Distributor VS Wasted Spark VS Coil on Plug VS MONSTER Coil near Plug

[@d4a]

Monster coil: bit.ly/d4ahocoils COP: amzn.to/3efickY Wasted spark: amzn.to/3jMXQRh Distributor: amzn.to/3kIoewS Spark plug wires: amzn.to/2TJylFO Support d4a: driving-4-answers-shop.fourthwall.com/

[@stuffhappensdownsouth9899]

8:00 would a V-6 need 2 packs as well or are you referring to a inline 6?

[@Frosty_Saiyajin]

@@stuffhappensdownsouth9899 A v6 usually uses 3 dual spark coil packs, they fire 2 cylinders per pack, instead of 4.

[@GeorgeTigra]

Clever promotion video... Block..

[@stuffhappensdownsouth9899]

@@Frosty_Saiyajinthx

[@Frosty_Saiyajin]

@@stuffhappensdownsouth9899 Cheers

[@jasonjalbert5211]

I teach high school auto shop and I'm always looking for technically accurate videos that are school appropriate. Your channel has nailed it thank you very much!

[@pazsion]

Just be sure to do your own research and correct the things that are incorrect that he doesn’t go back and correct

[@boingy-m5q]

hey man, keep doing what you do. it's getting more and more rare now to see auto shop programs in high schools nowadays, and it makes me happy to see people like you still wanting to inspire that passion in younger generations

[@jasonbussjaeger1132]

I agree

[@imKenyo]

I hope this could be translated to Spanish

[@inspectorlunge3887]

@jasonjalbert5211 Wow, it's surprising they teach automotive repair in any highschool in America still as practical as it is. Good to know.

[@williamkroth9429]

As a retired engineer; and car collector; I must say that your videos are probably the absolute best on KZbin! You have a great ability to easily explain complex mechanisms and principles and I always learn something new.

[@miljororforsprakpartiet290]

Yep, he just needs to talk clerarer and stop whispering.

[@wrestling9314]

@@miljororforsprakpartiet290 😂😂

[@williamvoor2425]

.. uhhh, that's a negative there, home slice. In ADDITION to breaking down and easily explaining complex things, his accent and his calm and quiet, comedic demeanor add even MORE value. If you have a hard time hearing him, you could try turning your speakers up... or maybe it's that time of year to clean your ears. Once those landfill listeners of yours are clean, if you can't understand the words coming out of his mouth...try inserting the q-tip deeper. If you can make it to the other side, you're doing great.

[@bubblebeezvincyisland4419]

​@@williamvoor2425pp L😊l

[@wholeNwon]

A topic about which I needed to know nothing more than I already did. So, of course, I watched and learned more. Thanks.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Same !

[@kristianperryadams]

This is almost irrelevant to what I was searching for but good information and well delivered so I watched to the end, Keep the revs up👍

[@unpopularopinion8608]

The clarity and conciseness of this channel's content continues to confound critics and competitors.

[@thomasssemukasa9635]

Well said.I thought I knew all that I needed, but guess what,A LOT THAT I DIDN'T KNOW

[@KrisisVal]

I use the misfires at high rpm with a distributor as a rev limiter!

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

"Sounds like your engine is about crap out!" "Nah man... Rev limiter..."

[@karoliskazlauskas1213]

best rev limiter is the valve float smh ;D

[@graham2631]

@@karoliskazlauskas1213 lmfao l was gona post that

[@jbobea]

@@karoliskazlauskas1213 Best rev (and speed) limiter is to put an egg on your dashboard.

[@awmaister5529]

nah, redlimiter on a twostroke when you dont have one, yes i mean actualy out accelereting the exploding gas with the piston, keeps a smooth rpm too.

[@25kmgb]

I'm really impressed with your ability to convey technical information in such an easy to understand way. I didn't understand why a "smart" coil (AEM) would be better than a COP setup on my 4AGE race engine, but I do now! Thank you.

[@kbeightyseven]

Cop will be fine on non boosted engine, motorcycle engines that rev to 17,500rpm use coil on plug

[@lynnhooley7608]

As a retired electrician, your ohms law graphic, cracked me up!

[@yacinealg152]

Do you have any channel to suggest ? I want to learn electricity

[@putraadriansyah8082]

@@yacinealg152 GreatScott

[@codyblea3638]

Information on a topic I never thought about. And I was engrossed the entire time. I wonder how long until we see monster coils as a oem.

[@d4a]

Thank you glad you liked the video. I doubt we'll bee seeing monster type coils on OEM anytime soon as these really only become necessary when you start pushing the performance, stuff like 150-200 hp per cylinder. So they wouldn't really give any additional benefits on a stock oem engine, plus they're kinda big and bulky so not that easy to fit in modern crowded engine bays. But in the world of tuning, these things can completely change an engine.

[@jonathanrees3765]

My 17 year old LS1 has OEM coils setup the same as the monster colis?!

[@jacknickolstine3355]

You wont.

