"Gold" ignition box on street car??

[dogbert22]

Hi Guys,

I just came into possession of a mopar "gold" electronic ignition box. I'm wondering if I can swap it out with the existing (and working fine) box without any "issues". I'm by no means a racer but I think it looks cool My concerns are driveability and longevity.

[brock]

The short answer has always been, Race Only." I never liked that
answer, because it doesn't explain anything.

Here is what the 82 Direct Connection Engine Modification book has
to offer:

Gold Box Race Electronic Control Unit P4120600
The new "Gold Box" electronic control unit P4120600
is the latest high performance ignition system from
Chrysler. It is designed to give better performance at
high engine speeds, more reliability and versatility, and
has a flat dwell curve.

It is assumed that the new Gold Box will be replacing an
older Chrome Box (P4007298, P4120505, p4120534) and
therefor the complete step-by-step instructions for in-
stalling an electronic ignition are not given here. If they
are needed, please refer to page 253 of this bulletin.

The Gold Box is not a complete ignition system by
itself. It is a direct replacement for the Chroime Boxes
and is wired the same way. The diagram is for reference
only. If the ignition system is is being converted from
something other than the Chrome Box, use the in-
structions on page 253and a new wiring harness
P3690152.

Refer to the application Figure 25-6 for the actual pieces
to use - coil, ballast resistor - for your application.
Do not mix and match components.

With this high output ignition system it is highly
recommended that the Direct Connection high per-
formance, 8mm, metal core, spark plug wires be used
to get the full performance from the engine the the
ignition system offers.

It it very worthwhile to mount the control box, coil and
ballast resistors in as cool a place as possible - especially
with the high rpm system.

Some suggested locations are: the inner fender skirt,
the radiator baffle, the grille cavity, or the outer
firewall area (interior is probably what was meant)

When mounting the electronic control unbit, remember
that the exposed power transistor case is electrically
hot. The unit should be mounted in an area which
minimizes the possibility of shorting the transistor
when working in the engine area. Shorting the power
transistors to the heat sink or any ground while the power is
on may damage the control unit.

up to 5500 rpm: production coil 0.5 - 0.7 ohm ballast resistor

up to 6000 rpm: Accel 140001...0.5 - 0.8 ohm ballast resistor

up to 10.5Krpm: P3690560 coil........0.25 ohm ballast resistor

P3690560 coil = Accel 140306. The race coil combination is
NOT for prolonged use under 2000 rpm, use only ECU coil and
resistor combination listed. Do NOT mix and match components.

Figure 25-6 is a chart ( longer than the chart above & includes
other Boxes).

In the chart above the first two listings are dual ballast values.

[dogbert22]

Thanks Brock. I'm going to have to check my ballast resistor (it's the dual, 4-post kind) to see what it's resistance really is, have no idea. Do you think my Petronix coil will work or do I risk melting that one with this "hot box"?

[brock]

I have no idea Rick. I have the HEMI Dual Point with Tach Drive.
Had to yank the points & add Pertronix guts to get spark - I now
see why they quit Just as well - haven't found a set of points
in forever. All your HEMI SS cars run the Pertronix (as seen in the
mags)

If I read it right: should be OK as long as you don't use the 0.25
Ohm resistor.

[dogbert22]

Well Brock thanks for the answer. I'm going to give it a whirl and see what happens. If things break they break