[rbryantaz]

Sending PMs to the first 5 people that signed up for prototypes. I was able to expand this to 5 people instead of 4.

From review of the thread the prototypes go to:

pysical
feuer
ky0u
rismo
IllSic_Design

I will work to have more supply as soon as I can.

The pigtails for the prototypes have been shipped from overseas, I expect to get them in about a week.

I am in the process of ordering more plates and will order more pigtails speculatively to try and speed things up for others.

-Rich

[iqraceworks]

Not trying to get off topic......but at what point do the oem coils need to be upgraded?? I'm running the stock ones (eldors I think) on a stage 2+ E40 tune hitting 21psi boost....with no misfires or other ignition issues. Why is there such demand for upgraded coils?? I've seen several posts on forums where guys are making 700+hp on ST's with stock coils....

Just trying to figure out why I NEED upgraded coils?

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

Not trying to get off topic......but at what point do the oem coils need to be upgraded?? I'm running the stock ones (eldors I think) on a stage 2+ E40 tune hitting 21psi boost....with no misfires or other ignition issues. Why is there such demand for upgraded coils?? I've seen several posts on forums where guys are making 700+hp on ST's with stock coils....

Just trying to figure out why I NEED upgraded coils?

I don't think it will be possible to find a consensus on when you absolutely need to change coils other than "when you get misfires due to the stock coils."

The life of the stock coils is a bit limited at higher than stock horsepower and your mileage may vary. most say that they will wear out in some amount of miles. That might be 20k, 40k, 60k depending on a number of factors. If you run a mix of E85 then more spark is probably needed, etc.

In that sense my thought is that I was due to upgrade and getting a coil that has been tested to deliver more spark when I plan to run e55 is a good idea. My work was to make an affordable conversion option for myself (and now others).

Getting S55 coils is an easy small upgrade, the B58, BL, or PR coils are a step beyond that (listed in alphabetical order to avoid any controversy).

-Rich

[rbryantaz]

The .75mm (18ga) pure copper pigtails with the correct colors to match the factory harness that I ordered for this project arrived today!

They look really good, much better than the crimps that I was able to do myself. These look very robust and are just what we need.



The middle wire is brown, the picture just caught a shadow.


I think this is really the way to go.
The professional crimp is much better than what most can achieve (much better than what I could do even with the right hand crimper).
They are done with a much more expensive tool than what is available for DIYers.

An extra connector is nice for plug and play but it is another connection, costs more, and you have to stuff the bulky connection somewhere.

A good used coil/injector harnesses from a junkyard or ebay is easy to find for $50 or less shipped so it makes sense to cut the stock harness and shrink/solder these pigtails in.

I will provide the 18 shrink/solder splice connectors, you just strip teh wires, twist them together and heat with a heat gun (or lighter) to shrink the tube and melt the solder. Or if someone prefers standard butt connectors or to solder themselves that is fine too!

If someone ever wants to go back to stock they can just buy the entire used factory harness (or buy the used one to modify).

The aluminum plates are being cut at the waterjet shop now and I should have them for shipping next week.

-Rich

[BSM n54iS]

Following

[ErvGotti]

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

Not trying to get off topic......but at what point do the oem coils need to be upgraded?? I'm running the stock ones (eldors I think) on a stage 2+ E40 tune hitting 21psi boost....with no misfires or other ignition issues. Why is there such demand for upgraded coils?? I've seen several posts on forums where guys are making 700+hp on ST's with stock coils....

Just trying to figure out why I NEED upgraded coils?

From what I understand and experienced running upgraded coils allows you to run a bigger gap in the plugs which results in a better burn. It also allows for more timing advance. Both of which should result in more power. I went from running a .18 gap to a .22 gap with the PR coils on the NGK 2 step plugs. It also allowed me to run a bit more timing advance before corrections. I was getting corrections on 6 degrees on stock coils (I believe they were bosch) and now I can push 9 degrees. Both on 22 PSI and 95 Octane.

[rbryantaz]

I got plates back from waterjet to go with the prototype pigtails.

The first few prototypes are shipping out to people this week!


Here is an example of how to splice with the shrink solder connectors I am providing.


It is an easy splice to do: strip them back about 1/2" and twist together then slide the shrink solder connector over and heat.



It can be done with a lighter but I recommend a heat gun. The lighter works but if you overdo it a bit it can blacken the wire/shrink a bit...

I overdid it on this attempt on purpose by a bit by holding the flame on the connector for too long.

