Common Misconceptions About Ignition Coil Upgrades

　　In the realm of performance, more is almost always better. More boost, airflow, fuel, horsepower, and performance, just to name a few. However, in the world of ignition coils, the higher voltage doesn't necessarily mean better performance. The goal is to keep the coil voltage stable under load with little or no dip during the entire acceleration phase. The caveat is that the coil must perform consistently from idle to shift point or redline.

　　The internal structure of the coil is important to maintain a consistent voltage across the RPM range. Coils with heavier gauge windings and more windings per coil can efficiently transfer energy throughout the engine operating range.

　　bigger is better - wrong

　　Buyers, even those with a basic understanding of ignition coil manufacturing, may make false assumptions in this regard. Coil performance can often be improved by adding more windings and using heavier gauge material for those windings. With these modifications, the improved coils can often fit into OEM-sized housings or enclosures, or slightly larger ones.

　　With the correct windings, a stock size case is usually sufficient. In some cases, you may need to use a larger die for the body of the coil, although this is not always the case. It is important to use the correct number of windings and the correct gauge (dimension) material for these windings. Doing this regularly ensures that the coil will not only fit in the OEM package but will perform better.

　　Ballast resistors are not required for aftermarket coils - wrong

　　One last misconception example would rule out modern coils on plug or coil set ignition system cars and instead focus on older muscle car groups; some of you may not even know what a ballast resistor is.

　　In a circuit, the ballast resistor controls the current flow. Ballast Resistors are used to control the current flow to the coils in the ignition system. It's not uncommon for enthusiasts to throw away or ignore ballast resistors when replacing aftermarket coils or doing ignition system repairs.

　　The best advice for using a replacement coil with ballast resistors is to follow the coil manufacturer's recommendations. When deciding whether to use a resistor, follow the advice provided by the coil supplier. If the coil needs a resistor and your previous coil doesn't, your new coil could easily burn out in a short amount of time. On the other hand, if your new coil manufacturer doesn't want you to use ballast resistors as you did with your previous coil, you may not get the performance benefits of the new coil.