sr20 coilpack upgrade thread

[inopsey]

Since old engines have old components and the ignition system for the sr20 is aging and causing problems for many wanting to keep thier cars in fine running condition, it would be nice to have a thread about upgrading the ignition system on these cars. i know there is info out there scattered around zilvia and other places about what to do and what works, but it would be nice to have this info all in one place on zilvia



From a financal point, to get a new ignitor, coilpacks and probably a new coilpack harness the cost is going to be more than changing the system all together; just changing out the coils will cost about the same as some of these full-upgrade systems.



While some (most) of these smart coil upgrades require a standalone ecu to maximize performance, others may not.



I want to start by listing known systems sr20 can upgrade too and if people can help by adding their experience with such systems pros and cons, how to make the system work if the car has a stock ecu or aftermarket etc



it should be noted that in each case the ignitor chip needs to be bypassed either with a plug-in option or the rewiring of that part of the harness.



From what i can gather there is the LSX coil pack upgrade pros are they are readily available and not too expensive.


Also the R35, VR37, audi R8, toyota yaris, s15 smart coilpacks have been shown to work with the sr20 engine

[jr_ss]

I’ve run a pretty simple system on my VET.

Standard S14 SR ignitor and Denso/AEM dumb coils. The Denso version are the same shape, length and wiring connection as the AEM pencil coils and 1/4 the price. The only caveat is they require the threaded spark plug tip.

This setup made 500whp at 19-20psi on 93oct.

The new setup is VQ37 coils, bypassed ignitor and a PRP bracket/boots. These coils plug directly into the factory SR harness, but require two wires to be swapped. The coils are a pretty snug fit on the VE head.m, unfortunately, I do not have a DE/DET head to verify on. They fit great through the smaller opening of thr S15 VC and seal around the plug hole even without the PRP bracket. Length is perfect for the SR too. The only issue I have seen stems from the mounting hole being offset from the VR38 coils, which everyone designs their kits around.

[slider2828]

I am using the vr38 coils from rockauto. Works great and made a little L bracket and trimmed off like inch off the base.

[nmerriw]

Stock ecu, I'm running VQ35 coils, just need to bypass the ignitor (match the colors) and swap a couple pins at the connector (google is your friend).

No issues so far, and replacement parts are in every junkyard by the hundreds.

[slider2828]

Even if it is new, its not too pricey.... If you have an aftermarket ecu, there is information for dwell.

[thom]

I've used yaris and K20 coils in my sr20 when trying to source a misfire which finally wasn't coming from the coil packs.

To be honest i didnt see any difference in perfrormance. I kept the K20 on.

As an upgrade its super easy if you have a stand alone ecu . You just bypass the ignitor, and change the pinout. Everything can be found online , dwell times etc

Installation is easy. The Yaris coils i think one of them only needed some triming.
The k20 sits a little taller and you need some open spacer to fil the gap between the coil and valve cover.

https://imgur.com/a/VI2OE6q

[NiSilS14]

https://www.ignitionprojectsusa.com/...nissan-sr20det

I really like these for sr20, essentially r35 coilpacks in a sr20 coilpack casing. no bracketry fuss, straight bolt in.

[e1_griego]

On my SR I did the PRP bracket with R35 coils (hitachi from Rockauto).

Honestly, it's pretty fiddly with the cut-to-length silicon boots and the springs that you have to swap around. I thought I chucked a rocker on the dyno and taking it all apart to pull the valve cover wasn't as easy as it should have been. The setup works totally fine, just not as easy as stock to service.

That IP setup looks great. Wish I would have grabbed that instead (and still may).

[PoorMans180SX]

Originally Posted by NiSilS14

https://www.ignitionprojectsusa.com/...nissan-sr20det

I really like these for sr20, essentially r35 coilpacks in a sr20 coilpack casing. no bracketry fuss, straight bolt in.

Interesting! I'd love to see some third party testing.

[Thursday7]

I use Denso K20 coils with a plug and play wiring specialties harness. No spark issues with .028 BKR7E. Given what I remember my tuner saying when he first tuned it from the stock SR coil setup he barely needed to touch the dwell settings. As for fastening them, the mounting ears on the coils line up decently with the threads in the S13 SR valve cover, though there is like a 1" air gap where a spacer would be nice, and they're also too tall to use the stock coilpack cover. I just hand thread some long M6x1.0's in to hold them from popping out and I've been cool with this setup overall.

Not sure if this is constructive to this thread but thought I'd throw my hat into the ring.

[LoSt180]

S15 and all VQ/VR coils require the same wiring changes. Bypass ignitor and flip two pins at the coilpack connection. I know I documented the wires on an old thread here on Zilvia. Good thing is they all use the same connector, so those will be the most "plug n play" friendly options.

[tunermt]

On my personal SR20 I’ve run these coils:
Oem s14 + igniter
Oem s15
Oem honda k20 (denso)
VE R35 coils

They all worked but the R35 coils I’ve been able to gap my plugs back out to .035-.040” (21psi e85 twin scroll 16g turbo)