TheSamba.com :: View topic - Stock Coil or Flame-Thrower II 45K, .6 ohm

Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:32 pm

[i]I am hoping for advice in regards to a new coil for my Type 1. I have '74 Super Beetle stock engine with a Empi 2 stage progressive carb and electronic distributor and stock coil. Would like to replace my current coil with a Flame-Thrower II, 45k Volts, .6 ohm, Oil Filled coil. Will this Flame-Thrower II be good or bad for my bug? I appreciate all the good advice on this site and hope one of you can assist me...thx, mike

Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:40 pm

Check the specs on your ignition set up. Some kits require certain coils with certain ohms etc. You could fry it easily if you don't know the correct resistance.

Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:41 pm

I think those are meant to be used with a Pertronix Igniter module. With point's you want a 3-4 ohm coil. The thing about those coils is they have less primary wire in them and that jacks up the voltage but the current is not as good.

Thu Feb 09, 2017 6:09 am

Find the manufacturers website for your new electronic distributor and see what coil they recommend for the distributor that you bought. I read that standard plug wires will disrupt the electronics in an electronic distributor so find out what they recommend for those also.

Use Pertronix Igniter I distributor with Flame Thrower I coil.

Use Pertronix Igniter II distributor with Flame Thrower II coil.

Use Pertronix Igniter III distributor with Flame Thrower III coil.

You also need to use the Pertronix Flame Thrower spark plug wires.

Thu Feb 09, 2017 6:25 am

I have compufire elect ignition kit in my distributor. I used the cb performance magna coil, and had to wire in series a resistor. The compufire ignition mod needed at least 3 ohms.

Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:45 pm

JKLNHYD wrote: Find the manufacturers website for your new electronic distributor and see what coil they recommend for the distributor that you bought. I read that standard plug wires will disrupt the electronics in an electronic distributor so find out what they recommend for those also.

Use Pertronix Igniter I distributor with Flame Thrower I coil.

Use Pertronix Igniter II distributor with Flame Thrower II coil.

Use Pertronix Igniter III distributor with Flame Thrower III coil.

You also need to use the Pertronix Flame Thrower spark plug wires.

I don't know.. I just replaced my points with a module, years ago, don't remember if it was a 1, 2 or 3, threw away the package. Didn't change the blue coil or the stock type bosch wires, it's fine.

Fri Feb 10, 2017 11:16 am

As mentioned, your coil primary resistance needs to match the requirements of your distributor trigger (points or electronic points).
The typical canister coil probably doesn't care what its primary resistance is. As long as it gets a signal (OPEN/CLOSE primary field) from the points it will fire a spark. Though, higher resistance in the primary circuit means less current there which translates into less current in the secondary. If you want the best spark, you want the lowest resistance in the primary windings.

The reason for HIGHER resistance in the primary windings of the coil (or resistance from an external ballast resistor) is to REDUCE the current passing thru the coil reaching the points/electronic module. This is done to prevent arcing or reduce overheating/overloading. This is why the distributor/points/module dictates the needed coil resistance. Stock points need 3-4 ohms to prevent premature arcing at the point contacts from too much current.

The Igniter II/III modules were designed to make use of lower resistance in the coil primary to ideally get a better spark from the coil.

The coils listed as producing greater secondary voltage can do it one of two ways.... fewer windings in the primary (cheaper as less wire is used)... or increase the number of secondary windings (more expensive since more wire is needed and the physical coil size may increase). It is the ratio of primary to secondary windings that determine the multiplied voltage in the secondary (unless you use a CDI ignition which is a whole different principle.)