Terminology clarification: COP v Coil pack

[BAD RONALD]

Anybody else have difficulty with these descriptions interchanged?

I know that universally guys will call a coil over plug a "coil pack". To me the term "coil pack" means a group of ignition coils physically connected together with one coil provided per cylinder. When one of the coils within the pack fails, the entire ignition pack has to be replaced. A "coil over plug" (COP) means one individual ignition coil sitting over each individual spark plug. If a misfire is detected, a COP can be switched to a different cylinder to see if the misfire follows. If it does, the single COP can be replaced.

There is a difference between these two designs. It seems to me that because the mechanical experience on this board varies so much, there is a benefit to being as specific and technically accurate as possible.

This is a picky distinction I am aware, but I figure it's worth discussion here.

 

[bedrck46]

Ford refers to the 5.4 as coil-on-plug and on the 4.6 as ignition coils 1&2 and ignition coils 3&4 This was taking from the wiring diagrams for a 1999 expedition Just to add some confusion to the subject

 

[bedrck46]

of course if you have the correct part number it wouldn't make any difference as to what you called them but maybe overpriced parts would fit

 

[nsperf]

Coil Pack

Will usually consist of 1 or more Spark towers which are connected to the spark plugs via a heavy guage wire. Most notably most coil packs will usually contain 2 or more spark towers. Most coil packs will usually be controlled by a ignition module.

COP or coil on plug.

This usually refers to a single coil pack that resides or is connected directly to the sparkplug. Most notably the COP is directly controlled by the PCM and usually does not have an ignition module associated. The ignition module components that control spark time and dwell are engineered into each COP. Part of the reason COP is usually more expensive.

NOTE: Some Coil packs will contain trace items of COP. Most notably is the LS1.

Hope this clarifies some of yur question or if nothing else undirties the water a bit.

 

[BAD RONALD]

Ford refers to the 5.4 as coil-on-plug and on the 4.6 as ignition coils 1&2 and ignition coils 3&4 This was taking from the wiring diagrams for a 1999 expedition Just to add some confusion to the subject

Roger that. Almost nobody is talking about Ignition Coils 1&2 or 3&4 when they refer to a coil pack. This original distributorless ignition term has hung around.

Post 2000 model 4.6's have COP's.

 

[bedrck46]

yes that is interesting 1997,98 and 99 the 5.4 had COP'S and the 4.6 had the ignition coils but the 2000,01 and 02 both engines used the COP's every year after that had COP's

 

[EliteFord]

thanks for clarifying folks, appreciate it.