Suggestions For Coil Needed
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What are you using to trigger the coil?
On a basically-stock compression/cam, I'd go with a good brand-name (or made in USA) coil for a '78 Fairmont.
Or there's this info from IgnitionMan, a good source of ignition info on several other boards:
GOOD COILS:
MSD Blaster II chrome coil, p/n 8200
NAPA IC12 black coil, same coil as MSD 8200 (NOT IC12 SB)
Summit G5215, same coil as MSD 8200
CarQuest 26189 black coil, made with the same specs as MSD 8200.
NOT GOOD COILS:
Blaster II RED coils 8201, 8202, NO, layer shorting issues, made in Mexico, problem prone
Accel 8140, 8140C, 8145, 8145C, NO, Taiwan made, problem prone.
Mallory, any.
I've been using a NAPA IC12 coil on my high-compression and cammed Buick big-block for a couple of years now with good results.
Or there's this info from IgnitionMan, a good source of ignition info on several other boards:
GOOD COILS:
MSD Blaster II chrome coil, p/n 8200
NAPA IC12 black coil, same coil as MSD 8200 (NOT IC12 SB)
Summit G5215, same coil as MSD 8200
CarQuest 26189 black coil, made with the same specs as MSD 8200.
NOT GOOD COILS:
Blaster II RED coils 8201, 8202, NO, layer shorting issues, made in Mexico, problem prone
Accel 8140, 8140C, 8145, 8145C, NO, Taiwan made, problem prone.
Mallory, any.
I've been using a NAPA IC12 coil on my high-compression and cammed Buick big-block for a couple of years now with good results.
There will never be a better time to upgrade to the TFI coil with a GM HEI module. The TFI/HEI type coils have higher inductance than virtually all of the tin-can types. Bear in mind that the much vaunted DUI ignition uses an off the shelf HEI coil; you can have its equivalent for far less dollars.
Joe
Joe
early ford fan
Well-known member
im using a 78 fairmont setup too.are you saying its worthwhile to ditch the ford module and coil for the chevy parts?Lazy JW":eqfeh8f0 said:
There's lots of variations in the design and quality of the old-style oil-filled coils, true. But what I don't like about the TFI/HEI coils (especially the GM coil-in-cap ones) is that they're epoxy-filled and so they run hotter (especially when you bury it in a dizzy cap like the GM/DUI design) - so much so that in the GM apps they'll start dropping out above 4500rpm (but then again, how often do you rev that high?). The Ford TFI's don't seem to have that reputation, but they don't look original, and if you're wanting the stock coil location I'm not sure how you'd do that (I've never messed with one myself).
All that being said, if you've got a good oil-filled coil (see list above) I'd use it and not worry a bit about it - especially if you've got a close-to-stock engine. Just be sure to mount it as upright as possible so the cooling oil is covering the wiring inside. If you don't care about appearing stock and the price is comparible, I'd try a Ford TFI coil.
GM HEI module vs DuraSpark box? I'd use whatever you have. I don't know of much practical advantage to using the GM HEI module over the Ford, except that you can hide the GM part easier than the big Ford box for a more original appearance. Lots of people use either one with good results. I'm using a GM HEI module (like Lazy JW) and a NAPA IC12 coil. If you do go with the GM module, be sure to mount it on a good heat sink with a good ground. And with either one, be sure you've got a full 12V to it whenever the key is on.
If I was you, I'd use what I had on hand - you can swap around pretty easily later on if you want to see if one setup is better or not.
All that being said, if you've got a good oil-filled coil (see list above) I'd use it and not worry a bit about it - especially if you've got a close-to-stock engine. Just be sure to mount it as upright as possible so the cooling oil is covering the wiring inside. If you don't care about appearing stock and the price is comparible, I'd try a Ford TFI coil.
GM HEI module vs DuraSpark box? I'd use whatever you have. I don't know of much practical advantage to using the GM HEI module over the Ford, except that you can hide the GM part easier than the big Ford box for a more original appearance. Lots of people use either one with good results. I'm using a GM HEI module (like Lazy JW) and a NAPA IC12 coil. If you do go with the GM module, be sure to mount it on a good heat sink with a good ground. And with either one, be sure you've got a full 12V to it whenever the key is on.
If I was you, I'd use what I had on hand - you can swap around pretty easily later on if you want to see if one setup is better or not.
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