Plugs and Wires
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
Plugs and Wires
I’ve got a stock 1986 corvette and I’m replacing the spark plugs and wires. Would there be any benefit to purchasing more expensive plugs and wires or are most of the more expensive parts priced that way to rip us off 😅
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 384
From: Northern California
If your car is stock I don't see much benefit to the non-OEM wires. I went AC Delco RapidFire plugs but the standard AC plug for the 86 Corvette is probably fine. If you have the aluminum head '86 vs the cast iron head '86 it makes a difference in which plug you get, but I don't see a major difference in the results unless you've got some modifications to the motor which would benefit from a hotter / colder plug.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 875
Likes: 76
The problem with the Rapid Fire plugs is they aren't gapped to the correct spec and supposedly you aren't supposed to adjust the gap. I went with NGK platinum plugs just because the tip is smaller and supposed to burn a little hotter and thus is supposedly not going to foul out as quickly as regular copper plugs.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
You won't get any benefit, its mostly what you want to spend.
I splurge on MSD 8.5mm wires, but run cheap Autolite plugs in my 398. You don't get anything by running super-expensive plugs or any other HEI components unless you're pulling a lot of RPM where it falls off. In an 86, you arent.
I splurge on MSD 8.5mm wires, but run cheap Autolite plugs in my 398. You don't get anything by running super-expensive plugs or any other HEI components unless you're pulling a lot of RPM where it falls off. In an 86, you arent.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 384
From: Northern California
The problem with the Rapid Fire plugs is they aren't gapped to the correct spec and supposedly you aren't supposed to adjust the gap. I went with NGK platinum plugs just because the tip is smaller and supposed to burn a little hotter and thus is supposedly not going to foul out as quickly as regular copper plugs.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,757
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
I used a set of the Rapid Fire Plugs from AC Delco and they worked great in my C4. They worked well for me for a couple years. I also tried them in my C3 with its high energy ignition system that burns away electrodes on some plugs. The Rapid fire plugs are not to radical and were reliable for me in both Corvettes. They are a very stable and made great strong sparks. I strongly recommend them to fellow Corvette owners.
I tried the NGK Iridium plugs and they became fouled within a month of use. Don't waster your money on them. They fouled so badly in my 12.25-1 Compression 427 that I will never try then again.
I agree with vader86 on this point. I use the MSD 8.5 mm "Super Conductor" wires as well but have stopped wasting money on expensive Spark Plugs. Getting the spark to the plug is more important.
I tried the NGK Iridium plugs and they became fouled within a month of use. Don't waster your money on them. They fouled so badly in my 12.25-1 Compression 427 that I will never try then again.
I agree with vader86 on this point. I use the MSD 8.5 mm "Super Conductor" wires as well but have stopped wasting money on expensive Spark Plugs. Getting the spark to the plug is more important.
