What does a CDI system do for your car? Well read on...
A conventional induction ignition creates a spark by applying electric potential (12 volts) to the primary side of the coil. The coil steps the primary potential up to as much as 10,000 volts and delivers this high voltage to the spark plugs. However, this "step up" process is relatively slow, and as crank speed (rpm) increases, the secondary voltage declines dramatically.
This limitation was partially solved by the development of capacitive-discharge ignition (CDI) systems. Instead of applying 12 volts to the coil, a CD ignition increases the primary current by storing it in a kind of miniature battery called a capacitor. When this higher primary current is applied to the coil, the secondary voltage is dramatically increased.
The principal advantage of a CDI system is the ability to present a superior spark to the air/fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber, thus maximizing burn efficiency. The easiest way to get a bigger spark is to increase the spark plug gap size. However, increasing the gap distance also increases the voltage necessary to ionize the air/fuel mixture. And the resistance of the air/fuel mixture increases as the mixture is pressurized in the cylinder, requiring even higher voltage to spark across a plug. A CDI system provides the higher voltage required by the increased spark plug gap size, thus providing very intense spark.
A CDI ignition system can create spark potential as high as 37,000 volts. Most engines only need about 20,000 volts for reliable ignition. The stock system begins to 'droop' as the rpm goes up. At highway speeds, the spark voltage becomes more and more marginal, averaging about 18,000 volts. With a CDI system, the step up process is very fast compared to a conventional 12-volt induction. This assures a more consistent spark delivery across the plug gap, even at very high crank speeds (rpm).
Note: The consistently higher voltage will cause neoprene-type insulation to break down rather rapidly. You need sparkplug wires with better insulation, such as silicone or non-metallic.
The carbon conductor in the non-metallic leads will produce less radio interference and won't corrode like metallic leads. Electrically, if you've got 37000 volts available, the ignition system can't tell the difference between metallic & non-metallic leads.
We recommend NGK spark plugs, gapped to 0.040 inch. (See our Tune-Up Procedures for more detail regarding spark plug removal and reinstallation.
Note from Bob Hoover -- The CDI module doesn't claim to be anything special, just a good basic ignition system. If all you want is a good, reliable ride, it's the best idea since beer in cans. It will save you money, help clean up the environment and make your car run better, all at the same time.
Rob wrote regarding the CDI system - The CDI ignition kit DOES help with cold starts and produces fractionally better fuel economy. The plugs DO last longer too. The one I built many years ago worked well with the standard plug wires, but I suppose the more modern ones would need better wires for the higher voltages they generate.
A Bob Hoover Sermonette on CDI Systems
Two types of CDI units are offered -- a points-triggered CDI module and an optically-triggered CDI module.
Most distributors are not well sealed. There is always some amount of oil vapor inside the unit. Combined with the carbon granules that wear off the central button in the distributor cap, over time this obscures the IR pickup on the optical sensor and results in misfires. It doesn't happen suddenly -- you get some warning that things aren't working right -- and a Q tip soaked in alcohol cleans it right up. But there are plenty of times, such as when you're in freeway traffic, when you just can't afford to have your engine start missing.
The points-triggered module is designed to trigger off the stock points and works equally well when triggered by an electronic switch that uses magnetic sensing, such as the Pertronix.
The basic circuit in the CDI module -- the 'singing aluminum brick' you mount on your firewall or wherever, stays the same no matter what method of triggering is used. The two modules (points-triggered and optically-triggered) are not interchangeable without going inside the unit and resoldering some wires.
The stock points work okay for triggering the unit... sorta :-) The points never wear out since the triggering signal is only about two hundred and fifty milliamps (a quarter of an amp) as compared to 10 or 11 amps in the stock system. But the rubbing block wears down and you have to regap the points every 25000 miles or so. And as the miles build up the spring on the points weakens and you start to see points bounce, even at fairly low speeds. But points are inexpensive, robust and universally available making their use practical. I started using CDI modules in the 1960's and used the stock points for triggering until something better came along.
As a final note, a lotta guys go to a CDI module because they are having ignition problems and sure enough, the problem goes away once the unit is installed. You'll hear this same story from guys who merely replace their points with a Pertronix or other brand of electronic switch. But the odds are, the problem would have gone away with a good tune-up or rebuilding the distributor, which needs its seals replaced about every 50000 to 70000 miles. If your distributor needs an overhaul, the mainshaft will be loose and that looseness will cause excessive 'hunting' -- the spark won't always occur at the proper time.
A CDI module will trigger reliably with a point gap that's too small to measure (!), meaning it will even trigger reliably (although not accurately) with a distributor that is virtually worn out. By the same token, replacing the points with some form of magnetic triggering often masks that wear. Your distributor is still worn out and should be overhauled or replaced but the 'hunting' will have vanished -- right up until the mainshaft binds or the dog gear breaks off or some other catastropic failure occurs.
There's no such thing as a free lunch :-)
Here is some info on Mallory ignition coils and also some info on my previous Honda Civic VT-i which was using the Mallory ignition coil system and CDI. Article is on TOV Asia, also know as Temple Of Vtec.
Here is some info on the Mallory web site.
Below is the Promaster Ignition Coil which delivers 55,000 volts to the spark plugs!
Here's some notes on the promaster coil:
For street-driven vehicles with breaker point ignition or OE electronic ignition. Delivers optimum performance when used with these Mallory ignition products: UNILITE (r) Distributor with a HYFIRE (r) Capacitive Discharge Ignition, Magnetic Breakerless Distributor with a HYFIRE (r) Capacitive Discharge Ignition, or Dual Point Distributor. Effective to approximately 6500 RPM when used with a point type distributor (depending on engine combination). Effective to approximately 8000 RPM when used with a Mallory HYFIRE Electronic Ignition Control (depending on engine combination).
Coupled with the Promaster Coil, you can increase the power by installing the HyFire CDI system. Here's some notes on it:
High output multi-spark ignition system. Digital performance at analog prices. Latest microprocessor controlled circuitry. Easy to install. Lightweight aluminum housing - maximum heat transfer. More performance and lower power draw. Quicker acceleration and throttle response. Works with points, OEM or aftermarket electronic ignition, or magnetic crank triggers (exc. hall effect). Primary Output Voltage: 520, Secondary Voltage Output: 45000, Spark Energy: 135mj.
Unfortunately there is no agent for Mallory in Singapore but there is a distributor based on Jakarta, Indonesia. There are however other distributors based in USA and Australia that do export out the Mallory coils.
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