let’s find out through this performance ignition coil vs stock coil comparison article.
What Are Ignition Coils?
Let’s start with the basics! The ignition coil is the most vital part of the vehicle’s engine system. Most modern ignition coils are installed on top of the spark plug.
Its job is to boost the 12-volt power of the vehicle’s battery and transform it into a much higher voltage output. If you do not have an ignition coil, the fuel inside the combustion chamber will not be able to ignite.
What makes the ignition coils perform in such a way is their two-wire design. The winding wire design is built in such a way as to ensure they can deal with higher voltage without any issue.
Performance Ignition Coil Vs Stock: What Are The Differences?
At first glance, it is hard to say that there are any differences between the Performance and Stock ignition coils as they have similar outer construction. But the primary difference between these two ignition coils is that the stock ignition coil mostly comes as a factory-installed system while the performance one is an aftermarket replacement. But here are some more differences that you should know about.
- Voltage Level
The major difference between them is that one of them is known for creating a high voltage, while the other one is slightly low. Though the performance coil’s voltage level varies depending on the coil model, vehicle compatibility, and more, the voltage level can reach as high as 60,000 volts or more. However, I found that the stock coils do not make it beyond 40,000 to 45,000 volts.
- Resistance
The best way to find out more about the coil’s quality is by testing the coil’s resistance with a multimeter. And here is what I did.
For that, I turned the resistance setting of the multimeter to Ohms. If you do that, you will find that the stock ignition gives a reading of 1.5 Ohms for primary resistance. On the contrary, the performance ignition coil gives a reading of about 1.2 Ohms. The secondary resistance test results are also different.
Though the resistance level seems low in the performance ignition coil, you should know that it means the coil will offer a higher voltage. With that resistance level, this ignition coil will charge up faster and offer a quicker kickstart than the stock coil.
- Spark Level
To test the spark, I installed the coils on my bike to test them. While you can try installing them individually with spark plugs to test them, it is time-saving if you get an extra ignition harness and install them both at the same time to get a better idea. As for me, I chose the second option and the visual difference was noticeable when I tested them with my ECU.
I put them in 1.5-millisecond dwell to see what the sparks look like. While they both sparked in the same way, the performance ignition coil sparked a lot better once I turned it up to 2.5 milliseconds. I could even notice a change of color in the sparks. And as you dial up the dwell time, the performance ignition coil spark color turns up even brighter than the stock one.
- Horsepower
You can clearly see by now that when it comes to specifications and power, both performance and stock ignition coils are quite different. With a comparatively low resistance to help with kick-start and a better spark, you automatically gain more horsepower with the performance ignition coil than the stock coil. I would say they would differ by at least 20 horsepower.
- Cost
The prices of the ignition coils are also different with stock coils being more expensive. Judging by its construction quality, you can certainly expect it to be expensive. On the other hand, the performance ignition coil might not have a similar robust construction always but they are a lot cheaper. The only problem is the performance ignition coils are not as easily accessible as the stock ones, making the replacement expensive.
Performance Ignition Coil Vs Stock: Performance Comparison
Testing the ignition coils using equipment is one thing. But driving with them to test their actual performance can give you an entirely different idea and experience. And before I begin telling you how they performed, let me tell you that the ignition coil’s performance differs from vehicle to vehicle. So you might not get the same experience as I did but this will give you a good idea.
For this test, I took out my mini bike because it was lightweight and an easy piece to test something new. I started the first test with my regular stock ignition coil and started to test before moving to the performance coil by replacing the factory-installed one.
I tested both ignition coils at the speed rate of 0-30 MPH before trying them at top speed. And here is what I found.
Stock Ignition Coil
When I tried the stock coil, reaching 30 MPH took a bit less than 5 seconds. On the other hand, when I drove my mini bike at the top speed, it reached almost 62 MPH.
Performance Ignition Coil
It took me a little over 4 seconds to reach the expected target of 30 MPH. But when I tried it at top speed, the highest it could make it was around 58 MPH.
Pros And Cons Of Performance Ignition Coil
Pros
- High-Voltage Performance: One of the reasons why users prefer the performance ignition coils is because of their ability to increase voltage to an exceptionally higher level. Depending on the vehicles, these coils can produce up to 60,000 volts or more.
- Better Throttle Response: And because you get a boost of voltage, your vehicle will eventually offer a better throttle response. It helps with the combustion and responses better than stock ignition coils as it offers more horsepower.
- Smoother Performance: Whether you drive down uneven roads or highways, there won’t be much of a vibration when you are using this ignition coil. Since I tested it on a lightweight mini bike, my ride was pretty fast yet smooth.
- Low-Cost Option: These aftermarket performance ignition coils are less than stock ones, making them a cost-effective option for anyone.
Cons
- Prone To Damages: The quality of the performance ignition coil wasn’t the best. So the coils wear out pretty fast and they are prone to damage. Sometimes, they can even cause the vehicle to misfire.
- Challenging To Find Replacement: Most vehicles come with factory-installed stock coils. So if you are upgrading to performance coils, it might be a hassle to find the right model. That can end up costing you more if you are ordering from overseas or a different location.
Pros And Cons Of Stock Ignition Coil
Pros
- Better Quality: If one thing that makes any user stick to the stock ignition coils is their quality. They are made with OEM standard parts and that sums up how good these ignition coils are.
- Built-With Purpose: Every stock installed in the vehicle is built specially to improve the performance of that vehicle. So you can say that these stocks are pretty reliable when they come with the car as they offer perfect fitment.
- Cost-Effective Replacement: The stock ignition coils are expensive. However, replacing the stock ignition coil is more cost-effective than performance coils. Because you can find the part number and you will get a perfect replacement, something that is tacky with performance coils.
- Comes With Spark Boots: Spark boots are necessary to secure the coils to the spark plug of the engine. You might not get it with aftermarket coils, such as the one from Performance. But most stock coils come with spark boots and they prevent water or debris from damaging the spark plugs.
Cons
- Produces Less Voltage: Unlike the ignition coils from performance, the stock coils do not produce the same amount of voltage. That is one of the reasons why drivers or vehicle owners tend to switch from stock to performance.
- Slow Kick Start: When I tested the performance ignition coil with my stock one, the latter turned out to offer a slightly slower kick start speed.
- Expensive: Did I say cost-effective replacement? It certainly is when you replace it yourself. But you should know that the stock ignition coils are more expensive than the aftermarket performance ones.
Final Verdict
The reason people tend to compare performance ignition coils vs stock is because they are always looking for a better alternative. While factory-installed stock coils are also durable and perform well for a long time, they do not last forever. In that case, the high-performance ignition coils work as a more suitable replacement. And for the price they come in, they certainly offer a satisfying performance for a long time.
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