This post serves as a quick overview regarding the requirements when upgrading your ignition system using our AEM range of products. This write-up assumes you want to do away with the dizzy and either run CDI or Inductive ignition (each have their merit, please inquire with us if you have questions).

Basic requirements (based on a common 4 banger):

- Your ECU need's to support the output of four coil triggers, one per cylinder. The type of coil your ECU can trigger is also important but more about this later.

- Your ECU will require crank and camshaft positioning signals, switching to a 24-1 trigger pattern is advised.

- If you're going for a coil on plug setup, not the spark plug hole depth. We can help you measure this no problem.

- In switching your trigger pattern your ecu must be able to read the new setup and have the relevant inputs for cam and crank sync. If you require an EXCELLENT standalone ECU, you really should be considering the EMS-4 (AEM #30-6905)

Now with the basic setup out of the way, pay careful attention to the type of coils you're trying to power.

First and foremost determine if you're using CDI coils, if you are, you would want to invest in a CDI ignition system (Please read further for details on the TwinFire).

Your ECU will most likely trigger a driver, which does the hard work for you (where the heat will be generated too) and so you will require our 4 channel coil driver (AEM# 30-2840).

Please note, if the coils you wish to trigger contains a driver, you will not require this part (AEM# 30-2840).

Coils without built-in drivers typically have only two pins on the connector. Coils with built-in drivers typically have 4 or more pins on the connector. If you were to plug your ecu into a coil without a driver directly - you will destroy it

If you're using non CDI coils, you can output from the 4 channel driver directly to them as per the manual. If however you're using CDI you will most definitely require a CDI unit like the AEM Twin Fire CDI system P/N 2820 (8 channel) and 2821 (4 channel). *This is not required if you're powering our CDI coils from the likes of a EMS-4 unit (one of our Engine management systems)

You would output the 4 channel driver signals to the CDI unit inputs as described in the instructions and from there connect your CDI coils. If you're looking for excellent CDI coils you'd be looking for AEM's pencil coils (AEM# 30-2850 & 30-2851). Once more do not power these without a CDI unit - you will kill your ignition amplifier

If you're not looking for a CDI solution you can look at our High Output Inductive "Dumb" Coils (AEM Part# 30-2852) or High Output IGBT Inductive "Smart" Coil (AEM Part# 30-2853)

The smart version obviously does not require the 4 channel coil driver.

If you've got any more ignition system related queries and not sure where to start, drop us an email and we'll advise on the correct parts to achieve your power goals.