The design advantage of aftermarket coil is they have the potential to generate
a higher voltage on the output (i.e., at the plug).
What you have to keep in mind when you consider purchasing one of these coils
is that the voltage necessary to jump the plug gap is much lower than what the
coil can produce. This means that if it takes 15,000 volts to create a spark in
your engine whether you have a stock coil that can produce 30,000 volts or an
after market one that can produce 45,000 the spark will still happen at 15,000
and you get no advantage. However, if something changes in your engine such as
increased compression, increased plug gap or fouling of the plugs due to wear
the voltage requred to create a spark may increase to 30,000 volts and that
stock coil will no longer reliabily fire the coil where the aftermarket one
will.
As with everything in life there is always a price to pay. Aftermarket coils
will use more power from your vehicles electrical system and/or they will run
hotter (many state that they are for race use only) that can shorten their life
expectancy.
IMHO, I wouldn't bother purchasing an aftermarket coil just for the sake of it.
If you needed a new coil certainly get an aftermarket one or if you were making
other mods that could require higher voltage from the ignition. If you decide
to go for it anyway at least take advantage of the extra potential by openig
the pug gap a few thousandths.
FWIW, I have an MSD Blaster II coil on my 68 Barracuda, no problems in three
years. Also, no performance/economy advantage over the 36 year old stock coil
either.
Dave Clement
99 SLT+ CC 4x4
In article <c3s716$a49$1@bent.twistedbits.net>, jbattles@bankfinancial.com
("Josh Battles") writes:
>
>
> ""Brett Forehand"" <brett4hand@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >
> > Part #MSD-8228.Better than stock, or a waste of money?
> Brett Forehand 94 Dakota 5.2 Auto
> >
>
> Opinions on these things are a dime a dozen. I've got the accel equivalent
> and love it, but have no track times/dyno numbers to prove that it's better.
> Only the fact that I think it's better.
>
> On the other side of the spectrum, Ray Block runs all stock ignition
> components and has lots of data showing that he had no increase in anything
> when using aftermarket ignition parts.
>
> To each their own, but on my setup I think I got some gains from the
> aftermarket coil.
>
> --
> - Josh
> Lowered 2000 Dakota CC 3.9L
> www.geocities.com/lenny187/dakota.html
> www.omg-stfu.com
>
>
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