DIY: Installing MSD Coil 8239 MY96 2.5GT

[ronin777]

Just a quick update. Been running the dis2 w 8239 coil on my 96 outback for approx 2 mos now. I noticed that the mpg didn't go up as much as I was hoping for, I was only getting about 2 mpg over what I normally get if not the same. Then about 3 weeks ago I noticed that when I run between 3000 or 3500 or more rpm I get a misfire. Called tech support and they think I'm experiencing some arching and advised me to change the el cheapo autolite plug wires I'm using. They said I should be using wires that do not go above 800 ohms. Today I got a hold of a set of Accel superstock spiral ignition wires (supposedly at 500 ohms). Didn't get a chance to have it checked with an ohm meter, just took a leap of faith and installed them. Feels a lot better with the Accel wires on but I'm not sure if it's a psychological thing, the response felt better but I will see if the mpg will also improve. Will check back in with hopefully good results. Peace!

[Soul Shinobi]

Thanks for the update. Just a note, unless you've got a very nice multi-meter reading below 1,000 ohms is hard to be precise.

[i<3mysubi]

can someone give me a for sure answer on what wires on the neon go to the wires on the subaru??
so far i have two different(looks like the most common) answers
the first if from another thread and it is
subaru ----------------- Neon
red ----------------------- black
yellow ---------------------- green
blue ------------------------ blue

and then the one on this thread which is
subaru---------------- neon
yellow------------------blue
red --------------------green
blue------------------- black

what is the wiring please.please please please?

[rstimpreza]

I have 96 brighton... will this work?

[Soul Shinobi]

Yes.

[natsirt]

I was taking a look at my stock ignition coil (MY98 Legacy GT DOHC) and noticed the connector on the ignition coil doesn't have any wires coming out of it. The connector built onto my coil is integrated into the plastic ignition coil housing, or shell, or unit or whatever you'd like to call it. Mine looks like this:



The ignition coil connector is integrated into the coil's structure.

It seems like the coils everyone is using for the mod is of this style:



There's wires coming off of it that need to be cut and spliced to the neon connector wiring, with the neon connector then plugging into the MSD coil.

I was just wondering if there's something I'm missing here. Thanks.

[natsirt]

Is it still possible to do the mod with the ignition coil that has the connector built in? I'd rather not splice a neon connector onto the subaru wiring - 'that' being a possible way to make it work...

[bulldozer24]

Ive done it with the same coil pack as you have AKA "stage 2 coil pack" and yes you have to cut your factory connector off. I cant remember what colors it is right now that you match up, but just keep looking around and you will find it, or just try the search in the top right.

[natsirt]

The OP and others, state earlier in the thread which colors to splice to what. I'm just simply opposed to cutting the subaru connector off and splicing in a neon connector. In that case, I'd rather keep the original wiring, find a female subaru connector end (much like the one found built in to the phase 2 coil), splice it to a neon connector and plug that to the MSD coil, with the subaru female end plugged to the subaru male end already meant to go to the ignition coil. No cutting, chopping, butchering of my stock wiring and would allow for easy interchangeability from OEM coil to MSD coil and vice versa. Would anyone know where I could buy a female connector end, pretty much exactly like the one found built in to the OEM ignition coil, but that I could splice to some neon wiring and connector? Is that just a generic connector type that I could easily find at any auto parts store? If that's the case I'll go over to a store and get one. Do other connectors throughout the car have the same style connector ends? If so, I'll just go raid a junk yard to find a female end that matches the male end of my wiring.

[Soul Shinobi]

A good idea, but finding such a connector--if one was ever manufactured--is the clincher. I can't say for sure, but I doubt it's generic. I've thought of it myself, but didn't have high enough expectations to even look.

[bulldozer24]

Just cut it, solder it, and be done with it. It's really not that hard to change it back to stock if necessary.

[Soul Shinobi]

It's true, and more electrically sound.

[harrymaneuvers]

So I have read the thread and seem a couple people with the 2.2 doing this.


