Hey tuners..

I see a lot of write ups on how-to's and what not..
I.E.:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/coil-on-plug-wiring-and-install-with-pics.290665/

I drive a 1990..
So. Is this the same for a 90? I see a few premade kits for 1g start at 1991 so I'm just wondering why not 1990 what's different about it?

And also, I see some people say.. Coils are only good for like 100hp max per cyl, and some people say it's pointless unless you're shooting for like 600hp... Are they each talking about different coils?

(Btw, I'm going for like 550 hopefully 600 hp)

So maybe I'm reading it wrong or just not understanding.....
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Help..? ... Thanks guys.

1990 coil pack is 4 wire. Extra wire is the tach signal i believe. Coil on plug is useless unless you pair it with a msd or arc box. Stock coils are good into the 700 hp range

The stock ignition is superior to COP unless used with CDI. If you're goal is around ~600hp, you'd be better off with the stock ignition, or upgrading to CDI. At that point, CDI can be used with the stock ignition, or a COP setup.

For COP setups, there are some that come as a full kit (such as Spark Tech's units), and some that can be pieced together (ARC-2, MSD, 300M coils, coil plate, etc.).

Regarding the wiring, the 90 ignition coil harness is unique compared to the 91+ DSMs. As far as I've seen, the plug and play harnesses are only available for the 3 prong 91 plus cars.

The 90 connector is the same as the later style, just a 4 pin version. I've supplied the connectors to people to change the COP or ARC harnesses from 3 pin to 4 pin.

But as others have pointed out, you won't get a real gain from the COP, unless your stock coils/plug wires were bad.

Gotcha. Thanks guys. So basically the only real gain I'll see (literally) is cosmetic?

If thats the case, I have other parts I have to buy first. I'm sure I can do this cheap though (way less then stms br kit for 350). I have a lot of sheet metal I can cut out my own plate and coils aren't that much... But then the ignition is where it starts getting pricey..

I just looked at stms website and found this pic.. See below.. And they say like.. The coils are good for 450hp, unless you throw a dynatech, or some other comparable brands, ignition.. Then it can handle over 1000hp.
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http://www.streettunedmotorsports.com/parts/buschur_racing_coil_on_plug_dsm.htm

Buschur Racing Coil-On-Plug Ignition.

- 90-99 DSM 4G63

The DSM Coil on Plug, in stock configuration, will handle 450 awhp and when coupled with an ignition module box of some type it can handle 1000 whp+. This is the same coil on plug that John Shepherd runs in his car (with an ignition box upgrade of course.)

91-94 DSM Factory Wire Colors:
Black/White- 12 Volts
Yellow/Green- Triggers 1 and 4 cylinders
Yellow/Black-Triggers 2 and 3 cylinders

95-99 DSM Factory Wire Colors:
Black/White- 12 Volts
Blue/Black- Triggers 1 and 4 cylinders
Blue/Red- Triggers 2 and 3 Cylinders

Wire colors for Buschur Racing Coil On Plug are on bottom of coil plate.
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Now.. In the pic they don't mention colors. Am I missing something?

Those are overpriced in my opinion. U can go to your local junkyard and get some coils/boots/pigtail from an intrepid and splice/heatshrink yourself. It's pretty straightforward.

I like the simplicity and reliability of the stock plus and coilpack. A lot of high horsepower builds put there using stock ignition.

The COP does clean things up though.

COP does have another use, and that's the ability to do true sequential ignition. You need an aftermarket ECU to do this, of course, but with the AEM series 2 for example, sequential ignition allows you to do knock per cylinder. This is something that won't apply to the majority of people of course.