Spark plug wire recommendation
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
Spark plug wire recommendation
I’m looking for a solution for my 1971 LS5 spark plug wires. I’ve currently got Lectric Limited on there but it’s been broken ends and just overall poor quality and missing engine at times. I’m extremely careful when installing (using two points of contact) and use a small amount of plug grease to help removal. I’d like the braided look but not excited over paying $200.00 for the same issues. Most of the wire sets don’t have 90* fittings at the distributor and I’m using the stock dist cover. I’ve seen some NOS Delco but those are $350 to $475 and I don’t know much about them. I welcome your input!
KC
KC
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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I use 8mm nonsolid core resistor wires from MSD or Accel and custom fit them. If you need a stock oem wire you will pay for them..
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,757
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
Didn't somebody recently tell us that you can "transfer the shielding" from the old wire to the new spark plug wires? I am not sure if that applies to any of the older wire sets or the reproductions. I would guess the original style wires that cost more would be the ones that have the removable shielding.
My only experience with the shielded wires was not a good one. It looked just like a Tesla-Coil Light show under the hood after dark. Very 1960's ish.
I have used MSD Super Conductor spark plug wires but had issues and tried Taylor and they didn't fare a whole lot better. It is time for me to buy the materials and make my own spark plug wires. My question is this: If the MSD pre-made sets of spark plug wires leak high voltage, will these home built wires fare any better? Is there a way to improve on them when you build them yourself?
When using the older MSD wires they would last a few years and start to leak. Most of the problem is caused by the boots that connect to the spark plugs and because of the proximity they short to the engine block. I am using the DEI brand Titanium Spark Plug Boots and the only problem is that they smoke and smell terrible when contacting the header pipe. The big boots that cover the spark plug wires near headers also look like poop after a few weeks on the engine.
My only experience with the shielded wires was not a good one. It looked just like a Tesla-Coil Light show under the hood after dark. Very 1960's ish.
I have used MSD Super Conductor spark plug wires but had issues and tried Taylor and they didn't fare a whole lot better. It is time for me to buy the materials and make my own spark plug wires. My question is this: If the MSD pre-made sets of spark plug wires leak high voltage, will these home built wires fare any better? Is there a way to improve on them when you build them yourself?
When using the older MSD wires they would last a few years and start to leak. Most of the problem is caused by the boots that connect to the spark plugs and because of the proximity they short to the engine block. I am using the DEI brand Titanium Spark Plug Boots and the only problem is that they smoke and smell terrible when contacting the header pipe. The big boots that cover the spark plug wires near headers also look like poop after a few weeks on the engine.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,246
From: US-PNW
Didn't somebody recently tell us that you can "transfer the shielding" from the old wire to the new spark plug wires? I am not sure if that applies to any of the older wire sets or the reproductions. I would guess the original style wires that cost more would be the ones that have the removable shielding.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,210
Likes: 9,349
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
Didn't somebody recently tell us that you can "transfer the shielding" from the old wire to the new spark plug wires? I am not sure if that applies to any of the older wire sets or the reproductions. I would guess the original style wires that cost more would be the ones that have the removable shielding.
My only experience with the shielded wires was not a good one. It looked just like a Tesla-Coil Light show under the hood after dark. Very 1960's ish.
I have used MSD Super Conductor spark plug wires but had issues and tried Taylor and they didn't fare a whole lot better. It is time for me to buy the materials and make my own spark plug wires. My question is this: If the MSD pre-made sets of spark plug wires leak high voltage, will these home built wires fare any better? Is there a way to improve on them when you build them yourself?
When using the older MSD wires they would last a few years and start to leak. Most of the problem is caused by the boots that connect to the spark plugs and because of the proximity they short to the engine block. I am using the DEI brand Titanium Spark Plug Boots and the only problem is that they smoke and smell terrible when contacting the header pipe. The big boots that cover the spark plug wires near headers also look like poop after a few weeks on the engine.
My only experience with the shielded wires was not a good one. It looked just like a Tesla-Coil Light show under the hood after dark. Very 1960's ish.
I have used MSD Super Conductor spark plug wires but had issues and tried Taylor and they didn't fare a whole lot better. It is time for me to buy the materials and make my own spark plug wires. My question is this: If the MSD pre-made sets of spark plug wires leak high voltage, will these home built wires fare any better? Is there a way to improve on them when you build them yourself?
When using the older MSD wires they would last a few years and start to leak. Most of the problem is caused by the boots that connect to the spark plugs and because of the proximity they short to the engine block. I am using the DEI brand Titanium Spark Plug Boots and the only problem is that they smoke and smell terrible when contacting the header pipe. The big boots that cover the spark plug wires near headers also look like poop after a few weeks on the engine.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 123
Likes: 28
From: Chicago Burbs
Reference - 1974 454 big block Ac Delco 45 plugs
Unfortunately - I can't upload a video - bottom line Accel Wire are NOT the quality of years past.
