I would like to upgrade my ignition system in my SW20 and retain the distributor (for now).
I am thinking of getting an higher output coil and would like some advice.
Can I retain the stock ignitor and use an aftermarket coil?
Should I replace the ignitor as well as the coil?
What brand is recommended? I have been considering MSD.
 

Admin
I would like to upgrade my ignition system in my SW20 and retain the distributor (for now).

 
What value are you aiming to get out of doing this?
 

Admin
Can I retain the stock ignitor and use an aftermarket coil?

Yes. 
 

Admin
Should I replace the ignitor as well as the coil?

 
If you are on a stock gen 2 (your sig says ct26), then the igniter is also the ignition computer. You have no choice but to retain the stock igniter. If you are having hesitation or missing issues it is an easy one to change to see if it helps, but generally if there are problems with them it's usually fixed by cleaning contacts/fixing wires.
 

Admin
What brand is recommended? I have been considering MSD.
 

 
MSD's coil is well known among the MR2 community to work quite well, but you do need to modify the ignition leads, this is not difficult.
 

The engine misfires slightly at higher boost levels in the maximum torque range which means that the output voltage and/or current of the stock coil secondary winding isn't high enough. There is no issue with the wiring.
What I am actually asking is whether I can use an MSD coil with the standard ignitor without it overloading and failing. I would like to hear from people that have done this successfully.
I don't need all the programmable crap that they put into the MSD ignitors, so prefer to use the stock ignitor if I can, as I have a programmable ECU. I just need very strong spark.
This is what I am thinking of trying - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MSD-8253-Ignition-Coil-Blaster-HVC-2-U-Core-Square-Epoxy-Blue-44000-V-Each-/222178123896?hash=item33bad92078:g:MJEAAOSwOVpXfKNl

Many years ago I successfully used an MSD 6a box with an MSD HVC coil. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MSD-8252-Ignition-Coil-Blaster-HVC-E-Core-Square-Epoxy-Blue-42000-V-Each/322183255436?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3D9260f78d0af14756a77e44f2b4d1778a%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D222178123896
 
Never a misfire ever again with the 316KW@wheels 2.2 3s motor.
 
I can't remember the reason why I didn't just use the coil on its own though.
 
An owner or two after me actually removed the MSD stuff as it became a bit flakey and went back to stock ignition components. No problem at all at the same 316KW :)
 
I don't think you need it unless you are 350KW and above. The Americans on MR2oc used to claim 500WHP and above is when to change from stock.

Are you using PowerFC or have stock Rev2 ecu?

I have a Microtech now though Haltech E11V2 is going in soon. The ECU is irrelevant. I just need to know if the stock ignitor (which is just a voltage amplifier) will cope with the MSD coil which is likely to draw a higher current from the ignitor. BTW I used to be an electronics engineer so know how it all works though don't have the specs for the stock ignitor, so cannot check to see if it will be Ok other than finding out if someone else has done it before and had no issues. I don't want to buy a MSD ignitor box if I don't have to.

The question was totally relevant, you asked about ignition system upgrades and the options available would actually depend on your ecu.
For example if using powerfc or stock rev3 ecu you could of converted to 1zz coil on plugs.

Ok thanks