Spark Plug Wire Suggestions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Tucson AZ
Spark Plug Wire Suggestions
I was going to replace the spark plug wires in my 1994 C4 since they are 15 years old. The car is running OK but I thought it might be wise. I am not looking for super performance, just basic operation. Any suggestion on which type of wires to get? If you can, please provide a link. Also, I notice the spark plug wire retainers were very brittle so I was going to get new ones. Suggestion on those would be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Tucson AZ
This is all I found so far. You guys have some links to share?
Jegs
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...192&Ne=3003116
Zip Corvette
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E3B42FAA2ABCE1
Still need to find the find the retainers to separate the wires.
Jegs
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...192&Ne=3003116
Zip Corvette
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E3B42FAA2ABCE1
Still need to find the find the retainers to separate the wires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,678
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta Georgia
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis Mo
The MSD 8.8 Super Conductors are the best you can buy...I've actually checked the ohm reading on them and several others I had laying around and they beat the others by miles..The nice thing is you can get them in black if you don't like the red.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 82
From: Toronto ontario
I've tried them all on the vette and 3 brands on the dd. Msd, Taylor, accel, etc. Magnecor hands down are the best quality. Can't say they work 'better' but on my oldsmobile that has a transverse v-8 the wires closest to the firewall have lasted 5 years now with magnecors. the Taylormade spiropro and msd died within a year and a half from the heat.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Tucson AZ
I've tried them all on the vette and 3 brands on the dd. Msd, Taylor, accel, etc. Magnecor hands down are the best quality. Can't say they work 'better' but on my oldsmobile that has a transverse v-8 the wires closest to the firewall have lasted 5 years now with magnecors. the Taylormade spiropro and msd died within a year and a half from the heat.
Here is their link and catalog.
http://www.magnecor.com/
http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/files/catalog.pdf
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
Not sure about which wires -- but one thought is if the OEM wires have lasted 15 years and the car is still running ok, I'd go with the OEM's again.
Also, be careful about thicker wires, they might not fit in the tight passageway around/behind the alternator. Also, the thicker wires might not fit in the OEM wire retainers.
FYI, some have used/recommended the GM Performance wires, checkout the relatively new website gmperformanceparts.com or many of the forum sponsors (e.g. Gene). Also, regarding the wire retainers, again any of the sponsors -- got mine at ecklers.com.
Regarding the spark plugs, I changed the ones in our 94 in 2007 and opted to NOT use the AC/Delcos (platinum puck problem -- 3 were missing). I instead went with the NGK Iridium TR55ix (good reports on them, no puck problems, and Iridium is very high mileage and high-quality, so will not need to do in a long while. Performance is good and mileage great. Remember to put a small dab of anti-sieze on the plugs threads and use a torque wrench to assure proper install (I found 3 plugs loose, so obviously the previous 'mechanic' did not!).
FYI, I wrote-up a post on changing the plugs, do an advanced search for my id and 'spark', it should really help you do yours.
Also, be careful about thicker wires, they might not fit in the tight passageway around/behind the alternator. Also, the thicker wires might not fit in the OEM wire retainers.
FYI, some have used/recommended the GM Performance wires, checkout the relatively new website gmperformanceparts.com or many of the forum sponsors (e.g. Gene). Also, regarding the wire retainers, again any of the sponsors -- got mine at ecklers.com.
Regarding the spark plugs, I changed the ones in our 94 in 2007 and opted to NOT use the AC/Delcos (platinum puck problem -- 3 were missing). I instead went with the NGK Iridium TR55ix (good reports on them, no puck problems, and Iridium is very high mileage and high-quality, so will not need to do in a long while. Performance is good and mileage great. Remember to put a small dab of anti-sieze on the plugs threads and use a torque wrench to assure proper install (I found 3 plugs loose, so obviously the previous 'mechanic' did not!).
FYI, I wrote-up a post on changing the plugs, do an advanced search for my id and 'spark', it should really help you do yours.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg VA
I was going to replace the spark plug wires in my 1994 C4 since they are 15 years old. The car is running OK but I thought it might be wise. I am not looking for super performance, just basic operation. Any suggestion on which type of wires to get? If you can, please provide a link. Also, I notice the spark plug wire retainers were very brittle so I was going to get new ones. Suggestion on those would be appreciated.
David
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Is it really worth twice the cost for MSD wires I think not. Any quality wire will do the same thing deliver voltage even OEM. Has anyone got something to justify the MSD price?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Conway AR
Last summer I replaced the optispark(looked ok on the outside, but not so good inside). At the same time I replaced the wires and plugs, since the car had 101K on it and ran ok (well, until it quit-problem was the ign. module) I went back with OEM plugs and wires, everything fit just fine and runs like a haint. I figured if the OEM stuff lasted 100K, it'd be ok to use again.
I'm happy with the OEM stuff.
bill
I'm happy with the OEM stuff.
bill
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Tucson AZ
I was going to get OEM everything but it looks like a tough job to replace those guys. Everything is running fine right now and the wires look like they are good condition, even if they are 15 years old with 60K+ miles. I don't know the previous owners to ask them if they were ever replaced before.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Buy a set which all eight of them have a 90 degree boot for the spark plugs. This will help the installation for #6 and #8.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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I went with NAPA/Belden Super Blue 7 mm Premium Ignition Wires. O.E.M. length and fitment, plus you get an additional discount at the store with your AAA auto card, too.
For the O.E.M. Packard looms and wire holders, I ordered mine online from Mid-America Motorworks (MAM).
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...20plug%20looms
Don't forget the anti-seize compound for the spark plugs (aluminum heads) if you're going to swap those out, too. No better time to do it. I like NGK Platinum Plus in the TR-55 flavor.
For the O.E.M. Packard looms and wire holders, I ordered mine online from Mid-America Motorworks (MAM).
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...20plug%20looms
Don't forget the anti-seize compound for the spark plugs (aluminum heads) if you're going to swap those out, too. No better time to do it. I like NGK Platinum Plus in the TR-55 flavor.
Last edited by onedef92; Mar 18, 2009 at 01:20 PM.