[@jonathanrees3765]

@@MaFTB GM LS engine ignition use exactly the same technology (but not brand). And it performs with superchargers (factory) and aftermarket turbos, highest stress point for ignition. Arrangement allows for physically bigger coil, more, heaver winding's. Independent dyno testing has not found improvements with after market coils on these engines

[@maxcactus7]

Another excellent video packed with great information, clearly explained and easy to understand. Thank you, D4A! You definitely have the best automotive engineering & mechanics channel anywhere!

[@hggird]

This channel is so underrated!! You should have 1M + subs. Great informational video

[@MrDrago1954]

I learned all this back in the 70s and 80s when Cars were a more important item in my life. Its very generous of you to put it all together in one package, starting with Mechanical Distributors. Your vocal presentation makes it easy to remain focused on the material and not your person. Thank You that. You have a new sub.

[@arafatbello4491]

Well spoken and well defined uncle. Experience will forever be the best tutor... Respect MR DRAGO

[@edd.1886]

Very well done. I am an electrical engineer and car enthusiast and you did very well with the electrical portion of your lecture. Accurate and simple explanations.

[@DP-nr1hz]

This channel is like engineering explained but much better and relevant.

[@moocow2172]

maaan could listen to you talk for hours, proper keeps you engaged the way you use your voice and full of stuff i want to know/didnt know i didnt know!!! ty dude more money your way

[@pabitrikalita3940]

This is my favorite KZbin channel, i have recommended all my friends to watch his videos.

[@bonfacemasharia5843]

Are you serious?,so am right to be here?,I mean am in Kenya but am I lucky to be watching this?

[@hyacinthbucket3803]

It’s never a wasted day as long as you learn something. Thank you 🤓

[@outalive55]

Oh My!! This is by far the best and most concise explanation of the progression and differences in the ignition systems I have ever heard. I thank you so very much. I feel as if I have just walked out into the sunlight after being in the dark for 40 years. I'm a 68 year old fellow who's last experience working on ignition systems was in the 1970's.

[@Lotusvvc]

Wow - absolutely fantastic - thanks for putting the time in to create this content. I will now “waste” days going through the rest of your material! Well done.

[@Bruno-yi4nb]

Thx! That was actually helpful for the distributor rebuild i'm doing. Also, the way you explained how current and voltage work is way better than anyone i've ever seen.

[@sushpants]

Excellent video D4A! Your editing is on point, my friend :D

[@trevnerdhubbabubba6230]

All this guy's videos are extremely informative, helpful, and easy to understand. Keep up the good work brother!

[@HermiHg]

Minor physics nitpick: air is generally considered to be an insulator, but it’s a better conductor than a vacuum! 20 atm of air will conduct electricity better than 10 atm.

[@fila1445]

It is worth noting that for direct coils you need to tell ecm camshaft posision, basically using the same sensor as crankshaft position sensor but on camshaft or camshaft wheel. Only then it will know on what stroke each cylinder is and fire every other revolution.

[@fuzzy1dk]

they could be run as wasted spark

[@fila1445]

@@fuzzy1dk thats exactly what I meant:)

[@valde3336]

It can operate with only crank position sensor. ECU can start the engine on wasted spark mode and then guess the cam position as there are only two options. If that causes misfire (engine speed drops) the guess was wrong and cam is the other way around. This also works for sequential fuel injection. Just start with patch injection and guess to switch to sequential.

[@valde3336]

@Retired Bore You totally missed my point

[@valde3336]

@Retired Bore Ok. Then I misunderstood you.Sorry

[@tevaughnalleyne]

This was the best video I’ve seen on these ever! Thank you brother from the Caribbean 🇹🇹🇹🇹

[@darkness_npc5241]

you stated why the disturber is the best in the beginning. It's mechanically linked to the engine. no computer needed. no bullshit ECU or extra stuff that's expensive to replace when it breaks. I did the plugs cap and rotor in my small block chevy, and it cost me 97 dollars. most of which was the AC Delo plugs. compared to an LS engine where a coil can be upwards of 150$ for one. I will stick to the old school stuff. carbs, pushrod, and disturbers!

[@artementy]

Screw the old unreliable stuff. Too many moving parts that fail. You need to put new ignition parts on your small block every year or two. Nothing wrong with computers, they almost never fail. And you can drive an LS engine for 300k+ miles and 15+ years without replacing a single ignition coil. And in a rare occasion when you do, they are not $150. Rockauto sells them for $56 (Acdelco) or $18 (aftermarket).

