Ignition Upgrades?

[riverdale21]

I've got a 1991 318is with the M42 engine. It appears as if I have to replace my distributor cap. Since I am going the way of forced induction soon and will most likely have to provide more spark to the additional fuel and air that are going to eventually be filling my combustion chambers... I was wondering what sort of ignition upgrades there are for my car. Such as MSD ignition coils and the like. You know, just something to give a hotter spark.

[Jordan]

What distributor cap?

[riverdale21]

That's what I thought too. But someone on another thread said it sounded as if my distributor cap needed to be replaced. Anyways, any ignition upgrades to be had for this car? Aside from new plugs and wires.

[mgold]

The M42 uses a coil pack. Basically its a cluster of 4 individual coils, one for each plug. There is no distributor cap (other than a piece of plastic that covers the individual coils).

[gstuning]

you have a coil pack, a little unit that has all the plugs on it and distributes spark straight to the plugs

only thing stronger is a stronger coil pack, might find something in a MSD unit,
there should definitly be parts for other 4cyl motors that need bigger spark so you shouldn´t have a problem finding it

[Jordan]

The stock ignition on a m42 is already VERY good. There is really no need to try and improve it.

[EtaSport]

Jordan is right. There isnt really any need to try and better that system. For kicks (since i took my MSD off my race car) I installed an msd 5 in my eta just to see what it would do. I can't say its worthless, but unless your dumping in mad fuel there is no point. My car seems to idle a bit smoother and run smoother, but its 18 years and 400k miles old, so it can use the help. Perfomance-No. It may work better if I had an adjustable fuel PR.