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A good set of wires from Advance Auto set me back $26. Just fine for stock or slightly modified engines. An expensive set of wires will not add 10 hp to a stock engine, unless the old wires are shot. It will help a race engine at 5000+ rpm, however.
I chose a set of custom 75-82 Corvette spec, 8mm Taylor Spiro Pro wires for about $75 (from Summit or Jegs). Ran them along the stock routing and added the plastic 'twist-on' 2-wire wire looms from MSD (16-pack) that aided in keep the wires securely in place. The wires look nice too as they are a bright red and add a little interest to an otherwise not-so-colorful underhood area. I don't expect to have to replace these wires for a very long time.
I figure that these wires will provide the best quality and performance contribution from a set of spark plug wires for the price. At a minimum, they won't harden from the underhood heat of my '80 L48 like some OEM-style 8mm silcon wires I have purchased in the past.
I just pulled the original wires from my 82 and replaced them with Accel 8mm yellow wires. The only difference is the new wires match the car.
For most of us good quality wires are all you need and they will last a very long time. Now the 9.99 set from wally world, they might not work that well.