High-Performance vs. Stock Coil
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Republic of Texas
High-Performance vs. Stock Coil
I plan to perform the ignition system upgrade to my 92 F150 5.8. I've been researching threads on this forum to determine what I need to change. Part of that discussion is around the coil, an d there seems to be some disagreement on if an aftermarket coil is needed.
What is the latest consensus on this? I don't mind spending the $50 for a coil if I get benefit from it. Also, I've read some very negative reviews about the MSD failing after 6 months to a year. Has anyone here experienced that?
I'm going to start purchasing my cap, rotor, wires, and plugs today, so any input on the coil is greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
JD
What is the latest consensus on this? I don't mind spending the $50 for a coil if I get benefit from it. Also, I've read some very negative reviews about the MSD failing after 6 months to a year. Has anyone here experienced that?
I'm going to start purchasing my cap, rotor, wires, and plugs today, so any input on the coil is greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
JD
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,106
Likes: 385
From: Southern California
There is absolutely nothing to be gained with an aftermarket coil.....the oem coil voltage is the same. With regards to MSD, they filed for bankruptcy a while ago......while the name will most likely still go on, it is likely to be sold off, parts build under licensing from others.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Republic of Texas
There is absolutely nothing to be gained with an aftermarket coil.....the oem coil voltage is the same. With regards to MSD, they filed for bankruptcy a while ago......while the name will most likely still go on, it is likely to be sold off, parts build under licensing from others.
Thanks!
JD
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
I am very familiar with the "sixlitre" tune-up and the intent of the concept. There are valid arguments on both sides as to the value of a "hotter" coil. Personally I have had good luck with MSD and Accel products on all of my trucks. Did they perform better than the factory pieces? The jury is still out even after 10+ years of use.
My personal view is the wider plug gap may reveal the factory coil may be weak after 20+ years of service. If that is the case why not use something that was designed to provide a higher voltage? If you do not have any signs of a weak coil stay with the factory piece. Either way the red MSD or yellow Accel pieces are "purty"!
My personal view is the wider plug gap may reveal the factory coil may be weak after 20+ years of service. If that is the case why not use something that was designed to provide a higher voltage? If you do not have any signs of a weak coil stay with the factory piece. Either way the red MSD or yellow Accel pieces are "purty"!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
On an all stock motor you're not likely to notice much if any improvement/gain that can be attributed directly to a higher voltage coil, advancing the timing will produce noticable gains across the board stock coil or aftermarket. Once you start modifying the engine your results may vary, for example I have found that a high voltage coil improved idle quality on my truck with the cam I have, but above idle I can't say that I notice any difference.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Republic of Texas
I ran out and grabbed the tune-up components today, and swapped everything onto the engine:
- Ford Racing 9mm ignition wire set
- MSD distributor cap and rotor set
- Motorcraft SP415 spark plugs
I gapped the plugs at 0.055", pulled the SPOUT, and played with the timing. I went as high as 18* BTDC, but it seemed happiest at 16*. Interestingly, I never got the engine to ping, but went no higher than 18*. I might play with it some more tomorrow, and go high enough to force it to ping, just to see what number that ends up being.
In the experience of others, what timing seemed to work best after making these modifications? I want to get the best possible efficiency, but don't want to do damage to the engine forcing too much advance.
It also crossed my mind that I might have a slipped balancer. After 24 years, it's conceivable. I'll hard-stop check the engine to see if "0" is really "0".
Thanks!
JD
- Ford Racing 9mm ignition wire set
- MSD distributor cap and rotor set
- Motorcraft SP415 spark plugs
I gapped the plugs at 0.055", pulled the SPOUT, and played with the timing. I went as high as 18* BTDC, but it seemed happiest at 16*. Interestingly, I never got the engine to ping, but went no higher than 18*. I might play with it some more tomorrow, and go high enough to force it to ping, just to see what number that ends up being.
In the experience of others, what timing seemed to work best after making these modifications? I want to get the best possible efficiency, but don't want to do damage to the engine forcing too much advance.
It also crossed my mind that I might have a slipped balancer. After 24 years, it's conceivable. I'll hard-stop check the engine to see if "0" is really "0".
Thanks!
JD
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Every motor is different, I have had my truck up around 16 to 18 degrees and it's fine driving around unloaded but when towing our dump trailer it pinged constantly so I had to drop it back to 13. Sucks too because she would really rip with 16+ degrees in it.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, NY
Replacing my stock coil to MSD was the first thing I did when I bought my truck as my stock original seemed to have some melted plastic at the front connection area. I noticed a difference right away when I swapped it out. My truck started better and the engine revs stronger. In addition, my truck's voltage would drop to a point where it would stall in forward or reverse, yet idle fine. When I changed the coil, the voltage would still drop, but would no longer stall anymore. For me, the MSD and spending the extra ten bucks was well worth it and gave me noticeable improvements.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Republic of Texas
So far, so good with the stock coil. And since I don't plan on modifying the engine further, I'm thinking the stock coil is going to perform adequately for my application. However, if/when I need to replace it, I'll probably buy an aftermarket piece.
One thing that I did overlook is the fact that the 9mm Ford Racing ignition wires don't fit into the factory looms. So, I need to go find a set of looms so that I can organize the wires. I just hope I can find something in black; I want everything to look as stock as possible.
Cheers,
JD
One thing that I did overlook is the fact that the 9mm Ford Racing ignition wires don't fit into the factory looms. So, I need to go find a set of looms so that I can organize the wires. I just hope I can find something in black; I want everything to look as stock as possible.
Cheers,
JD
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jason302
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
3
Feb 17, 2011 11:09 AM
D Harry
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Nov 18, 2003 01:20 PM