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1.5 Ohm Coil vs 1.8 Ohm (8140M on backorder)

2.4K views 7 replies 3 participants last post by  NAJ  
#1 ·
The Accel 8140M coil has been on backorder since January, how sensitive
is the electronic ignition to primary coil resistence?

The Petronox 40011 Flame-Thrower 40,000 Volt coil is 1.5 ohms.

Will that work in our Turbo Dodge cars? Specifically a 1987 Shelby Lancer.

Best Regards, Philip.
 
#2 ·
The primary resistance specs for the oil filled canister coil are 1.33 - 1.55 ohms.
If you use a coil with the incorrect primary resistance you will...
Resistance Too Low - Overheat the coil and possibly damage the HEP/Controller
Resistance Too High - You will not get the proper voltage/amperage saturation in the primary circuit which will lead to a loss of KV at the plugs under load conditions such as acceleration/WOT.
You can correct low primary resistance using an external ballast resistor in the + coil circuit.

If you are using a universal coil you also need to have the correct Secondary Resistance.


Remember, Electricity is extremely lazy, it will always look for the easiest path to ground
Electrical flow (amperage) is based on the voltage (pressure differential) needed to produce enough amperage to flow from the coil secondary, to the cap, cap to rotor, rotor to cap and through the ignition wires to ground (spark plug), the amount of voltage needed depends on the resistance in the circuit.
Normal KV requirements at idle/no load cruise are 10-15 KV if all components are functioning as intended, under acceleration/load the KV requirement will increase possibly up to 30+ KV.
The ignition coil is not going to produce any more voltage than is needed to have current flow and jump the gap at the spark plug. (ground)
Replacing the coil with an aftermarket "performance coil" will not increase performance or give you a "hotter spark" unless...
1)Your OE coil is faulty and causing problems
2)You are running excessive boost and your KV requirements under extreme load surpass 40 KV.

I originally installed the Accel Coil back in 93 because I thought it would increase performance even though I knew better (but I was younger and dumber).
Turns out the Accel coil is very good quality so it was not money wasted, well sort of, but that's another story.
 
#7 ·
NAJ,
The 8140"M" is actually rated at 1.8 ohms, which is why I started down the path of looking for a coil with
a little more primary resistance.

If anything 1.4 works, I'll go with the 8140 or the Petronix I happen to have.

My issue with the coil is that every once in a while the car coughs under boost. I have a wideband O2 meter
and seems to be in the window. It's a bit rich under boost, but right on the money at 14.7 when idling down
the highway. I don't have any codes so I'm assuming there is no loss of signal from the Hall Effects.



Best Regards, Philip
 
#8 ·
You are incorrect on the primary resistance of the 8140M, when I originally bought mine back in 93 the 8140 was a GM coil that was stocked at most speed shops with .8 ohms primary resistance, just like the MSD Blaster coil, I then contacted Accel and was told the 8140M is a "Mopar" Coil with the correct 1.4 ohms primary resistance, the speed shop I purchased it from did not even know this, they ordered me the 8140M.

Look at the Specs from Jegs, Summit, etc., primary resistance is 1.4 ohms.
(Accel/Holley do not list the specs on their site)



If you originally looked at this ad, you will see that the header they wrote stating primary and secondary resistance is not correct, scroll down and you will see the specs listed as 1.4 ohms primary and 9.2K ohms secondary.