TheSamba.com :: View topic - Flamethrower, or plain ol' Bosch blue coil?

Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:01 am

I have a 1640CC engine. I just replaced my 009 dizzy with the aircooled.net SVDA (man, I cannot reccomend this change enough! Do it! Do it!). Now I want to drop in a Petronix points replacement, because I'm too lazy to deal with points. For such a small engine, is there really any advantage to a Petronix Flamethrower coil over a good Brazilian Bosch blue coil (the GOOD one, with the ballast resistor)? It's only around $10 difference, but there are so many supposed 'upgrades' for the beetle that just aren't worth crap! DO I really need 40,000 volts? Will that just wear other stuff out faster?

Thanks!

Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:27 am

I had the Flamethrower, ran it for less than 100 miles, then the car sat during a resto. After 1.5 years, the Flamethrower didn't work right, so I went back to points. I think it should have lasted longer, it only sat in a garage.

Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:32 pm

I ran a blue coil and the flamethrower, and I couldn't tell a difference...I was running it on a 1600 SP also running the Jacobs Bugpak ignition...

Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:35 pm

Flamethrowers suck. Had one, no difference. Only advantage is polished finish. If anything save your money for an HEI ignition, then you'll notice a jump in power, much smoother acceleration, and slight increase in fuel economy. I've got personal beef right now with these guys so i can't believe i'm saying it but I got a CB perf. "Magnaspark" and amazingly it has been holding up to my abuse for over 4 years without any adjustment or maintenance whatsoever. Have been considering the MSD alternative, but Magna is much cheaper (was 139.00 when i bought). Save your money for bigger and better things, flamethrower=hype.

Fri Jan 21, 2005 6:34 pm

Save the $10 and just buy the Bosch Blue coil. But use the Pertronix Ignitor. I don't really notice a performance difference, but atleast you'll never have to replace points & condensor again. After a few tuneups, it'll not only pay for itself, but start to save you money in the long run. Also, you'll never have to worry about burned points leaving you on the side of the road.

Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:41 pm

[email protected] wrote: Save the $10 and just buy the Bosch Blue coil. But use the Pertronix Ignitor. I don't really notice a performance difference, but atleast you'll never have to replace points & condensor again. After a few tuneups, it'll not only pay for itself, but start to save you money in the long run. Also, you'll never have to worry about burned points leaving you on the side of the road.
Couldn't agree more; I just finished my 2nd summer with the Pertronix/Blue Coil combo on my 1600SP, and I couldn't be happier. I do carry a set of points & a condensor in my 'emergency kit,' just in case; it's cheaper than a spare Pertronix unit, and can help me get home if need be. 8)

Sat Jan 22, 2005 2:01 am

you'll never have to worry about burned points leaving you on the side of the road.[/quote]
i had an electronic ignition unit die, leaving me stranded, my coil died at exactly the same time as well.( i wasnt in a vw)
. they wont ware out any ware near as fast as points, but their not indistructable. carry some sort of backup :?

Sat Jan 22, 2005 5:06 am

Bosch Blue

Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:15 am

i swear by the electronic points ...like pertonic and the other one.. i have both and i havn't had any problem with either type of electronic drop in points...the beetle has had the same one for 6 years and no problems and the bus has had one for 3 years no problems...

i would stick with ol-blue...the bosch blue coil...i have a flametrower and never installed it..i just don't trust it like a do a bosch blue coil...plus the bosch blue coil looks much better for the vintage touch then a rusted up chrome flamtrower coil...

peace out
these are just my opinions but do what you want!!!

Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:52 am

[email protected] wrote: I have a 1640CC engine. I just replaced my 009 dizzy with the aircooled.net SVDA (man, I cannot reccomend this change enough! Do it! Do it!). Now I want to drop in a Petronix points replacement, because I'm too lazy to deal with points. For such a small engine, is there really any advantage to a Petronix Flamethrower coil over a good Brazilian Bosch blue coil (the GOOD one, with the ballast resistor)? It's only around $10 difference, but there are so many supposed 'upgrades' for the beetle that just aren't worth crap! DO I really need 40,000 volts? Will that just wear other stuff out faster?

Thanks!

I would go with the blue coil myself. You say you have an engine that you are doing some upgrades, if that is the case what happened to the old coil? If you have it and it works use it.

Sun Jan 23, 2005 10:17 am

i bought a flamethrower -- wanted a black bodied coil that i didnt have to paint (bought the black one of course). damn thing sloshed around. ran hot (to the touch under the lid -- hotter than the black color would have otherwise made it from retained heat). scared the hell out of me enough to switch back to the blue coil by the side of the freeway. there are better ways to spend extra cash on ignition upgrades (from simply a new set of plugs or wires to an HEI or second strike unit).

Sun Jan 23, 2005 1:37 pm

I just installed a blue coil/Compufire/stock vacuum-mech dizzy.

Works wonderfully, and makes me wonder why folks love that 009 POS.

Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:35 pm

I like the bosch blue coils, and I have run the same Petrinox ignitor for at least 7 years, and roughly 100,000 miles now in my 63 bug. 70,000 + miles and 7 years in my 69 Westfalia. I have an extra unit that I take on trips just in case but it hasn't been needed. Hook the wires up to the coil wrong for even a second though and the unit fries. Found this out the hard way on a friends car. Was embarrassing and expensive!

Mon Jan 24, 2005 6:17 am

Man, the timing on this post was great.

I bought the Pertronix stuff not too long ago but didn't buy the coil. I thought the one that was in my car would work. But when I ohmed it out I found no internal resistance. It surprised me since the Bosch Blue is at least 10 years old.

I'll just go pick up a new Bosch coil this weekend.