TheSamba.com :: View topic - Which ignition coil for use with a Mallory unilite???

Sun Jun 20, 2010 7:02 am

I'm looking for the best ingition coil for use with the Mallory unilite distributor... What would you suggest???

Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:41 am

well mallory would say this http://www.malloryperformance.com/ProductDetails.a...MinID=5455

If you really want high end spark performance look a a CDI box from them as well.

or get a kit http://www.malloryperformance.com/ProductDetails.a...election=3

Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:04 am

Thanks for the suggestion. Any other ideas?? Just exploring options....

Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:40 pm

I just ended up using a Mallory coil which matched my unilight.

Sun Jun 20, 2010 5:55 pm

I use a Bosch blue coil.

Sun Jun 20, 2010 6:37 pm

^^^^^ so far so good

Sun Jun 20, 2010 7:42 pm

I have the same Dist. and wondered if a ballast resistor is needed?

Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:14 pm

I went though this last week.

The Unilite instructions say that you need a ballast resistor unless you are using a CDI box. I had a Hyfire VI AL with mine, but it cooked after 3K mi, leaving me on the side of the road.

In disgust, I bought a ballast resistor for $6 from my FLAPS, and am on my way. I noticed no difference in performance.

Mon Jun 21, 2010 3:45 am

Do you have a schematic for the ballast resistor, or a diagram showing it splace with the coil?

Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:20 am

I use a 3 ohm Bosch blue coil and no ballast resistor.

Mon Jun 21, 2010 6:00 pm

I was looking at a Mallory 30440 epoxy filled coil ????

Mon Jun 21, 2010 6:00 pm

I was looking at a Mallory 30440 epoxy filled coil ????

Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:17 am

I highly recommend using the Mallory Hyfire 6a CD ignition with the Unilite.
Beware that the Mallory 605 module is very sensitive to voltage spikes.
I had a couple of 605 module failures when I was using the Mallory distributor in another ACVW. Because of this, the Unilite distributor sat on a shelf for a couple of years.
When I bought my '71 Super, about 18 months ago, I decided to give the Unilite another try.
After some trepidation; including considering having Prestolite (parent company of Mallory) convert the distributor to single points, I went with the 6100M, the so-called e-spark module which, according to Mallory, was engineered to lower the cost of manufacture to compete with Pertronix type triggers.
It is machine assembled (as opposed to hand assembled like the original 605 module).
I have found that in general, machine assembled electronic devices are more consistent and reliable than hand assembled parts; we shall see.
Interestingly enough, my e-spark modules (6100M) are yellow, not red which tells me they are the same as the Accel 2005, also a Prestolite product, which is identical form and function to the (Unilite) e-spark... at 80% of the street price.
In my current setup I am using the Unilite (e-spark) to trigger a Hyfire 6A, so the module is switching a very tiny current, which should prolong its life.
This car uses a generator, so hopefully voltage spikes won't be a problem.
I have installed an additional ground strap between the engine case and the body per the advice of Century Performance. The Unilite module itself is grounded to the engine case at the M8 stud for the distributor clamp.
I have chosen not to use the Mallory power filter because, if you read their literature carefully, Mallory makes no guarantees of its efficacy.
I have driven 15,000 miles so far and I really love the way the car runs with this distributor. Initial advance is 10*. The springs are gray/gray. Centrifugal advance begins at 1000 and is all in (28.5*) at 2800 RPM. Vacuum advance adds another ~10* in no-load situations.
Timing marks are rock stable at all speeds with or without vacuum.
The coil I am using is a Mallory 29216. It is a canister type which is held by the standard VW coil bracket. The only difference is that the coil should be mounted "right side up" that is with the terminals on top. This is an oil filled coil, and some of them will leak when mounted "VW style".
If you are using a tachometer with a CD box, you might need a "Tach Adapter".
The Mallory unit is a little cheesy looking, but it works.
(I need one in my Thing to run the fuel pump relay.)
Another precaution is that whenever you do any electrical work on the car, unplug the distributor to protect the Unilite module.
Buy a spare module; hopefully, you'll never need it.
Here's a photo of my setup:

On the left, you can see the Hyfire CD box, mounted on an aluminum plate which is attached where the vacuum unit of the throttle positioner used to be. The yellow wire (from the CD box) is for tach hookup, which for me is only used for "tune ups".
Since its installation, this has been completely trouble free.
Good luck, Mondshine

Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:44 am

Cool, thanks for the reply. I'm gonna run the cintrifigul unilite as there is no vacuum port with my IDAs. Yes I really want to use a CDI with this setup. It's a little out of the budget right now unfortunately. How much do you think you have invested in your ignition system??

Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:04 am

The street price for the Mallory Hyfire 6a is under $150.
I can't remember what I paid for the Unilite distributor as I bought it several years ago.

In both of my ACVW's, the CD boxes were in place first.

My Thing uses an ACN SVDA Bosch distributor with points. Points last "forever" with CD because they are switching a tiny current as compared to conventional Kettering. A tiny blob of distributor grease every year is easy enough.
My daily driver Beetle is the setup you've seen.

Good luck, Mondshine