F355 coil-on-plug conversion

I've been running 8 Denso COP units with one DIS4 for 2 years now. I'm using a Haltech E6x to drive it all.

I had a miss though at 6k in 4th gear pulling up steep hills ... would just cough once on the flat ground and keep pulling.

Was told by Haltech:

ECU not up to task .. need to upgrade

Was told by MSD:

Need 2 DIS4 boxes ... I have 2 ... I built a new harness and tried it ... didn't fix the problem.

Tried all kinds of plugs and gaps, different A/F mixture.

Problem was some oil from the oil filler had gotten into one of the COP units (cylinder #1 as a matter of fact) ... once I took it apart and cleaned it with lacquer thinner problem solved.

When I was trying to get the MSD box working in the beginning the car would not rev over 4k ... multiple calls to MSD yielded an RMA # .... right before boxing it up and sending the unit to them I tried resistor plugs which fixed the initial "just getting it working" problem. I've put about 400 hrs on that motor since the conversion.

Cheers

 

Several people have gotten the system you have to work so clearly it will work, but clearly it has to be exactly right. I remember reading about only wiring with twisted pairs and a bunch of other things. You can’t go wrong with 8 modules driving 8 coils but you might get away with a lesser arrangement.

Now off the design an ecu for my car thread with you
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248067

 

Great info Jeff! I have been thinking about this mod for years but never had the time complete it. I got the coils but never cam any closer than that, maybe I should make another try now...

 

I’ve read this thread with fascination. From a non-mechanic’s point of view, this sure looks like it’s going in the wrong direction. Yes, I know the result is overall very positive else you bunch of smart people wouldn’t be doing it.

However, humor me while I try to understand.

In a nutshell, you’re taking a spark system comprised of 4 coils and some insulated wire and replacing it with 8 coils and adding 2 (possibly 4 depending on who you believe) DIS4 units, while taking away the high voltage insulated wire. That’s a heck of a lot more things to go wrong – as evidenced by people’s frustrations in getting it to work.

All for what, exactly? I assume:
1. hotter spark
2. possibly less cost compared with a properly functioning Ferrari setup when it breaks?
3. fun

Are you saying that the Ferrari setup is not designed properly and that the car needs a hotter spark to achieve baseline performance?

If my car came with the COP setup to begin with, and someone told me that I could reduce the coil count by half, completely eliminate 2-4 spark boxes (DIS4s), and possibly increase reliability due to less complexity, and have Ferrari designed performance, I’d probably jump on it when the original system broke.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the pros outweigh the cons. I’m just trying to learn something as to the “why”. Of course, I assume I’ll soon be getting copious answers to my questions with possibly somewhat harsh tones… ;-)

Other than that, it’s a very cool DIY project.

Tim

 

Ah, I got the number of DIS4s wrong; 1-2 (again, if you believe the mfg) instead of 2-4. Thanks for the correction. Seems like in addition to the hotter spark, the main benefit is in the elimination of the higher fault prone HV spark plug wires? Considering I just had my F40's spark plug wires replaced, I'll reread the thread...

 

The attached pictures are no longer available. Can you send them to me at [email protected]. if you email include your phone number would like discuss this conversion.

 

If one wanted to go to a straight COP setup and not get the multi spark that the MSD provides, could you just hook the Bosch trigger wire to the COP itself rather than hook the trigger to the MSD and then to the COP? Or does the computer get mad if you do this? How is triggering the COP different than just triggering the remote coil?

The reason I ask is that my motorcycle (vmax) has a very similar setup with 2 coil packs that then run HT wires to the plugs, and converting it to COP is simply a matter of putting 2 wire COP's on the plugs and extending the coil trigger wires to the COP, no add-on ignition box is needed. However, it's a much older system that won't get mad about wiring changes and resistances etc.

 

could this be done on a 2.7 f355 also, so how you guys coming along

 

John Cribb in the 456/550/575M forum has done a COP conversion on his 550 and helped several other owners, including at least one F355 owner, IIRC, convert to COP.

Like Jeff's experience, a very good conversion and should last a long time.

 

Hi, Jeff,

I'm having spark lead issues, the jackets are coming off the OEM Beru wires. I don't want to get ripped off by the Factory for overpriced components which will only fail again, and want to upgrade my '95 F355, so am considering the COP upgrade you've done.
Thanks for that, by the way.
I'm wondering if you ever got a build going on the necessary wiring harnesses? If so, I have some friends / customers who also want to convert to COP, so we'll need several sets, might be a nice business opportunity for you.
Thanks in advance,
Al
Black Horse Motors

 

Great write-up on this. Just doing the 30k service on my 348. I think this will be my first modification once I make sure it is back to stock running condition. Already sourced a DIS4 Plus and COPs.

 

I have a 348, got the short ones, they are too short. 348 needs the longer ones.

 

Jeff, Are you still using these plugs? NGK CR7EIX Iridium?
NGK CR7EIX Iridium

After years would you change anything with the setup?

Thank you

 

I may go this setup and just skip the DIS-4, one less thing to go wrong. If you wire the coil pairs in serial and make sure the impedance is the same as the stock coils it should work fine.

Has anybody found a COP unit that can be used without needing a spacer?

 

Much appreciated

I have my COPs going to give it a go. I really hate plug wires

Dis4 high energy OK or should I go with the standard one?

 

Should. I can tell you I ran some mountain motors years past and after a MSD I would never go another way. under 3k rpm they are magic for throttle response

You can also run a bypass switch to switch it in and out

I have a video somewhere if I can find it

Here the high tec video, no expense spared LOL





[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SClnXsRsEFE[/ame]

 

nice vid. Glad I picked up an MSD box. Can't wait to get it in.

 

OK, after two attempts, I finally got the correct COPs for a 348 (f119). Pic showing fitment as-is. I will still need to find a surround to go around it so the top will sit snug, but the height and such are very good.
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