Firecore coil: 14 volts ok?

[ChargerST]

I have the oil filled Firecore coil and the RTR distributor. Supposedly the coil is happy with 12 volts (though oil filled) but what about 14 volts? I deleted the ballast resistor so I have full alternator voltage at the coil when running. Is this ok or should I use a ballast to reduce the voltage to 12v when running?

Thanks

[firefighter3931]

I have the oil filled Firecore coil and the RTR distributor. Supposedly the coil is happy with 12 volts (though oil filled) but what about 14 volts? I deleted the ballast resistor so I have full alternator voltage at the coil when running. Is this ok or should I use a ballast to reduce the voltage to 12v when running?

Thanks

That should be no problem....go ahead and run it 



Ron

[Ghoste]

Doesn't the ballast drop it to something like 9v?

[firefighter3931]

The FireCore HP coil has an internal resistor built-in so you can run it with up to 14.5 volts. The RTR system is designed to run with a bypassed ballist to increase spark energy and improved combustion/performance. 


Ron

[70-500-SE-EXPORT]

I wondered this also. I have the black canister coil that I got from Ron. Its was supposed to be a firecore product but it looks like a generic auto parts store coil and it says "resistor required" on it along with a part #. Is this the coil your referring to that can handle constant 14 volts with no resistor even know it says resistor required?

[firefighter3931]

I wondered this also. I have the black canister coil that I got from Ron. Its was supposed to be a firecore product but it looks like a generic auto parts store coil and it says "resistor required" on it along with a part #. Is this the coil your referring to that can handle constant 14 volts with no resistor even know it says resistor required?

The coil comes with that labeling because most guys use it with a standard orange or chrome box Mopar ignition and the Firecore plug & play distributor. The orange/chrome boxes will not tolerate more than 9 volts continuously so that label is there to protect the "other" components. The coil itself will handle the voltage....no worries. It works fine with the ready to run (RTR) distributor that is designed for increased voltage  

Oil filled coils should be mounted vertically and Mancini carries an adapter to do this. Some coils end up leaking and some don't when horizontally mounted. There are no guarantees as to how long it will last. Some guys get years out of a horizontally mounted coil while others are not so lucky ? Pesonally, I prefer to mount the coil on the inner fender to isolate it from heat/vibration but for those who want it mounted on the engine the Mancini bracket is an option...or you could fab something up that is similar 

Here's the Mancini bracket :

http://www.manciniracing.com/corebrunmo.html

pic below of the vertically mounted coil  



Ron

[Ghoste]

But the Firecore one can be mounted horizontally, correct?

[firefighter3931]

But the Firecore one can be mounted horizontally, correct?

Yes it can....but as stated above it is not the "preferred" method. The HP canister coil is oil filled and it can suffer the same failure as any other oil filled coil. All manufacturers recommend that oil filled coils be mounted vertically.  

The oil acts as a coolant for the windings so once oil leaks out the coil will overheat and cook itself. The end where the tower is located is pressed on so there's potential for leakage under the right (adverse) conditions.

Heat and vibration are the killers...

FireCore also offers a CD mini coil that is epoxy filled but it doesn't look stock so some guys opt for the oil filled canister style. I much prefer the the CD coil with it mounted on the inner fender. This is the most reliable setup, inmho.  You could also mount the mini on your intake if you wanted to keep the coil close to the distributor.



Ron

[myk]

Great.  I've had my MSD coil for years mounted horizontally, so I guess I'm on heavily borrowed time...

[Ghoste]

OEM ones went for years that way.  Are they just being made to a poorer standard now?

[oldcarnut]

What about this I got?  Does it matter on mounting?

[Dino]

The mini coil is epoxy filled so you can mount it however you like.  Myk your MSD coil is probably epoxy filled as well so no worries.

[firefighter3931]

What about this I got?  Does it matter on mounting?

That one can be mounted vertically or horizontally. I wouldn't recommend installing it upside down through. 

On the inner fender is a good spot...just opposite the distributor near the washer bottle. My buddy Denis has that coil mounted on the inner fender and it's been perfect for 4-5 years now. 


Ron

[myk]

The mini coil is epoxy filled so you can mount it however you like.  Myk your MSD coil is probably epoxy filled as well so no worries.

Very well then, what's the life expectancy for coils anyway?

[RECHRGD]

What about this I got?  Does it matter on mounting?

That one can be mounted vertically or horizontally. I wouldn't recommend installing it upside down through. 

On the inner fender is a good spot...just opposite the distributor near the washer bottle. My buddy Denis has that coil mounted on the inner fender and it's been perfect for 4-5 years now. 


Ron

That's where I mounted mine.  Just had to move the water bottle forward a bit so the hood hinge wouldn't hit the coil..