New Plug gap? for H.O. coils?

[z34phoenix]

was wondering... i know everyone says that the MSD coils and the like are not worth buying, cause the factory coils have enough spark for our engine... this is true. BUT....

what i was thinking, is there a way to use these coils by having a larger plug gap? the larger gap, IMO would require extra V and the new coils will give just that! by having a larger gap. the spark will be bigger and burn more effectively. does this sound rational?

even if i dont see a HP change, i would think there would be fuel efficeny to gain by this. and for a new set of plugs for under $40 and coils from summit or jegs are like $100 its not that much if i can gain mpg

[dohcfiend]

i think to really take advantage of them, you'd need the ignition box too(about $375) and the coilpack adapters($30 for each coil)

[SappySE107]

I did that with the MSD DIS-4. I wouldn't even consider it with just "upgraded" coils. I dont trust aftermarket coils personally as my experience shows MSD and Accel both lasting less than a week. Even if they were working like they should, its not that much more than stock from what I remember.

I was able to run .075 with the DIS 4. I forget how far ended up being noticably too much.

[Juglenaut]

The spark will get to a point where it actually cools down from stock or recomended gap.

This topic has been brought up before.

[z34phoenix]

so what your saying is that more power to the plug wont let you change the gap... and if it does the spark isnt hot enough correct?

[HayesPerformance]

I have run MSD coils personally with no problem what so ever. I have also a custom made set of MSD 8.5mm SUPER CONDUCTOR WIRES. They have been great. I put the coils on 2 years ago. I have had problems with Accel products coils and with the spark plugs every time. I have been dealing in the whole automotive field a sometime. At one time Accels quality was much better but now I don't sell or use there products. That is just my experience though.

By the way, with a hotter ignition system you won't see a huge difference unless you are putting it on a engine that has lots of real mods to the engine itself.
I know this first hand. You will see some difference. If you are runing for example, boost or a turbo, or have a bored High compression block and then add a hot ignition THEN YOU REALLY SEE A DIFFERENCE.
WHEN I TALK IGNITION SYSTEMS I MEAN ACCUAL IGNITION CAPACITIVE DISCHARGE MODULES (alot also with mult-spark capabilities)

BECAREFUL THAT YOU DON'T PUT A VERY HIGH OUTPUT INGNITION ON A
MOTOR THAT IS NOT BUILT TO HANDLE IT.
I have seen inexperienced people do that with out checking with someone. They ended up litterally burning a hole in to the pistons.

Just a friendly caution to all our friends here.

Regards to all
David Hayes
President of
HAYES PERFORMANCE PLUS
of CANADA

[Ray Hamilton]

I've used an Accel coil in my '86 S10 for a couple of years w/o any problem. As far as performance goes, it seems to start better. I've seen it mentioned here that Bosch plugs don't work, I've used a set of the dual electrode models for a couple of years w/o trouble also.

[z34phoenix]

wow really old post lol. yeah some cars can benifit from a hotter spark. but what i have learned in the last 2 years since i orignally posted is that our factory DIS system fires a very hot spark. so swaping to a hotter coil (and the after market ones arent much hotter) isnt going to be noticable.

like posted above a complete new ignition system that fires mulitpule sparks has its benifits in the correct app.