MSD or Accel coils

[Guest PontiacDude210]

Wondering if anyone has converted to the MSD coils. I believe a brand called Accel also makes a flashy coil. When I searched for MSD coil with Reatta compatibility, I found this

<a href="http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/pontiacdude210/media/Reatta%20Part%20Wishlist/Screenshot_2014-11-11-08-14-44_zpsuzwxkhmq.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah128/pontiacdude210/Reatta%20Part%20Wishlist/Screenshot_2014-11-11-08-14-44_zpsuzwxkhmq.png" border="0" alt=" photo Screenshot_2014-11-11-08-14-44_zpsuzwxkhmq.png"/></a>

Can I do the AC Delco conversion but using these coils? I also found a "coil adapter box" or something of that sort. I'm not sure that's necessary, shouldn't the coil hook directly to the ICM just like the Delco ones?

If someone can explain this to me, or link me to any info you have on it, that'd be great. When I searched the forum for MSD coil, I didn't find anyone who went through with the swap. As usual, thanks.

[jonlabree]

The MSD coils work just fine and you don't need the "coil adapter box".

.

[D-a-n-i-e-l]

I run them.

[KDirk]

Nice. I probably need new coils on my Delco equipped 91 coupe in the spring. Was eyeing these MSD units a while ago as they are red and I have done some customizing (somewhat like Daniel's but not nearly as extensive) painting some brackets and trim red. I do rather doubt there is any performance gain from these without other more extensive upgrades being done. Don't think these will work at all with the Magnavox module even with an adaptor FWIW.

KDirk

[Guest PontiacDude210]

I take it from the tutorial on the ROJ, that the Delco unit is plug and play? Several questions though:

1. The ROJ write up mentions the bracket the ICM sits on needing to be from the Delco unit, but some brackets won't work. What years series 2 motor used the bracket that fits the Reatta?

2. How do I know how to route the plug wires?

[Ronnie]

I take it from the tutorial on the ROJ, that the Delco unit is plug and play? Several questions though:

1. The ROJ write up mentions the bracket the ICM sits on needing to be from the Delco unit, but some brackets won't work. What years series 2 motor used the bracket that fits the Reatta?

2. How do I know how to route the plug wires?

The Delco unit should be plug and play if you get the correct one from a similar year as your Reatta.

Padgett's writeup on ROJ says: "The original mounting bracket does not need to be changed."

Could you please give me a link to where you read on ROJ the bracket needs to be changed? I think that must be a typo.

As for the plug wires, you number them before taking them off the Magnovox unit and put them on the Delco unit in the same order.

[Guest PontiacDude210]

Did I mislabel it? I meant the backing plate the ICM sits on, as the Delco unit is noted as longer than the Magnavox. Not the bracket, sorry. I only have the net through mobile, so I can't look at one page while typing a post on another. Can someone throw me a refresher on how the numbering works on the cylinders and which point on the Delco unit is which? Thank you much.

[Ronnie]

It has been several years since I upgraded to the Delco ignition on my '88 but I don't remember having to change the plate the ICM sits on. I do remember that I made a cardboard template of the plate (with mounting holes marked on it) that I took with me to the junk yard so I could make sure I got a Delco setup that would bolt to the plate. I also took a photo of the Magnavox ICM connector so I could get a Delco ICM with the same connector.

If you look closely you can see the plug wire numbers stamped on the Magnavox coils next to the head of the screws that hold the coil to the ICM. You can use those numbers to put numbers on your plug wires. The Delco coils are usually numbered if they are the ones that came on the car from the factory. Delco replacement coils don't have numbers. My ICM was held on by 11mm nuts. Yours might have 10mm nuts. Maybe some of the photos below will help.

Edited November 12, 2014 by Ronnie (see edit history)

[Guest PontiacDude210]

Thank you, Ronnie. I guess when something doesn't make sense to me my brain fills in the blanks and it doesn't always work out very well Your pics make it clearer what I'm looking at though.

I know this part is a lot to ask, so I understand if nobody replies. Both my Reattas have aftermarket Magnavox coils with no numbers on them, and the coil pack system I'm looking at buying off a 94 olds doesn't have the original coils either.

Can anyone verify this is correct?

<a href="http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/pontiacdude210/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2014-11-12-19-50-23_zpsjzb7pawp.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah128/pontiacdude210/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2014-11-12-19-50-23_zpsjzb7pawp.png" border="0" alt=" photo Screenshot_2014-11-12-19-50-23_zpsjzb7pawp.png"/></a>

<a href="http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/pontiacdude210/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2014-11-12-19-51-04_zpsrusz2lhy.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah128/pontiacdude210/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2014-11-12-19-51-04_zpsrusz2lhy.png" border="0" alt=" photo Screenshot_2014-11-12-19-51-04_zpsrusz2lhy.png"/></a>

Edited November 13, 2014 by PontiacDude210 (see edit history)

[D-a-n-i-e-l]

Yes they are correct

[Guest PontiacDude210]

Thanks Daniel.

[Guest PontiacDude210]

<a href="http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/pontiacdude210/media/90%20Reatta%20Coupe/20141122_162916_zpsaiuxbkut.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah128/pontiacdude210/90%20Reatta%20Coupe/20141122_162916_zpsaiuxbkut.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141122_162916_zpsaiuxbkut.jpg"/></a>

Got it running on the Delco Coils and ICM from the junkyard, and I'm waiting on FedEx for my MSD coils. Thanks for the help guys. I'll post another pic with the MSDs on.