The spring clips are SOOO severely tight you cannot install nor remove the wire from plugs without damaging the wires.
I have video of using two pairs of pliers on both the wire boot and the plugs after damaging the wire and both the ceramic plug - Good Luck if you use them.
I bought Taylors and they fir fine.
In 35 years - never seen anything like it.
Summit said they'd cover it ....still waiting for the Credit.
Unfortunately - I can't upload a video - bottom line Accel Wire are NOT the quality of years past.
The spring clips are SOOO severely tight you cannot install nor remove the wire from plugs without damaging the wires.
I have video of using two pairs of pliers on both the wire boot and the plugs after damaging the wire and both the ceramic plug - Good Luck if you use them.
I bought Taylors and they fir fine.
In 35 years - never seen anything like it.
Summit said they'd cover it ....still waiting for the Credit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 259
I’m looking for a solution for my 1971 LS5 spark plug wires. I’ve currently got Lectric Limited on there but it’s been broken ends and just overall poor quality and missing engine at times. I’m extremely careful when installing (using two points of contact) and use a small amount of plug grease to help removal. I’d like the braided look but not excited over paying $200.00 for the same issues. Most of the wire sets don’t have 90* fittings at the distributor and I’m using the stock dist cover. I’ve seen some NOS Delco but those are $350 to $475 and I don’t know much about them. I welcome your input!
KC
KC
For some people its a choice on what is more important : functionality or "cosmetics" - you wanna drive your car or you want to look at it LOL
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Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,210
Likes: 9,349
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
These are for sale in the c2 section and c3 section
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-set-nos.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-set-nos.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
I ended up ordering some muscle car retro wires from Summit. I’m going to try sliding my braided shielding from my old wires on. Not sure how the diameter will work out with the ignition shielding holders.
KC
KC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 259
The Summit retro wires are they solid or resistance wires ?
7mm or 8mm ?
What color ?
Are they pre-terminated ?
And what do they cost ?
Thank you !
I can't deal with their stoopid web site
7mm or 8mm ?
What color ?
Are they pre-terminated ?
And what do they cost ?
Thank you !
I can't deal with their stoopid web site
Last edited by QIK59; Jan 30, 2025 at 11:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
The plug ends from Lectric Limited are only crimped without any type of bonding on the rubber part that goes over the plug. I’m hoping the rector ones I ordered are bonded or glued to the wire.
KC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 259
The wires I ordered (retro) are 7mm spiral core. You must cut to length and crimp the end that goes to the distributor. I don’t mind a crimp on the dist end but wouldn’t do it on the plug end as they are harder to remove without damage. I’m hoping my old braided wire will slip over these. $53.00 plus shipping.
The plug ends from Lectric Limited are only crimped without any type of bonding on the rubber part that goes over the plug. I’m hoping the rector ones I ordered are bonded or glued to the wire.
KC
The plug ends from Lectric Limited are only crimped without any type of bonding on the rubber part that goes over the plug. I’m hoping the rector ones I ordered are bonded or glued to the wire.
KC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 375
From: Randolph nj
Taylor is the way to go MSD is total junk and has terrible quality control .. I bought new wires and chased a miss for two weeks before I found out the wire it the boot was separated .. never again
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 259
Sounds like the BEST wires are a bit of a crap shoot.
I gave up on Accel wires back in the 80's and bought a "universal" set of solid copper right angle boot AUTOLITE wires.
They came with LIFETIME warranty !
Great part was I could cut them to length and drill the brass distributor terminals for the copper wire to pass through and solder the wire to the terminal
They have served me well for almost 40 years.
A few years ago decided I should have a spare set and after much searching located a product promotion company in LA that was involved with Allied Automotive NASCAR sponsorship back in 80's 90's ?? who still had a bunch of promotional stock left over.
On my next SEMA trip I drove out to LA and bought a couple more sets of these wires including a set for Big Blocks along with a bunch of the supposed good Fram filters which I am JUST about out of - you can only take so much $#it on a plane LOL
I will be selling the BB wires shortly - unfortunately they are ORANGE color
I gave up on Accel wires back in the 80's and bought a "universal" set of solid copper right angle boot AUTOLITE wires.
They came with LIFETIME warranty !
Great part was I could cut them to length and drill the brass distributor terminals for the copper wire to pass through and solder the wire to the terminal
They have served me well for almost 40 years.
A few years ago decided I should have a spare set and after much searching located a product promotion company in LA that was involved with Allied Automotive NASCAR sponsorship back in 80's 90's ?? who still had a bunch of promotional stock left over.
On my next SEMA trip I drove out to LA and bought a couple more sets of these wires including a set for Big Blocks along with a bunch of the supposed good Fram filters which I am JUST about out of - you can only take so much $#it on a plane LOL
I will be selling the BB wires shortly - unfortunately they are ORANGE color
Last edited by QIK59; Jan 30, 2025 at 05:09 PM.