Bandit Alley

MODEL SPECIFIC => SUZUKI BANDIT 250 & 400 => Topic started by: waruta on February 22, 2011, 12:42:46 AM

Title: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: waruta on February 22, 2011, 12:42:46 AM
Has anyone tried to change over from the coil packs to a stick coil type setup?  I recently did this on my ZZR with newer ZX9 coils, cleaned up the entire engine bay a lot and also runs smoother now.  Is it possible to run stick coils from the TCI?

Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on February 25, 2011, 06:23:56 PM
I'm about to try this.  I got some GSX-R 600 coil sticks (Coil On Plug) and have some connectors on the way.  I've read a lot of other projects on this and the main thing seems to be making sure the primary resistance is about the same as the original coils.  Usually this means wiring the 2 coils in series and not parallel.  So 1-4 in series and 2-3 in series.  Will report back after I do this.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Chris H on February 28, 2011, 04:48:38 PM
Hi all,
I got the sticks on my VVC and they work real well if wired in series, they should'nt as any electrician will tell that any thing that is resistive in circuit that is wired in series will become a common divider, by this i mean they will share the 12v supply 6v each. They work really well tho so no problem. You should not wire them in parallel tho or you will have about 16 amps running in the circuit and this is not so good. Think i got the cbr6 ones but they all seem to be made by the same company so you will only find they differ in length.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on February 28, 2011, 07:28:24 PM
It's a bit more complicated than that.   This isn't a voltage divider.  You want the current to be somewhat equal.  If you wire them in parallel it will be half the resistance of each and about a quarter the resistance of the original coils.  That would burn out your igniter drive transistors pretty fast.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Chris H on March 01, 2011, 04:51:22 PM
Yep like i said series is good and parallel is bad. The main thing is it's a bit neater under the tank.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on March 01, 2011, 10:28:06 PM
Wired this in today in my '91 B400.  Works great.  The coil sticks are from a GSX-R600 and the harness connectors from a Honda CBR600.  Built the ignition harness at lunch today.  The rubber boot seals don't fit well but I'll fix that on the weekend.  No more spark plug cables.  Yay!  I was having problems with them coming loose and not firing at idle.  I have photos if anyone is interested.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Unique on March 04, 2011, 08:31:56 PM
Yes interested in photos....bike off road at moment...but one day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Ivandit on March 05, 2011, 06:51:35 AM
Yes interested in photos....bike off road at moment...but one day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1, pics please!! :thumb:
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on March 05, 2011, 02:05:48 PM
Should be self-explanatory...

(http://blalb.com/_/pictures/100_0140.resized.jpg)

(http://blalb.com/_/pictures/100_0143.resized.jpg)

(http://blalb.com/_/pictures/100_0151.resized.jpg)

(http://blalb.com/_/pictures/100_0156.resized.jpg)

(http://blalb.com/_/pictures/100_0157.resized.jpg)

(http://blalb.com/_/pictures/100_0159.resized.jpg)

(http://blalb.com/_/pictures/100_0164.resized.jpg)

Last one (sideways) shows that I still need to do some fitting of the boots to support them better.

Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Unique on March 05, 2011, 06:08:54 PM
 :thanks: For the photos canyonbreeze
will tried the sticks later.. when i get around to finish off the upgrades i started while age, just don't seam to be able to spend time on the bike these days :rant2: but meanwhile will look into sticks more.
and perhaps one day :bigok:
Dek
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Chris H on March 05, 2011, 06:54:17 PM
Good work.
I will post a picture of my coils, they are gxsr600 and have a different boot. The boot looks like its not as good a fit as the cbr ones you have but i think the actual coil my be a little shorter, not sure as i write but will look tomorrow.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on March 05, 2011, 09:06:51 PM
My coils are from GSXR600, the harness connectors are from a CBR.  Different years GSXR600 had different coils.  You can see that going thru the eBay listings.  I have a second set of identical coils comming, only $20 and will be good to have extras onhand.   The connectors are expensive and hard to find new.  The best way is to harvest them from an old harness, as I did with the CBR.  On eBay there are quite a few listings for coils and harness together.  That would be the best way to go.

Went on a ~150 mile ride over the local mountain today with my little one.  Ran great.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: waruta on March 07, 2011, 10:50:16 PM
Sweet mod!  I made my own harness for my Kawa using the original connectors, and some soldering.  It's not that hard once you see a diagram since the two pairs are in series and run off the wasted spark principle.  I know that there are some GSXR coil caps that will not work with our bike's ignition, have to be careful with that.  I might just measure the ID and OD as well as height and find some CBR/ZX-R/GSXR coils that will fit nice and tight.

Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on March 08, 2011, 01:05:50 PM
A wiring diagram lifted from somewhere else for reference...

(http://blalb.com/wiring.jpg)

Make sure the series resistance of 2 coils is around 3 Ohms.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on March 13, 2011, 05:51:40 PM
Last addendum to this.  I took off the top seal boot and wrapped just above the plug boot with 3/8 thick rubber weatherstripping and wrapped that with some silicon splicing tape.  Makes a nice seal and firm hold now.  No burning rubber smells yet when I get it nice and hot.

(http://blalb.com/_/pictures/100_0218.resized.jpg)

(http://blalb.com/_/pictures/100_0219.resized.jpg)
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: MIAMIBANDIT on June 18, 2011, 12:38:22 AM
I'm about to try this.  I got some GSX-R 600 coil sticks (Coil On Plug) and have some connectors on the way.  I've read a lot of other projects on this and the main thing seems to be making sure the primary resistance is about the same as the original coils.  Usually this means wiring the 2 coils in series and not parallel.  So 1-4 in series and 2-3 in series.  Will report back after I do this.



where did you get the connectors?
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on June 18, 2011, 09:52:58 AM
Got an ignition harness for a Honda CBR from eBay.  Had the correct connectors so I just rewired them.  There are usually auctions for coils that include the wiring then you can get both together.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: MIAMIBANDIT on June 19, 2011, 12:47:03 AM
ok I  just picked up some on ebay, I have a  question about the spark tho, with the  normal ignition set up, my spark is really week, I read some where on here that the rectifier could be a problem and to chnge it out. my  signal pick up reading norminal voltage, 108 ohms and  I have  12vdc at the coils. this  hardstarting  thing is  really  driving me nuts!! :banghead:
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: notaduc on December 13, 2011, 10:42:52 PM
I have r6 coils, which fit really well.  If you push the boot into the hole first, the coil slips down in and seals it nicely.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: gsxr400 racer on December 13, 2011, 11:23:27 PM
nice :thumb:
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: waruta on December 13, 2011, 11:25:07 PM
Has anyone checked the original coil impedance against the new coils?  I had an issue using GSXR coils on my ZZR until I found out through another forum that they wouldn't work properly. 
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on December 14, 2011, 11:54:44 AM
You wire the two coils that fire at the same time in series, not parallel, to match the impedance of the original coils.  The original on mine measured 3.1 Ohms, each of the sticks measured 1.6 Ohms.  So in series is 3.2 Ohms.  Have put about 10k miles on the bike since doing this and still running great.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Craig806 on December 28, 2011, 11:32:00 AM
I'm looking for the parts on e-bay

What year GSXR600 the coil sticks are from?
What year CBR600 are the harness connectors from?

Does it matter?
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on December 28, 2011, 01:10:50 PM
I don't know what year.  Doesn't matter much as long as the connectors match the coils.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Craig806 on December 28, 2011, 01:42:36 PM
Any reason why not to go with the gxr wires?

EDIT

Or when I search ebay for CBR 600 ignition harness, the wiring and coil sticks come together - would that be a suitable option?
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: notaduc on December 28, 2011, 02:36:56 PM
GSXR wires are fine, you are really just harvesting the connectors.  Most common modern sport bikes use a similar system, I would just search R6 coils (or gsxr or cbr) make sure the auction if for a full set as they like to show four and make the auction for one.  You could search coil harness, ignition harness under motorcycle parts and filter by lowest price, thumb through until you find one that looks right.

If you're unsure, post a link to the item or items, I or someone else can have a look for you...
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Craig806 on January 02, 2012, 01:42:16 PM
Would these work:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250880504527?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

And

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130619920665?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Thanks!
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: notaduc on January 02, 2012, 02:04:36 PM
Looks good to me.  Should work fine.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Craig806 on January 10, 2012, 12:18:16 AM
Can someone explain the wiring a little bit clearer for me, mabye with a picture.  I have wired sound systems for cars and redid the wiring for the reg/rec on my bike so im not afraid of wiring.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: Chris H on January 10, 2012, 04:13:20 AM
All the info you will ever need.
http://www.400greybike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=29858
I post as Variablevalves Suck.
Title: Re: Coil packs to Stick Coils?
Post by: canyonbreeze on January 10, 2012, 12:13:28 PM
There are a lot of photos and a wiring diagram on the first page of this same thread.   :thumb: