Coil on Plug Advice Please

[novarally]

I'd like to change to a coil on plug set-up on my small block 1400 16v engine.

Has anyone done this and can give me an idiots guide please, parts required etc?

I'm using an MBE 9A4 ECU, so advice on the wiring side also needed please.

Many thanks.

[total_vauxhall]

Iv been told toyota avensis or vw coils work well

[House]

On my 20XE I'm using Ford Duratec spec coils so any Ford with a 2.0 Duratec engine, not sure if they're the same depth and plug size as the 1.4 16v. So maybe not a lot of useful info!!

I was able to turn up some little bosses in the lathe to act as bolt down posts and bolt them in from underneath, they're safe there, as directly under the centre section of the XE cam cover only leads to the plug well and not the workings of the engine.

Have you checked to see how the MBE drives it's coils? I'm currently using a DTA S40 Pro and that drives coils in pairs so 1 & 4 are fired at the same time and then 2 & 3 at the same time in a wasted spark configuration.

The issue I have is that I'm adding more load to the coil drivers in the S40 as each driver is now running 2 coils instead of 1. So I would check the MBE can run COP, I'm told the S40 will do it and people do run it but I'm not convinced it'll last forever. So much so in fact I've already had an adaption loom made up to take my S40 loom to an S60, which runs 4 coil drivers so I can just throw that in when the S40 dies. Given that MBE are a much higher quality ECU than DTA they may well already run 4 coil drivers.

Probably not a lot of direct help for you Colin but all things I had to look at when deciding to run COP.

[total_vauxhall]

I have had the drivers removed from my ms3x ( known to cause interference at high revs with other sensors) and instead using fiat style ignition modules you can run 2 high current coils from each one . However if the mbe is low current 5v i think you would need to run a smart coil vw audi etc fit let and i know let standard leads fit the small blocks so would have thought they will all fit the same .

[totalnova]

I have the same problem, I wanted to run coil on plugs but also have a DTA S40 pro and as house said it's preferable to use the suggested coilpack. Shame because coil on plugs are a much cleaner looking solution.
Nick

[Stuart]

for the 9A4

"4 sequential ignition drives allowing wasted spark or up to 4 cylinders coil-on plug ignition. Built-in amplifiers for direct ignition coil drive. Special order ECU for external amps."

Winner
https://www.sbdmotorsport.co.uk/application/views//web/viewer.html?file=https://www.sbdmotorsport.co.uk/upload/pdf/MBE9A4-PinoutIssue_F.pdf

Pin 15 (coil 4 to fire)
Pin 18 (coil 2 to fire)
Pin 35 (Coil 3 to fire)
Pin 36 (coil 1 to fire)

[novarally]

Thanks Stuart, I had just found that SBD info as well, very handy.

To my my mind that means I don’t need this;

http://www.theboostlab.com/4-channel-coil-driver/

I acquired one of those from a race car I dismantled, and have kept it on the shelf since. But it looks like my ECU can do it directly.

Main decision now is which coils to use, I’ve been advised to go for passive ones, which apparently have 2 pins on them.

Toyota Yaris, Ford Duratec and Suzuki Hayabusa have been variously recommended.

[Stuart]

Corsa D's have a build in coilpack for all 4, but they also have the bits to get from the top of the cam cover to the plug, so might be able to salvage those and use them with any of the three youve shortlisted...

[CorsaBBoomer]

The Z18XE engine in my Tigra also has the coilpack and don't cost the world to fiddle around with...

[novarally]

Thanks to all who've replied.

My latest plan is to utilise the rather nice looking red ignition coils from an Audi R8 (along with other models), utilising this wiring harness;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-4Cylinder-Audi-R8-Ignition-Coil-Pack-Conversion-Harness-Kit-Loom-Kit/273463486624?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I don't suppose anyone has one of those Audi coils around that I could borrow/buy cheaply to do some checking with? Doesn't even need to be working, it's just to see how it fits.

[totalnova]

You can make that loom for a lot less then the 140 odd quid the seller is charging.

[novarally]

You can make that loom for a lot less then the 140 odd quid the seller is charging.

Almost certainly, but not with my absence of electronic skills.

[totalnova]

Fair enough lol:d

[total_vauxhall]

Fuck me that loom is exensive lol .
It will only be an earth and a 12v+ in and a low current signal. The coils look good like

[prs]

motive video and platinumracingproducts did some testing on different coil on plugs, thought it might be interesting..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d3nrBZjYKA
https://www.platinumracingproducts.com/r35-coil-vs-yaris-coil-debate/