Ignition Coil

[MikeK2B]

I bought a hi performance ignition coil for my boat, a 60,000V one. The old coil that came off the boat didnt have a ballast resistor nor required one according to the wiring diagram in my clymers manual. The new coil came with a ballast resistor. Do I need to hook it up? I have a 93 5.0L Ford with a prestolite breakerless ignition. Thanks!

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Ignition Coil

MikeK2B<br />My advice would be to return the coil. If the original ignition didn't use a ballast resistor, its of newer technology and is adequate for the engine. You are just wasting money.<br /><br />If you MUST use it, compare the primary resistance from both coil. If they are not within .2 of an ohm, I wouldn't use it....

 

[MikeK2B]

Re: Ignition Coil

I guess I forgot to add this to my original post, but the reason i wanted a 60,000V coil was because I'm looking to squeeze a little HP out of the engine. The coil I bought was new from a local dealer and was universal, probably the reason it has a ballast resistor attached. I know that it isnt a radical mod, but hopefully at the least better starting and fuel efficiency. The coil and spark wires were showing some age and I figured this would be a good time to replace them. Also, I got Crane Cams 11mm Spark Wire, to suppliment this. The question I'm looking to be answered is if the ballast resistor needs used. I think the only factor in determining this is the strength of the electrical system, because there are no points to burn out on my system. Also, the ground is run though the ESA module first, is that a weakness there?

 

[Boatist]

Re: Ignition Coil

Mike<br />Most factory systems use resistance wire rather than a ballast resistor. Is you distributor cap designed to handle 60,000 volts also or will spark be jumping to several plug at once. With that much voltage need to be sure have no carbon tracks in cap and it is in top condition. If it was that easy to gain HP in a motor don't you think all motors would have it standard. I done all this stuff in my young auto playing days and soon found the ORIGNAL EQUIP was better and more reliable. To really affect power need more air and fuel in and out, or higher compression, or bigger engine. Just my opinion.<br />Good luck and hope it holds up for you.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Ignition Coil

MikeK2B, boatist is on the right track. There are 4 engine parameters that affect the power from an engine, P, L, A, and N. P stands for the pressure in the cylinder from the exploding gas/air mixture, L is the stroke length, A is the piston area, and N is the number of power strokes per second. The actual math calculation is done with metric units. Anything you do to increase any of these items will increase the power output. In your situation if your original coil was weak then a new coil would make the engine run correctly and produce more HP but not more than the manufacturer designed in. That's all there is, sorry, there's no magic way to get free HP.

 

[MikeK2B]

Re: Ignition Coil

O well, i figured a coil would slightly increase HP because thats what all the electronic ignition conversions promise because of the hotter spark they produce.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Ignition Coil

MikeK2b, all is not lost, if you're changing from a points and condensor to electronic ignition there are many advantages including reduced maintenance and a consistant spark. The rubbing block on points/condensor ignition systems starts wearing during use, this changes the gap, which changes the dwell timing, which also affects the basic ignition timing of the engine. As long as the extra spark from the hotter coil doesn't arc around and cause problems you have little to lose.

 

[horndog]

Re: Ignition Coil

Boatist is correct on this one.<br /><br />The only time increased voltage from a coil would be if the engine needs it already, like increased air and fuel intake(other hi-perf mods), and even then you won't "feel" an increase in power.<br /><br />Try simple things like a K&N spark arrestor and get the biggest you can slap onto it. You will feel a torque increase. Change the prop for a better hole shot or higher speeds.<br /><br />I don't know if people have done this on marine ford 5.0s, but you could get a couple more horseys by changing out the pulley system, but I don't know if anyone has done that on a marine engine and how much that would decrease your alternator's charging power.<br /><br />Ultimately, your 302 is a strong engine, and if you think creatively you may go grab yourself a mustang magazine and see what bolt-on mods would or would not work.

 

[MikeK2B]

Re: Ignition Coil

Wow, thanks alot for the input guys. I think what I'll do is check to see that the ignition coil is in the correct amp range for the system, and go from there. Maybe down the road I'll change to a thru-hull exhaust and 4bbl carb. O ya, quick question, anyone try one of those MSD 6m or 7m marine units? Do they really work as good as they say they do? Any known problems with the OMC ESA? Sorry for all the questions, promise that will be the last on this topic! Thanks

 

[horndog]

Re: Ignition Coil

I have nothing but bad experiences with MSD iginition systems, thats my $.02