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Can I eliminate ballast resistor? #925230 02/10/11 02:40 AM 02/10/11 02:40 AM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 162 Iowa T tt76400 OP member
tt76400 OP member T Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 162 Iowa	I know I bypassing the resistor and doing nothing else will smoke the factory coil eventually, but what about the ECU? Could I just eliminate the ballast resistor and swap to a coil designed to work without a resistor? I guess what I'm trying to say is, I know a different coil would live without the resistor, but will the control box? This is on a small block with a standard electronic ignition system, factory ecu, etc.

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: tt76400] #925231 02/10/11 03:25 AM 02/10/11 03:25 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,439 So Cal Sinitro master
Sinitro master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,439 So Cal	Why bypass the ballast resistor.. Running a full 12V without current limiting will smoke the coil pronto.. If you want to run it hotter but still protect it, use the 0.25 Ohm resistor still available from Mopar for use with the Blaster II coil. Just my $0.02...

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: Sinitro] #925232 02/10/11 10:06 AM 02/10/11 10:06 AM
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 21,345 Marysville, O-H-I-O 70Cuda383 Too Many Posts
70Cuda383 Too Many Posts Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 21,345 Marysville, O-H-I-O	Quote: Why bypass the ballast resistor.. Running a full 12V without current limiting will smoke the coil pronto.. If you want to run it hotter but still protect it, use the 0.25 Ohm resistor still available from Mopar for use with the Blaster II coil. Just my $0.02... because more voltage in, equals more voltage out, equals hotter spark, and ultimatly, possibly more Hp or at least a cleaner burn. plus, they do make coils to run on a full 12V. I did it for quite awhile on my orange box ignition and an MSD coil. never had any problems. I put maybe 3,000 miles on the orange box with no issues before I swapped to MSD to clear up a loading up at idle issue on the plugs --at idle my plugs would load up and the spark would start jumping the boot to the block. when I swapped to the MSD, I also swapped to Rick's Firecore wires, so one of those 2 changes cleared up my issue. so, I say go for it. not sure if I was "supposed" to do it or not, but it worked fine for a few years of cruising, couple thousand miles, and was still working fine when I made the swap. Photobucket sucks

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: Sinitro] #925233 02/10/11 10:21 AM 02/10/11 10:21 AM
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,826 NY usa 5 540challenger master
540challenger master 5 Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,826 NY usa	Quote: Why bypass the ballast resistor.. Running a full 12V without current limiting will smoke the coil pronto.. If you want to run it hotter but still protect it, use the 0.25 Ohm resistor still available from Mopar for use with the Blaster II coil. Just my $0.02... The big reson not to run a ballast is to elimate another problem that has lead a bunch of us to have a spare ballast in the truck It is a easy mod, buy a coil made to run a full 12v then just connect the wires on either end of the ballast.

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: 540challenger] #925234 02/10/11 08:24 PM 02/10/11 08:24 PM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 162 Iowa T tt76400 OP member
tt76400 OP member T Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 162 Iowa	Exactly, I just wanted to eliminate one more failure point!! I'm 40 and have been driving Mopars since I was 14, I've only had one control box die on me, but I can't tell you how many ballast resistors I've had go bad on me! I almost talked myself into doing the GM HEI module swap, but I figured if I could keep it all Mopar, run a hotter coil, eliminate one potential problem, and not have to worry about cooking my control box, I'd do it that way. So...........get a coil designed for a HEI type system, bypass the ballast, and go on my merry way, right? Thanks much to all!!!

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: tt76400] #925235 02/10/11 08:28 PM 02/10/11 08:28 PM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 162 Iowa T tt76400 OP member
tt76400 OP member T Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 162 Iowa	If I do this mod, does it matter if I run a 4 or 5 pin ECU?

