Spark Plug Wires
05-28-2018, 03:56 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Spark Plug Wires
1. How long should the spark plug wires be good for on the C-6 LS-3?
2. What should they be replaced with? My car is street use only. Is the GM OEM satisfactory for this application or is there something better that will improve performance noticeably? I have a BTR Stage 2 cam and new iridium spark plugs.
3. Is there any kind of concern for radio interference like the old Vettes?
2. What should they be replaced with? My car is street use only. Is the GM OEM satisfactory for this application or is there something better that will improve performance noticeably? I have a BTR Stage 2 cam and new iridium spark plugs.
3. Is there any kind of concern for radio interference like the old Vettes?
Last edited by RobJoy; 05-28-2018 at 04:03 PM. Reason: add
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RobJoy (05-28-2018)
05-28-2018, 04:16 PM
#3
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05-28-2018, 05:01 PM
#4
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Member Since: Sep 2007
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C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Not thinking about changing wires yet at 153K miles. No misfires either.
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RobJoy (05-28-2018)
05-28-2018, 05:14 PM
#5
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05-28-2018, 10:20 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
No. You can also have pretty considerable misfiring without the CEL coming on.
Heat will kill the wires. They can get brittle enough to come apart with a moderate pull. If your wires survived installation of your new plugs, they're probably not overcooked yet.
Heat will kill the wires. They can get brittle enough to come apart with a moderate pull. If your wires survived installation of your new plugs, they're probably not overcooked yet.
… and with headers this can occur at a quicker rate, unless the wires are protected with wire boots.
05-29-2018, 12:05 PM
#9
Safety Car
1. How long should the spark plug wires be good for on the C-6 LS-3?
2. What should they be replaced with? My car is street use only. Is the GM OEM satisfactory for this application or is there something better that will improve performance noticeably? I have a BTR Stage 2 cam and new iridium spark plugs.
3. Is there any kind of concern for radio interference like the old Vettes?
2. What should they be replaced with? My car is street use only. Is the GM OEM satisfactory for this application or is there something better that will improve performance noticeably? I have a BTR Stage 2 cam and new iridium spark plugs.
3. Is there any kind of concern for radio interference like the old Vettes?
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timd38 (05-30-2018)
06-03-2018, 05:52 PM
#12
Big think to remember, and that the OEM spark plug wires and even spark plugs have a resistance to them, than works as a RF noise suppression.
Without such, RF noise from the coils can make it way back to the ECM, which controls the alternator, and if the RF noise is bad enough at the ECM, then the ECM does not control the alternator voltage correctly, ending up with charging problems instead.
Hence OEM alternator should be putting out 14.7 volts, and with some after market plugs and wires, have seen the voltage drop below the 14volt level from the alternator isntead.
Without such, RF noise from the coils can make it way back to the ECM, which controls the alternator, and if the RF noise is bad enough at the ECM, then the ECM does not control the alternator voltage correctly, ending up with charging problems instead.
Hence OEM alternator should be putting out 14.7 volts, and with some after market plugs and wires, have seen the voltage drop below the 14volt level from the alternator isntead.