Would it be the same for a 2.2 phase 2?

If so, am I looking for just a standard neon coil pack or a neon r/t coil pack?

[Soul Shinobi]

So long as it's a 3 wire coil pack with similar terminals for the spark plug wires then yes. And I do think that's the case, but doesn't hurt to double check. You'll likely need your wiring diagram.

[Tylerhartman]

I just order mine off eBay, 35$ bucks yay! I'll be back for the DIY once the waiting game is over.

[fullCircling]

I have a brand new set of NGK fx50s for sale if anyones interested. It turns out I needed fx54s (damn you Subaru and your mid-year parts changing!) PM if interested.

[fullCircling]

I've got a brand new set of fx50s that I don't need. I ended up using another stock coil instead, and now I have to get the fx54s. 40 shipped through Paypal, PM if interested...

[d1giPhux]

Bringing this back from the dead.. I have a question:

Anyone have clearance issues with the MSD coil? It seems like my hood CAN close when using the MSD without a adapter plate. However, when using an adapter plate, it seems like its too large?

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed clearance issues with installing the MSD? Where does it hit?

Also, when I installed the MSD without the adapter plate, just using 1 screw.. my hood was able to close if I dropped it. Not sure it its hitting something or not though.

[Soul Shinobi]

Here's a silly old trick: put a blob of shaving cream on top of the coil pack, close the hood. I've also heard of using clay (or play-doh) and seeing how much it deforms if it clears but is close.

[d1giPhux]

Good idea on the shaving cream.. i will try that.

Seems like I can close the hood, but I just wonder if its being banged around or anything.

[anothernord]

Here's a silly old trick: put a blob of shaving cream on top of the coil pack, close the hood. I've also heard of using clay (or play-doh) and seeing how much it deforms if it clears but is close.

I will go try that right now!

By the way; us Outback guys don't have to worry about clearance; the subframe spacers for the lift lower the engine relative to the rest of the body.

[d1giPhux]

Let me know what you find if you end up doing it. I don't have my MSD coil in yet, or any shaving cream.

[d1giPhux]

Did anyone re-gap their plugs after doing this?? Don't you need to re-gap anyways to compensate for the bigger spark? Otherwise.. wont it just spark the same as stock??

[Soul Shinobi]

I'm thinking no, but maybe someone a little more knowledgeable than me should chime in.

[d1giPhux]

Well.. in all reality, if you have a coil pack putting out more of a punch, don't you need to re-gap the plugs in order to take advantage of it? Thats what I would think.. but I could be wrong.

[Soul Shinobi]

I would think the advantage is in the immediacy and duration of the spark, coming on fast and strong, not weakening as cylinder pressure builds.

[d1giPhux]

Got mine installed. Heatshrinked, soldered, the works. Not noticing much of a difference? May not need to rev AS much, however waiting for ECU to re-adjust still. Running 8mm Magnecore wires. I was running those on my stock setup as well.

[Soul Shinobi]

I assume you reset the ECU? Give it some time and don't look for it, I think it's not a hits-you-in-the-face difference. I haven't gotten one myself but I've done a voltage boosting mod that gave similar (but minor) results.

[d1giPhux]

Yeah, i reset the ECU. Not really noticing anything different at all. I guess I will continue to drive it and just enjoy the red ignition box under my hood

So far however, I think this is a pretty over-rated mod. I haven't noticed any huge difference, or really ANY difference from the stock ignition coil box.

[Soul Shinobi]

I wonder if your spark plugs are dirty or fuel or oil quality are holding the engine back. When was the last time the fuel filter was replaced? The OEM ones are cheap enough. Does it rev freer in neutral at least? If so maybe a brake is dragging or something. Haha, okay, I'm just brainstorming, that's everything I can think of.

EDIT: Wait, it's not. How clean is your air filter, and have you ever seafoamed the car? How free flowing is your exhaust, perhaps a cat is clogged or an O2 sensor on its way out.