I've been trying to find a way to improve my ignition system on my Saturn to improve fuel mileage. I thought about adding a dc to dc converter to increase the voltage to the coils but after further research I stumbled upon an old drag racers trick of converting to a 16 volt system and several great reviews about how it not only improves ignition performance but also every other electrical device works better with the exception of some burned out headlights.
My main concern is will the pcm be able to handle the increased voltage but I will get back to that.
The battery
Most 16 volts batteries are in the $250 range and weight close to 50 lbs and that won't do. I would like to make my own lifepo4 battery using 5 or 6 headway 38120s 10 ah cells from evassemble.com for about $100 and weighing less than 8 lbs
chemical composition
LiFePO4
Nominal Capacity
10Ah
Charging voltage
3.65V
Nominal Voltage
3.2V
Cut-off Discharge Voltage
2.0V
Charging Method
CC/CV
Maximum Discharge Current(continuable)
100A
Maximum Charge Current(continuable)
50A
The alternator
My alternator is due for a rebuild and while I'm at it I can use a 16 volt regulator
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Delco-CS130-Al...-/281132793918
Voltage: 16
Set Point: 19.1
Polarity: Negative
Activation: Self-Excited
Notes: •1-Wire
•For Applications With 16V Batteries
12v
For the stuff I would like to stay 12 volts I could make the battery a 3 post ground 12v and 16v but running a wire from the positive side of the 4th cell for 12.8 volts