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: tt76400] #925236 02/10/11 08:46 PM 02/10/11 08:46 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	4 pin and your parts house will have a basic Mopar standard motor products one in either 4 or 5 pin which is pretty reliable but if not whatever they have is fine. The ECU is pretty much just a switch for the pri current like the points used to b and an ECU can handle switching quite a bit of current so if you toss the ballast & get a full 12V coil as it's the ballast/coil combo that must match (for longevity) and which is what decides the amt/duration of the spark energy. live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: RapidRobert] #925237 02/10/11 08:58 PM 02/10/11 08:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 162 Iowa T tt76400 OP member
tt76400 OP member T Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 162 Iowa	Ok, thank you very much, that is what I will do. 4-pin ECU, hot coil, no resistor. I appreciate the help guys!!

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: RapidRobert] #925238 02/10/11 09:04 PM 02/10/11 09:04 PM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 161 Huber Heights Ohio G greenpigs member
greenpigs member G Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 161 Huber Heights Ohio	I am going to go with the MSD ballast that is .8 ohms but wonder if the .25 MP version would be better for my car. It is a summer only street car & MSD didn't seem to say anything about running a ballast with the 8222 coil, unless you run points. I am using the MP electronic ignition with one of the old orange boxs that works. 69 Charger RT

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: greenpigs] #925239 02/10/11 09:47 PM 02/10/11 09:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 7,194 Harrisburg, Pa. screamindriver master
screamindriver master Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 7,194 Harrisburg, Pa.	The whole key to making the parts last is to match up the coil to the ballast...Each coil manufacturer will tell you the recommended value for the resistor and/or if one should be used...And don't forget if the coil is mounted in a horizontal position you'll need an epoxy filled unit not oil....

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: greenpigs] #925240 02/10/11 09:50 PM 02/10/11 09:50 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	Way back (didn't know any better) I ran the big yellow Accel super coil w NO ballast in a daily driver 440 barracuda & it never failed and was the easiest starting vehicle I have ever dealt w. Not sure on the power as I didn't have any prior exp to compare it too and it was an inefficient eng/not highly tuned. Not sure but I think Accel rec a .8 ohm ballast w it. EDIT if the 8222 greenpigs referred to is the MSD blaster 2 I think that no ballast required unless you use points as he mentioned that is in the white MSD instruction sheet. I have one that I'm going to run on straight 12V Last edited by RapidRobert; 02/10/11 10:25 PM.

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: RapidRobert] #925241 02/10/11 11:41 PM 02/10/11 11:41 PM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 161 Huber Heights Ohio G greenpigs member
greenpigs member G Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 161 Huber Heights Ohio	Yep its the hi vibration blaster 2 coil & is epoxy filled. I think I will go with the .25 resistor & grab an .8 as well just in case. Not sure why running a .25 on the street will hurt anything if the coil is ok withhout one. It is a simple subject but still enough to keep me second guessing myself. The only other thing that may matter is if too much voltage gets to the coil which is why I am going to grab the .8 ballast. The 1.25 ohm resister I am curentlty running is gettting put in the glove box for backup either way. 69 Charger RT

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: 70Cuda383] #925242 02/10/11 11:54 PM 02/10/11 11:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,439 So Cal Sinitro master
Sinitro master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,439 So Cal	Quote: Quote: Why bypass the ballast resistor.. Running a full 12V without current limiting will smoke the coil pronto.. If you want to run it hotter but still protect it, use the 0.25 Ohm resistor still available from Mopar for use with the Blaster II coil. Just my $0.02... because more voltage in, equals more voltage out, equals hotter spark, and ultimatly, possibly more Hp or at least a cleaner burn. plus, they do make coils to run on a full 12V. I did it for quite awhile on my orange box ignition and an MSD coil. never had any problems. I put maybe 3,000 miles on the orange box with no issues before I swapped to MSD to clear up a loading up at idle issue on the plugs --at idle my plugs would load up and the spark would start jumping the boot to the block. when I swapped to the MSD, I also swapped to Rick's Firecore wires, so one of those 2 changes cleared up my issue. so, I say go for it. not sure if I was "supposed" to do it or not, but it worked fine for a few years of cruising, couple thousand miles, and was still working fine when I made the swap. Really depends upon the coil used.. Some of the later coils can handle 12V direct Also keep in mind its not just the voltage but the current as well.. The ballast resistor helps to keep the coil within its comfort zone as it heats up and the resistance increases the supply voltage to the coil decreases.. Just my $0.02..

