coils

[old_skool]

Now this may actually be going backwards but, has anyone tried using 4 single coils over the 2, like the ones found on the triples, or even found a single coil to fire all four? No real reason for asking, just curious what people have tried...just because the could. I take it this would also require a different brain...

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Trips

The trips all fire at diff. times thus, 3 coils, the 1100 have a "wasted spark" system, meaning that the compression stroke is different on all 4 cyls. so each coils fire on the comp and exaust stroke, thus "wasted spark"

Now this may actually be going backwards but, has anyone tried using 4 single coils over the 2, like the ones found on the triples, or even found a single coil to fire all four? No real reason for asking, just curious what people have tried...just because the could. I take it this would also require a different brain...

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Skool,

There was a recent thread about the Coil On Plug option, but other problems with the "brain", the triggering mech, and such were revealed!

Putting 4 coils could be complicating things a bit. Don't think you would need a new brain, would need to combine the negative/trigger wires of 2 coils to the TCI...paired like they are now. Would need to be able to maintain the same resistance/load for the TCI to not burn it out, and you would essentially have the same wasted spark design happening. The wiring to the TCI could get complicated with diodes and such?? And then you're possibly adding more weight with 2 extra coils as well. With the newer high output dual coils of Accel or DYNA available, strong sparks are available in an almost OEM configuration with very little wiring modding...bypassing the ballast resistor is about all that's needed. K.I.S.S. seems to be a good rule in this situation!

T.C.

[old_skool]

I'll prob eventually go green..coils...but was just curious what inovators were out there trying something new, I find a lot of that here, its what keeps it all interesting and fun here.

[crazy steve]

The thing with ignition systems is there isn't all that much to be gained with something 'exotic', plus a lot of the newer innovations need to be used with other upgraded systems. As an example, some of the 'premium' spark plug types do work and/or last longer, but only if ran with a precisely controlled air-fuel mixture like a EFI system. Use them on a 'crude' carb-fed motor, and most of the benefit will be lost.

The vast majority of ignition improvements you see today are driven by emission/fuel economy considerations, not performance only. More spark energy than needed is simply wasted (and will wear out your plugs faster), or you'd see more of the huge 'arc welder' ignitions like found on nitro motors...

[old_skool]

anyone ever look into these??
http://www.dynaonline.com/skins/prod..._racing/coils/

[crazy steve]

I did.... they looked like perfect replacements for the stock coils, as they point the plug wires straight back like the stockers and are smaller than any of the alternatives.

But you can't use 'em.... These need a ignition box that has 'dwell control' (that limits their 'on' time, independent of engine speed), something the XS TCI lacks. Dyna's tech said these would quickly burn up at 'normal' road speeds, they'll only work with our box if you're running at WOT all the time... If you want to spend another 2-3 hundred $$ more and replace most of the rest of the ignition system with something that has that feature, then you could use them...