[@PTTrue-mu5rq]

Very true coil on packs are over priced pieces of junk. old things like that hardly ever break and if they do it's no 800 dollars to fix

[@PTTrue-mu5rq]

OEM parts are best to use because you're vehicle was made to run efficiently with those parts I did what you're saying to do and put aftermarket parts on and nothing will last as long as an OEM part trust me I already tried

[@darkness_npc5241]

@@PTTrue-mu5rq yeah the only after market parts that I would trust is performance parts, like holly and msd. But I agree OEM is the best and no matter the parts store. They all got parts for a small block Chevy or ford

[@darkness_npc5241]

@@artementy if you think old stuff has too many moving parts look at a new double over head cam v8 that’s to many moving parts and a mile of timing chains. The old stuff may be less fuel efficient but it’s more reliable even when is not taken care of that good. And cheep after market stuff is just asking to be stranded on The side of the road. OEM or performance only, in my opinion. And I only change the ignition parts because I did not know the last time they had been done. I won’t have to change them for years. They hardly ever fail if you maintain them.

[@avibank]

Literally the only place online that explains this part and system clearly. Thank you.

[@aussietaipan8700]

I love your videos mate, they should be used as additional training methods for apprentice mechanics. Very interesting and well presented too.

[@grba1988]

tek sam nedavo otkrio tvoj kanal , sad moram pogledati sve videe od počeka kanala... svaka čast, puuuuno korisnih informacija... samo tako nastavi,... pozdrav iz zagreba!!

[@cmadegwa]

I'm working on a restomod project for a car that came with the old distributor system. See, I knew there were downsides to that old system but now I know exactly why that is. Good work man.

[@Demonslayer20111]

The upside is its pure simplicity.

[@atxmobilebrakes6097]

I spent a long time looking online trying to figure out what is the difference between a distributor system and modern ignition systems. You're video is exactly what i was looking for. I've seen a lot of your other videos and loved them all I can't believe I over looked your channel! Thanks for all the videos and i hope you keep them coming!!!

[@adamculbertson7850]

“You have to reach for something like this.” Then video gets interrupted by a Frebreze commercial. Lmao. The timing was perfect.

[@pieterpretorius1014]

i just use adblock. much cheaper

[@MrNigel1340]

@@pieterpretorius1014 I use u block works a treat.

[@noahman27]

I love your channel man! I'm so glad you came up on my youtube feed yesterday. I am just eating up all the info that i've longed to know about for decades! Youre a great teacher...clear and well mapped out explanations and graphics. So fantastic for me. Thanks man. I am really appreciating all the hard work and careful thought you've put into these lessons.

[@vtecnerd]

Just discovered your channel, immediately subscribed! Great presentation style, very clear, easy to follow, and good level of humor! Amazing job dude!

[@regdor8187]

Undoubtedly the best explanation I have ever seen comparing the different ignition systems....Bravo!

[@woodyTM]

Even though I'm extremely experienced and knew everything discussed in this video, hearing it and seeing it visualized this well was really inspiring.

[@vettle1]

Same here, these are great!

[@fahoudey]

where have this channel been all my life !!

[@recardothompson5960]

I loved every single second of this video. Truly informative and entertaining. I wish I had watched this video months ago. I love it

[@pujiri5752]

Absolutely one of my favorite channel on youtube universe! Great video as always

[@IIIRotor]

on the verge of going from MSD DIS2 up to those monster coils... can't wait... Just for a bit more info... those AEM coils, are actually knows as IGN-1A's . Every one just re-badges them... AEM, Haltech, Holley, Accel, ProEFI.... etc...

[@wngimageanddesign9546]

Ummm, my original Honda spark plug wires are still in my 95 Accord. I'm an EE, and detect no signs of degradation. No cracks, no voltage leakage. The OEM quality of the ignition wires is impeccable. BTW, you left out aftermarket CDI which we used for modified high output race enines back in the day. Keep up the good work on your videos.

[@davelloyd-]

Excellent video explaining the differences. I think I've had all the set-ups over the years :) My Astra had the coil-overs and it did break (old 2nd hand car) and was a fair bit more expensive to replace than a couple of spark leads :) Interestingly (at least to me) is that my HSV seems to have the Monster Coil near plug from factory - no idea the voltage but it certainly has eight blocks and a short lead to the plug. [GM's LSA motor]

[@samcoote9653]

Awesome video as always, ive heard the wasted spark system mentioned before, never knew exactly how it worked, really clears it up :D cheers man!

[@bobbybeyer2127]

Aww man, after your last video I was hoping we'd be getting some sweet sweet diesel content. But now you cover the least diesel topic imaginable! It's all good D4A, still love your channel!

[@d4a]

There will be some stuff on diesels here and there in the future, but I'm a spark boy through and through so petrol will still account for the vast majority of my content.

[@bobbybeyer2127]

@@d4a I'll forgive you, but seriously an "Iconic Engines" on the Mercedes OM606 and Cummins 6BT would be so sick! I think those are two engines even sparky bois can appreciate Also if you ever are bored, go check out two-stroke diesels and how they work. Supercharged and turbocharged. Very fascinating

[@dj_fission]

Thanks!

[@d4a]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@Joe-rx7ht]

And now I know what the crank position sensor on my Land Rover Discovery 2 does. 😄 Thanks! 🙏

[@russbilzing5348]

You have a unique and easily understood style.

