Performance coil

[frankensteinZ]

I am running a performance coil and I took out the ballast resistor and just connnected the wires from the opposite sides of resistor together. I was told by a friend this would ruin the coil is this true? I have been awaiting a 280z electronic distributor to put in but it is yet to arrive.

Frankenstein Z

[frankensteinZ]

Oh I forgot it is a 72' 240z.

Frankenstein Z

[beandip]

I dont think you will hurt the coil but you will most likely fry t he points .

[dozer171]

that ballast resistor is there to protect the points and the stock coil. since you put on an aftermarket coil, that'll be fine. but, you'll burn up the points in a hurry. upgrade to the electronic ignition kit that VB sells, about 90 bucks. my friend did it on his 240 and it was an INSTANT difference. it only took about 20 mins to install too!

[frankensteinZ]

Alright I spoke to soon. I had put this in the forum to soon. I had the performance coil wires and plugs put in but hadn't turned the car on yet to make sure it ran. Well it runs like crap. It keeps missing and it back fired once or twice, also some fluid leaked out of the new coil not much but noticeable. So I with the ballast resistor off I put on the old coil in place of the new one and it ran fine, so this mean my wires, and plugs are good. I then hooked back up my ballast resistor and the new coil, it did the same thing as before back fired once or twice and ran like crap. Anyone got a clue? I am awaiting for the arrival of a used distributor from a 280z so I can change from points to electric but it hasn't arrived yet. Maybe this will fix my problem. Well I will post if it does or doesn't.

Thanks as always for the info.

Frankenstein Z

[dozer171]

you are also going to need the transistorized ignition unit from the 280's as well. they use a magnetic trigger that runs into the box inside the passenger compartment (passenger side). unless you use a 280ZX dist. which has the module mounted on the side of the dist.

i'm confused, are you using the hi-po coil with or without the ballast resistor? also, what brand of coil are you running? just the accel super coils you pick up at pep boys or advance???

[frankensteinZ]

I have been running on my stock coil without a ballast resistor for awhile and had no problems. This weekend I then changed out the plugs, wires and coil. It is a performance crane ps 60 coil with ngk plugs and 8mm performance taylor plug wires. However the car runs like crap with the new coil in so I put the old stock coil in its place and the car runs fine so it can't be the wires or plugs that are making it run bad. I even tried running the new coil with the ballast resistor and had the same problem.

I am aware of the 1280 module for going from points to electric and I have it coming with the distributor but those canadians that i got the parts from are taking forever to get it here. I am hoping this newer dizzy fixes my problem but Im not sure it will.

Frankenstein Z

[dozer171]

the crane coil should only be used with the full crane ignition system available from motorsport. it adjusts things such as dwell, current, all that good stuff. ignition is another one of those parts where you kinda gotta do it all at once, and not just bits and pieces at a time...

[frankensteinZ]

So you don't think it will work with the new dizzy either. If not what else do I have to buy?

Frankenstein Z

[dozer171]

the dist. isn't doing anything other than controlling when the plugs fire, not making it all that much more efficient. you best bet would be to take a gander through motorsports cataloge at their ignition section... they are online at www.zcarparts.com you can also call them and they'd be able to help you out. i'm willing to bet that's why your coil took a wizz on ya. don't mean for this to sound like a bummer... anyone out there think i am mistaken? if i am, i appologize. but, after thinking about it a while, that's all that really makes sense. that coil you put in is pretty powerful. it's designed to be controlled by an ouside device (such as the crane ignition box), and not just by points or the stock ignition module.

[frankensteinZ]

Im not saying your wrong but I ordered all of this stuff through motorsports and they never said anything about me needing a ignition system. I have also seen several people online with performance coils and not the whole system. I will give them a call monday and find out whats the deal.

Frankenstein Z