Plug wires and plugs?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 601
Likes: 40
Plug wires and plugs?
I decided to change the plugs and check the plug wires on my '01 LS6.
First question is about plug wire resistance. I have the original set of plug wires and a set of 2 year old GM "red" plug wires currently on the engine. I was checking wire resistance with an ohm meter to see if I could find a bad wire. (code 1053 and 1153 showed up yesterday). The original gm wires had and average reading of 360. ohms. The wires currently on the engine have an average ohm reading of .799 ohms. All wires were consistant for each set but that is a big difference between two sets of wires that both worked well on the engine.
Why the big difference in reading and which set of wires would you use?
I just ordered a set of NGK plugs. Local parts store lookup calls for
TR51X. Seems like people on this forum are installing the TR55 plug. Why the difference in what the "book" calls for and what is being used by many forum members?
First question is about plug wire resistance. I have the original set of plug wires and a set of 2 year old GM "red" plug wires currently on the engine. I was checking wire resistance with an ohm meter to see if I could find a bad wire. (code 1053 and 1153 showed up yesterday). The original gm wires had and average reading of 360. ohms. The wires currently on the engine have an average ohm reading of .799 ohms. All wires were consistant for each set but that is a big difference between two sets of wires that both worked well on the engine.
Why the big difference in reading and which set of wires would you use?
I just ordered a set of NGK plugs. Local parts store lookup calls for
TR51X. Seems like people on this forum are installing the TR55 plug. Why the difference in what the "book" calls for and what is being used by many forum members?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The GM Performance Red wires are EXCELLENT wires. They cost approx $65 a set and I get mine at GM Parts House.
www.gmpartshouse.com
Our LS1/6 wires are,, what, 6-8" long???
Reasitance of a sparkplug wire has ZERO effect on performance. My MAGNICORES are 2000 ohms and I am at 450 RWHP.
I just switched to the GM Red wires and there really wasnt any difference at all.
The GM Red wires have very high quality hardware, fit excellent and you will not have any connection issues.
Dont let claims of LOWEST resistance wires egg you into purchasing high dollar wires .. There is ZERO HP to be gained in spark plug wires fancy coils or fancy high dollar plugs.
GM Performance Red Wires, ACDelco Professional Iridium Spark Plugs and the stock coils will NOT fail you. Like I stated, thats what I have and it supports 450 RWHP without fail.
www.gmpartshouse.com
Our LS1/6 wires are,, what, 6-8" long???
Reasitance of a sparkplug wire has ZERO effect on performance. My MAGNICORES are 2000 ohms and I am at 450 RWHP.
I just switched to the GM Red wires and there really wasnt any difference at all.
The GM Red wires have very high quality hardware, fit excellent and you will not have any connection issues.
Dont let claims of LOWEST resistance wires egg you into purchasing high dollar wires .. There is ZERO HP to be gained in spark plug wires fancy coils or fancy high dollar plugs.
GM Performance Red Wires, ACDelco Professional Iridium Spark Plugs and the stock coils will NOT fail you. Like I stated, thats what I have and it supports 450 RWHP without fail.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
Just bought the red wires and ac plugs from Gm parts house. I read here that they came correctly gapped, but the boxes say to set the gap. Any help? My gapping and plug stuff is in storage, as my last car didn't need much attention. Thought I might catch the info here.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Only difference between ngk tr5 and tr55 pkugs is the gap. Tr55 gap is .055 and .038 on the tr5's. Some guys like the bigger gap for better idle and sometimes better throttle response but you gotta see what the car like depending on your mods. If you have higher compression or are making 100hp above stock, I would recommend the tighter gap or even a tr6 plug, one step colder. I use Taylor 8.5mm wires but the GM red ones are great for the price.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
100% The "We have less resistance than the other leading brand" claim, is pure marketing hocum. Period. Do NOT buy into that nonsense.
I like Magnecore KV85 due to quality of materials, construction and termination and that's what I have now. The GM performance reds are also a decent wire as well but, unfortunately for me, several were destroyed by the guy installing my engine. He didn't want to take the time to be careful. Why would he? It isn't his car.
