Jacobs Ignition OMG WTF!!
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Jacobs Ignition OMG WTF!!
I just installed a jacobs pro street ignition on my 5.8L. I had the thing in my garage for about 3 years. I bought it used off ebay. All I can say is that I wish I had installed it as soon as I got it.
It took about 3 hrs to install. My first impression on start up was that the engine idles quieter. The rpms seemed to drop less as I eased off the clutch into reverse.
Pretty good torque going through the gears. It did better in fourth at lower speeds than it did before.
Accelleration.....
accelleration is much more responsive. With the dual 3" exhaust, it has always talked a bit, but now it just sounds mean. It sounded good before, but not like this. It feels and sounds like the engine is working better across the board.
For the record, my truck has been getting 10 mpg with the stock ignition. I'll post the mileage next week. If I can keep my foot of the pedal, I expect an improvement.
It took about 3 hrs to install. My first impression on start up was that the engine idles quieter. The rpms seemed to drop less as I eased off the clutch into reverse.
Pretty good torque going through the gears. It did better in fourth at lower speeds than it did before.
Accelleration.....
accelleration is much more responsive. With the dual 3" exhaust, it has always talked a bit, but now it just sounds mean. It sounded good before, but not like this. It feels and sounds like the engine is working better across the board.For the record, my truck has been getting 10 mpg with the stock ignition. I'll post the mileage next week. If I can keep my foot of the pedal, I expect an improvement.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
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From: New Jersey
Cool upgrade!
Take your plugs out *now* and clean them (or replace them), then drive for a week with the new/clean plugs, then take them out again and double check them. With the additional spark, you may have to change the gap
Take your plugs out *now* and clean them (or replace them), then drive for a week with the new/clean plugs, then take them out again and double check them. With the additional spark, you may have to change the gap
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I've got a new set of plugs on the shelf in the garage. Funny, they've been there for about 3 years too 
. I'm going to increase the gap on the new plugs .030" over stock iirc (I'll have to refer to the instructions).
BTW, I posted those pics of my traction bars (the ones that are intended as 4 links) in my gallery
. I'm going to increase the gap on the new plugs .030" over stock iirc (I'll have to refer to the instructions).BTW, I posted those pics of my traction bars (the ones that are intended as 4 links) in my gallery
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Well guys, here's the one week update on the ignition. I didn't change the plugs yet. I still have the bosch platinum four electrode plugs in there (which I know you're not supposed to use). I bought gas today. I drove 242 miles since the ignition installation and put in 20.6 gallons of gas. That's 11.75 mpg. It's still bizmal. But it's up a solid 1.5 mpg from before.
The biggest thing that I noticed is that I can now use fourth and OD more than before. A lot more. I think this is where the fuel economy is coming from. I also have not been driving like miss daisy all the time. It's just that much more fun to drive.
With fuel prices going up, high performance ignition is an upgrade that will pay for itself. I can't say that jacobs is the only way to go, msd has a great reputation. So far, my experience with jacobs has been great.
Once I swap the plugs, I'll post another update.
The biggest thing that I noticed is that I can now use fourth and OD more than before. A lot more. I think this is where the fuel economy is coming from. I also have not been driving like miss daisy all the time. It's just that much more fun to drive.
With fuel prices going up, high performance ignition is an upgrade that will pay for itself. I can't say that jacobs is the only way to go, msd has a great reputation. So far, my experience with jacobs has been great.
Once I swap the plugs, I'll post another update.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 616
Likes: 5
From: Missouri - Lake of the Oz
Jacobs Ignition... another perspective
I, too, have a Jacobs Ignition system on my truck. After I installed it I was VERY pleased with the mileage & power gains as well as the quicker starts. However, after about a year and a half the unit failed one morning. I bypassed it and the engine fired right up, though not as quickly as it had with the unit functioning properly. Later, I tried to troubleshoot it but after several attempts still could not get it to work. So far no big concern. However, after trying repeatedly to contact the company for assistance and getting nowhere - no answers or return calls - I am now very SOURED 
on the Jacobs name. Has anyone else had this problem? I really was surprised to have gotten this kind of indifference from a company that had such a good reputation.
