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Upgrading ignition system

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Old 11-08-2005, 07:12 PM
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 3.1 V6
Transmission: TH-700-R4
Upgrading ignition system

Would it be worth the money to upgrade the ignition system as is?

Accel Coil
Accel Wires
Accel Cap/Rotor?

Would this net me better fuel economy, more power and longer longevity of the parts? Probably cost about $110 all together and I can install them myself. Figure I'd throw in a new set of plugs while I do this. I heard rumors of plugs burning out and stuff due to the extra voltage.
Old 11-08-2005, 07:27 PM
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS Vert
Engine: 350 S-TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: GU5/G80/J65
get the msd coil.
wires, atleast 8.8's
Cap/rotor, you can get commen name brand ones at your local parts store cheaper, made out of same material. Just ask for a brass terminal cap/rotor combo.
Old 11-08-2005, 07:42 PM
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Whats the difference between the Accel and MSD coils? I work at a local pepboys and we only carry Accel coils. Plus I can get my employee discount on them. Accel has 8.8 MM wires I can order for myself. You recommend those? Will I even notice anything from all this stuff? Easier starting? Less emissions? Smoother Idling and engine operation?
Old 11-08-2005, 09:06 PM
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Axle/Gears: 3.55 posi / 3.23
accell coils tevd to crap out faster than msd's. don't forget about you r internal dizzy compoments too
Old 11-08-2005, 11:28 PM
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NEVER EVER use ACCEL ignition components, they are junk, especially the coils
Old 11-09-2005, 02:14 AM
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Engine: 80-kW AC synchronous electric motor
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my acccel cap and rotor seem to work fine powered by my 53KV coil. i am using TAYLOR 11.4MM wires. i don't know if they do any better then the 8.8s but they look cool as hell

i di not notice any difference in power, or at the pump. but i can guarantee you my engine is running better. also as a regular tuneup part you should replace these if they have not been replaced in a while (my 2.8 with 150K on the clock still had it's original coil )
Old 11-09-2005, 05:59 AM
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS Vert
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Axle/Gears: GU5/G80/J65
I belive accel is rated at 48000 volts, where msd is 52-53000. Then I belive Dean said the hypertech one was 57000 volts? But I couldnt verify this.

I have also had 2 accel coils crap out on me, yes.

You should get slightly better mpg, and cleaner emissions, smoother idle. However, buying these parts to get better mpg, you will actually loose money.
Old 11-09-2005, 08:23 AM
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now see I planned on running a FULL accel/mallory set-up on the new 355 for my bird and on my cutlass. I mean I've never heard anything bad till now. my buddy who owns a hi-pro shop runs acel on his 11sec malibu.
Old 11-09-2005, 10:27 AM
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dadbird. Part of the problem with the coils, is these v6's didnt locate them in the smartest of places. They are right above the exhaust. Also right next to the EGR's that are known to go out and blow hot exaust on them.
Old 11-09-2005, 12:30 PM
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Old 11-09-2005, 01:24 PM
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only two posts before banned this time. he's getting more efficient.


also, you can always relocate your coil. the next time i replace one i am getting the "on cap combo" style. where the coil is located on top of the distributer cap itself. this will also free up engine bay space. somthing i am a huge fan of.
Old 11-09-2005, 02:26 PM
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Originally posted by Xophertony
only two posts before banned this time. he's getting more efficient.


also, you can always relocate your coil. the next time i replace one i am getting the "on cap combo" style. where the coil is located on top of the distributer cap itself. this will also free up engine bay space. somthing i am a huge fan of.
Thanks for getting my thread back on track Where can I find out more about the on cap coil relocations?
Old 11-09-2005, 03:13 PM
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Axle/Gears: GU5/G80/J65
Originally posted by V8 Slayer
Thanks for getting my thread back on track Where can I find out more about the on cap coil relocations?

