XDI ignition. Where to place the coil packs

[bullethole]

I'm embarking on installing an XDI direct fire ignition on my 82 SC. I'm looking for advice, suggestions as to where to mount the coil packs (my thought was to mount them where the CDI box goes). Also, any suggestions where to source plug wires from, I assume that I will need to make them up myself as the lengths will be custom, but I'd like to find one place to get the ends and the spool of wire from).

[sjf911]

What engine/intake? Carbs? EFI? ITB's? CIS? Twin-plug? Distributor in or out? I sourced my wires from Clewett at:
http://www.clewett.com/

[GaryR]

Are the coil paks similar to the HPV-1's? With carbs and twin plug (dual paks) I mounted mine here -

[WERK I]

Originally Posted by bullethole

I'm embarking on installing an XDI direct fire ignition on my 82 SC. I'm looking for advice, suggestions as to where to mount the coil packs (my thought was to mount them where the CDI box goes). Also, any suggestions where to source plug wires from, I assume that I will need to make them up myself as the lengths will be custom, but I'd like to find one place to get the ends and the spool of wire from).

Anywhere but on the engine where vibration can damage circuitry.

[Mark Henry]

If they have the GM coils you must make sure they are well away from the other electronics. They have more than enough power to cause havoc (EMP) to anything with a chip.
Also they are water resistant but not waterproof.
GaryR has them in the best place for a 911.

[bullethole]

Stock 3.0 CIS intake system. ITB's will happen eventually with EFI, but for now budget can't swing those. Mounting where the pictures show is interesting, but with the CIS it would be hard to get at that point. I presently have a MSD ignition box that is right next to where the stock box goes, it looks like I can mount the packs there in place of the unit, the dimensions are about the same, I just have to change the mounting plate that I made to accommodate the different holes

[Mark Henry]

Becareful about what I said, can cause some weird issues and you'll be chasing your tail.
BTDT

[bullethole]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

Becareful about what I said, can cause some weird issues and you'll be chasing your tail.
BTDT

I should be fine.. .The actual control unit will be mounted on the floor behind the passenger seat, so there is at least 3 ft between the only chip containing element and the coil packs. I'm just worried a bit about the length of the plug wires, though the stock lengths will reach where i want to place them, so I think I'd be ok.

[Mark Henry]

I also had my coils to the one side. I used V8 wires that were way too long, then changed them for shorter wires. It was a total waste of time, didn't make any difference.
This was just a street car.

Just get Chevy wires from the FLAPS, cut off the plug ends and replace them with the used Porsche units.

[colescrogham]

You might try this setup I just finished on a 914-6 engine.
Cole

[Mark Henry]

I say it looks real good, but you shouldn't mount GM coils on the engine due to vibration.

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

I say it looks real good, but you shouldn't mount GM coils on the engine due to vibration.

I even used rubber washers sandwiched in between SS washers to create a slight damper in my setup...

[bullethole]

Originally Posted by GaryR

I even used rubber washers sandwiched in between SS washers to create a slight damper in my setup...

How is this working for you. I thought about making a plate to mount them where the stock coil goes since the distributor would not get in the way. I was thinking of solidly mounting the plate using the stock studs on the fan, and then rubber isolating the actual coil pack. I'd love to have a cleaner mounting, but that would have to wait for ITB's and EFI which ain't gonna happen for at least another year. unless I sell some of the crap I have lying arround

[GaryR]

It should work fine, was just added insurance for me as both my (2 sets of 3) coil packs are mounted to a 1/4 aluminum plate with two brackets - upper mounted through the rear deck, lower bent to clear my strut brace and bolted to the cross frame. I used the rubber on the lower mounting points only. If you absolutely must mount the packs on the engine I would definitely use some thick rubber mounts. Do the grounding with a separate wire.

[Jeff Alton]

not Electromotive, but you get the idea

[lindy 911]

Jeff,

What set-up do you have? I have not seen anything with MSD coils, that looks great!

Lindy

[Jeff Alton]

It is a Microtech ECU. The system has an ignition expansion box with 6 ignitors built in that fire the 6 two pole coils. The coils are GM style that MSD makes as a performance replacement for the GM product. I think Accel makes a similar coil.

Cheers

[MrPerkles]

Jeff can one signal fire two coils with that set up ?

[Jeff Alton]

Not normally, I have six outputs, one for each coil, but they fire two at a time. So, two coils fire at a time and I run one pole of each coil to the cylinder that is actually requiring the spark and the other gets wasted....

Cheers