Second Generation Ascots > Tech Section

Ignition Coils - DynaTek

(1/2) > >>

jr:
Im new to the list and would like to know if anyone has any experience replacing the stock ignition coils with Dynatek coils.  I'm looking at the Dynatec DC4-1, which are about half price of the OEM coils from honda (discounted even).
My 1984 VT500 with 30K miles starts and runs great. It has trouble starting when it is hot. After sitting 5 minutes it fires right up. Other posts/threads out there say this common problem is caused by the ignition coils getting "old", everything else on the bike is 100% stock and it runs great in every aspect - save for this annoying problem. I'm loathe to change out the coils when they appear to be working fine, but I've tried everything else it might be.
Thanks-  Julian.

Bucko:
I did a lot of looking into this a while back.  I too was having what I thought was coil problems but the symptoms weren't the same as the classic hot coil problem.  I never did figure out exactly what the problem was but I suspect it was a dirty igniter connector(s) because when I swapped in a new wiring harness, the problem disappeared.  In any case I think that other folks have successfully used the Dynatek coils - sorry I don't remember the model but the grey ones have the right resistance (which is critical).  Most folks will suggest you just bite the bullet and put in new OEM Honda coils, but you're right the cost is highway robbery!

I think there are a couple of minor problems with the Dynatek coils:

You'll need to make up your own wiring terminals as the Dynatek's are not the same as the stock coils (stud vs spade).  I'd get an old OEM coil wire 'jumper' and put the required terminals on it - that way, you preserve your original jumper should you ever come across a cheap set of new OEM coils (admittedly this may be a wast of time if you Dynatek coils last forever which they probably will).  Alternatively make up a new jumper if you have the mating harness connector available.

The Dynatek's will not fit in the OEM coil 'carrier'.  you'll need to fab up some adapter brackets.  Pretty easy to due with some aluminum angle 'iron' - see next point.

The Dynatek's have 'nozzles' at the coil for the high voltage wires.  If you mount the coils in what appear to be the 'natural' position using the OEM carrier (with an adapter), the nozzles will stick down quite a bit and will probably result in the emerging high voltage wires hitting the cam covers.  Probably workable, but I'd make up brackets such that the coils are rotated by 90 degrees (hence the idea to use angle 'iron') so the nozzles are facing front/back (more like the originals) rather than down.

The high voltage wire connection at the Dynatek coil is different than the OEM coil (where the wire screws on to a woodscrew-like-stud)  You'll have to mod your original wires and they may (stress MAY) not be long enough so you may have to replace your wires to get the length you need.

I still plan on doing this at some point but for now, my coil problems are in remission.  Hope this helps.

cdntfindanAscot:
I'll add this to the thread in case someone is searching, not to have a go at the OP!  :)

Oem coils are still available
Honda - 30510-ME9-013 - COIL, IGNITION
They may be pricey but they are an essential part of what made the VT the fun ride it is.
Bite the bullet! Buy oem see if it sorts out the problem. if it doesnt sell them for 20 or 30 bucks less than you paid. Someone will buy them. and it will have cost you less than an hours labour at the local dealership, and taken something out of the 'problem' equation so you can work on getting riding again.

J6G1Z:
Supposedly the Coils from a mid 90's Chevy Beretta will also work well.

Here is a picture of the coils mounted up during the "mock-up" phase of an Ascot build: http://www.johnnystoybox.com/Getting%20There.htm

Unfortunately there is no write up about the details of the swap.

Good luck
J.

J6G1Z:
Here is the information that I received on using the Beretta coils.

The car coils didn't work so good however.  They would get hot after about 20 minutes of riding in the Florida summer and start cutting out.  I had to replace them with a set of OEM coils from Honda.  So as mundane and non-exotic as it sounds, my recommendation would be to go with stock coils.  I just don't think the car coils are meant to take the heat of being under the tank, on top of the engine.  Now if you went to the trouble of remote mounting to get them out in the breeze it may work, but then you have another set of problems to deal with.  I know OEM is pricey, but they work.

So... Unfortunately, that option is not a good option.

Thanks
J.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page