plug wires
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville Fl
plug wires
thanks guys for all your input on spark pluigs. i ended up getting my mechanics reccomendation of ac delco double platinum plugs. now i have to decide what kind of wires i want. i really would like some "high performance" wires. should i go with MSD 8.5? Taylor? i really like msd but i have heard they have problems with LT1 motors? is this true? what are you guys experience with wires?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Re: plug wires (1996man)
thanks guys for all your input on spark pluigs. i ended up getting my mechanics reccomendation of ac delco double platinum plugs
More reliable IMO and far cheaper to have gone the NGK route.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Re: plug wires (1996man)
I had them on my previous 96 Vette and I'll never buy them again...
The first nightmare came when the custom fit set for 92-96 Vettes didn't have the correct coil wire for the updated 96 coil... Then after 3 tries by MSD, I had to make my own coil wire... :rolleyes:
I also have the MSD-6AL and it seemed to destroy the MSD wires, they only lasted 20K miles after I installed them...
I put Taylor Spiral Pros on as a replacement and never had a problem with them after that... So for the LT4, I ordered another set of Taylors... They were cheaper and seem to hold up so much better... And although they are not as low resistance as the MSD, there wasn't any difference in performance, not like I thought there would be...
The first nightmare came when the custom fit set for 92-96 Vettes didn't have the correct coil wire for the updated 96 coil... Then after 3 tries by MSD, I had to make my own coil wire... :rolleyes:
I also have the MSD-6AL and it seemed to destroy the MSD wires, they only lasted 20K miles after I installed them...
I put Taylor Spiral Pros on as a replacement and never had a problem with them after that... So for the LT4, I ordered another set of Taylors... They were cheaper and seem to hold up so much better... And although they are not as low resistance as the MSD, there wasn't any difference in performance, not like I thought there would be...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
Re: plug wires (1996man)
Having ordered plug wires to fit a specific vehicle before, and having found them to never fit as I wished, I have this time ordered 30' of Taylor Spiral Pro wire, and the appropriate ends from Summit. I can now route them howver I like, and make them to fit.
I ordered black, but I think you can get other colours too.
I ordered black, but I think you can get other colours too.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: plug wires (1996man)
Me and a lot of other guys are not going to agree with your mechanic on his choice of plugs. The platinum pucks do fall off and leave you with a huge gap. It's not a matter of if they'll fail, it's when they fail. NGKs TR55IX that's my recommendation.
As far as wires, it's a toss up between MSDs and Taylor. I have the MSDs and they work just fine except for the looms which have to be reamed to fit the 8.5mm wires. Unless you're an all out racer, stay with the 8mm wires, they are just easier to install.
As far as wires, it's a toss up between MSDs and Taylor. I have the MSDs and they work just fine except for the looms which have to be reamed to fit the 8.5mm wires. Unless you're an all out racer, stay with the 8mm wires, they are just easier to install.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Re: plug wires (Strick)
I'm surprised that no one mentions TPIS plug wires. I'm nota big fan of their products but I bought a set my first month of ownership. The look (sort of) stock, fit the retainers well and have remained flexible and crack free for 12 years and 150k. They still look good. I just bought a new set because it feels like i should! :steering:
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 700
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Re: plug wires (1996man)
Taylor's are fine... Just be aware. its' very common to get incorrect lengths.
My first set was just fine. My second set.. not good, I had to use some wires from the older set.
Hank
My first set was just fine. My second set.. not good, I had to use some wires from the older set.
Hank