I'm as guilty as the next to make mods with the hope of squeezing out more performance, or just for the heck of it to install some aftermarket brand product because it looked cool or I just felt like tinkering. But I'm not sure of the benefits of changing spark plug wires. Seems like many people introduce problems when changing wires. So far on wires I taken the attitude, if it's not broken don't fix it. Let me know your thoughts.

 

Exactly. If it's not broken don't fix it. Nothing to gain from replacing good wires. If you want to do it for the experience or for prettier wires then go ahead. Otherwise, don't mess with a good thing.

 

How many miles do you have on your Vette? I replaced my plugs and wires (GM Performance Red) yesterday with Cobra4b's help. I have almost 70K on the clock and the wires where in pretty bad shape and extremely hard to remove. I have only driven about 30 miles since and while I don't feel in increased HP, acceleration feels much crisper and the engine sounds much smoother.

 

I, too, have 70K on my 2000. I have a set of the GMPP wires and Delco Iridiums ready to install. I hope they're not too tough to swap and that the engine will run smoother when it's done. Lately it seems to be a bit rough at idle.

 

That smoother idle is probably the most "obvious" gain with new wires. The Corvette ignition system is very good at igniting a spark even with bad wires and/or plugs .... so you really won't feel a gain in power, but the engine should feel and sound "smoother", again, especially at idle. Did you get the SWPS replaced ???

The driver's side plugs (especially #7 ... closest to the driver) can be somewhat of a pain to get to ....

Couple of things to keep in mind ... use an anti-seize compound on the plugs when you put the new ones in .... and HAND START all of the new plugs (as I'm sure you already know) as cross-threading a plug is an ugly thing to do (and is unfortunately easier to do with an aluminum engine).

You won't be able to see the plugs and where they screw in ... so I recommend you carefully note the angle and position of your socket and extension once they are firmly on the "old" plug. Then back out the old plug. Now immediately insert the new plug into the socket and take the ratchet off the socket/extension ..... now SLOWLY and GENTLY guide the new plug at the appropriate angle back into place .... you will find that the spark plug hole has been machined to "guide" the plug back into place ..... just gently turn the plug and once you have HAND screwed it in ... add the ratchet and tighten. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN ... you don't want to strip the threads ... as bad as cross-threading ....

Patience ... take your time .... all will be fine ....

 

it's a good idea when replacing spark plugs... the factory wires IMO are almost single-use quality.

 

Old wires do break down...wait for a dark night start your engine and watch for arcing or a glow from the wires...they may not arc over to the point that you get a misfire but they can still leak some voltage to the nearset ground...I feel it is a good idea to replace the wires around 70 or 80K miles...also try the four prong Bosch plugs while you are changing those old dried out wires.

 

Just changed out plugs and wires at 76,000 miles. After market wires Champion plugs. Did not help with listening to talk radio on AM. As now I have all kinds of radio noise. FM is fine. Also changed transmission oil. Radiator flush is next.

 

Stormrider, I have 24K miles on my 2000. Third set of plugs. But original wires. Next time I change plugs I'll look into new wire and see if I feel any difference.

 

If you have radio noise ... couple of possibilities ....

1) You did not get rhe wires attached correctly .... the wire should "click" twice on the coil end, and once onto the plug. It is a distinct "click" or "snap" ....

2) Your wires are arcing .... you can see them arc if you put the car in a dark place (your garage with the lights out) and run the engine with the hood up ... you will see a blue "spark" when they arc.

If they are arcing you need to get a better wire .... I recommend the GM Performance Parts kit part number 12495519 (all 8 wires in the 1 kit).

 

Steve, you are not going to believe this. It was close to 7:30 pm by the time we replaced the oil sensor, plugs, wires, cleaned out the manifold and TB, replace the manifold and TB gaskets. Cobra4b and I started at 10 am and we were pretty beat so I disconnected the SWPS plug, sprayed some electrical cleaner on the connections and replugged the sensor thinking I would replace the SWPS another day. Knock on wood, the SWPS is working like a champ.