L18 electronic ignition

[xAH510x]

Does an electronic ignition require a special ignition coil, or can you use a standard coi?l For electric ignition, what coil do I use?

[datsunaholic]

Depends on the electronic ignition. For a Pertronix conversion, you either use the stock coil (and the stock ballast resistor) or you get an internally-ballasted coil. For an OE electronic ignition, you use the coil that came with the setup. You can use the original points coil, BUT you have to retain the ballast resistor.

[zed]

I've run the stock Nissan coil and a Magfire 40kV on my L18 - no noticeable difference. I like to use the most powerful coil I can - though some say the standard coil is just as good. Logic tells me if I can get more energy into the spark it's got to help power. I'm talking about joules here, not volts. Remember Pertronix can only take 4 amps, so, if you can, adjust your resistance to get the most out of it.

[Pacific coast Datsun]

D-holic nailed it. Another way to tell the diff. between a points & EI coil is the size. A EI coil will be a bit taller & wider & some have the words "for use with electronic ignition" stamped on the side. Any Z or early Maxima that came with EI has coils that'll work.

[greybeard]

if you happen to be at the JY and see a mid 70's to early 80's FIAT, they have a neat ignition unit that has a coil and GM 4 pin HEI ignition mounted in a small alum. heat sink.

 

this unit works with the early 75-78 or 9 Datsun electronic Dizzy (non matchbox)

[datzenmike]

Generally, only California dizzys had the remote igniter before '78 when all L20Bs had them, switching to the matchbox for '79 and '80.

[koback68]

You do not need the electronic coil.But it is best for the application.Its a heat thing not a horsepower difference