Part 2 of the Coil Pack Question.

[The Vader]

I've heard that some people in addition to the coil packs they are adding an MSD box like a 6AL. Now is that considered Over Kill OR do you guys think that the coil packs are enough? Now you gotta remember I'll be running 25 pounds of boost from my Whipple Charged 2003 Cobra and it will be making about 725RWHP and I've heard that the more spark the better but I don't want anything that would hurt my pistons or rings by making the Combustion chamber too hot and start melting rings and stuff.
Thanks for your time guys!!

Vader Out!!

[powerjames]

Vader I don't think you can run a 6AL or Digital 6 with a mod motor. You need the MSD Modular specific ignition boxes.

-James

[Bobby Kbro]

Don't know about the MSD box with a mod motor, but I do know that there is a lot more involved when making an evaluation of this kind. Yes, you can look at a specific component but you must also look at the issue from a systemic view. That is: look at all the components in the system.
Getting the proper heat range plug is important. You're most likely to experience a problem with the plug before you melt down your piston (at least that's been my experience). Getting the proper heat range plug is a bit more difficult than it sounds. You need to consider the cam you are running, most specifically, the cam duration.
If all things are equal, a longer duration cam produces less cylinder pressure (something akin to lowering compression ratio). A longer duration cam is designed to make more horsepower at higher engine speeds. In this example, a hotter plug would be a better choice. I would assume that more spark would also perform the same task.
Given that is the case, the opposite would be true is you were running a short duration cam. Short duration cams tend to smooth out the idle and give you some low speed torque. A colder plug is more appropriate for that application, and again I assume that less spark would be applicable.
Given the type of car we are talking about here, I also assume that low speed torque is not really what you are after. So you probably have a longer duration cam. A hotter plug or more spark would probably be called for.

Anyone see any errors in my thinking?

[lsloan289]

Your heat range theory is backwards. A hot plug takes longer to cool off than a cold plug, therefore at high rpm's a hot plug will burn up and a cold plug will foul at low rpm's. The variable here, be it small, is fuel mixture. A little rich, a little hotter and a little lean a little colder. Cam duration and compression ratio are variables too, but rpm is the biggest factor.

[Bobby Kbro]

Mea Culpa.
Trust me, it's not the first time I've been backwards.
Most of my experience and thinking comes from my dirt track racing, where torque is the big thing. I'm seeing that it doesn't always translate well to the high performance street or strip applications. In addition, I run strictly methanol, so the temps and compressions are vastly different and that can throw off the thinking a bit. I appreciate (and I'm sure that others do as well), your response and input. Getting valuable knowledge is still the goal with these forums.
The important part of the answer still stands though. Look at the whole system and not just one component. Agreed?

[KenB]

Didn't see part 1 of the question but you need to decide if you need a 2 step in the car. If I were building that car, I would run the new WeaponX COPs with a MSD inline 2 step (also new). I haven't run that combo but that's what I would try.


Ken

[powerjames]

Ken how does the inline 2-step work? We're doing a bunch of stuff with MSD but I've never heard of this part?

It works with an 03-04 Cobra?

[KenB]

Originally Posted by powerjames

Ken how does the inline 2-step work? We're doing a bunch of stuff with MSD but I've never heard of this part?

It works with an 03-04 Cobra?

I just call it that because it plugs inline. I'm talking about their launch master.

http://www.msdignition.com/new_products/8734.html


Should work with any COP car. I have not tested it. It's very new. The alternative to getting a 2 step on a COP car is 2 DIS4 boxes which is very expensive and difficult to install. I believe this is plug and play for the most part.


Ken

[Fool_Fire]

Ken what coils do you guys use in your shop? Do you recommend aftermarket coils? This would be for a 5.0L engine.