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: greenpigs] #925243 02/11/11 12:50 AM 02/11/11 12:50 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,807 North Dakota Azzkikrcuda top fuel
Azzkikrcuda top fuel Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,807 North Dakota	I have been running the epoxy filled Blaster 2 coil, MP .25 Ohm ballast and Chrome box for 4 years with no problems. I average about 3,000 miles a summer.

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: Azzkikrcuda] #925244 02/11/11 01:20 AM 02/11/11 01:20 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,106 Chicago Blackhawks H hemicar1971 master
hemicar1971 master H Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,106 Chicago Blackhawks	Quote: I have been running the epoxy filled Blaster 2 coil, MP .25 Ohm ballast and Chrome box for 4 years with no problems. I average about 3,000 miles a summer. I run that same thing on the Hemi for the last 15 years. I ran almost the same thing on my 440-6 runner except I was going through Orange boxes just to often. Put on the Chrome Box and have not had one problem. It is the same kit and coil I ran on the 440-6 motor before I put it on the Hemi so it has been more that 15 years. 1971 HEMI E BODY REGISTRY

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: tt76400] #925245 02/11/11 08:57 AM 02/11/11 08:57 AM
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado 451Mopar master
451Mopar master Joined: May 2008 Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado	If you are talking about swaping in a higher primary resistance coil (I think Ford cars did this?) then it should work. I believe the hardest part on the ignition box is having the ignition on, but the engine not running because the ECU transistor saturates the coil current (limited by the coils primary resistance), then when the ECU senses the reluctor pass the magnetic pickup, it triggers the ECU transistor off which caused the magnetic field in the coil to colapse and induce a high voltage into the coil secondary creating the spark. Pertronix sells a canister coil with 3.0 ohms of input resistance, which would pull less current than a stock coil with a ballast resistor.

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: greenpigs] #925246 02/11/11 09:59 AM 02/11/11 09:59 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: Not sure why running a .25 on the street will hurt anything if the coil is ok withhout one. It is a simple subject but still enough to keep me second guessing myself. The only other thing that may matter is if too much voltage gets to the coil which is why I am going to grab the .8 ballast. The 1.25 ohm resister I am curentlty running is gettting put in the glove box for backup either way. Ain't that the truth, finding that sweet spot of getting as much spark as you can WO sacrificing longevity. You have alot of leeway as less ballast will give a hotter spark but at the expense of the coil may burn out sooner and yes a ballast can fail like any part but I'm wondering if for the most part it's the coil that's going to go out from being overheated rather than the ballast from too much flow. I think w a lower gear you can get away w more as there's less time for coil saturation live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: tt76400] #925247 02/11/11 12:58 PM 02/11/11 12:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 253 Orange County, CA M Mike H enthusiast
Mike H enthusiast M Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 253 Orange County, CA	Does anyone know the Mopar part # for the .25 ohm ballast?

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: RapidRobert] #925248 02/11/11 01:03 PM 02/11/11 01:03 PM
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,822 Colorado D denfireguy top fuel
denfireguy top fuel D Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,822 Colorado	I think I would rather change a ballast on the side of the road than the coil. Just me. Craig 2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado

Re: Can I eliminate ballast resistor? [Re: denfireguy] #925249 02/11/11 02:16 PM 02/11/11 02:16 PM
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,826 NY usa 5 540challenger master
540challenger master 5 Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,826 NY usa	Quote: I think I would rather change a ballast on the side of the road than the coil. Just me. Craig A coil or ballast can both go bad on the road and both take r mins to change. If you can get rid of one you reduce the chance of something going wrong by 1/2.

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