Can someone explain to me the setup of an ignition? I'm looking to upgrade and was wondering what parts you need and where said parts are installed on a stock 5.7 TPI. I know this is vague, but please bear with me. I'd love to be more specific, but if I could do that, I probably wouldn't be asking the question. Also, based on everything I've read, it will be MSD stuff.

 

Fred,

If you are looking for more spark energy, you need to replace the stock ignition coil. That is located at the top of the distributor cap on your engine.

Changing to a coil with a higher primary current will increase the demands on the coil amplifier/switch module, located at the base of the inside of the distributor. The OEM module might be able to handle the extra coil primary current, and it might not. A high current switch module can be installed in its place. The OEM reluctor and pickup coil are more than adequate to drive the amplifier/switch module.

If you want more spark at higher RPM, you might want to install a CD ignition module, like the MSD 4 and 6 series. However, if the TPI is relatively stock, the ignition improvements alone will not gain a lot of RPM.

After the upgrades are completed, you should experiment with spark plug gaps. Start at 0.045" and determine if you can increase from there. The wider spark gap increases the flame propagation rate in the chamber and can result in faster and more complete combustion of the fuel/air charge for better performance and emissions.

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Later,
Vader
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"Fear is how I fall, Confusing what is real..."
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

Ok, Vader, I'm feeling ya, brutha...thanks for the info. I have a couple of more questions, however. Should I get a coil to mount on the distributor cap I'll be buying? Do I want to have a coil that mounts elsewhere and buy a distributor cap accordingly? Also, where does the MSD-6A fit into this equation? What does it connect to? I'm going to follow all the advice you gave in the earlier post. By the way, if it will help to know where I'm going with this, I'm following the Suggested Mods For 3RD GEN TPI's in the Tech Section. For the moment, the only upgrades I will be doing will bolt on. I have no plans to crack open the engine at this point. I hope this helps.

 

Fred,

If you are installing the 6-A, you might want to change to a separate coil. This means that you'll need a different distributor cap, coil bracket, coil wire, and of course, the coil.

To avoid all those hassles, you can get a MSD coil designed for the HEI system that fits the standard cap.

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Later,
Vader
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"Fear is how I fall, Confusing what is real..."
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

May i suggest the Hypertech Power Coil from Hypertech.They say its 40% more powerful spark than stock and it suppies over 53,000 volts.And they say the coil will fire from idle to redline with no problems at all.I have the coil set up on my 86 Trans Am TPI and although my cars not insured right now and i havent taken it out to see how it really performs lately,i did take it for a little spin up the street and the car feels great with it.I hear the set-up from Hypertech is better than MSD but i dont know how true it is.All i know is the coil came with a new cap and rotor from hypertech and feels nice.And like Vader said with going with a bigger plug gap and a aftermarket coil is true from what i hear.I even hear you can pick up about 5 HP with a better coil and a bigger plug gap.

Check out My Trans Am:
http://hometown.aol.com/italianknight178/index.html

 

Don't forget about them plug wires. If your going to crank out twice the juice, you'll want some bigger wire that have less resistance, and that can handle that load EFFICIENTLY.
I think MSD makes a package if you want to go with the 6A(L) and the blaster coil. It comes with all the hardware (cap, bracket, etc.) or take the easier way, and go with the HEI in-cap coil. <<<Thats what I did. There's already enough crap on the firewall.
I went with the MSD in-cap, but they are pricey vs. stock. 60-70 bucks. Hell, I think the blaster external coil is hafe that cost also.

There's book writen buy Chris Jaccobs(Jaccobs Electronics), It's called "The Doctors step by step guide to optimizing your ignition". It's very good, and very technical.

Good Luck,

Ron



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'82 Trans Am
'81 Camaro Z-28
'94 Vette LT1 Coupe