Amen, I havent seen one for a v6, have for a v8 though.
Old 11-09-2005, 05:36 PM
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Axle/Gears: 3.55 posi / 3.23
I think TomP mounted his on the a/c box, and I had the coil packs hanging on the cowl lip thing. Just need to find a good place & make your own brackets.

SOme of the 6cyl cavies & S-10's used the same distributor as the f-bods. If they never had the coil in cap hei, then I doubt you'll find it.
Old 11-11-2005, 06:01 AM
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Car: 88 Firebird, 86 T/A
Engine: 3.1/305 short block
Transmission: 700r4 w/ transgo, vette servo/700r4
Originally posted by Project: 85 2.8 bird
I think TomP mounted his on the a/c box, and I had the coil packs hanging on the cowl lip thing. Just need to find a good place & make your own brackets.

SOme of the 6cyl cavies & S-10's used the same distributor as the f-bods. If they never had the coil in cap hei, then I doubt you'll find it.
the old x-bodies had the 2.8 w/ the coil-in-cap...
Old 11-12-2005, 02:19 AM
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Transmission: T-5 soon to be 700R4/4T40E
Originally posted by dodger65
the old x-bodies had the 2.8 w/ the coil-in-cap...
Early A-bodies too.
Old 11-12-2005, 10:27 AM
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS Vert
Engine: 350 S-TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: GU5/G80/J65
from my findings, these are all 6-90 engines your listing. Or they would be carb with vac advance, not EFI engines.
Old 11-12-2005, 03:46 PM
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Car: 1985 GMC Jimmy/1998 Chevy Malibu
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Transmission: T-5 soon to be 700R4/4T40E
Originally posted by Dale
from my findings, these are all 6-90 engines your listing. Or they would be carb with vac advance, not EFI engines.
Which engines?

The Citation only ever had a 660 (IIRC), and A-bodies were also equipped with 660s.

The Coil in cap distributer is available for the 660, both from the wreckers and from ProForm.
Old 11-12-2005, 06:52 PM
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Well I'm going to be the burr in the saddle here on this whole relocation of your coil business- I have a 3.1 F body with 205,000 on it and the stock coil's still in the same original location, my 88 Lb9 Iroc has the same coil in the stock location- as far as relocating the coil for longevity? Don't think it will make a difference. I feel that if the coils had a longevity problem due to heat, GM would not have put them there. My old 2.5 in my S10 had the coil on a bracket on the manifold too, and it never died.

Now if you want to move the coil for looks or whatever, go ahead.

V8 Slayer as far as upgrading hoping for mileage and power, the only gain over stock I think you'll see is if your stock stuff is worn out. Don't expect miracles. I hooked up a Mallory Hy-Fire 6A box because "I had it" intending to hook it up on a carbed vehicle I have, but I put it on the RS to see if in fact there was an economy gain. On an 800 mile round trip checking the MPG by dividing miles driven by gallons consumed, I saw NO change from before hooking it up. The idle is slightly smoother. But that's it.
Old 11-12-2005, 08:03 PM
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Originally posted by The_Raven
NEVER EVER use ACCEL ignition components, they are junk, especially the coils
I have the HEI high output coil on my truck... runs great.
Old 11-13-2005, 06:47 PM
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yea i have the accel coil too. most of the old timers still use them.... they learned from experience..... ked had his on the firewall.... *** rest his soul..... that was one knowledgeable man, learn something from him.
Old 11-14-2005, 02:41 PM
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Car: 1991 CAMARO 1968 FIREBIRD
Engine: CAMARO 3.1L FIREBIRD 455
Transmission: CAMARO 700R4 FIREBIRD TH-400
I have a MSD coil 6AL Brass cap and rotor and MSD wires with AC rapid fires have had no problems. My old MSD coil fell off and was sitting on my exhaust manafold for *** knows how long i opend the hood the thing was melted to hell but still worked perfectly i would not have known the coil was on the exhaust manafold if i didnt open the hood. It will hold up to heat very well.
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