Though this is not my first such experience: 20 years ago I had a similar problem with Matsu****a Electronics over a home stereo unit and I have since not - nor will I EVER - purchase ANY more Panasonic products.
dn.
on the Jacobs name. Has anyone else had this problem? I really was surprised to have gotten this kind of indifference from a company that had such a good reputation.Though this is not my first such experience: 20 years ago I had a similar problem with Matsu****a Electronics over a home stereo unit and I have since not - nor will I EVER - purchase ANY more Panasonic products.
dn.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by donnor
I, too, have a Jacobs Ignition system on my truck. After I installed it I was VERY pleased with the mileage & power gains as well as the quicker starts. However, after about a year and a half the unit failed one morning. I bypassed it and the engine fired right up, though not as quickly as it had with the unit functioning properly. Later, I tried to troubleshoot it but after several attempts still could not get it to work. So far no big concern. However, after trying repeatedly to contact the company for assistance and getting nowhere - no answers or return calls - I am now very SOURED on the Jacobs name. Has anyone else had this problem? I really was surprised to have gotten this kind of indifference from a company that had such a good reputation.
Though this is not my first such experience: 20 years ago I had a similar problem with Matsu****a Electronics over a home stereo unit and I have since not - nor will I EVER - purchase ANY more Panasonic products.
dn.
on the Jacobs name. Has anyone else had this problem? I really was surprised to have gotten this kind of indifference from a company that had such a good reputation.Though this is not my first such experience: 20 years ago I had a similar problem with Matsu****a Electronics over a home stereo unit and I have since not - nor will I EVER - purchase ANY more Panasonic products.
dn.
biz
________________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s
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I bought my ignition used (3 yrs ago). I called jacobs with questions right after I bought it. they were not helpful
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 616
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From: Missouri - Lake of the Oz
pre buy-out buy
I purchased my Jacobs unit prior to the buy-out & could not even get a response - helpful or otherwise - when I had problems.
dn.
dn.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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I too had a Jacobs pro-street ignition go bad and when I called I was on hold for at least 20 min. before I hung up. I went to their websight and posted in the tech support section and they replied right away and told me to send it in and it will be repaired for me. I sent it in early last week and I haven't heard anything yet. I have used MSD in the stang for many years with no problems and I bought the truck with the jacobs already on it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,960
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
I had one of those back in like, 1994 or 95, on my 91 F150. I *thought* it helped, but after bypassing the Jacobs module, I found out all the improvement was due to the new wires and wider gap on the plug.
Junior User
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A wider gap on a stock vehicle shouldn't help, but hurt. Aftermarket ignitions and coils provide more voltage (spark) and therefore opening up the plug should help burn more gases. In my application, the supercharger kept blowing out the spark, so I had to keep the gap near stock.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,960
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
Well, ya know, what can I tell ya. The stock coil obviously had enough juice to handle the extra gap. I think, IIRC, that I gapped at .055 and stock was .045 or thereabouts. The wider gap mainly smoothed out the idle.
I think .065 was what Jacobs wanted but that would miss under load, even with the Jacobs stuff in place, including their coil and wires, so I backed off to .055.
I think .065 was what Jacobs wanted but that would miss under load, even with the Jacobs stuff in place, including their coil and wires, so I backed off to .055.
Junior User
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FYI, I recieved a brand new Jacobs digital pro-street box a few weeks ago (I'm a little slow at posting). Like I said earlier, I had to send the old box in because it stopped working. I have no idea how old the cd box was, it was on the truck when I bought it. IMO, it's great for a company to warrenty that and their online tech is fast (phone support is terrible).
Junior User
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Originally Posted by Lone Wolf #2
Two Months for warranty service!? Doesn't sound great to me.