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

MSD Spark plug wires --any comments?

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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 10:39 PM
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Default MSD Spark plug wires --any comments?

Just replaced my opti with a vented dyna spark, and new plugs, and GM wires. Wires already shot maybe I got a bad batch whatever.

Want to put MSD wires in with the new wire looms, has anyone had any experience with the MSD wires?
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Old Aug 17, 2010 | 09:02 AM
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I think you'd be better off with the 7 or 8 mm Taylor wires for aftermarket, although I had good luck the Belden Super Blue Premium 7 mm Ignition Wires sold at NAPA.

The O.E.M. Delco/Packard wires are plenty good, too.

MSD's quality control seems to be slipping judging from recent unsatisfactory comments here.
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Old Aug 17, 2010 | 09:23 AM
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I've been running the MSD wires for over 5 years. They work great. Now for the rest of the story..........These wires are too big for the "cloverleaf" loom under the a/c and alternator on a LT1. I fabricated my own looms using GM's idea, but smoothing out the wire's flow. Also, I have headers and the straight plug boots just don't work as they get too close to the headers. I called MSD about it and they sent me the required 90 degree boots with a cutter and crimping tool. This allowed me to really customize the wire layout. Nice company to do business with.
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Old Aug 17, 2010 | 10:03 AM
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iv always had great results with msd products, but not with their wire set for the lt1. i had huge problems getting them to "snap" in to the plugs and distributer, and when you tried to remove them they would just fall apart (yes i used the plug boot grease). switched over to 8mm taylors and they seem like high quality pieces.
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 07:30 AM
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I Paid $ 150.00 bucks for my MSD wires which work well but I'm sure a less pricy set would work just as well.
My 383 has TPIS long tubes and the 90 degree boots work well.
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 09:58 AM
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I have them on the car now, one wire refuses to stay on the plug

Someone gave me a set of lt4 wires, I'll. Be putting those on instead.
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by BrianCunningham
I have them on the car now, one wire refuses to stay on the plug

Someone gave me a set of lt4 wires, I'll. Be putting those on instead.
I'm running them also. I can't complain, they've held up well. I use boot insulators so that helps with the heat.

Last edited by Weav's Vet; Aug 18, 2010 at 11:27 AM.
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Strick
I've been running the MSD wires for over 5 years. They work great. Now for the rest of the story..........These wires are too big for the "cloverleaf" loom under the a/c and alternator on a LT1. I fabricated my own looms using GM's idea, but smoothing out the wire's flow. Also, I have headers and the straight plug boots just don't work as they get too close to the headers. I called MSD about it and they sent me the required 90 degree boots with a cutter and crimping tool. This allowed me to really customize the wire layout. Nice company to do business with.
Strick you can't do this, just leave us hanging like that.......show us some pictures of your handy work!
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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 09:36 PM
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Now that I've put NAPA premium wires on, I'm still getting an ark when I look at the wires at night. I've also changed my plugs which were new to NGK platnium spark plugs. It runs better, but it's still having some issues and arking. getting frustrated...new parts should fix the problem. Does anyone know what else could cause the arking.
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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by BrianCunningham
Someone gave me a set of lt4 wires, I'll. Be putting those on instead.
wow, I've heard those are hard to find (red GM wires).
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by torchedred
Now that I've put NAPA premium wires on, I'm still getting an ark when I look at the wires at night. I've also changed my plugs which were new to NGK platnium spark plugs. It runs better, but it's still having some issues and arking. getting frustrated...new parts should fix the problem. Does anyone know what else could cause the arking.

New wires can be defective, too, out of the box. Also, did you remove all the O.E.M. sections of black corrugated flex tubing that came on the old wires? It's there to minimize the effects of wire chafing and should be re-installed over the new wires.

Take a look at your coil and see if the arcing is occuring near it, too.
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 07:34 AM
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Originally Posted by PLRX
wow, I've heard those are hard to find (red GM wires).

They are. The O.E.M. Packard wires are scarce. Ditto for the LT5 wires. I like 'em because they have the firing order printed on the wires, which is nearly impossible to find on the aftermarket.
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Weav's Vet
Strick you can't do this, just leave us hanging like that.......show us some pictures of your handy work!
I don't have a camera that will enable me to get a good picture of the looms I made. Tight quarters.
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Old Sep 2, 2010 | 03:18 AM
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Originally Posted by torchedred
Now that I've put NAPA premium wires on, I'm still getting an ark when I look at the wires at night. I've also changed my plugs which were new to NGK platnium spark plugs. It runs better, but it's still having some issues and arking. getting frustrated...new parts should fix the problem. Does anyone know what else could cause the arking.
I have the same problem with my new Delco plug wires. I am using the AC Delco LT4 wires (Amazon, yeah- strange place to find them). I just put them on checked them in the dark, and I am getting arcing at the plugs, and at a couple of the wire looms.

As for MSD, that is what I just replaced. I had them on for about three years, and less than 15K miles. They were toast!
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Old Sep 2, 2010 | 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Rag Top
I have the same problem with my new Delco plug wires. I am using the AC Delco LT4 wires (Amazon, yeah- strange place to find them). I just put them on checked them in the dark, and I am getting arcing at the plugs, and at a couple of the wire looms.

As for MSD, that is what I just replaced. I had them on for about three years, and less than 15K miles. They were toast!
You didn't damage the larger diameter wires with the OEM dia. looms did you? just a thought, especialy if it's doing that in the same place with more than one new wire. The arcing at the plug can be nornal (as stated in your other post) as long as it's from the plug and not arcing through the side of the boot.
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Old Sep 2, 2010 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by C4vettrn
You didn't damage the larger diameter wires with the OEM dia. looms did you? just a thought, especialy if it's doing that in the same place with more than one new wire. The arcing at the plug can be nornal (as stated in your other post) as long as it's from the plug and not arcing through the side of the boot.
Nope. New looms were created for the MSDs using black zip ties. (I know more than one person will be laughing at that...)

I did get the note on the corona effect, and I think that is what I am getting. It is not going through the side of the boot. I will check again tonight though.

-Thanks!
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Old Sep 2, 2010 | 09:43 PM
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The MSD wires I bought, at Summit Racing equip, were crap right out of the box.

The coil wire spark arc'd against the water pump housing from the boot-to-wire junction.

I had to electrical tape around the boot-to-wire junction to get the spark arc to stop.

Its not cool having an ignition source under your hood. (for a fuel injector leak, methanol injection leak (if you run that like I do).

They are expensive and junk.

Go with taylor.
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To MSD Spark plug wires --any comments?

Old Sep 3, 2010 | 01:05 PM
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Curious if anybody is running Magnecors? I've read everything they explain on their website and am wondering if anybody is happy running their sparkplugs. I need to replace my cruddy stock plugs soon and I've heard nothing good about MSD lately.
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Old Sep 3, 2010 | 01:12 PM
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Never had an issue with them;wasnt an LT1 though
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Old Sep 3, 2010 | 02:50 PM
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i had a set of MSD STREET FIRE wires, and wow the difference was really noticeable!
later i swapped for a complete Accel set (Coil,module and wires)
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