[Squidward]

Anybody out there with some thoughts on ignition coils?

I am currently converting my FiTech over to timing control with an MSD style 2 wire distributor (small cap) and MSD6AL. When I ran this setup on my Lemans, I used a remote coil like this:
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/4015...YtaqvC1DzWefE0


I ran it without the MSD6, Everything worked fine. I am transferring all this over to my Firebird where I will retain the MSD box.

Now I want a cylindrical stockish appearing coil so I don't have to mount any more weird stuff to the firewall.

Thoughts? Anything special needed?

• I don't race any more. Nothing exotic needed.
• I need it to look close to stock points style, no alien origin/X-Files accessories.
• Must work with the MSD6AL, which is a CD style.

Thinking of something like this:
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/40119/10002/-1

Thanks!

[mgarblik]

I have run a blaster II coil for decades without any problems. Peel the stickers and paint it black. Looks allot like a stock coil. I know others say they are junk, but my experience has been good. I have used that coil with points as the trigger and also with a magnetic trigger.

[lust4speed]

I agree. The Blaster II coils have always worked for me. For a while we could order them in black but that seems to have went away - so back to painting them.

[Formulajones]

Another vote for blaster II's. I've run them for decades without a problem.

[Bill Hanlon]

I have a Blaster II coil on my '52 GMC six cylinder. The distributor is original GM with a Chrysler six cylinder mag pickup installed in place of the points and condenser. That triggers a GM HEI module that is hidden inside the no longer needed voltage regulator box. The HEI module controls the Blaster II.

Been working well for 20,000+ miles.

[chiphead]

Holy bug zapper Batman!

Blaster II here as well with MSD RTR and the new Progression Ignition dizzy. The only coil I ever had fail was one of the yellow accel ones. Leaked its guts down the firewall.

Does the FI Tech give any requirements for coil primary resistance? The CD coils are pretty low, 0.45-0.7 ohms.

Edit: Nevermind, I see you're triggering it with the MSD6AL, CD coil is good to go.

[JLMounce]

I am running a blaster II with a 6A ultra with my FiTech. No issues.

If you don't already have the MSD box, you don't really need the 6AL since the FiTech has a rev limiter in the software already. It can save you a bit of money. If you've already got the 6AL, either decide to use it's limiter, or FiTech's, not both. Set one of them significantly higher than the other.

[Squidward]

This is better than sifting through Amazon reviews. Thanks, all, Blaster 2 it is.

I will probably peel the stickers.

J, I already have the MSD6 installed and running. It is running off the HEI. I just need to swap distributors to the 2 wire, install the coil, and swap around the green/purple, black, and blue wires. I also saw on "Fast Monty's Garage" that he had to ground his blue wire because it was picking up some emi, so I am prepared for that in case it becomes an issue.

I have my msd rev limiter up at 6200, and I keep the fitech less than that, so that works out.


One more question: do the Blaster 2's need to be vertical, or can they go horizontal?

[JLMounce]

I believe that they "can" be mounted horizontal, but because they are oil filled, doing so can uncover and overheat the windings. Even the factory canister type coil would have been mounted at an angle. This is what I would try for.

[64speed]

I have the Blaster 3 but only because I needed the male terminal

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

I have run a blaster II coil for decades without any problems... ...I know others say they are junk

Made in China. Forum responses across multiple car lines suggests they have a high failure rate.

Originally Posted by JLMounce

I believe that they "can" be mounted horizontal, but because they are oil filled, doing so can uncover and overheat the windings. Even the factory canister type coil would have been mounted at an angle. This is what I would try for.

Oil-filled coils have been mounted in every conceivable position from straight-up, to upside-down, and every angle in-between. It's simply NOT an issue.



When I wanted a stock-ish looking coil for a CD/MSD application, I bought the Crane/FAST PS50 (black). The PS60 is the same in a nickel-plated housing.

It was--maybe still is--listed as Made in USA.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fst-730-0050


The Jegs unit listed in the first post also has suitable specs, but I didn't see Country-of-Origin info. I have no idea about long-term reliability.

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by 64speed

I have the Blaster 3 but only because I needed the male terminal

I also looked for a male terminal, because that's the coil wire configuration I was using. But that tall space needle spire on that coil looked like something I would break!

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by Schurkey

Made in China. Forum responses across multiple car lines suggests they have a high failure rate.

DOH!

It's on the way, so we will see if I join the happy masses or the sad masses.


Oil-filled coils have been mounted in every conceivable position from straight-up, to upside-down, and every angle in-between. It's simply NOT an issue.

Good to know. Will try to keep vertical as possible, tho, just in case, but I'm not as worried about it as I was before.


When I wanted a stock-ish looking coil for a CD/MSD application, I bought the Crane/FAST PS50 (black). The PS60 is the same in a nickel-plated housing.

It was--maybe still is--listed as Made in USA.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fst-730-0050

Looks like a good piece. I will keep that in mind if I get a failure on the MSD.


The Jegs unit listed in the first post also has suitable specs, but I didn't see Country-of-Origin info. I have no idea about long-term reliability.

I didn't put much run time on it, but I'm sure it was made of a large percentage of Chinesium.

[grivera]

Originally Posted by Schurkey

Oil-filled coils have been mounted in every conceivable position from straight-up, to upside-down, and every angle in-between. It's simply NOT an issue.

This is interesting - Dave Ray (Small Body HEI) says they have to be mounted vertically with connections up so they don't overheat like mentioned above. He even includes a sketch with his distributors on what is right and wrong. Maybe the failure rate is too low to matter but that hasn't stopped folks from trying to avoid that deal. I mount mine vertically.. That said, I have seen some of the Mopars with coils mounted horizontally and I assume they are oil filled.

The high vibration epoxy filled Blaster 8222 is designed to be mounted in any position for sure. https://www.holley.com/products/igni...eet/parts/8222

[HWYSTR455]

They make Blaster II in black now, fyi.

From the Holley/MSD website:

"The Blaster Coil is designed to mount in most factory canister coil mounts. MSD also offers a Chrome Coil Bracket, PN 8213. It is recommended to mount the PN 8202, PN 82023, and 8223 coils in an upright position. The High Vibration Coil, PN 8222, can be mounted in any position due to its epoxy potting compound.

Our famous red canister coil in black! Great choice with an MSD 6-series ignition."


.

[67Lemons]

Well go figure, I just bought an external coil to go with my RTR and wished I’d seen this earlier! I ended up with the MSD Blaster SS coil like the one in the OP’s first picture because I wanted something black to blend in on the firewall.

[Elarson]

I'm using the high vibration coil on the road race car, mounted horizontal. Its whole design intent is to be more rugged.

Eric

[64speed]

Originally Posted by Squidward

I also looked for a male terminal, because that's the coil wire configuration I was using. But that tall space needle spire on that coil looked like something I would break!

You won’t break it, it’s pretty solid I’d say

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by grivera

This is interesting - Dave Ray (Small Body HEI) says they have to be mounted vertically with connections up so they don't overheat

Total nonsense. The "air bubble" (if it exists at all) inside an oil-filled coil is so tiny as to be not worth discussing. He should know better--he's generally a sharp guy.

Mother Mopar put them horizontal;




As did Ford:




How about Volkswagen?




MG?


The idea that oil-filled coils have to be "straight up" is TOTAL BULL****.

[Schurkey]

Jeep


Datsun


I'm gonna quit here. You guys get the idea. REAL engineers aren't scared of laying the coil down.