Mounting LS Coils on Gen 1 and Gen 2 SBC

[S10Wildside]

There have been several different engine bay images pass through my Inbox recently and here are a few creative ways I've seen for mounting LS coils on non-LS engines.

Using Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
This is my favorite design. The owner/fabricator is skilled with metal fabrication. He took a new set of cast aluminum valve covers, drilled holes for mounting the coils, inserted long screws through the back side using JB Weld to seal, installed threaded aluminum spacers to create a mounting surface, installed the coils, and then nuts to secure the coils to the mounts. He brought the covers to the shop and we assembled a custom coil harness for each valve cover. Notice these are LS1/LS6 coils.

http://www.eficonnection.com/coilpercylinder/33WillysCoilMount.jpg


Individual Coil Mounts
An excellent example of clean coil mounts on center bolt valve covers. LT4 valve covers with LS2 coils (GM# 12573190). Notice the LT1 spark plug wires are reused, but were shortened. MSD sells terminals, boots, and a crimp tool through Summit.

http://www.eficonnection.com/coilpercylinder/LS2_coil_LT4_cover_640w.jpg


Piecing Together LS Coil Brackets
This engine looks great with modified LS coil brackets. Notice these are truck coils with heat sink. More about the brackets here: http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601656

http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/images/1sickta04.jpg


Prototype Coil Brackets
For our prototyping, we had a local shop laser cut and form aluminum brackets to hold LS1/LS6 coils. It's a great concept, but very frustrating to service due to there being two bolts/nuts/washers per coil.

http://www.eficonnection.com/projects/S10Wildside/images/web01.jpg

[Stealth97]

For the prototype brackets, why not weld the nut on the bottom side and then you won't have the nut ever spin. Now you won't need the washers and lock washers, removing 16 parts from the equation. and the possibility of losing 8 parts (the nuts, which are now welded on).

Use bolts with integral washers or however the factory bolts them down. At any rate, just use one fastener and be done with it.

Now, using a hard plastic disc, put that on the end of the machine thread bolt or screw after it is inserted in the coil and the bolts no longer get lost either! The disc stays put when the coil is removed and is always attached to the coil.

Send me a set of these brackets ASAP. If you don't weld the nut on the opposite side, I will. I'm ready to do the conversion when I receive these brackets.

Eric / Stealth

[schwoch1]

I just used the GEN 3 coil brackets from a 5.3 and welded threaded stands onto my valve covers and mounted the brackets to them. Cheap and easy, don't look 100% pretty, but very functional. I will post some pics when I get some!!!

Mike

[S10Wildside]

For our LT1 engine, we're mounting a set of LS2 coils on cast aluminum LT1 valve covers. The work is being done by a machinist will a mill, but I don't see why anyone would have trouble with an electric drill and patience.

Parts List:
- 16 long screws (length will depend on the coils being used)
- 16 aluminum threaded spacers (consider using threaded nuts)
- JB Weld on back sides of screws (not shown in images)
- 16 acorn nuts (an attractive way to secure the coils to the screws)
- cast aluminum valve covers (eBay, Summit, Jegs, etc)

http://www.eficonnection.com/coilpercylinder/LS2Coil_CustomMount01.jpg

http://www.eficonnection.com/coilpercylinder/LS2Coil_CustomMount02.jpg

Coils Mounted
http://www.eficonnection.com/coilpercylinder/LS2Coil_CustomMount03.jpg

The JB Weld on the back side provides more than an adequate permanent seal for the screws and the screws do clear the rocker arms. And remember, the aluminum spacers are threaded, so the screws are tight. Acorn nuts are in the mail; the local hardware store wanted about $1.30 per nut! Thank goodness for eBay. TIG welded fittings are also a good option.

http://www.eficonnection.com/coilpercylinder/LS2Coil_CustomMount04.jpg

http://www.eficonnection.com/coilpercylinder/LS2Coil_CustomMount05.jpg

[LSRacing]

IT looks very nice mike. I think somebody should market this type of design. The LT1 guys will really like those coil mounts.

[S10Wildside]

Here's a recent install on a RamJet 350.

http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/images/PowerLabsRamJet01.jpg http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/images/PowerLabsRamJet02.jpg http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/images/PowerLabsRamJet03.jpg