The only downside was a blackened shrink tube. I just wanted to make sure that they work well even over heated with a lighter... Most of the black did rub off with a little isopropyl alcohol.

The blue wire was done with a heat gun and the yellow with the lighter. I suggest using the heat gun to keep it nice and clean. The heat gun will also be easier to aim and control when doing this on the car.



The shrink tube does go from clear to cloudy as it cools. The red markers should be over insulated wire so they give a good reference for how long to make the twisted wires.

I have a porter cable heat gun which was only $20-30 which I like due to its multiple settings and heat control dial. A cheap Harbor Freight gun for $10 will work great and is cheaper than even a poor quality crimp tool.

Of course you can use whatever connector you like, crimp, regular solder and shrink, etc. These just provide an all in one solution that is sealed and leaves the wire more flexible than a standard crimp butt connector.

This is a strong robust connection that is cheaper and less bulky than a customized connector from the stock connector to the B58 connector.

Used coil/injector harnesses for n54s are readily available on ebay for $50 so if anyone wants to go back to stock they can just replace the whole harness for less money than it would take to create custom connectors. One could also buy the used harness to splice and set your original on a shelf just in case.

I am waiting on another batch of pigtails and would like for a few people to install the prototypes and give feedback. Once people are all satisfied I can start taking more orders.

-Rich

[pysical]

Got my kit earlier this week. I was waiting for FCP to get the B58 coils in stock but still back ordered so I ordered some from eBay. I did get the plates installed which was super easy. They are pretty solid. Also the modification to the boots was easy. Will post a better review once I get it all installed and running.

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by pysical

Got my kit earlier this week. I was waiting for FCP to get the B58 coils in stock but still back ordered so I ordered some from eBay. I did get the plates installed which was super easy. They are pretty solid. Also the modification to the boots was easy. Will post a better review once I get it all installed and running.

Looking forward to your review!

The last time I checked RMEuropean had the Eldor coils at a good price @ ~$30 each.

They offer a 2 year warranty but not lifetime like FCP. I buy a lot of stuff there because they ship very fast to Phoenix.

eeuroparts.com also has bremi for a good price, the eldors were out of stock there.

-Rich

[mweisdorfer]

What is the advantage of the b58 coils vs Eldor ?

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

What is the advantage of the b58 coils vs Eldor ?

Eldor made the original BMW coils for the B58 (their name is even on them), they are just one of the BMW OEMs for ignition coils.

Many people have found that Eldor coils deliver a little bit more spark than other suppliers.

Overall any of the manufacturers who make coils for other BMW applications should be good quality coils and be an upgrade over stock. These include Bosch, Bremi, etc.

I personally bought a couple of low mileage coil sets from mini coopers (they use the same coils as the B58 and have the same part number). I got 8 of them for about $20 each because the new Eldors were out of stock at the time.

-Rich

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by rbryantaz

Eldor made the original BMW coils for the B58 (their name is even on them), they are just one of the BMW OEMs for ignition coils.

Many people have found that Eldor coils deliver a little bit more spark than other suppliers.

Overall any of the manufacturers who make coils for other BMW applications should be good quality coils and be an upgrade over stock. These include Bosch, Bremi, etc.

I personally bought a couple of low mileage coil sets from mini coopers (they use the same coils as the B58 and have the same part number). I got 8 of them for about $20 each because the new Eldors were out of stock at the time.

-Rich

Ok. So, why not just buy Eldor coils for the N54. Why go through the hassle of getting b58 Eldor coils and have to buy the adapter set too?

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Ok. So, why not just buy Eldor coils for the N54. Why go through the hassle of getting b58 Eldor coils and have to buy the adapter set too?

The B58 coils are a completely different design than the N54/S54 coils.

Eldor happens to be a supplier for both.

-Rich

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Ok. So, why not just buy Eldor coils for the N54. Why go through the hassle of getting b58 Eldor coils and have to buy the adapter set too?

See post #54.

I'm curious though as to how these stack up to the other aforementioned options out there.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

See post #54.

I'm curious though as to how these stack up to the other aforementioned options out there.

B58 coils have already been tested against other coils, see thread here; https://www.sp 00 lstreet.com/threads/ignition-coil-secondary-spark-energy-comparison-n54-n55-b58-and-pr.7169/


change the zeros to o's and take out the spaces in the url

[BSM n54iS]

Ok, now I got a bit confused. What is the PN for the S55 Eldor coil? FCP nor ECS has the S55 listed for the xxxxx273 eldor I currently use. Is is that Hudson brand?

