ignition..
 

Ok guys, here's a tough one for you. I NEED a new ignition, mine is gone, one cylinder doesn't fire on my junkyard coil, so its time for a new coil, wires, and plugs. I know MSD is the shiznit as far as ignition components go, and i want the DIS -4 ignition box, but budget won't allow me, now I don't want to throw away my money, but would it be cheaper to just buy the ignition box with the coil, because i know there is an interface module that I haven't figured out whether it goes between the msd box or the OEM gm interface. If the module isn't needed for the ignition box i'm buying the ignition box, if it is then i'll have to hold off. and some 8.5mm wires and some ngk 55 plugs, since that seems like the plugs you guys like best.

-justin

The MSD coils are exactly like the GM ones. They both hook up the same, right? (i'm 99% sure of this)

Depends on his ignition system. I think 89 used magnavox ignition system? Mike would be able to jump in on this as I know his car has them.

You can put the three coil type ignition into a Magnavox equipped car. Fairly straight forward plug and play type deal. Then you could put in MSD coils.

Yes, I do have the magnavox coil. Its the one that is a rectangle, with 3 square boxes and plug terminals on either side of the coil. the Delco is kind of like a circle with a stripe over it and terminals on just one side.

Now to confirm this, the MSD coils are a plug and play installation from the OEM magnavox coil? So NO interface module will be needed? One will be needed to use the DIS-4 ignition box on the MSD coils, correct?


-justin

So, what does that mean I have to do? convert the wiring harness currently connected to the magnavox coil so it will connect to the coils? that shouldn't be too hard, because I think there are only 12 wires, so two per cylinder, i could figure that out.

-justin

thats a delco coil, I want the msd, maybe someone with an msd ignition could better explain this. Is it plug and play, or do I have to modify the ignition?


-justin

The icm in question will allow you to use msd coils. Jr has the stock coils but could upgrade to the msd ones now.

First upgrade the icm then the coils.

Correctamundo. Upgrade to an ICM from 93 or newer (just to be sure, as the 92 switched mid-year), and then slap on the MSD 8224 coils. They bolt right up.

the ICM is the thing that the coils sit on, which the MSD's can be plugged right into. Jr, did you notice a performance change when you went to the Delco's?

So, I just go to my local 'treasure' yard and find a 93 or higher icm which is the plate that the coil sits on, correct? I hope I can find a 93 or higher bonne at the treasure yard, i know have have a totaled 91, and an 84 I believe, and they have 80's civic wagons out to ying yang [about 8 1/2]. Are there any other cars with this delco icm? because I think there are a couple of cars that could be a 3800 powered car.


-justin

You can pull it from any L27 powered car. Look for other H Bodies, The front doors will give them away. And my 87 has the Type 2 system (it's broken).

if your '87 had it then why doesn't my '89 have it? or did you upgrade it?

by L27 you mean series 1 3800 right?

-justin

I have no idea why my 87 has it versus your 89, but it is a listed option in the manual, Maybe they switched halfway though the year? Of course my 87 also has a VIN 3, whereas your 89 has a VIN C.....

And yes. The L27 ( greatest motor ) is also called the Series 1 3800.

What adapters? I didn't think you'd need any. The MSD coils plug right into the type II ICM.

Correct. To upgrade to JUST the coils, the 92.5 and newer ICM will allow direct boltup. NO adapters necessary.

ANY car can use the coils with the adapters or any ICM.

It's a far better idea to upgrade to the type 2 Delco ignition, then simply buy the MSD coils. No adapters necessary.

yeah I will upgrade to the DIS4 in the future, and with that i WILL need the adaptors, but I think for now i'm gonna go head on over to the treasure yard and look for a type II icm, if I can't get one for 10-20 bucks, then i'm going to just buy the adaptors. [the guys that work at the junkyard here are so dumb, i can friggin' buy stuff so cheap, because they don't know what half the stuff is actually worth] :D thanks guys for your help!


-justin

I have a 1999 se. Do I need to do any mods to put MSD coils in my ride?

Nope. Straight swap for stock coils.

gonna revive an old thread... cause I am wondering this myself.... I've got a 3 series 3.8... 1986 delta88 royal Brougham.... would I have type 1 or 2?... what are the different part#'s or characteristics? and if needed can I swap directly over to a 90's type2??

Going to MSD coils won't get you anything. Cars pushing 700HP at the crank are using stock coils. The DIS4 box will give you power, becuase you can set the timing.

That's incorrect, especially on the Series 1 with the Type 2 system. Later years have a hotter coil for the SSEi, but not our old dogs. The MSD coils are slightly hotter than even the newer SSEi coils, and more mid-range power can be felt when compared to stock.

Think about why all the L27's, L36's and Series 1 L67's use one coil, but the 96+ L67 uses a different one ;)

YAY! :roll: so whats the deffining characteristics of the 2 diff ICM's? part#'s? which model of the old 3 series 3.8 use type2? OH! the RWD N/A and turbo regals (GN, T Type, etc) use the same ECM (different prom chip ofcourse) as my Vin3 3.8... is it possible they use the type2 ICM and it will swap over?

BTW for ECM parts cross reference LG2, LG3, LC2 then use the ECM #'d 1227148

http://www.cruzers.com/~ludis/c3xref.html#1227148