High output coil
 

Anyone using a high output coil?? I just bought a Jacob's high output coil and was wondering if I HAVE to install a balast resistor.....? Doesn't a resistor defeat the purpose of having a high output coil? Does a high output coil even make a noticeable difference?

Alex

Alex,

Send it back, the Bosch Blue coil does very well and is internally ballasted. The Jacobs coil is crap.

High output coil for high output engines. Stock engine, go blue coil. I run a Bosch RED with a ballast resistor (1.2 ohm 100watt) on a 74 1.8L jet with compu-fire module. The ballast resistor helps the condensor(capacitor) attenuate the low currect/high voltage spike produced by the higher voltage coil. This resistor is not in teh same circuit as the coil output to the dizzy so no loss is created by the ballast resistor. Alot of extra money in my setup for very little gain. It does burn cleaner per teh smog machine. How much is that Jacob's coil?

I bought the coil for $50. I figured the coil would give the electronic (pertronix) ignition something to work with. I have Jacobs wires which really made a difference so I figured I'd go with the coil to match. The engine is not stock. It's a 74 2.0 with a mild performance cam and a few other mild upgrades. I've also heard the high output coils help the electronic ignitions.

Alex

I fried my points w/ a high output coil & no resistor. I was using a Flamethrower designed for a 6 or 8 cyl engine. Bought a $3.00 ceramic resistor at FLAPS to fix it.


This is from Pertronix web site:

The next step is to determine the resistance in the primary ignition. Label the wires attached to the coil terminals and note their appropriate location. Make sure that the ignition switch is off and disconnect all wires from the coil. Adjust your meter to the lowest ? ohm scale. If you are using an analog style meter make sure to zero the needle. Measure from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. Write your measurement down.
Now the maximum system amperage can be determined, divide your voltage measurement by your coil resistance measurement. This will give you the system current or amperage.
Four cylinder engines should not exceed 4 amps. Six and eight cylinder engines should not exceed 8.5 amps. If the total amperage in your system is higher than the amount recommended for your application, you should install a ballast resistor.
Example Voltage 12
Resistance 1.5

12 / 1.5 = 8

i run a jacobs high voltage with a jacobs compu-somthing. they both came withthe car and i have not had a single problem,.... other then the wires - got shocked once.. them high energy ignittion systems BITE…… where did you get the wires? mine are going kaput and i cant find a good replacement set like the ones ii have.. also,,, the high energy coil really helps whwn you bump up the spark gap, i have mine at .040 and it revs like a V8 compared to what it used to be, also idles smoother; but only i noticed the difference

If you want to use an unballasted coil, get a Crane XR3000. I have one and I'm using one of Crane's coils, works great. No problems.

banjo,

I got the wires at this small place called performance. I think they were around $50 and are much better than the bosch. The wires alone made a significant difference, I'm anxious to see if the coil makes any difference. I know what you mean by being the only one to notice the difference.

Alex

banjo,

You have no resistor with your jacobs coil???

Alex

The Jacobs ignition systems are the most technically advanced and efficeint available. They are also quite expensive. The products of the closest competitors of Jacobs contain technology licensed from Jacobs.
I have used Jacobs systems on two street 914s and a 944 racer. I have never had a failure related to the Jacobs equipment.

philinjax