Yes/No in replacing ignition coils on a GT

[crazie.eddie]

I wanted to start a new thread on this. I'm replacing my plugs (NGK Iridium) and wires (Magnecor 8.5mm). I've read a few threads that people have replaced their ignition coils. I've had a few people tell me it's not necessary to replace the stock GT coils, since there will be no performance gains with the Screamin Deamon coils. Is this true?

I have all the hardware and plan to do it this weekend. If the stock GT coils are sufficient, then I can return the Screamin Deamon coils, since it's still a recent purchase.

I would like to get some feedback on whether to replace them or not. It would help everyone if there is some technical information that you can refer to.

Thanks.

[quicksilverdon]

MY OPINION.
The stock ignition system, when new, gives all the spark you can use. The plugs and wires, and to a much lesser extent, the coil, deteriorate with time. The plugs erode, gap changes, they can become fouled, etc. The wires have a rise in resistance over time. Coils can lose some of the turns over time due to heat & vibration. Better plugs, wires, and coils start off better, so as they decrease, they are still above stock new levels.
I have had ignition coils last for 195,000 miles (and were fine at that mileage) - plugs and wires NEVER last that long (well, they may, but changing them at those miles WILL produce a change you could notice).
In sum - I wouldn't spend on a coil. You certainly won't notice any difference at anything below 50,000 miles. A better coil can't hurt, but you don't need it.
THIS IS MY OPINION, based on cars I've owned, driven close to a million miles total.

[TaylorMade]

I say, if youve got the money, go for it. Take all the horsepower you can get. It looks better too.

[crazie.eddie]

True, but if there is little or no performance gain, then I can save the money for other mods.

[Cal Cruzer]

I know I have posted on this at your other thread but I wanted to chime in here too. The iginition that comes on new cars these days is already a high output coil system. It is very efficient and puts out a lot of power. The aftermarket units really don't help you if your car is only a few years old. The bottleneck is really the wires. If I remember right the stock wires have between 2000 and 3000 ohms of resistance. Compare this to a set of MSD's or or the like that offer 50 ohms per foot (and our wires are very short) and you will see what I mean. I don't know what the ohm rating is for Taylor or Crane wires but I am sure they are very good. IMHO, put the coil money into mods that will give you a better return on investment.

[crazie.eddie]

OK. Alot of cons against replacing the ignition coils. Nothing for it, yet. I guess, another con is that the Screamin Demon has some yellow, which would not look good in my already chromed and red engine stuff.

Yes, Thanks Cal for chiming in here. I just want to start a separate thread, which help with searches for those looking for the same answers in the future.

[CruiserDan]

quote:Originally posted by TaylorMade

I say, if youve got the money, go for it. Take all the horsepower you can get. It looks better too.

Looks better?

Cant see the thing

[crazie.eddie]

I just replaced the plugs (Iridium IX LZTR6AIX-13) & wires (Magnecor 8.5mm), left out the ingnition coils. It took me about 30 minutes, not including the trip back to Sears to buy a 10" extension. I've read alot of discussion on changing the plugs using a 6" socket extension. I was able to remove the plug all the way to the left with the 6" extension, but I realized I'll have a harder time with the rest of the plugs, unless I removed the intake manifold. So I went back to Sears to buy a 10" socket extension. After coming back with a 10" extension, it made removing the rest of the plugs easier.

When I was done, I started it and listened for any strange noise, which luckily there wasn't. After awhile, I shut off the engine, then checked for engine codes and found none I'm glad everything went well.

Here's a pic after the install...


Sorry, I couldn't get a pic of the plug after the install, but I figure the box would suffice...

[Mike-in-Orange]

What did you gap those new plugs to? I recently changed my stock Champions to .042 and installed the same Magnecor wires you did and really noticed a difference at speed. The jump from 60mph to 95mph is just awesome! I can't believe how hard the car is still pulling at 95mph...feels like it could on forever like that.