Delphi vs Eldors

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
I can't believe I've been unable to find a thread via Google that frames up the difference. Anyone have a +/- on latest Delphi vs latest Eldors?

Filippo
 

Jake@MHD

Major
Platinum Vendor
Nov 7, 2016
1,593
2,058
0
Philly
I believe the Eldor coils will need a dwell change if used on the N54. The dwell table on the N55's has the right settings as they use them stock afaik.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rob09msport

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
I believe the Eldor coils will need a dwell change if used on the N54. The dwell table on the N55's has the right settings as they use them stock afaik.
I thought they were spec'd for the N54: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-direct-ignition-coil-eldor-12138657273#fitment

From what I see at FCP Euro's fitment list, it spans N55/N54 and others. Pages of clicking on Google search results I see zero said between Eldor and Delphi. Lots about Bosch originals but we all know that already. It looks like Eldor might have been an interim improvement from original Bosch ... but the Delphi's now used seem to cost less than the Eldor (if one shops). But still ... are they any better for higher HP applications?

I understand they run the Delphi's on the M3/M4 but they run it on just about everything, best as I can tell looking at fitment. Ironically the the Delphi FCP Euro link does not show M3/M4 (F series) fitment ... but if you look at the FCP Euro "kit" for those cars, it uses the same coil set: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bm...-f80-f82-f83-12138616153kt-kit-12138616153kt6

Filippo
 
Last edited:

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
We know Delphi's work. We know Eldor works. I guess no particular testing has been done, at least that anyone is aware of, comparing their capabilities. The only testing/measurement work I've seen for ignition on this platform was done by @V8bait some time back, comparing R8, LS, Lambo, and BMW OEM (of unknown manufacture, given there have been 3 - Bosch, Eldor, Delphi). Superb write-up, but didn't extend to comparos of the 3 OE choices.

Filippo
 
Last edited:

V8bait

Lieutenant
Nov 2, 2016
500
773
0
Texas
I tested a handful of used OEM style coils including cheap part store ones, and also tested like new Bosch and delphi, they all performed almost identical although the branded ones seemed to last slightly longer, like maybe a minute, some of the used ones without branding only lasted 20 to 30 seconds when stressed. Is that because they were old or just cheap I dunno. I really doubt eldor will test any different.

I like this guy's take on coils --> https://bimmerprofs.com/ignition-coils/

Lots of issues with this write up... specifically the "part 2" at least haven't read part 1. For one he is quoting injector mosfet specs and circling injector mosfets on the board, and talking about ignition igbt. He is worried about flyback voltage for the injectors (because that is what kills their mosfets) but he's monitoring the ignition system... that system needs the back voltage to push the primary energy over 300v, so it can get to 30kV+... he even says that happens but states it's too much, which is wrong, it's absolutely needed for the ignition (but not injection). It's why there's a 500V capacitor parallel with all the ignition coil voltage leads already. It's like he confuses or doesn't realize they are isolated systems. I think he's a smart guy but he needs to go over things again imo.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: rev210 and fmorelli

Rob09msport

Major
Oct 28, 2017
1,929
664
0
Monroe CT
Ride
09 335i msport le mans 18 x5
@jayoma did you ever confirm what the dwell diff for the n55 coils and would they work better ? I have upgraded on my n54 but now it makes me wonder for my n55 and n63tu
 

Bnks334

Lieutenant
Dec 1, 2016
524
340
0
New York
@jayoma did you ever confirm what the dwell diff for the n55 coils and would they work better ? I have upgraded on my n54 but now it makes me wonder for my n55 and n63tu

Would be interesting if someone actually confirmed that... I've been running the "N54" eldor coils for years in my N55. Original coils starting misfiring at around 100k and these Eldors have been in for another 27k. I have seen people saying Eldors won't sit down onto the plugs properly on an N55 and that isn't true so I wouldn't be surprised about anything else either.
 
Jan 31, 2017
364
716
0
www.hydraperformance.com
Ride
2010 135i 6MT
@Rob09msport

Couldn't you just port the existing dwell values within the N55 tables? That's what I did as you can see below...



1581460570161.png
 

rev210

Corporal
Feb 24, 2019
235
138
50
Ride
335i - 08 Coupe .
I think there are possibly enough people running both to conclude they work just as well as each other and can be found on relatively high powered cars with no tangable or significant downsides.

What seems to be apparent is that the coil upgrades over delphi or eldor are prossibly not relevant till hitting higher than 800whp or perhaps even more? maybe circuit /endurance racing is a different kettle of fish? Mine are still stock like others , making better power than most with zero issues to date. Coils arent a cost effective performance upgrade from what I can see so far(upto upgraded twins or 6266 level)
Not bashing the fine development and investigation work on coils having said that.
 

Bnks334

Lieutenant
Dec 1, 2016
524
340
0
New York
Is this really necessary?

I think that is what is being asked. If it's an n54 coil then why did he have to carry over any n55 values? Or are the n55 dwell times the actual advantage? not sure what's being said but everything else I've heard about eldor coils so far has been incorrect so I wouldn't be surprised about anything. Or is Hydra saying why can;t N55 owners just copy and past in the N54 dwell tables???

Eldor's show as an interchangeable coil for older 135i's:

I don't see how they would require any ignition changes. Unless newer rom versions/software run different dwell times?

either way, Eldor on my N55 have been just fine for years now so maybe I am missing out on something?
 

scrllock

Sergeant
Dec 17, 2018
267
152
0
Ride
2011 335xi
Had a mis-fire pretty early on with my stock delphis after the car was tuned, replaced with eldors and after 25k+ miles stage2/hybrid turbo still no ignition issues. Have had a set of PR coils in a box for a long time just waiting for the eldors to give out.
 

V8bait

Lieutenant
Nov 2, 2016
500
773
0
Texas
N54 and n55 coils use the same dwell effectively as the coils are basically identical other than manufacturers, which change based on deals and bidding wars generally. You can't just copy and paste the dwell tables simply because n54 uses rpm vs voltage with a temperature scaler (not in most xdf's) while n55 indexes load as well. Ultimately the dwell to saturate the coils will be the same.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: fmorelli