C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

ignition upgrade? L-98

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Old Feb 16, 2002 | 11:16 AM
  #1  
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Default ignition upgrade? L-98

I want to upgrade my coil, wires, plugs, cap & rotor.... What is a good setup on a buget? Or do I need to....????? What are the best plugs for a 1988, L-98.....?

Thanks
Pete
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Old Feb 16, 2002 | 02:15 PM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (apollo30346)

i like the bosch platinum plugs, msd makes a great wire set, they are 8.5mm part #3145-9 summit or jegs have them for $63, and an accel cap and rotor.
p.s. almost forgot,upgrade your coil with and accel or msd .in cap coil. hopes this helps.


[Modified by chriswtx, 12:19 PM 2/16/2002]
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Old Feb 16, 2002 | 02:18 PM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (apollo30346)

WHY??? Is your engine pretty stock otherwise? I had a paragraph or two, I was prepaired to write on this subject. I just realized that I was about to offend too many people. Nevermind.
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Old Feb 16, 2002 | 02:19 PM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (apollo30346)

I've got an Accel cap & rotor, a Summit coil, Taylor Spiro-pro 8mm wires and AC Delco Rapid Fire spark plugs in my 90. Everything cost me less than $200.
:D
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Old Feb 16, 2002 | 05:28 PM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (apollo30346)

All above giving good advice. You don't need expensive race parts for a stock engine. I have premium wires and just switched to Rapidfire plugs. Noticed a difference in idle quality. Recommend you try them.
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Old Feb 16, 2002 | 06:05 PM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (apollo30346)

I'm using a Conrad cap and rotor from Autozone. It has brass contacts inside and is red in color. Plugs are Autolite Double Platnum. Wires are stock now, but I want Taylor Spiro-pro wires. Idle is smooth for a car with 135,000 miles. Make sure the timing is set correctly too. If you are changing the coil, you may also want to get a matching ignition module.
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Old Feb 16, 2002 | 06:22 PM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (Bluevette85)

cap and rotor should be a stock replacement, just whatever Autozone has. Wires-Taylor's, MSD's are best, Plugs-NGKs, Bosch Platinums, Rapidfires are what i have in mine.
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Old Feb 16, 2002 | 10:59 PM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (apollo30346)

Don't underestimate the stock HEI. But still, it doesn't hurt to upgrade alittle. I can't recommend Accel caps. I have thrown away 3 for post corrosion. Am using an MSD, very happy with it. The MSD wires are pricey. Also I have a Performance Dist. "dynamodule", AC Delco pick up coil, Perf. Dist/Davis coil, cut-back electrode AC Delco plugs. I'm pretty happy with it. But, bottom line, IMHO, the stuff from Autozone will work just fine too. Plus, you're not paying for a fancy name brand like "MSD".
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Old Feb 17, 2002 | 01:20 AM
  #9  
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (89 Paul in cal)

Thanks to all on the replies....All the parts on my car are only 10 months old, I was just thinking of upgrading them.... I have AC Delco plugs (cut back) in there but are the same age....So I thought I would go ahead and change them out and refresh them... They are just regular stock plugs... So I really wanted a better quaility of plug or just what works the best in my car.. Platinum, rapid fires, NGK, cut back or not...etc.....Just want to freshen it up...I would like the thinker wires though....

Thanks again
Pete
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Old Feb 17, 2002 | 03:07 AM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (apollo30346)

The HyperTech coil/cap/rotor are much higher output than stock, bolt right up and look stock. The only issue is that you will have to open up the inside of the ring that sits atop the stock dist and holds the wires in place.

MSD 8.5mm wires have very low resistance and are a great product. I went with TPIS wires for a stock look and lower resistance than stock.

Stay with the cut-back plugs; if you do the above upgrades, gap em to .045".

BTW, did you notice any increase in trip fuel economy with the cut-back plugs? My time slips show the HP gain but don't have logs on mileage. I just know that now the Vette logs 31-32mpg on a trip while bone stock it registered 29+mpg on a long trip.
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Old Feb 17, 2002 | 04:33 AM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (apollo30346)

I am not positive if it is just on 85 vettes, but I read several service recalls/bulletins that said the stock module is a low quality part. I replaced the module with an aftermarket part after mine fried up. 45.00$ I have been told by several people it is a good idea when installing an aftermarket ignition coil.
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Old Feb 17, 2002 | 10:55 AM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (vettemech85)

I installed the Hypertech unit on mine, and replaced the ignition module... I found that Summit had the best price on the Hypertech unit... Good Luck!

:cheers:
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Old Feb 18, 2002 | 09:54 AM
  #13  
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (Vette_Crazy)

Thanks again guys.... This really helps....

Pete
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Old Feb 18, 2002 | 10:20 AM
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Default Re: ignition upgrade? L-98 (apollo30346)

I did mine in the fall, Delco cap and rotor, delco rapid fire plugs and Taylor wires..
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