[@cavalierliberty6838]

I've learned more from this channel than i did in automotive school. Suck it, WCC.

[@aimshotlegends2318]

My Father had a 2010 suzuki jimny and it's been used in offroad racing, and upon looking at underneath the hood it has a weird ignition system, it has both waste spark and coil on plug in it, which is very convenient 'cuz even though it's stock it still runs smooth and sounds like a civic

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Some Mazda engines used the same system, as well.

[@aimshotlegends2318]

@@jameshaulenbeek5931 nice

[@sebastiannielsen]

One disadvantage with the distributor is also that the timing lead is static in distance, not time. When igniting the fuel mixture in an engine, you always want to ignite it leading with time, as the time from when you send voltage to the spark plug, and the fuel excerting downwards pressure (where you want the piston at TDP) is always static (for a specific mixture). The distributor leads with distance instead, meaning that it will at higher RPMs, lead with shorter times (meaning the spark will come a tad too late) and at lower RPMs, it will lead with longer times (meaning the spark will come a tad too early) (Think carefully now - at higher RPMs, it will take shorter time, for the distributor to travel from point A to B). This is a big disadvantage. Thats why smarter, electronic spark systems are created,. so the engine can adjust the lead times based on RPM and fuel mixture. This is also the same reason fuel injectors are created, and also why it exist electronic valve systems (camless engines) where the ECU controls the valves completely independent of the rotation of the engine. Also the reason the crank position sensor has one teeth missing is not to create a changing magnetic field - remember that the wheel has teeth and is not smooth - and will make pulses anways thus creating a changing magnetic field. The reason the missing teeth is there, is to give the sensor a absolute position reference - like a "zero". The missing pulse is intepreted by the ECU as passing of a specific position, and the ECU can zero a counter. For each pulse from the sensor, the ECU increases the counter by 1. When the missing pulse is encountered again, it zeroes again. Thus the ECU constantly "recalibrates" itself, so even if the engine would happen to come a little bit out of sync, for example due to electrical interference, its instantly recalibrated next revolutiion. Note that a ABS sensor works in the exact same way - but it doesn't need a missing teeth, because it don't need to know the absolute position of the wheel - it only needs to know the speed (pulses/second), thus it doesn't matter if the ABS loses a pulse or two, because it will not become desynced.

[@mitchellmanson449]

underrated comment, you could do a video

[@james2hackett870]

Not if one wheel is only missing teeth you go fast enough the abs computer registers an issue due to speed difference on all wheels whilst your not apply brakes it will turn it self off

[@ABaumstumpf]

@@james2hackett870 If your car is MISSING teeth on a sensor-disc for ABS you got some other waaaaayyy more serious issues - not the least of which is the lack of intelligence to even dare driving such a deathtrap.

[@nerd1000ify]

Most distributor systems include some mechanism to advance the spark as rpm rises. Of course these crude vacuum or fly-weight operated mechanisms can't compare to a computer doing the job...

[@lolbuster01]

@@nerd1000ify very true, but one of the few benefits of a distributor is that, with the proper knowledge and almost no tools, you can set and adjust timing on the fly. It will never be as accurate as a computer but because it is mechanically linked, as long as the distributor is stabbed correctly its going to be more or less correct. And those are the two (very slim) benefits I can come up with. Less computers and (with proper knowledge) very cheap on the fly adjustments.

[@gabrielshepard]

Thank you for explaining all that. I had wondered why the need/want and difference in ignition systems. This helped tons

[@danebeck7900]

Coils don't "charge up" like capacitors do. That's sloppy language and doesn't really describe what's going on. Coils generate a primary magnetic field when current is run through them. The larger the current, the larger the primary magnetic field. The primary magnetic field is limited by saturation of the iron core, but that's a separate discussion. The reason coils take time to fully "turn on" the primary magnetic field is due to Lenz's Law. As the current and primary magnetic field increase, a secondary magnetic field is induced that opposes the primary field. That also induces an opposing electric field which pushes against the electrons flowing through the primary coil. So as the current is increasing the electrons have to fight against this induced electric field. This slows down the acceleration of the current, which prevents it from instantaneously turning on. It has an effect very similar to mass in mechanical systems, the heavier something is the slower it accelerates. In the case of a coil it's called inductance. The greater the inductance, the greater the induced electric field pushes back against the electrons that are trying to accelerate through the coil. So a bigger coil is "heavier" and "harder to accelerate" because it has more inductance than a smaller coil. Anyways back to the ignition system. Eventually the primary coil finally reaches full current and primary magnetic field. At this point, the secondary coil, which overlaps the primary but isn't physically connected to it, has zero current but full magnetic field running through it. It's when the primary current switches off (but not instantaneously, again due to Lenz's Law) and the primary magnetic field starts decreasing, Lenz's Law causes an induced electric field to form in the secondary coil. But now instead of slowing down the electrons like what happened in the primary coil, the electric field pushes against the electrons in the secondary coil and accelerates them. So current only flows in the secondary coil when the current in the primary coil is (gradually) turning on or off. Since the secondary coil is connected to the spark plug, this is ultimately what causes the electrons to jump across the spark gap. Now, a spark plug does have capacitance, so current running through the secondary coil causes the electrons to build up at the edges of the spark gap before they generate enough voltage to jump the gap and form a spark. So the spark plugs actually do "charge up". But not the coils. So this might cause you to ask, if a more powerful coil is "harder to accelerate" because it has more inductance, then why the hell would you want it?! Doesn't that just slow things down? Increased inductance leads to greater magnetic flux for the same amount of current running through the coil. If inductance is like "mass" that makes electrons harder to accelerate, it also gives them more "magnetic flux" which is like the electromagnetic equivalent of momentum. So when the electrons are charging up the spark plug, they're not bumping into it like a scooter in a parking lot, they're slamming into it like a semi truck on the highway. That's why you get a bigger spark when the coil has more inductance. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lenz%27s_law

