Spark Plug Wires
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: western NC, USA
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; May 28, 2018 at 04:03 PM. Reason: add
Thread Starter
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Le Mans Master
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From: West coast CA
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.
Safety Car
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From: Bay Area CA
… and with headers this can occur at a quicker rate, unless the wires are protected with wire boots.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; May 29, 2018 at 12:01 PM.
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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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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.