Brands (available at my local parts houses):

• Master Pro (MPI) - $14.99
  
• Wells - $14.99
  
• Borg Warner - $40.99
  
• AC Delco - $48.99
  
• Accel - $49.99
  
• Hypertech - $69.99

I have read many hypothetical reasons why the cheap coils aren't worth dealing with, but very little technical data or numbers that indicate their specifications. I will be testing my coil (1994 style) tonight and should it fail, will be replacing it with one of the above. I will opt for the one that offers best performance with a stock ignition/engine. I would like to make that decision based on performance figures instead of assuming that more expensive means better (often times correct).

If anyone has links to technical data from the manufacturers or results from individual testing for any of these coils, please let me know! TIA

 

A new coil isn't going to add any extra horsepower so it is hard to compare them in terms of performance. I would venture to guess though that the internals of those cheaper coils have cut corners to keep the cost at where they are at which may make long term durability an issue.

 

Good point, thanks for the input. Does anybody have any experience with poor craftsmanship/durability in any of these coils?

I have seen Shoebox post that 96-97 coils are "pretty good as far as spark output" but it seemed like that judgment excluded 93-95. What is the difference besides the connector style?

I can't remember where I heard this, but I have heard that certain aftermarket coils actually produce higher voltage and while that doesn't result in any difference in power, it increases potential to cause a short in other stock secondary ignition components that weren't designed to handle that much voltage. Maybe I'm just off my rocker Let me know if there is any truth to that rumor.

Thanks!

 

I've had no long term durability issues with any of the cheap aftermarket ignition parts on many cars over the years. Specifically I've used lots of stuff from Wells. Not sure about MPI.

I'd venture that most of the price difference comes from cheaper labor.

 

The AC-Delco coil is $32 online, BTW.

 

myself and many others have had bad experiences with msd coils

 

What are the common problems faced with the MSD coils?

 

AC Delco - $48.99

is that the best bet?

 

My MSD coil was DOA. I was told that all the aftermarket coils are made by the same company or at least made the same way, so there's no real upgrade. Go with AC Delco or the cheapest one you can find that isn't refurbished.

 

I like to go with GM replacement parts. I figure, if the old part lasted 100k miles, the new one should last about same since it's the exact same part.