[@NoorquackerInd]

Yes, it's sloppy and inaccurate, but it's close enough and this is a video about automotive engineering for noobs, not electrical engineering

[@jbobea]

I understood it only because I studied electrical engineering. But yes, it's true.

[@danebeck7900]

Oh yeah, I get this is a "noob" video... But I felt somebody should give a more detailed physics explanation in the comments in case somebody wanted to dig deeper. Hope it makes sense for somebody. If it's too wordy for some they should just look up Faraday's Law and Lenz's Law on Wikipedia.

[@ToyotaKTM]

But of course, Lenz's law doesn't apply to metric engines, so it isn't enforced.

[@RobertRichardson-z3u]

Coils do indeed "charge up". A capacitor stores energy in the form of an electric field, the energy = 1/2 voltage squared x capacitance (Farads) Joules An inductor (coil) stores energy in the form of a magnetic field, the energy = 1/2 current squared x inductance (Henry) Joules, The important thing here is both devices take time to reach their rated voltage / current. That stored energy is then discharged into whatever load is required. Note that for a coil the stored energy is proportional to the current SQUARED, this has far more influence on the output than the inductance. EG: 5 amps / 5mH = 62.5 mJ 5 amps / 10mH = 125 mJ 10 amps / 5mH = 250 mJ (4 times the energy of the 5A case)

[@kingstonzincfence]

I’ve got zero interest in cooking but I feel if this guy does a cooking video I would watch and enjoy. Another great video!

[@Hayaweh]

I *may* (cough cough) have replaced my RX-8 OEM coils with those monstar coils... (cough).. I guess they're a good fit for rotaries since they are high rev lovers and also, unlike reciprocating piston engines have to literally fire for every single cycles. (Might still be overkill.. But at the same time.. There's nothing overkill on rotaries if you want to keep them alive)

[@heikopanzlaff3789]

should have downgraded to the RX 7 FC turbo - system with 4 full size coils . Never have issues, that is overkill... BTW they fire twice every work stroke with a 0.. 20 ° difference. There is a leading and a trailing one.

[@FinalLuigi]

@@heikopanzlaff3789 RX-8s are everywhere and often sold for dirt cheap because people didn't want to maintain them properly. RX-7s are not as common due to the same issues as the RX-8, but also due to being hamstrung by American regulations, the notion that foreign vehicles were worthless (which was a root cause of the 240SX extinction event), the destruction of thousands of functional cars at the hands of Cash for Clunkers, and of course due to sports cars seemingly always being equipped with an 'aggressive SUV/pick-up driver magnet' that turns them into accordeons.

[@joekurtz8303]

An ignition coil is rated for kv(1000v) voltage potential, actual kv used to fire the plug is measurable on a scope.& more potential can help in high rpm air/ fuel/ spark advance ratio uses.. Your STD coil for early point sys rated @20kv⚡ HEI coils @40 - 60kv .⚡⚡ ( @miliamp flow) Most modern coils rated@ 60 to 90 kv& up however@ 90 kv&+up ( MULTICOIL pack) & coils potential exceeds the 1amp or better rate and can injure or kill you. Use a spark check tool for any diagnostic test for a no spark condition on modern computer controlled engines. Not the old method-hold plug wire to block for 20- 40 kv rated coils. ⚡ most of your old coils are rated in miliamps.1amp @90kv+ and above can cause human heart stoppage.( +ruin your day )A coil must completely discharge voltage during firing stroke before recharging,-points closed ( dwell) or HEI distributor pickup do this In milliseconds (voltage over time) (dwell affects base ign. timing) Coil packs use wasted spark theory.on the matched cylinder to crank( fire stroke/ exhaust stroke matched reciprocating cyl) most individual coil per cyl. fire like a std coil & are computer controlled .(ECM) Hope this helps . Make sure all battery leads clean and engine/ chassis grounds secure. Make sure aftermarket stereos are on clean fused 12v source, not ANY computer (ECM )related circuit or the car will fire and surge sporadically to the music beat.( poor driveability)

[@IgorGiganskiANtiatom]

@@heikopanzlaff3789 RX7's of all gens are now skyrocketing in prices, RX8's on the other hand are still low on prices...

