Ignition Coil upgrade

I am thinking of upgrading my ignition coil but I was wondering is there any point.
If there is any value in upgrading the coil are there any recommendations
I have a standard GF and I do not want to go electronic
cheers

In short, unless you need a different spec of coil (for electronic ignition) then there is no point. The bit of the ignition system that makes the difference is the points and condenser and unless you want to go EI then all you can do is tweak the system for accuracy. The ignition system, as a whole and in good condition is as good as it is going to get with one possible exception - the standard euro-spec distributor does not have a vacuum advance - something the federal spec cars do have. It is just a minor detail but it does help.

The point (to reiterate) is the system works - keep it all in working order and there isn't much more you can do to make it better. Unless you are radically changing the tuning, compression, etc. then the parts as standard are all you need. Electronic ignition does improve things as the timing is more accurate and reliable with no wearing parts (except possibly the plugs but these should last longer too). Going the whole hog is mapped ignition but for most people that is more trouble than it's worth.

So don't bother with fancy plugs, ignition leads or coil packs just buy good quality parts to start with.

Good advice Julian. Thanks. So would you recommend an upgraded coil / condenser when switching to EI, or is that a MUST?

I fitted one of these on my X1/9 which has standard points and condenser...

No problems what so ever and been very reliable..

www.eurosport-uk.net/shop/index.php?main...h=1_3&products_id=55

If you are switching to EI there won't be a condenser. The EI will need a higher energy spark so a different coil is used. Some EI systems work completely differently and use a capacitor discharge mechanism which will require different hardware to work. Things get a bit stranger with a coilpack system and you don't even want to think about a coil on plug system.

Ultimately the only thing you can really hope to achieve with a system that retains the points and condenser is an improvement in reliability and coils are generally pretty good unless you leave the ignition on with the engine not running as this can overheat the oil filled coils that are standard.

The dry coil that Terry mentions is basically half of a modern coil pack arrangement