coil options...

ok here is the deal...I have a stock replacement points coil on my car and I swapped in a pertronix. I might be going duraspark later on when the 200 goes in. I am looking for a hotter coil that doesn't need a ballast. will any aftermarket one work for me? (not concerned about the horse shoe connector for later on)


nick
 
Why no ballast? You can just give the Pertronix 12V and splice a resistor into the coil feed. Important is to give adequate current capacity with a fresh wire if possible, rather than 40 year old oxidised stuff.

From mammary, things like the Accel Supercoil have a further resistor to hook up, regardless of your feed voltage...

Adam.
 
COULD YOU EXPLAIN WIRING IN MORE DETAIL . DOES 12V FEED GET SPLIT W/ ONE LINE TO DIZZY & OTHER WIRE TO RESISTER THEN COIL
FOR PETRONIX
 
well I thought that most but not all aftermarket coils could be ran with a 12v feed. it jsu twould make wiring the pertronix easier and should give a higher output. but if they all run a ballast then I guess I will have to then.

nick
 
OK, Izzy, here's an "ideal" scenario for retrofitting such a system. You can pick the eyes out of it for other situations.

Start at one of the main "splices" in your underdash harness. They may not be visible and hence need to be unpicked in the tape wrap to access. Check your wiring diagram. Using fresh soft solder (electronic type with high silver content), piggyback your new over-rated ignition feed wire to the main line in. The Teflon type coated wires are nice and durable for engine bay work, but try for an appropriate or original colour.

Now hook this feed wire to a discreetly placed kill switch. Again, solder all connections to maximise current flow. Cover exposed bits with heatshrink or tape. Now, tape (strap) the outfeed of the kill switch to the old harness, and run it out through into the engine bay. Sometimes, it may be easier to push it through another grommet for choke or heater hoses - your situation will define this.

Either way, head for the coil positive. Mount your resistor(s) in a shock/vibration minimised place; not on the motor. Be sure you can always see them to check up. Use spade connectors to join this wire end to the resistive mass, but solder the connector once again and heatshrink. A "piggyback" connector on the resistor is where you take off the 12V for the Pertronix. The far side of the resistive bloc goes to the coil.

Always check both your coil and the distributor body (and breaker plate) for perfect grounding with a meter.

Cheers, Adam.
 
Hi fairlane 170,

You say you have installed a Pertronix system with a stock coil. You are interested in a 12 volt coil. I assume from your question you have already removed the ballast resistor. This is an appropriate method for installing a Pertronix unit. Makes the install much simpler and insures 12 volts is available to the Pertronix unit. Your stock 6 volt coil will work, however, it's useful life will be shortened. In my opinion the best 12 volt coil to use is the Flame Thrower 2. It is 45000 volt unit made to be used with the Pertronix ignition. You will like the results, and it can be used with the DII if you go that way later on. Although, in my opinion, there is no material difference between the performance of the Pertronix IgnitorII and the DII.

Steve
 
The Bosch coils used on Volkswagens are designed to be used without an external ballast resistor. Get the Blue coil, or the Red one if you believe all the hype. No matter, run whatever you like, but a coil that was designed to use a ballast resistor will run hotter without it.
Joe
 
Careful. Both the Flamethrower and Flamethrower II coils take 12v, and this allieviates all your resistors in the system. BUT -- the FT II is a low resistence coil and should NOT be used with the original Ignitor. The FT II is "designed for use use with our Ignitor II and is compatible with capacative discharge systems (CD Box)." Quoted from Pertronix catalog.

I would ditch the stock type coil for sure.

Now, the idea of a kill switch (which I have heard discussed before) THAT is a genius idea. The only problem I see with that is that you may have trouble if ever in a pinch or emergency someone else needs to move your vehicle. I wonder if someone makes a key fob remote that simply would throw the switch open/closed? Could be really cool -- walk up to the vehicle, press the button and know that you're ready to role. Could wire in an override circuit if the remote is lost or disfucntional. Hmmmmm....
 
well I have a 12v car so I don't hae a 6v coil...

as far as the pertronix install I know they say install it with 12v but I jus thooked it up to the coil and it fired right up and has been trouble free for 2+ years , 20K miles now. might jsut get a flamethrower coil....keep things smilple and in a system..

nick
 
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