I recently decided to upgrade the spark plugs and wire set on my car. LAPD came through with a package offer and I bought the MSD wires and NGK TR55IX spark plugs.

This time I took a different approach to my mods. Instead of installing both components at the same time, negating any subjective measurements as to their individual impact, I elected to install the wire set alone. The plugs (though listed in my signature will be installed next weekend).

The vehicle:

1999 MN6 C5 with 23,930 miles with the mods shown in my sig.

The Product: MSD 8.5mm Super Conductor Wire Set
P/N: 32819
Where Purchased: LAPD
Price: Shawn asked me not to tell, but worth regular CF GP

Skill Level: Basic
Preperation: Cold Engine, remove fuel rail covers ( I also installed the plastic plug identification tags that came with the set)
Time to Install: 30 minutes
Effort: Very little with the exception of number 7 (drivers side near firewall)
Tip: Based on info gathered here from CF users I did not re-use the metal heat shields from the OEM wires.

Results: :cool: :)

While I have no way to subjectively measure results I can say the car feels much smoother at idle. When I started the car I blipped the throttle, the idle settled down to around 900 RPM's (normally it would hunt between 650 and 750) It was rock steady at 900. So closed the hood and took the car out for a test drive. From my house I travel about 3 miles on a semi-rural road till I reach my first stop sign. En route I lugged the engine in 5th gear, I slowly rolled in RPM's to redline with out difficulty. I also had the radio on listening for RFI noise. NONE, NADA, ZIP and ZERO. So far so good. Approached stop sign and as I was still playing with the radio I had to look at the tach to see if the car was idling. It was that smooth. The idle did settle back down to a rock steady 750 RPM's at idle. My 99 has never idled so smoothly, I always thought the LS1 just had a lumpy idle. While not as smooth as a Lexus etc it's a far cry from what it was for the first 23K miles of this cars life.

Problem Area: It took more time to install number 7 than the others. I have rather large hands. That's a product of the car's design not the MSD wires.

Recommendation: Highly. These wires are so much more substantial than the OEM wires.

Once the plugs are installed I'll report back.

Cheers

Tom
USAF Retired

 

I like my MDS's :yesnod: :thumbs:

 

Thanks for the info. I have a set of MSD's on my workbench...waiting to be put on. I haven't bought any plugs yet, so I'm anxious to hear how you like the NGK's. Let us know. :cheers: :seeya

 

I seen a lot of posts where guys put these wires on as you installed. Many guys experienced radio interference, and woundup putting the matal shields back on,, Any comments or experiences, as I'm also going to change the plugs and wires,thanks Jim. :hurray:

 

I had the same results when replacing my stock wires with Magnecore's. Very noticeable smoothness of idle. No radio problems of any kind. Sure doesn't say much for the stock AC plugs with no pucks and cheap wires. IMO

 

As I stated based on feedback gathered off this forum and club buddies I elected not to install the metal shields. Since I'll be changing out the plugs next weekend I figured if I needed to install them (after a week od test drives - mine is a daily driver) I could do so at that time.

So far NO RFI noise.

Tom