Do I need a sports Coil ? obviously you dont need a sports coil but there are advantages in using one.
Coils tested were a Standard GCL 216 and the Lucas Gold Sports Coil DLB 105
The standard coil CGL 216 which according to the manufacturer has a output of 23kV, and on a scope produced 17kV
The Lucas Sports Coil DLB 105 under the same test on the scope produced 25kV which is enough to jump a 1" gap let alone 25thou on a plug.
Ok why do I need a more powerful coil?
If you upgrade your engine and increase its compression and output a combination of things can be done with the ignition, you can run a electronic trigger in place of points and increase the spark plug gaps, the larger plug gap powered by the sports coil will produce a fatter more powerful spark will will aid the burning of the fuel on a performance engine. Some Turbo/Supercharged engines produce enough boost to snuff out a weak spark so a uprated coil here is important
No engine will produce its maximum power with a weak spark, but it will start and run perfectly well under normal driving but the spark becomes far more important when the engines compression ratio is 10:1 and above, this is when a sports coil becomes important, and with sports camshafts and cylinder modifications.
The DLB 105 Sports coil can also be used with points as the increased output is in the secondary windings of the coil so no extra current is drawn through the primary stage which could affect the current through the points and burn them out
So you can use a sports coil to get a advantage over a standard coil on a tuned engine, but to reap the benefit you have to ensure your ignition leads are up to the job.
Never ever test to spark to the engine block with the Lucas 65DM4 as if you get the gap to wide it can damage the module
Edited by KernowCooper, 01 August 2013 - 01:48 PM.
