Plug wires
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Plug wires
I’ve been wanting to get new plug wires. I have 882 heads, Doug D380-C side pipes, and the stock distributor. I wanted to ask what plug wires you guys have been running that won’t sit on the headers/any recommendations.
Thank you for any info!
Thank you for any info!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 576
From: Wisconsin
Get the long wires that are meant to go underneath the exhaust. Then make or buy a couple small tabs that you can bolt into the threaded bosses on each side of the block underneath, and run a zip tie thru them to secure the wires away from the headers. Worked great with my Doug’s style side pipes. Super easy to keep them off the exhaust this way.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
custom make them...its a good skill to have and they will be perfect...buy a good plug wire crimping tool...maybe watch some professional videos
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,757
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
I totally agree with Rescue Rogers as I am not paying the "going" prices for today's Spark Plug Wires.
I have a Big block and like avoiding hot areas so custom built makes sense as it allows so this requires a little more wire here or less there. The tools are Inexpensive and the wire and misc parts are readily available. I am using an old MSD tool from the early 1980's and I would say it has paid for itself. The last time I bought a Pre-Cut Ignition Wire Kit for my 1968 C3 they were over $150 and that is just not right, especially when you price out the do it yourself and compare. The parts cost a fraction and the installation is simple enough for "virtually" anybody to do it.
To verify your good work simply open your hood after dark. It should be nice and dark in there as the ignition sparks should be under control.
I have a Big block and like avoiding hot areas so custom built makes sense as it allows so this requires a little more wire here or less there. The tools are Inexpensive and the wire and misc parts are readily available. I am using an old MSD tool from the early 1980's and I would say it has paid for itself. The last time I bought a Pre-Cut Ignition Wire Kit for my 1968 C3 they were over $150 and that is just not right, especially when you price out the do it yourself and compare. The parts cost a fraction and the installation is simple enough for "virtually" anybody to do it.
To verify your good work simply open your hood after dark. It should be nice and dark in there as the ignition sparks should be under control.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I just bought those ends to swap onto my wires...great idea
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Just make your own custom set for your application. I used bulk 8.5mm MSD wire and cut to exact lengths and installed ceramic boots on the ends so that the headers don't burn them, works perfect. Much cheaper than buying ceramic wire set and works just as good. You will need a spark plug wire crimper, but that doesn't cost that much. GL
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
I bought a wire loom that bolts to the valve covers, and cut the wires to length. They don't touch my Hooker sidepipe headers, and the loom feeds them into the gaps, and keeps them from crossing.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 157
Likes: 97
From: Virginia
https://www.zip-corvette.com/57-74-2...lug-wires.html
With 90° angle boots.
Great price! Easy install, no heat concerns, I have raced 3 cars with these wires.
Best Bang for the buck.
With 90° angle boots.
Great price! Easy install, no heat concerns, I have raced 3 cars with these wires.
Best Bang for the buck.
Last edited by Chagjr; Jan 11, 2024 at 07:48 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 1,174
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I agree,,,, make your own. . I always run plug wires under the exhaust, , out of site and cleaner look. I have a box full of junk old valve cover loom blocks, etc , that I ditched from customer cars. LOL 
The drive me crazy 
The drive me crazy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
$93 bucks at Summit.....But I should have them until I break them...could be forever or 2 weeks..
Pertronix straight boots for my big block
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/PNX-8502HT-8
Pertronix straight boots for my big block
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/PNX-8502HT-8
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Just looked at the Summit price and its gone from $93 to $114...They went up $21 bucks in 4 months...A custom cut to fit wire set is around $145 bucks now
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
Yep, that is a lot.
I would look at these. Wires AND ceramic boots. Nice terminals.
Jegs Wires
I would look at these. Wires AND ceramic boots. Nice terminals.
Jegs Wires