spark plug wire help!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 8
From: Lexington KY
spark plug wire help!!
Hey ,anyone reading this ....I was in the process of removing my stock manifolds last week because getting ready to throw some LT on ....so I was pulling the plug wires out , driver side went some how ok ....they were stuck on them good...so started the pass side also I started useing some kind of needle nose wise grips I just couldn't get my big hand around the sockets ..and this happened was pulling the first wire ....and NO I wasn't pulling by the wire I grab it by the sleeve so worst comes to worst my wise grip slips and rips outer coating of the wire I look at it It didn't look like it went deep......
Am I in trouble now ? Should I replace the wires ? Along with a plugs ......it's a Denso brand plugs ...I also checked them they were kind of whiteish color ...so I go to this performance shop here in town I told him about the plugs being white than he tells me" that if plugs white means your car running lean" ....I never heard of that ...is that true?
My Z only has 20k on the clock ....Is there any particular brand u guys recommend Like NGK ,MSD ....or other ....
Am I in trouble now ? Should I replace the wires ? Along with a plugs ......it's a Denso brand plugs ...I also checked them they were kind of whiteish color ...so I go to this performance shop here in town I told him about the plugs being white than he tells me" that if plugs white means your car running lean" ....I never heard of that ...is that true?
My Z only has 20k on the clock ....Is there any particular brand u guys recommend Like NGK ,MSD ....or other ....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I replaced my plugs and wires in 2008. I'd say it's almost impossible to get the old wires off without damage, particularly the rear ones. Even if they come off OK it's such a struggle that who knows what damage occurs.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ion-wires.html
I'd say go with new wires and Like baxsom I fitted GMPP reds and NGK TR 55 plugs.
In my experience, white plugs are nothing to worry about. Its black fouled plugs that worry me but I'm no expert on that.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ion-wires.html
I'd say go with new wires and Like baxsom I fitted GMPP reds and NGK TR 55 plugs.
In my experience, white plugs are nothing to worry about. Its black fouled plugs that worry me but I'm no expert on that.
Last edited by DeeGee; Apr 13, 2012 at 02:36 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Yep, the stockers were real buggers to get off. I went with the C6 Z06 wires from GM. They are red and have a 90 end which works great with headers. If you are only doing plugs, I would go with NGK TR5's.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Belleville Mich.
Tech Contributor
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
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From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
We offer MSD 8.5mm Superconductor wires. One of the very best wires on the market you will find at $58 shipped and a very popular wire used in these cars. It's common to break a GM wire when taking it off, it happens all the time. We guarantee our MSD wires for life vs that happening. The MSD wire offers more features and better heat protection for the money as well as lower resistance. 40 phms per foot vs 300-600 with GM wires.
Flat out the MSD is a better wire simply due to construction and heat resistance.
Dielectric grease is an insulator unless stated on it that its conductive. Don't get to much on the terminals. I use a little on the ceramic to aid in installation.
You shouldmt be pulling wires that much anyway but if you do the MSD double crimp system is the reason it stays together better than any other wire on the market. It's made to be manipulated and wont fail where the others do. The others can break internally , and if you don't pull it apart and see you have a bad wire it could cause issues for you and drive you nuts until you figure out where the misfire is coming from.
The factory plug is a good one, I try to keep them unless you need to drop a heat range for power increase.
Flat out the MSD is a better wire simply due to construction and heat resistance.
Dielectric grease is an insulator unless stated on it that its conductive. Don't get to much on the terminals. I use a little on the ceramic to aid in installation.
You shouldmt be pulling wires that much anyway but if you do the MSD double crimp system is the reason it stays together better than any other wire on the market. It's made to be manipulated and wont fail where the others do. The others can break internally , and if you don't pull it apart and see you have a bad wire it could cause issues for you and drive you nuts until you figure out where the misfire is coming from.
The factory plug is a good one, I try to keep them unless you need to drop a heat range for power increase.
Last edited by 99blancoss; Apr 13, 2012 at 01:33 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles
Usually white means lean, black means rich. A properly running engine should produce a plug with a light tan tint on the insulator around the electrode. Google "spark plug chart" and there will be plenty of images to compare your plugs to.
What mods do you have? is it tuned for the mods? please fill out your profile so we may be able to help you better.
What mods do you have? is it tuned for the mods? please fill out your profile so we may be able to help you better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
the biggest problem i had with the MSD wires is that they terminal was farther down into the boot than with the GMPP reds. the GMPP wires gave two very audible positive clicks going onto the spark plug and again on the coil. when i tried the MSD it was not so positive.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
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From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
I've had MSD's on mine for a couple of years with no problems. Either one will work, just depends on what name you want on it.....
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
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From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
I have over 12,000 wires out there and I wont say in 5 years we have been perfect, we had a bad batch last year for the first time ever of about 4 sets of wires but we do stand behind our product with our guaranty 100%
