Upgrade Spark Plug Wires?
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: TULSA OK
Upgrade Spark Plug Wires?
In a couple of weeks I will be getting my vette back from a major upgrade. I will have everything from a cam to changed gears. My question is this: are the stock plug wires good and strong enough from the factory or would I really benefit from an upgrade to Nology or the like. Thanks.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,302
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From: Los Angeles, CA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06
Re: Upgrade Spark Plug Wires? (LVNLG)
LVNLG,
Nobody should run the same set of spark plug wires over 30,000 miles intervals, so if you have the same wire set on your car past that mileage, you can bet that you are probably losing power.
If you have upgraded everything else, install a new set of wires. I prefer the MSD wires over any other as they have outperformed every other wire set on the meter. Lowest amount of resistance over any other wire and high EMI suppression with the MSD wires.
You can't get a better spark plug wire set.
Shawn
Nobody should run the same set of spark plug wires over 30,000 miles intervals, so if you have the same wire set on your car past that mileage, you can bet that you are probably losing power.
If you have upgraded everything else, install a new set of wires. I prefer the MSD wires over any other as they have outperformed every other wire set on the meter. Lowest amount of resistance over any other wire and high EMI suppression with the MSD wires.
You can't get a better spark plug wire set.
Shawn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,793
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From: carmel Indiana usa
Re: Upgrade Spark Plug Wires? (L.A.P.D.)
I installed Taylor Wires when I put my headers on...BIG DIFFERENCE
I think GM uses the same wires for Vettes that they use for Geo Metros :(
DO IT!...it's a relatively cheap mod and the quality is MUCH better. Plus the Taylors come in an array of colors :D
Good Luck
David In Indy :seeya
----------------
2000 NBM M6-Coupe
All Options minus F45
Euros/Lloyd Mats/Chrome Shifter/Ripper/Halltech tric/T-bypass/Taylor
Wires/TTS Headers/High Flow Cats/X-pipe/Indy Corsas/Baers/Z06
Calipers/Russell ss brake lines/Hawk Pads/Porsche DOT4 Hi-Performance Brake
fluid/Redline oils/Zaino/Engine Dress by Auto Buffs and Design Specialties
I think GM uses the same wires for Vettes that they use for Geo Metros :(
DO IT!...it's a relatively cheap mod and the quality is MUCH better. Plus the Taylors come in an array of colors :D
Good Luck
David In Indy :seeya
----------------
2000 NBM M6-Coupe
All Options minus F45
Euros/Lloyd Mats/Chrome Shifter/Ripper/Halltech tric/T-bypass/Taylor
Wires/TTS Headers/High Flow Cats/X-pipe/Indy Corsas/Baers/Z06
Calipers/Russell ss brake lines/Hawk Pads/Porsche DOT4 Hi-Performance Brake
fluid/Redline oils/Zaino/Engine Dress by Auto Buffs and Design Specialties
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Upgrade Spark Plug Wires? (L.A.P.D.)
I have and would highly recommend Magnecor.
When you start basing spark plug wire performance by testing thier resistive value you are missing the whole picture of how most plug wires are contructed, and what happens when you fire 30,000+ volts down a conductor. Skin effect is a common occurance in conductors moving high voltage. Where do you think that voltage goes? It pushes out to the windings.
When you simply put a volt ohm meter on the wire. Your putting extremely low voltage down it to take a resitive reading. Not a true representation of what really occures.
All wires I have seen except magencor, use resistive enhancing coating that mimick low resitance values on a volt/ohm meter. In time the coatings wear down and you get arching across the sparcly spun windings that are there to supress EMI.
Magnecor uses 200 windings per inch that are microscopically wound. And use no coatings on thier windings.
I had taylors and over time they developed slight EMI. They use about 80 windings per inch, and use the coatings like others do. At first they work decent, then they rapidly decline in peformance.
[Modified by kewlbrz, 1:19 PM 8/15/2001]
When you start basing spark plug wire performance by testing thier resistive value you are missing the whole picture of how most plug wires are contructed, and what happens when you fire 30,000+ volts down a conductor. Skin effect is a common occurance in conductors moving high voltage. Where do you think that voltage goes? It pushes out to the windings.
When you simply put a volt ohm meter on the wire. Your putting extremely low voltage down it to take a resitive reading. Not a true representation of what really occures.
All wires I have seen except magencor, use resistive enhancing coating that mimick low resitance values on a volt/ohm meter. In time the coatings wear down and you get arching across the sparcly spun windings that are there to supress EMI.
Magnecor uses 200 windings per inch that are microscopically wound. And use no coatings on thier windings.
I had taylors and over time they developed slight EMI. They use about 80 windings per inch, and use the coatings like others do. At first they work decent, then they rapidly decline in peformance.
[Modified by kewlbrz, 1:19 PM 8/15/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
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From: Houston, TX
Re: Upgrade Spark Plug Wires? (kewlbrz)
Hey kewblrz. I'spent much of my career in the wire and cable business. My specialty is in power cable for industry. You have good knowledge, and I see you have a BSEE degree, so I respect your opinion. At what point (mileage/age) do you feel that the stock cables should be replaced. Also, I've noticed in past posts that certain headers, especially the B & B shorty's, tend to cook stock plug wires. I don't have headers at this time, but I'm sure your expertise would be valuable on this issue as well.
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,758
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Upgrade Spark Plug Wires? (jschindler)
Hey kewblrz. I'spent much of my career in the wire and cable business. My specialty is in power cable for industry. You have good knowledge, and I see you have a BSEE degree, so I respect your opinion. At what point (mileage/age) do you feel that the stock cables should be replaced. Also, I've noticed in past posts that certain headers, especially the B & B shorty's, tend to cook stock plug wires. I don't have headers at this time, but I'm sure your expertise would be valuable on this issue as well.
Thanks
Thanks
The aftermarket silicon wires should withstand heat better than the stock wires for header apps.
A quality aftermarket wires isnt going to create power, but they will insure you dont over work your coils over time, while maintaining good EMI suppression.
