High Energy Ignition (HEI)

[opethmike]

This ignition setup has given me excellent speed and fuel economy performance in real world driving experience.

You keep saying that over and over again, but can you actually PROVE this? Seat of the pants is not proof. Saying that other people that have driven your have stated it feels faster is not proof. (By the way, I sincerely thank you for letting me drive your car, that was generous, and I appreciate that, as well as enjoyed the drive)

That's my only issue that I have whatsoever with anything you say about supposed performance improvements to these cars. I have never seen you provide concrete proof of any actual gains. Show me/us dyno numbers, drag strip times, etc if you are going to be so firm about them being true improvements.

[content22207]

This is how coil input voltage on my DeLorean compares to several of my other vehicles (except for the 1969 engine, which has been transplanted into a 1979 vehicle, primary wiring is stock on all):

"1969" Lincoln, 460 inch Windsor engine, Pertronix coil, Pertronix ECU, MSD spiral wires, .044 inch plug gaps:
PertronixCoilFullVoltage.jpg

1978 Lincoln, 400 inch Cleveland engine, Pertronix coil, Duraspark ECU, MSD spiral wires, .044" plug gaps:
FordIgnitionPrimary.jpg

1984 F-250, 300 inch Lima engine, Pertronix coil, Duraspark ECU, MSD spiral wires, .044" plug gaps:
IgnitionInputVoltageServiceTruck.jpg

1985 F-150, 300 inch Lima engine, stock coil, TFI ECU, MSD spiral wires, .044" plug gaps:
IgnitionInputVoltageBrownTruck.jpg

1988 F-150, 302 inch Windsor engine, stock coil, TFI ECU, MSD spiral wires, .044" plug gaps:
IgnitionInputVoltageBlueTruck.jpg

Bill Robertson
#5939

Correction: my 1979 Lincoln (1969 engine) wiring harness looks to be original to the car. Obviously there is a resistance difference on the coil supply between it and my 1978 Lincoln (other than the engine, they are sister automobiles). Don't know if the resistance wire was replaced at some point, or if this is a factory spec difference between 1978 and 1979 model years (the fact that my 1984 truck only runs 10.5 volts makes that seem unlikely).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[opethmike]

Thanks for ignoring me twice, Bill.

[DCUK Martin]

Proves....?

[content22207]

My DeLorean is currently in hover mode:

HoverMode.jpg

so I didn't feel like starting it -- this is a primary ignition reading with the battery charger emulating the alternator:

IgnitionInputVoltageDeLorean.jpg

(The alternator jumps it up to 12.5 volts).

As you can see, my DeLorean's ignition is very comparable to my other vehicles' ignitions. It is dramatic improvement over the anemic 6-8 volts primary of a stock ignition. This is how I accomplish it:

IgnitionCircuit.jpg

Remember that I am running a Pertronix coil, not a Bosch Blue coil. The Bosch Blue coil is reportedly unable to handle more than 6-8 volts for extended periods of time. Do not do this on your own car unless you have exchanged the Bosch Blue coil for a proper performance coil.

As you can probably guess by now, Pertronix is my coil of choice.

I run MSD spiral wires because they are made of real wire -- much more durable than imitation wires. You can actually solder to MSD wires (John Hervey solders his terminals). Insulation jacket is 20% thicker too. You do pay dearly for a set of MSD wires, but you only pay once. They are truly lifetime wires.

Higher primary voltage, and higher coil winding ratios, allow me to open my plug gaps up to ~.05", which of course yields easier starting, better acceleration, reduced emissions, and lower fuel consumption. I am very pleased with the results. If my car had wheels on it, it would totally spank a stock DeLorean.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[opethmike]

Why do you keep ignoring questions regarding actual proof of your claims?

[sean]

Why do you keep ignoring questions regarding actual proof of your claims?

Why are you guys surprised by this? This is classic Bill. I think he gets his jollies by ignoring you guys the way he does.

[opethmike]

Why are you guys surprised by this? This is classic Bill. I think he gets his jollies by ignoring you guys the way he does.

You're right Sean. I'm done with this silliness.

[content22207]

I wonder if anyone is willing to argue that high voltage ignition (the industry standard) is harmful or detrimental? Arguments raised thus far have not been that HEI is bad, but rather that low voltage ignition is good enough.

If no one is willing to argue that HEI (the industry standard) is bad, the question isn't "why convert to HEI?" The question is "why not convert to HEI?"

A Pertronix coil costs *LESS* than an Bosch Blue coil ($39.95 vs $69.95). It also is Made in USA (Bosch coils are Made in Brazil now). The resistor grid is already in place -- all you need do is add a jumper (less than a dollar) and move the terminals around. You can run HEI through Bosch or Bougicord wires just fine (the problem with Bosch and Bougicord wires isn't their internal resistance but their internal construction, and their thin insulation jackets).

An owner can convert to HEI for slightly more than $40. It is one of the LEAST expensive things you can do to a DeLorean.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[stevedmc]

The question is "why not convert to HEI?"

The answer is, "So you don't have to listen to Ron and Martin's crap."