[@figgiefigueroa7372]

Agree with everyone. This channel is very good at teaching mechanical. Thanks We really appreciate you 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@evanroberts6347]

Was just looking up to buy some plug coils and I saw this, very helpful

[@Lecherous_Rex]

my distributor is also a crank position sensor. hall effect sensing pick up coil under the rotor for fuel and spark timing. It's called thick film integrated ignition, various 80's ford 5.0 with auto trans in the US had them. Still using 35 year old throttle body injection

[@johno9507]

Back in the 90's I used to build my own V8's and used distributors with points. I never had a problem with them of any kind.

[@mbsnyderc]

Those would have been lower RPM engines.and a lot of this is about efficiency fuel and power curve. more than just overall power.

[@johno9507]

@@mbsnyderc They'd routinely hit 5500 to 6000rpm, that's not exactly slow. And I could get 10L/100km on the freeway. Admittedly I swapped the factory 4 speed for a Toyota 5 speed steel case gearbox. The trick is to keep the points well lubed and gapped.

[@soisaidtogod4248]

My old 911 still works fine.

[@SGcomputing]

@@johno9507 of course distributors work, they were used for a long time. But technology advances, and generally when technology evolves its to improve the tech not make it worse. A single distributor would not be able to handle 7500-8500 rpm, and our modern systems are designed to be more efficient and reliable. No more moisture in the distributor cap, or maintenance on the points, etc. This is a big reason why we have cars that start first try in the freezing cold. Better fuel systems, ignition systems, etc.

[@johno9507]

@@SGcomputing To be honest I've had more trouble over the years with coil on/near plug ignition systems in everything from my (Australian) LS1 powered HSV Clubsport R8, Ford Falcon 4.0ltr XR6 Turbo, Ford Falcon 5.4 XR8 to my Volvo S60R than I had in my old 1978 GM Holden 5ltr V8's. I'd leave for work at 4:30am and even in winter one press of the accelerator pedal to activate the choke on the Quadrajet carburettor and she'd start first time every time. And now instead of replacing one coil, you have to replace 8 of the buggers...and for what, so I can rev out to 6500rpm instead of 5500rpm.

[@georgerobartes2008]

I used 2 Denso waste spark setups from a V6 Audi to run a V12 Jaguar engine some years ago , as the idea of a V12 distributor with the MSnS was just not viable . A lot of fun working out the sequence as at the time no one had done a V12 .

[@chrisbenn8691]

I've always wondered how these newer ignition setups work. Now I understand the Subaru engine I'm working on has a Wasted Spark setup. I grew up on Holden red motors, so this tutorial helped so much. Love the other videos too.

[@winzall123]

Another Aussie

[@vumba1331]

Just make sure that you use R (resistance) plugs on your engine.

[@chrisbenn8691]

@@vumba1331 Will do. Thanks for the tip.

[@vumba1331]

@@chrisbenn8691 Not a problem, glad to help. I use a Subaru EA81 engine on my microlight with a timing wheel on the pulley using a Hall Effect sensor for the timing, it also controls the fuel injectors on a group fire basis, all controlled by a programmable ECU. Fun fact, they made one that was turbo charged so there was a dedicated injector head.

[@cielosnegro]

There is also the somewhat hybrid wasted spark coil that late model 2jz vvti non turbo engines use. 3 coils and each one sits on a plug like a CoP but then has a sparkplug wire to send voltage to the second cylinder it has to operate.

[@deusexaethera]

Personally I'm waiting for a tuning company to make an ignition system that commands the sky to deliver actual goddamned lightning bolts down to your sparkplugs for the hottest and most reliable spark possible.

[@ThZuao]

A detail worth mentioning is that the ignition coil is basically a transformer. But transformers need a varying voltage applied to the primary coil in order to work. AC transformers rely on the alternating nature of the power coming in and don't need more than input and output coils wrapped around a core to work, but DC power is a little bit trickier. As explained in the video, there's a switch that cuts off power and lets the EM field around the primary coil collapse, turning back into electrical power on the secndary coil. That's how you vary the voltage in a DC-DC transformer. The transistors in more advanced setups are the switches in the more advanced setups. The output voltage is dependent on both the size ratio of the coils (both in number of turns and area covered) and the switching speed. As also explained in the video, switching the coil too fast causes the primary coil to not "charge up" enough, so the voltage outputed by the coil goes down as frequency goes up. All the spark solutions here use this same principle, the difference is that, as the video also explains, the more advanced options use individual coils that free up time for them to charge. Maybe they also use capacitors to speed up the charge cycle, I've never took one apart, but a 20kv capacitor with any meaningful charge capacity would be enormous.

