Topic: Performance distributors firepower ignition kit

[shotgun]

Great, I swapped to the Cherokee at lunch. As I recall only one or two of the plugs are used, But I'll check on it tonight.
The second piece is reffered to as an ignition module.

[Islander]

So take one from a newer 2.5L and you can use the PD kit is what we've figured here... or find one that would be an aftermarket upgrade from the 91+ coil and you can use the PD kit.

[Jeffy]

Well, all you'd need to do is get a plug from a MPFI then wire in the power and the trigger wire to the plug.

[shotgun]

OK I checked the wiring harness. One of the three wire plugs is using two wires and the center plug is using one wire.  The coil has two 1/4 inch round posts that fit into the ignition module. The coil is held in place with two screws on either corner.

[Jeffy]

Hmmm, I wonder how you'd convert that over to a cylinderical coil.

[littleredbeater]

I'm really considering going with this set up, prices seem good except for the plug wires, $80!? there has to be a cheaper solution than this. I have a hard time paying $20 for each wire. MSD's have to be cheaper and just as good don't they? Cap, rotor and coil seem reasonable though. Any suggestions on wires?

[MA2LA]

I'm really considering going with this set up, prices seem good except for the plug wires, $80!? there has to be a cheaper solution than this. I have a hard time paying $20 for each wire. MSD's have to be cheaper and just as good don't they? Cap, rotor and coil seem reasonable though. Any suggestions on wires?

 I'm having a hard time dealing with the price of the wires aswell, you can get a set of 8.5 msd v8 wires for the same and you get basicaly an extra set. The coil is another place thats tough to deal out when you can geet a msd or accel coil for under 40 bucks.

[Jeffy]

Problem with those make your own kits is that they don't have all of the ends you usually need.  Although you can reuse the old boots if you don't get wire that's too thick.

I like the Livewires though.  The cables are very thick with a silicone outer liner and then an added abrasion layer on top.  The boots are nice and seal against the spark plugs.  They are the right angle and depth to reach the spark plugs without resting against the block.  On a 2.5L The first plug is a 45* with a long reach.  The other 3 are straight.

BTW: I ran MSD's from a V8 kit before.  We ran out of the boots for the second set and had to reuse the stock ones.  Lockily, they were only 8.0mm.  Anything thicker and it would be a PITA to get them over the wires.

Also, consider this; how often do you change plug wires.  Performance wires are better insulated and last longer then OEM's.

[MA2LA]

I've been using accel kits and msd kits for about 15 years now and never have had to re use a stock boot or end, ya just need to make sure u get the right set.

[Jeffy]

I've been using accel kits and msd kits for about 15 years now and never have had to re use a stock boot or end, ya just need to make sure u get the right set.

We're talking about getting a V8 kit and making two sets.

[MA2LA]

U do end up short on a coil wire but with as many projects I have(5 AMXs ,4 jeeps, a my chevy tow rig, and everyone elses crap) I always end up with extra stuff. anyways for 4 bucks you can geta couple exxtra ends.

[littleredbeater]

hey Jeffy, when you were testing this did you fool around with different plugs to find the best one? maybe a step colder?

I think I'm going to go with the Accel coil ($40) and 8.5mm wires ($32) and just use PD's Cap and rotor. I think it's a little shady that PD doesn't tell you the voltage of their coil, unless I missed it, but the Accel is 42k volts which should be plenty. Just gotta figure out which plugs to use.

[JeeperTJ]

Update- I just installed the PD Jeep 2.5L Firepower kit over the weekend 12/16/06.  I ordered it via the web form at their website and it arrived in 3-4 days.  It came very efficiently packed in a small box with the Screamin Demon coil, cap, rotor, yellow wires and billet wire holders.  The black cap and rotor looked very close to the OEM unit, if not identical.  I bought 4 new Autolite plugs and gapped them to .065.  Had to use 4 blades on the feeler gauge to accomplish this large a gap, not quite a quarter thickness but easily a dime.  This is a large gap compared to my VW Beetle at .025.

Routing the wires was a bit of a mystery since it came with no picture or instructions.  I ended up using only one of the billet wire holders on the longer plug wires #3 and #4.  It started up first try though.  Also I degreased the engine prior to the install, but even so, it was hard to keep the yellow plug wires clean from the engine grease.  I would order black next time, easier to keep them clean.  The whole install took under 2 hrs for a rusty vw bug shade tree mechanic (it's easy to take the engines out...) :D

Driving impressions- Big, noticeable improvement overall with a stock 4.10 gears and 5 spd drivetrain running 31"s.  Prior to the upgrade the Jeep was loosing power rapidly on even small grades on the highway and downshifting to 4th was very common, loosing speed and RPM's rapidly.  Acceleration was slow and deceleration on almost any hill was the norm.

After the PD kit install it reminded me of driving with the stock 225's that came on the jeep when I first got it! Zippy acceleration and enough power to use 5 gear and cruise at 75 MPH.  Able to rev higher above 4K RPM’s smoothly in the lower gears.  It literally put me back in the passing lane (at least for 20-30 seconds.)  No longer a need to regrear with the 31's.  It can even climb most hills in 5th and one really steep and long hill near my house where the speed limit is 45MPH it can make it up in 4th where it required a donshift to 3rd before.  Backroad drivability and power throughout the gears has noticeably improved as well.

Jeffy- thanks for recommending this kit.  I probably would have seen a slight improvement from replacing with stock components, since the date stamp on my old rotor was from January 2004.  But so far I think this upgrade was worth the money, it certainly improved the drivability of my Jeep.  I have not done the mileage yet, but I know it has improved judging by how far I got on the 3/4 tank of gas I have been burning.

Now I'm contemplating my next upgrade.  Considering a flex fan replacement, or throttle body spacer  vs a 4.0 TB upgrade or even the injector thread for the Ford mustang/crown vic yellow injectors I read a while back.  That thread kind of died, does anyone have any updates on longer term testing of the ford injectors in a YJ or TJ ?  Are any of you guys still running them and would you recommend it? I'm trying to improve my mileage if possible. Any comments or info appreciated.

Ciao!  Ted

[Guardian7]

Now add a Jet chip and you'll be chirpin your tires!

[chrisfranklin]

No longer a need to regear with the 31's.

Sounds like I am going to do one of these PD systems when I get around to new tires/wheels.  Seems pretty cost-effective versus what you'll spend for regearing.

You should buy the Autolite Iridium XP plugs and gap those at .065 (just put some tape on your gapping tool so you don't scuff/damage the electrodes).  You'll like the results for less than $40.  I like them and I still have a relatively stock ignition system  :D