Let's talk about coil pack ignition, a grassroots CSOB build? Options

[ahdoman]

Here's the deal; I started a thread over on the PP / 911 site on possibly using coil pack ignition instead of the traditional distributor and wires. In keeping with the 911 wine and cheese tradition it's gone high dollar, twin plug, race motor setups. (I should have known better than to try to get "shade tree mechanic" info from the "executive" class).

So, here's where I am so far and I'm hoping some of you can fill in the info here. Since most of you are on a budget like me I thought I'd get some more realistic answers over here.

There are several manufacturers of coils that fit on the top of the plugs (Audi, VW, Kawasaki, Denso, etc.). These are really cool because they also fit down into the sheet metal of the 4's but in my case the valve covers and headsof the /6. It also means the elimination of plug wires and puts a nice strong spark right at the plug. What I am trying to understand is the other parts that are needed to complete a system. I know there are some good manufacturers of pre-fabed solutions out there but they are $$$$$$$$$$ and still require plug wires to be run from a central coil pack location.

Here's a couple of questions;

1) I realize that the individual coil packs will need to be triggered. What are the options to doing this and how are they wired?
2) What kind of a "brain" needs to be involved with a system like this? What does it need to do?

Here's an example of the type of coil pack I'm looking at...



And here's an example installed...



See how neat that is? I realize wires will still need to be run but they can be much smaller since they no longer need to carry the voltage from the coil.

[Elliot Cannon]

Will this significantly improve your engines performance, or is this a solution in need of a problem? I truly don't understand a lot of this 'lectrical stuff but is it worth the trouble or just a fun thing to tinker with?

[J P Stein]

Will this significantly improve your engines performance, or is this a solution in need of a problem? I truly don't understand a lot of this 'lectrical stuff but is it worth the trouble or just a fun thing to tinker with?

The world wonders. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[ahdoman]

Will this significantly improve your engines performance, or is this a solution in need of a problem? I truly don't understand a lot of this 'lectrical stuff but is it worth the trouble or just a fun thing to tinker with?

The world wonders. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Elliot - The benefits to power are minimal unless you're running a high power twin plug race engine. However, when it comes to engine managment then there are quite a few benefits. Just eliminating a distributor and the spark delivery system will improve the accuracy of the engine dynamics greatly. In my case I have a distributor and plug wires that are quite old with lots of miles on them. I could either replace those with newer parts (minimum cost around $300 to $400) or for the same money go to a more efficient controllable system. Besides, less moving parts in the engine (i.e. distributor shaft) is a good thing.

The long term plan is to eventually go to an EFI system as well. Then the improvments will give a noticable HP difference.