Not sure if this is the right place or not so move it if you want! MSD coils... Well rumor had the first gen msd coils not making any more spark then the stockers. This rumor came directly to me from one of the guys at the MSD booth at last years SEMA... Move forward to today. I got my coils in today from Josh at HHP(thanks for the quick shipping bro!) Previously I was running the 1 step colder iridium plugs gapped at .050. These plugs and gap didnt like boost and missed from 5k up. They were swapped for stock heat range .032 gapped plugs and they ran fine. I believe it was the gap not the plug. So after changing my plugs back to the 1 step colder with the .050 I went out for a few WOT passes. No misses at any rpm range. Are they worth more power...maybe a few every MSD setup Ive used before has been but who knows. I do know they are making a hotter spark and can now ignite the charge with 7psi and a .050 gap. Ralph has had his set on now for a few weeks and has not had any issues...they are supposed to increase gas mileage a bit to... Overall they are a simple swap and could be good for a few hp. The biggest thing for me was I was worried they werent making any more spark and I am no longer worried about that. So anyone not running them that was waiting for someone to do a test here you go!
hmmm Interesting comments John. Very well put. Now I am thinking of doing the same. Hell, if they work well with your 7psi, should do wonders with 10 - 12psi? My 1 step colder plugs are gapped at .45 and seem to do well.
hahhahahahahahahaha Yes, still running the Coppers. Iridiums are good too, but the coppers are cheaper and fire the same. lol
How much cheaper and how long do they last? I might switch ! Im guess the coppers have a larger tip then the iridiums. They have very little surface area at the tip and need the smaller gap. We ran .032 with the iridiums in Adams car and they ran fine. I would assume that with your coppers at .045 and stock coils you could open them open with the MSD coils even wider if you wanted. You can never beat having a hot spark... I am curious and cant find any data on this but I wonder if the coils for our cars have the built in multiple spark at lower RPMs like their ignitions do...hence the name MSD I will look around and see if I can find out more.
I think I paid $85 for 16 Coppers versus $130 for the Iridium. Yes the Coppers have a a single tip that is more durable. The Iridiums I was using were gapped at .28 for my motor. Big difference. hahaha You should ask Scott at CMW about the Coil Pack differences. I am sure he would know.
Ron, what heat range are your coppers? I assume that you're at least 1 step if not 2 colder. I just bought some 2 step colder iridiums to go with my MSD coils. I'd love to find a cheaper alternative if it exists. And FYI, copper is softer than iridium and doesn't last as long. So I'm not sure what you meant by being more durable.
Good info John! Thanks. Will the new coils work with stock plugs? I assume if you go with the MSD's it would be better to upgrade the plugs?
1 step colder. Durable meaning when gapping the copper you don't have to worry as much as the iridiums. Iridiums are not meant to be gapped, but if careful can be done.
Were useing a 6 heat range iridium. (install tomorrow) Gapped at .030 Can't say we've had any real problem with ngk 4306's. Gapped at .035 and 13lbs of boost with a 30/30 2 stage shot. We stepped up (down) the pulley size. So we should see 15lbs now. That is why we dropped the heat range to 6. I'll let you guy's know how I like them. Or if I notice anything??
I recently got my set of Blasters for a handshake (cost) and haven't noticed any vast differences. But it's great to have some concrete proof for all the nay-sayers out there. Nice write up! I'm hoping to make good use of them in the future as I embark on my modding madness over the winter. Plus they look great!
What plug number are you running? I am not aware of a colder copper plug for our cars. I would sure love to save some money on plugs..LOL!
BJB got some of the first sets and had issues on his 426 Stroker, even with 2 step colder iridiums gapped at 0.025. Put the stockers back on and no problems. I've been looking to see what kind of energy these coils have. Stockers are only about 30millijoules of energy. Pretty piss poor when compared to a standard LS1 that puts out 90mJ. I've run the stock LS1 stuff at 20psi with no problems. I know the LS guys have seen no gain from these coild and our expereince with the Jeep tells me these are no better, and actually worse then the stockers. If anyone knows, or can find out what kind of energy these coils put out, I would appreciate it. I think as boost goes up, the coil energy will be key to making power. J
The first sets did have issues. We know this and were told so by MSD at SEMA last year. They've be re-worked and now seem to be making more power than the stock coils.
But we still cant tie anyone down on an exact power gain in the spark. I have asked MSD a few times and all I get is they make more then the stockers do now...
Coils themselves will not make more power unless you are blowing spark out in your current configuration. BJB bought his coils in the May/June time frame. When was the break point for first gen to second gen? If these were the second gens, I'm not impressed... J
I am not sure on the break but since I tried the same plugs with stock coils and then with the new ones I would venture a guess that these are making a hotter spark since I didnt change the gaps. So with 7 psi and these plugs with a .050 gap the stock coils would miss from 5 grand up...the MSD coils dont.
