Why 3.2's stall so easy

[stlrj]

Seems like an epidemic from all the posts I've been reading that's been one of those annoyances that I learned to accept as part of the 911 mystique.

I thought I would share something I stumbled on that makes it much easier to take off without stalling even if you lack the delicacy of a seasoned pro when releasing the clutch. What I installed was an HEI coil in place of the Bosch, set my plug gap to 0.060"...well, all of a sudden I can take off in 2nd gear without a stumble and without reving the motor above 1100 rpm.
It even worked on a 3rd gear launch which is unheard of for a 911.

So it does seem that a big fat spark is another way to get around the more costly twin plug retrofit and with such a simple cost effective solution, why is it not done more often?

Cheers,

Joe

[john walker's workshop]

i hope your computer doesn't suffer from an early death from the different resistance values of the HEI coil. but someone's got to be the guinea pig. maybe you're onto something.

[jester911]

I have to say that I have had my car for over two years and I honestly only stalled it twice. Once was the first time I got behind the wheel.
You just have to get the clutch timed with the revs. I don't think I would consider it epidemic. Just my .02

[CarreraS2]

I've driven the Carrera many, many times.

I've never had a problem with it stalling, or noticed that it is any different in that regard than any other car.

I also don't think people twin plug their cars to prevent stalling on takeoff!

[masraum]

I didn't want to say anything, but....

I'm not aware of any stalling epidemic. Almost everyone stalls the first time they get behind the wheel because the clutch is not like o Honda, but that's the only time that I know of it being a problem. I can easily leave any light, even on a hill without too many revs/too much slipping. I can also take off in 2nd easily. If you had a big problem then likely there is some other problem.

The only other time I know of stalling as a problem is when you change to a lightweight clutch/flywheel assembly, but that is no problem with the engine, it's just a characteristic.

[jmohn]

No problem here...but then I have an SC

Jerry M
'78 SC

[Milu]

No problems with mine.
But like Joe I remember some posts on the subject.

[Silveresrty911S]

No problems with stalling on mine but I did read some year 2000 posts that talked about changing to AC Delco plugs and gapped them at .60 and it gave them the best heat range for overall performance on the 3.2, and mine has the same plugs and runs great. Look for some threads on 3.2 and AC Delco plugs.

Rick

[silverc4s]

No stalling problems here...lumpy idle once in a while, but that's okay...

[Bobboloo]

A larger spark doesn't do the same thing as twin plug. Twin plug has to do with flame travel and the speed at which it travels. The extra plug advantage has to do with its' location. Twin plugs speed the process of burning the fuel. An alternative is higher octane to speed up the flame travel. Either can be used to allow less ignition advance so as to allow higher compression without risk of detonation.

Bobby

[dickster]

only in reverse

uphill.....

[Milu]

Originally posted by dickster
only in reverse

uphill.....

Try using a bit more handbrake!

[kepperly]

Ok how do you install an HEI on a Porsche? The coil
for an HEI is in the distibutor cap. Are you saying a
Chevrolet distributor cap will work on a 911? Please let
us in on the install. HEI distributors are really cheap
arond here.

keith

[KTL]

I recall reading a thread awhile back that Joe was involved in where he was talking about Frankensteining an EFI system from different manufacturers components (GM, Ford, whatever......). I think it was a discussion about options for replacing a CIS system. Pretty neat stuff. Point being, I think Joe knows more about this stuff than his post would indicate? Just my $.02

[Oldporsche]

Joe may be on to something.

I agree, that twin plugging isn't used to help prevent stalling. I do like the point about being able to use lower octane gas, less advance,....etc.

I do like the fat spark however at low revs helping these little motors. I have an MSD unit on the driver. I'm continually amazed at the amount of increased drivability that this has added to the car. It's a 2.7 on carbs, e-cams...etc. I have owned several P-cars and none were as drivable as this one.

I do believe that these cars can stand some experimentation in the ignition department. Like a good drop in distributor replacement or a cheap direct fire unit.

good luck,
David Duffield

[caliber60]

That's not true. I never have problem with mine.

[stlrj]

Just an observation...seems the SC's use CDI ignition without too many complaints on the stalling or stutter on the take off dept, 3.2's use conventional electronic ignition good for maybe 15KV and then they went to twin plugs. Why not even the playing field for the 3.2 with a little more spark with your basic HEI coil that delivers a healthy, reliable and proven 40KV.

All I can say is that it works and is rediculously cost effective. At the auto parts store it's called an MSD GM HEI coil for $44. I got mine for $5.50 at the wrecker. Your choice.



Regards,

Jose

[ZAMIRZ]

I just recently drove a friend of my dad's turbo-look cab and I didn't have any stalling problems even though its gotta get all that much more mass under way. It wasn't very different from my SC at all and a very nice car that I might consider changing over to once he gets his 360 Modena.

later,

amir

[RANDY P]

Funny, Chevy guys (myself included) always scrap the factory HEI coil since it has a tendency to drop out over 4k, that's considered an essential mod for HEI. There's two different coil styles for HEI, external (self- explanatory) and the kind built installed into the top of the dizzy. Neither of which seem appropiate for adaptation to the 911. Aftermarket is different, those look like the coils we're familiar with. Anyone knows or know of what happens if you put together an MSD 6AL and a Blaster coil on a 911? Thought seriously about trying this once my CDI takes a crap.

Any takers?

rjp

[stlrj]

I'm using the external HEI coil with no problems redlining.

Jose