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I am replacing the Transistor Ignition on my 1967 427 435 HP Corvette with a small cap HEI distributor and a high energy coil. My question is, can I use the stock stainless wrapped spark plug wires with the HEI distributor?, (to maintain a stock appearance under hood). Or do I need to use 8 or 8.5 MM aftermarket plug wires?
I wouldn't use factory style graphite core wires with HEI. You don't need 8 or 8.5 mm wires, 7 mm will do, as long as the wire core has wound magnetic suppression wire, like nichrome wire. I wish the factory style wires were stainless braided. They're not. They're tin plated copper and mine look pretty dull after 25 years. You can use the braids you have now on a set of black jacket mag suppression wires and it will look factory.
Thanks Nowhere Man. I checked LECTRIC LTD and they do have an updated much improved self contained HEI Module that replaces the OEM board inside the Amp Box. You remove the original board and replace it with new controller. It simply attaches inside the box with the same 3 screws and has much improved performance and reliability. I was not aware of this item before I purchased my HEI small cap dizzy or I may have gone that route. And Thanks Avispa for answering my question and suggesting best not to use the original braided wires, but instead use aftermarket magnetic suppression core wires and wrap them with the original braids to retain factory appearance. And I learned another thing, I always thought the original wires were stainless. Didn't know they were tin plated copper. That hurt almost as bad as when I learned there was no Santa Clause! And to Diabolical Dave, yes I'm taking a big chance and using the same item Chagjr showed in his post. I hope this is a good quality item and causes no issues. I'll let you know how it turns out.