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Ok, now I got a bit confused. What is the PN for the S55 Eldor coil? FCP nor ECS has the S55 listed for the xxxxx273 eldor I currently use. Is is that Hudson brand?

I think the S55 Eldor coils are really a different topic. I think there are plenty of threads on it.

I don't want this thread to be a debate on one coil vs another but rather a discussion on using the B58 coils and more specifically the adapters that I created.
We already had a bit of that with the R8 coils and it can easily derail the conversation.

I think there are other threads for the discussion of which coil is best. The sp00lstreet thread is a good source of information on b58 coils and it compares them to other options.

Lots of coils are viable options for the n54. The choice comes down to individual situations and perferences.

-Rich

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by rbryantaz

I think it may even make sense to create a classifieds thread to continue the discussion for people that expressed interest in buying a kit.

-Rich

^

I think you're being a bit too touchy.

There is no debate I started, I simply asked a PN question, in an open forum thread. That's where I was leaving it, after that.. I know how to read a chart. I had even helped another poster pointing him to the answer he was asking for which only benefitted you. If there are all the other threads already existing out there covering all the topics you don't want addressed in this thread, a DIY thread, that you started but are still wanting to sell something... and not wanting to have questions specific to you then start a FS thread.

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

^

I think you're being a bit too touchy.

There is no debate I started, I simply asked a PN question, in an open forum thread. That's where I was leaving it, after that.. I know how to read a chart. I had even helped another poster pointing him to the answer he was asking for which only benefitted you. If there are all the other threads already existing out there covering all the topics you don't want addressed in this thread, a DIY thread, that you started but are still wanting to sell something... and not wanting to have questions specific to you then start a FS thread.

Sorry perhaps I was a little touchy.

I will start a FS thread once a review of the prototype is posted. I agree that it should be a FS thread when selling more broadly.

I really just want to avoid going down the path of people debating if aftermarket coil A is better than coil B which might turn into a holy war.

-Rich

[Ten-Zing]

Success!

I spliced in the connectors you supplied, soldered the wires, then crimped the shrink tube and hit with heat gun. Took my a long time to work through each one and I now remember how much I hate soldering.

Car starts up and idles much better. I took it easy milling around town, gradually worked up throttle inputs as the car warmed up.

I can now hit full throttle and misfire is gone.

Again, I am running 100% E85 on PI system.

Thanks a bunch, more to come as I go back to logging and getting updated tuning.

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by Ten-Zing

Success!

I spliced in the connectors you supplied, soldered the wires, then crimped the shrink tube and hit with heat gun. Took my a long time to work through each one and I now remember how much I hate soldering.

Car starts up and idles much better. I took it easy milling around town, gradually worked up throttle inputs as the car warmed up.

I can now hit full throttle and misfire is gone.

Again, I am running 100% E85 on PI system.

Thanks a bunch, more to come as I go back to logging and getting updated tuning.

Great news!

It will be great to see some pictures of the install.

I agree that doing the traditional soldering takes some work (especially on cylinder 6). The pigtails make it easier than crimping terminals directly to the stock wires like I did in my original install.

It may actually be quicker to remove the wiring harness and do it on a bench rather than the car if doing a traditional solder instead of or in addition to using solder/shrink wrap connectors.

Just a heat gun and the connectors is sufficient but I understand the "overkill mentality" and also tend to subscribe to it myself...

Very happy to hear that the initial runs show an improvement! The E85 setup can surely benefit from some extra spark.

-Rich

[Ten-Zing]

Yes, the car runs much better now. It feels like a new tune just switching from brand new Eldor coils / brand new Index 12 injectors to the B58's.

I would like to see what it takes to pull the entire wire loom. I looked at it a bit and just went for it without removing it. But yes, putting it on a bench to solder would be the move in my opinion. I would recommend cutting all the connectors and pulling the plugs out first, then put the plates in place and mock the coils into place. Then determine all the wire lengths you will need each new plug to be. Then remove harness, solder, replace and plug in.

Just another FYI to those doing installs, I was able to get cylinders 1-4 plates on without an issue. But for cylinders 5&6 I had to loosen the wire harness holding plate to wiggle the plates under it.

I will get some pics when I decide to put the air filter back in place. I'm at the point now where replacing it and the engine cover seem pointless. The coils also do look good sitting there as well.

Thanks