Any negative impacts to having lengthy coil wire?

[57 Handyman]

I finally decided to relocate the ignition coil on my 87 El Camino away from the top of the intake manifold and close to the distributor to the passenger side inner fender well. With the Pertonix CD box sitting inside the cabin where the ECM used to be, my preference is to combine and route all these wires in one bundle. I'm wondering if there are any negative impacts to having a lengthy, 42" coil wire. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance.

 

[Wraith]

As long as the wire gauge is good you should have minimal effects of voltage drop.

 

[DRIVEN]

^What he said^
OEs used long coil wires. The 90s Dodge trucks with 5.2 & 5.9s had a coil wire about 4' long. Just be careful with your routing.

 

[CopperNick]

Resistance in a wire is a function of the wire gauge and the distance that the voltage has to travel. Longer wire/higher resistance. If you can lay your hands on some bulk length spark plug wire in 8.5 or larger, maybe consider making your coil lead from that.



Nick

 

[57 Handyman]

Thanks for your input guys! Here's what I ended up doing: I was able to find a vendor who sold a kit of coil/distributor boots and clips as well as a 4' length of wire to match my ignition's spark plug wires which are 8.5s. Haven't broken in engine yet so don't know if there is an issue.

Thanks again!

 

[olds307 and 403]

^What he said^
OEs used long coil wires. The 90s Dodge trucks with 5.2 & 5.9s had a coil wire about 4' long. Just be careful with your routing.

I own one of these abominations and the coil and it's long wire isn't one of the issues with these trucks.