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Plug wires with Kooks headers?

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Old 07-25-2017, 08:25 PM
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Beef97
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Default Plug wires with Kooks headers?

About to install Kooks 1 7/8 headers in my 2010 GS. I know certain headers are better about clearances than others but just wondering if anyone has had any luck with any spark plug wires NOT touching the headers? Looking at the taylors or msd's and wasn't sure if I should get straight or angled plug boots. Any advice would be awesome! Thanks everyone!
Old 07-26-2017, 01:23 PM
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sfrank2886
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I am getting ready to do kooks as well. I think that I am going with Msd angle wires. Check out this combo on sale.

http://sdparts.com/c-1029820-electri...%20Replacement

Not sure if I really need new plugs however with only 44k miles and a halltech. Anyone want to chime in if we should just run the oem plugs?
Also do we need a 160 stat or is that overrated as well?
Old 07-26-2017, 04:18 PM
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Must_Have_Z
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I have Kooks headers on my LS7. One plug wire boot is close to the header, so I twisted the wire at the coil just a bit to pull it away from the header. As long as there is an air gap you'll be just fine.
Old 07-26-2017, 05:13 PM
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schizcat
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OEM. Just had to adjust the wires where they wont touch.
Old 07-26-2017, 05:21 PM
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Unreal
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OEM is better than any of those options.
I've ran just about every brand, and Taylor and MSD would be bottom on my list, that being said, they are all fine. MSD is the only ones that really seemed to have issues, but even so weren't bad. They like to pop off more often that others.

OEM ac delcos are great, cheap and available easily. Amazon for about $45. The "best" have been firecores but they are $140+.
Old 07-26-2017, 08:11 PM
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Not So Fast
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Just did the Kooks 1 3/4" with MSD wires and DEI red boots, I see no problems
NSF PS the Stage 8 lockers have been installed correctly as of now Watch those little clips as they are very "springy" and disappear



Old 07-27-2017, 08:30 AM
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HK770
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Ls3 - Kooks - Taylor wires- Oem plugs -socks


Old 08-07-2017, 11:59 PM
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Beef97
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Anyone have a part number for the red GM performance wires? Trying to decide between those and Magnecor wires. Looking all over for the GM part number but have read conflicting data on what actually fits a 2010 LS3. Emailed gmpartshouse but haven't heard back from them. Thanks everyone!
Old 08-08-2017, 08:32 AM
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LEAVINU
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I run Kooks 2" and 1) they dropped in like a glove literally with no banging, cursing, bleeding knuckles nothing and 2) I have MSD wires with no issues.

As someone mentioned above I just tilted the boot as necessary and have had zero issues. I personally don't think you need wire condoms unless you just want the dressed look.

Last edited by LEAVINU; 08-08-2017 at 08:34 AM.
Old 08-08-2017, 11:00 PM
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Awesome to hear! I've heard so many ups and downs about MSD wires. Narrowed it down to Magnecor or the GM performance red wires. Still haven't found a part numer on them yet!
Old 08-09-2017, 01:03 PM
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Amazon Amazon

$38 shipped.
Old 08-09-2017, 01:08 PM
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A Marsh
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Originally Posted by sfrank2886
I am getting ready to do kooks as well. I think that I am going with Msd angle wires. Check out this combo on sale.

http://sdparts.com/c-1029820-electri...%20Replacement

Not sure if I really need new plugs however with only 44k miles and a halltech. Anyone want to chime in if we should just run the oem plugs?
Also do we need a 160 stat or is that overrated as well?
Both my installer and tuner recommended changing to plugs that were one heat range cooler.
Old 08-09-2017, 01:33 PM
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Beef97
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Originally Posted by Unreal
Looks like those are the 7mm wires? The ones I'm looking for are 8. Called a few places and they were fairly clueless. Seems like they are made to fit the LS1 and might be too short for LS3's. I'll keep digging!
Old 08-09-2017, 01:37 PM
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Those wires are fine, and work perfectly. Ran them on my 1200rwhp car for years.

GMPP wires
Amazon Amazon

Last edited by Unreal; 08-09-2017 at 01:38 PM.
Old 08-09-2017, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Unreal
Those wires are fine, and work perfectly. Ran them on my 1200rwhp car for years.

GMPP wires
https://www.amazon.com/General-Motor...ark+plug+wires
Those are the ones I was looking for! I'm guessing with 1200 HP you were running headers and didn't run into any fitment issues? Did you reuse the stock metal heat shield? Thanks for the info!
Old 08-09-2017, 02:03 PM
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Yes, stock metal shields. Zero issues. I would just run the $38 ones.

I've ran them all. In fact most of the time I run $50 autozone cheap-o wires until I switched to the expensive firecore50s.

There has been zero noticeable difference on any wire besides the fitment.
Old 08-09-2017, 10:17 PM
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ONEBADZ
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Putting on KooKs 1 7/8 headers next week and I'm going with the Taylor racing plug wires.

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Old 08-10-2017, 03:18 AM
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crazyorigin
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These weren't cheap but they fit great and I wanted to do overkill on the heat shielding:


Amazon Amazon


I also went with these boots for even more shielding:


Amazon Amazon


Both fit great and other than a little burning in of the heat shrink tubing on the wires I have had no issues. The heat shrink just smoked a little bit and shrunk some more, nothing abnormal. Definitely not the cheapest route but I am happy with them.


My stock wires fell apart when taking them off. I have found this to be pretty common with LS engines and stock plug wires. I am running 1 7/8 Texas Speed headers, which fit great and stage 8 locking hardware but I have yet to install the lock clips. Torqued them to proper spec and haven't had to tighten them back up. I did check them again after several heat cycles and they were still where they needed to be. I will install the clips sometime I have just been being lazy and just want to drive the car.
Old 08-10-2017, 10:38 AM
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Must_Have_Z
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Originally Posted by crazyorigin
My stock wires fell apart when taking them off. I have found this to be pretty common with LS engines and stock plug wires.
Did they crumble in your hands? Did the boots separate from the wire? I've never had this happen, even on cars that had the same plug wires on for 10+ years. They always come off just fine if you're gentle and take your time. Maybe I've just been lucky? I don't know. The wires I took off my '06 Z06 that appeared to be original still looked/felt new in terms of their quality and construction.

Anyway, glad you found a set that works well for you!
Old 08-10-2017, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Must_Have_Z
Did they crumble in your hands? Did the boots separate from the wire? I've never had this happen, even on cars that had the same plug wires on for 10+ years. They always come off just fine if you're gentle and take your time. Maybe I've just been lucky? I don't know. The wires I took off my '06 Z06 that appeared to be original still looked/felt new in terms of their quality and construction.

Anyway, glad you found a set that works well for you!
The wire usually breaks where it goes into the connector for the plug. I have got some off fine but never a whole set but the ones I have done are all 100k mile or more vehicles that look to have original wires still.


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