Ignition Coils

[fordmano]

Ok I have a Technical ignition question for you MORE EXPERIENCED motor heads.

Years ago the hot setup my father in law did to my 78-GL1000 and also his 75-GL1000 was to swap out the original coils for individual standard CAR coils.  Other than space restrictions is there any down side of doing this and is it possible to actually gain performance with this modification? If you think there is no gain possible then can you please educate me and explain why not,,, cause I just wanna know.

It did make a fair amount of power increse according to my "seat of the pants DYNO".


Thanks
Matt

[Momz]

OK

[John U.]

I can't see that making a great difference. Higher voltage would allow you to widen the spark plug gap some, but...the small increase in burn efficiency in the tiny combustion chambers on these engines would probably not be worth all that trouble. JMHO

[98valk]

This is what I did.

Almost a direct replacement. They are the OEM coils from a CBR1100XX (blackbird), ST1300, 2000 sabre and all 2001 and newer 1100 shadows. The VTX uses this coil on the forward cylinder and uses the same numbered coil (MP10) for the rear coil but carries a different part number and is green in color. All others are black. They will be identified with MP10 on the coil, the Valkyrie's are MP8.
This coil reads 2.4 ohms @ 60 degrees F whereas the stock Valkyrie coils read 2.9 ohms. This is a 0.5 ohm difference which will provide higher voltage to the plug. The stock Valkyrie coils are also used on the ST1100, CBR900RR, CB919, GW1500 and the older shadows.
Installaion of the side coil is a direct replacement. The two under the tank will require longer bolts and the forward coil's bolt holes must be moved 1/2 inch forward by making an adapter bracket.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/forum/tech_archive.cgi?read=818109

 I noticed quicker acceleration.
Don't use the CBR1100 coils if u are using a dyna, they will burn it up in two yrs even though dyna says the ohm rating is compatable.
I am back to the stock coils with the dyna unit. My CBR1100 coil setup is for sale if interested.

[Madmike]

on a similar vein as it effects the ignition system .... you may want to read this along with the cautions...

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,2321.0.html

[fordmano]

Thanks Guys I was just wondering why I have never heard of this type of mod around here.

I am still debating if I am gonna go this extra mile at this time since everything works so darn well on my FAT lady.
I will update you all if I move forward with this. I am worried about the space available under the tank I may need to do teh desmog if I go the car coil route. Although the swap with the other model bike coils sounds promissing,,, surely can't hurt anything to learn from my own atempts or mistakes.

Thanks
Matt

[Robert]

The stock coils are just good enough to do the job. I have the Dyna ignition and coils and the difference is smoother running and more power easier starting and if you get zapped by these puppies you will not have any doubt. I have also opened the gap to 40 with good results. Some of the blower guys have switched to auto ignition with a different ignition module and even some switched to fuel injection and have a regular ecu that handles the ignition too. Jeff K is one and he has his own website that you can go to and learn a bit more. He has always been a wealth of info since he's pretty much done most of those kinds of mods. The stock ignition module is not all that hardy and just to put on auto coils may burn the thing out and really there isn't a big gain. I like my setup but I cannot say that it made a tremendous difference but definitely noticeable. 

[MAragorn]

I remember back before everything became fuel injected and computer controlled I did some improvements to my Ramchargers, Grand Wagoneers and my Scout.

Seems like we went to the coil;s off a Ford pickup and the electronic control modules off a Dodge.  These were supposed to be bulletproof and would fire thru a brick wall.  We also went to Jacobs ignition wires.  Additionally, I put an aftermarket fuel injection system on one Ramcharger and converted the FI system off an 89 359 Chevy truck to work on my 90 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 360 AMC.  That is still working 100k miles later.

I have wondered why no mods like that seem to get used on our bikes.

[Blackduck]

Have heard of coils from outboard motors being used but do not have any details, I have run coils from a Hyundai Exell but did not get it on the dyno to see if there was any difference, had problems with water getting under the coil boots, they are push on leads not screw on.
Cheers Blackduck