 

These?

http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_cross.asp?pid=b11egv

 

Yes, you'll need a thin walled socket to install them. Only take a few minutes on a bench grinder to make one.

 

*Excellent* ----> ""Mr. Burns style""

 

Classicauto

Did you ever get a ignition upgrade?

Ian

 

Yeah, I'm going to boost the stock leading coil with an MSD 6A for now and see what that gets me.

I'm also heavily contemplating running 100% meth since it should be easier to light, and for my purposes it should get the job done. I'm only injecting a "little" so to speak, compared to some anyways, while trying to just lower the intake temps a little, and reduce knock. Just add a little saftey to it thats all.

I'm also thinking, running 50/50 or 70/30 etc, my mixes would be off slightly every time, unless I go to some pretty long lengths to ensure accuracy, so running 100% would be repeatable, and consistent.

 

I called Jackson Motorsports a distributer for FJO racing products and told them I would like to run the FJO methanol kit but don't have the money for the Autronic 500r and he questioned my reasoning to getting a CDI ignition upgrade. He figures I don't need it. That really I would not be injecting enough to warrant a CDI upgrade.

I know I don't need the 500r per say but I would rather just get the best since I tend to buy a lesser component and upgrade later. Besides the 500r is dual capacitance and can run trailing and leading all in on box.

I guess you can do launch control with your ignition box?

 

Nahm, the 6A is very basic. Just boosts the spark a little, no extra features.

I was going to get a 6AL but most of what it can do, the Haltech can (if I wanted the features that is....two step, soft cut rev limiter etc.) so I just went for what I figured I'd need.

I just know the MSD units are used very widely, and they seem to get the job done so I'll give it a shot.

You may not *need* it like they say, but I don't really *need* alot of **** I have on my car, I just like playing around lol