[@yannnique17]

13:05 Toyota: "Hold my beer."

[@greensakaar1431]

The first example made me think of the old magnetos, which are still in use today on most piston powered aircraft. Because they run at fairly low rpm most not going above 3000 rpm it works and because they will generate spark even in the event of complete electrical system failure keeping you in the air.

[@sicstar]

Accidentally very early it seems :| Very interesting topic since the last time i dived into that was on a 2 stroke with 74cc :D Nice to see how the stuff works on a proper engine. Like out before watched the video again... no regrets >:D

[@jaredkennedy6576]

So just to ad in some confusion- The earlier Hemi 5.7 had coil on plug that was also wasted spark with plug wires. Two plugs per cylinder, opposite sides paired, with eight wasted spark coils mounted on the plugs. Later hemis had cop wasted spark, with one coil over the two plugs. Ford 6.2 uses a similar setup, but with the coil mounted over the upper plug, and a wire to the lower plug of the same cylinder. GM LS type engines use a coil near plug setup with a short plug wire. They're pretty beefy coils, I've had engines run just fine with no center electrode and just a bit of the ground electrode.

[@deciplesteve]

Could you possibly do an episode about ignition controllers? I'm specifically looking for something affordable, but smart enough to run sequential CoPs. If needed they could be CoPs wired as wasted spark as it's not a terribly high revving engine, but I would prefer sequential to keep wear on the CoPs down to as close to factory as possible.

[@thomasssemukasa9635]

Love the way he simplifies stuff, video IS WORTHY THE TIME.THANX SO MUCH

[@flyonbyya]

I always thought higher pressure necessitated higher voltage/amperage I never thought that that greater air/fuel density created a higher insulation condition

[@xenuno]

Didn't you just contradict yourself? More atoms in the gap mean more atoms to ionize which you surmised in first statement. Higher pressure = higher atomic density.

[@archygrey9093]

Higher density of air/fuel IS higher pressure

[@jessecampbell4580]

Just subscribed. New favourite technical automotive channel on youtube! Keep up the great work.

[@kusee.]

How about new series: Underrated engines You could start the series with saab B2x4 😉

[@kusee.]

Ps. Great video once again! Liked

[@FrankInAShed]

YEEEES! A video on the history + development + features of the b204/b234 engine would be great and you (D4A) could also describe the somewhat unique SAAB T5/T7 engine management system with its ionic knock-sensing too. :) (done via DI cassette sending ~60v across the spark plug during non-spark time to determine if the engine is knocking without a dedicated knock sensor)

[@johneldepresso]

And the Toyota 3RZ-FE, the Mercedes OM606

[@kusee.]

@@johneldepresso would love to see om606 too!

[@jakub.anderwald]

Your videos are super informative on all technical levels - from materials, to engineering, to actual practical applications. Thank you, I just started supporting you through patreon.

[@valde3336]

ECU can actually control ignition timing on individual cylinders on any system if there's enough sensors and spark is controlled by ECU. There are actually some cars with wasted spark system where ECU does have control over individual cylinder ignition timing.

[@manfredilian5622]

In Fiat 126 was a waste spark ignition with distributor and coil. Distributor had one contact point (it was 2-cyl engine)

[@greghardy7239]

Now explain how much each system is to repair.

[@Martink9191]

mechanical parts are most problematic. They worn in real time. Coilplug almost never dies.

[@SGcomputing]

Well, with lots of old cars you have expensive and hard to find parts, and need to go to more expensive specialty shops to have them repaired. A distributor has not only failure costs where you need to replace parts, but maintenance costs aswell to keep it working. With a modern coil on plug system, you save fuel costs with more efficient combustion, there is no maintenance at all, and they very rarely fail and when they do are usually very easy to replace and aren’t all that expensive, typically.

[@cjbht19minaret]

@@Martink9191 just had a coil on plug die last week. They get heat soaked. Thought it was going to be expensive since its an audi a7 but i got a coil on plug for $30 and did the labor myself easily in 10 min

[@archygrey9093]

@@Martink9191 CoP fail all the time

[@Martink9191]

@@archygrey9093 you should repair the problem then.

[@rapskallion]

This guy is good. Covered all the important facts and history in a very understandable and concise way.

[@SWTH71]

It’s like you read my mind or something this is getting crazy. Just yesterday I read on those exact things on Wikipedia

[@killerdinamo08]

He must be some kind of psychic, I had trouble with ht leads yesterday (not the obvious problems) and although I've fixed it today, this was reassuring to watch 😁.

[@edwardmawema1106]

If this guy was my lecturer I would be a rocket scientist. He makes very complex descriptions so easy. 👍 👌 🔥

[@mihailpetrovici5044]

But how hondas still use those and make a bunch of power?

[@archygrey9093]

Still use what?

