8 replies to this topic

[Barney]

Right I am soon to collect my new 1380 with St4 head from Morspeed.

I decided while ordering parts that I would add a new coil. Looked on the minispares site, Lucas one only suitable for minis up to 1982, so no good because its a 1985, so I ordered at the Lumenition which states being suitable for all Mini's.

However, the Lumenition that came one is a MS3 which is only suitable for the Magnetronic ignition correct? So do I need the MS2? I will be getting a new distributor soon, probably the Aldon, but what do I need to do with my coil and why do Minispares state is suitability for all mini's when thats not true?

[pikey7]

Call Morspeed. They know what works with their engines.

(and never ever ever trust what's written on any Lucas packaging.)

[Guess-Works.com]

There are basically 3 sorts of coil, Ballast, non Ballast and Electronic...each of which have a different resistance/voltage requirement.. The choice of coil is more dependant on the wiring and ignition rather than the engine. I suspect if you are using any form of electronic ignition, then an electronic coild should be used, but cannot confirm... I always use points on a non ballast ignition ( with a Lucas Sports coil )

[Barney]

So do I need to send my Lumenition back and sort something else?

[pikey7]

no. just buy a suitable coil from somewhere else! You don't have to buy everything from one shop!

Check (or ring) Lumenition and see what they reccommend for that kit. They are helpul chappys! (sorry got carried away with "ring morspeed" after i'd read the question slightly wrong!)

[Barney]

Pikey,

I already have the Lumenition coil, that turns out to be not suitable for my application, so I need to send it back to minispares. If they have a more suitable one a swap would be the straight forward option.

[pikey7]

fair 'nuff. What year is your car and it's wiring!?

[Barney]

Well the Lumenition MS3 is on its way back now to Minispares. Looking on the Lumenition website, the MS2 would have been the more all round version.

The car is a 1985 Mayfair, originally a 998, but soon to be a 1380 with stage 4 head. Distributor will probably be a Aldon Yellow.

[pikey7]

right. If its an '85, you'll have the ballast wire, and not need a seperate ballast resistor as such. However, 'because you have an electronic ignition now, the coil for am '85 car won't be suitable. I'd go for the later A+ electronic coil (http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=36483, or you can contact Lumenition, tell them what car you have, Tell them there is a ballast resistor built into the wiring, and see what they reccomend. Maybe then Minispares stock that particular one to do your swap. (or maybe they dont!)