ignition coil compatability

I have a '79 KZ650B3 that the coils have gone out on. Like an idiot I left it outside during a bit in winter while working in garage and both coils split wide open.

I have been hunting around for some replacements and wanted to know if I HAD to go with the 4 ohm ones since that is what was on it before or if the 3 ohm ones would be ok.

I was also wondering if (other then the wire connectors) there was any real difference in the coils from other years or even other size engines of the ones that used the 2 coil 4 plug setup at least. Thanks for all the help. Just trying to find a cheap way to get my bike back up and running.

Am thinking most any 3ohm or 4ohm dual output coil will be okay, but not less than 3ohm.

Many prefer to retain stock mounting as afforded by Dyna replacements and various other Kawasaki models.

In a pinch, could silicone patch the existing coils, ohm-check the primary and secondary windings, and then maybe get a few more miles while avoiding rain and any cross-country touring. :lol:

Good Luck!

There is no reason to go to a lower resistance coil. It doesn't improve performance and burns the points out faster. I highly recommend getting replacement OEM coils from Z1 enterprises. They sell OEM type coils cheap (I think they are like $35?). That way you are running what the bike's electrical system is designed to run.

www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2857

Thanks a lot bountyhunter....I was looking on z1 before but all I could find was the 3 ohm ones.. those are exactly what I was looking for!!!

Does anyone know if those coils would work on my '82 kz1100 spectre. i have been having some issues with it and i think i have tracked it down to the coils. the only replacements i have found are 85-100$. any info would be helpfull id rather be able to replace both of them for less than the price of one if i could.

Hounddog09er wrote:

Does anyone know if those coils would work on my '82 kz1100 spectre. i have been having some issues with it and i think i have tracked it down to the coils. the only replacements i have found are 85-100$. any info would be helpfull id rather be able to replace both of them for less than the price of one if i could.

That bike had a 2.2 Ohm system and requires 2.2 ohm Coils.

Okay thank you. so these would be the coils i would need to get? www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=1306

Those are EXACTLY the coils you want.

Just out of curiousity:

If it had 2 Ohm coils stock, does it have external ballast resistors?

I was wondering if you could just remove the ballast resistors and use the standard 4 Ohm coils that most of the old kawis use (they cost less).

bountyhunter wrote:

Just out of curiousity:

If it had 2 Ohm coils stock, does it have external ballast resistors?

I was wondering if you could just remove the ballast resistors and use the standard 4 Ohm coils that most of the old kawis use (they cost less).

On a points ignition you would be correct. If the primary goes up in resistance than your spark is a bit weaker but your points last longer. You can always go Up in resistance and sacrifice some performance but gain a bit more reliability. On Electronic ignitions you would not gain any benefit just loose performance. You could experience spark "Blow Out" at higher RPM. Three Ohms is where you want to be at the end with or without resistor.

thank you both for your input i guess i will bite the bullet and pick up some coils. i had one more quick question. what is the significance of the resistor spark plug boots, if i get new wires do i need to use the same boots or can i use the ones that come with the new wires?

I have a set of new 2.2 coils I cant use. Wasnt paying attention and ordered the wrong ones. We can work something out on them if you want them.