[@mihailpetrovici5044]

@@archygrey9093 distribuitors. I mean, the old ones still use them because they came with them

[@Indicator_YT]

Man because of your videos it makes so easy to understand. Thank you so much!!!🎉🎉❤

[@troopsofsunshine1982]

Bombina Miljenko...bombina

[@stefanihnat6566]

You are the best teacher about cars :-) Thank you for your videos!

[@winzall123]

you missed magneto ignition

[@brianneston8575]

Its distinguishing feature is a vibrating magnetically-activated contact called a trembler or interrupter, which breaks the primary current, generating multiple sparks during each cylinder's power stroke. Trembler coils were first used on the 1886 Benz automobile, and were used on the Model T until 1927.

[@coolvibrations6545]

First!! Hell yeahh babyyy

[@maxfern]

Very good presentation of this topic as usual by Driving4Answers. to add something: 1. the wasted spark coil has not it lighter as the distributor coil, there are two coils (in a 4-cylinder) but they have to fire twice as often. 2. there are some CoP engines where two CoPs are fired simultaneously, like in a wasted spark system, they do so to avoid needing a camshaft sensor (and two switching transistors). 3. a ground comment: the coils, even the CoPs) have 1 high voltage terminal and 2 low voltage. It means that the HV is "ground" through the low voltage positive terminal, which makes the spark return path going a long loop, essentially the loop closes at the battery. That makes dangerous to disconnect the battery when the engine is running since the 20,000 V will split between the plug and elsewhere, very bad for the electronics unless good overvoltage protection is built in the ECU. (Old mechanical systems had no protection and could burn alternator components). All this for saving a screw-terminal for grounding the HV at the coil.

[@jozsefizsak]

I really appreciate this nice, clear dissertation. One thing did surprise me, the statement that an increased density of air and fuel results in higher insulating properties in the combustion chamber. That seems counterintuitive somehow, assuming that a vacuum insulates better than air but I don't know how fuel behaves in this regard.

[@lastwithpaganblood87]

Just found your channel. Newer mechanic. Love it.

[@beerdencustoms7651]

This is one off the best explanation videos on this topic i have seen !! Thank you for this information !!! Van you make a video off a conversion from dizzy ignition to cop or monstar coils??

[@thecookeman]

Fantastic content! Thanks again glad I'm running those AEM coils in my rx7, rotories cannot take ANY detonation as all and now I k ow why my auto sparky made such a big deal about getting them!

[@7sins979]

ign-1a coils will do nothing to prevent detonation. the reason to run these coils is better spark energy, and if you have an FD with an appropriate ecu you can convert from wasted spark to direct fire, increasing coil saturation time. if you are worried about detonation add AI or go flex fuel.

[@hightttech]

You are a good narrator. Wish you had touched on wasted spark polarity pros and cons; that's the rabbit hole I'm navigating today.

[@Seadogstudio]

@1:27 "What are you doing step volt?"

[@pramodapte1876]

Wonderful informative vdo. Being a medical doctor but still more interested in electrical and electronics I found this vdo giving info which I can understand. One question I have. Whether I can use the Ignition coil to DIY electrical fence. If yes please guide me.

[@abracing199]

I love your channel man, it's awesome to have such a great resource to learn these things.

[@Wydarr]

Cheers again from Romania! As always, HUGE like from me and shared the link with all my petrolhead friends. Let's get you to a million subscribers. You deserve it. Looking forward for a video on carburetors vs. injections of all sorts. I want to understand what's the deal with Weber or however they're called 😁😁😁

[@killerdinamo08]

Weber is a brand of carburetors, or better said, was 😂.

[@archygrey9093]

Efi is practical but carbs are cool

[@fabioarrua]

When the information you provide in a language that is not your native one and you get a like / suscriber, you know your sh*t is good

[@alszabo2481]

I enjoy your videos and I think you would appreciate criticism, you are lacking some information.. #1 A coil is not an igniter an igniter or igniter is an ignition module(ecu responsible for coil timing) #2waste spark systems can add the benefit of simplistic reliability to a sequential fuel injection system by reducing the need for hardware such as a cam position sensor. The ignition module (igniter)can monitor the current flow through the waste coil secondary circuit and determine which cylinder was up for compression based on which direction (polarity) the coil fired. Since the exhaust cylinder has less charge density a lesser voltage will always be required to jump the gap. When the companion cylinders switch roles again the differences in voltage can be read a voltage direction and polarity. #3 there are coil near plugs and coil over plugs with or without an integrated igniter module. #4 you didn’t mention ion sensing ignition systems which can sense spark knock and even air-fuel mixture within each individual cylinder eliminating the need for oxygen sensors and providing cylinder basis combustion monitoring. Cheers and keep up the good work.

[@rishijai]

Great explanation, I was looking for for something like this and it was hard to find.

[@WolfHowl71]

This was something I wondered about a while ago but never pursued. Thanks for the answers and well done vid!

[@osamaelsayed2989]

Nice and clear explanation I was thinking of modifying my old car and using one of these modern systems Do you have any assistance?