The true cost of a header install. Done right.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Anaheim Ca.
I know this isn't the topic of the thread, but this is the first I've heard of the MSD Wires being junk. 
What examples can either of you give to support your statements.
I'm not trying to start an arguement, but I've used MSD's on three different cars without a problem.
I'd just like to know why you think they are an inferior product.
What examples can either of you give to support your statements.
I'm not trying to start an arguement, but I've used MSD's on three different cars without a problem.
I'd just like to know why you think they are an inferior product.
I know this isn't the topic of the thread, but this is the first I've heard of the MSD Wires being junk.
What examples can either of you give to support your statements.
I'm not trying to start an arguement, but I've used MSD's on three different cars without a problem.
I'd just like to know why you think they are an inferior product.
What examples can either of you give to support your statements.
I'm not trying to start an arguement, but I've used MSD's on three different cars without a problem.
I'd just like to know why you think they are an inferior product.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Anaheim Ca.
I know for a fact that my car idled better and seemed to run better with the stock wires over the MSD's that I had. Also, Patrick G suggested that I switch back to the stock wires when I told him I had MSD wires on the car. Other than hearing from others that MSD's caused a loss of power, I have no real world evidence other than what I observed with my car. Like I said before though, I have heard MSD's are junk and if your stock wires are in good shape there is no reason to change them out.
I recently put MSD wires on, almost 70k on the stockers, couldn't beat the deal, no difference and idle and definitely no loss of power, only gains.
And they look good!
Saying they are garbage is just plain stupid, seeing as 80% of the spark plug wire posts recommend MSD wires and have no issues with them.
And they look good!
Saying they are garbage is just plain stupid, seeing as 80% of the spark plug wire posts recommend MSD wires and have no issues with them.
Last edited by mischief; Apr 22, 2010 at 02:17 PM.
I forgot to add, one of the reasons I wanted these, is for the bendable boots, so they don't rest on the primaries, I'll pay $60+ just for that luxury, and they are pretty thick.
I'm sure if they were bad, there would be more negative threads, seeing as how many people run them.
I'm sure if they were bad, there would be more negative threads, seeing as how many people run them.
I recently put MSD wires on, almost 70k on the stockers, couldn't beat the deal, no difference and idle and definitely no loss of power, only gains.
And they look good!
Saying they are garbage is just plain stupid, seeing as 80% of the spark plug wire posts recommend MSD wires and have no issues with them.
And they look good!
Saying they are garbage is just plain stupid, seeing as 80% of the spark plug wire posts recommend MSD wires and have no issues with them.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
If you can tell a power gain from plug wires that is absolutely amazing. Just because they are recommended does not mean they are the best. The "best" wires for our cars are the GM wires. I stated my experience with the MSD wires and took a sugesstion from a a well known person in the LSX community. My car did not like the MSD wires I had. Maybe one was bad, I don't know. What I do know is that my car idled and ran smoother with my stock low mile wires back on.
Speed Inc also has been using MSD wires exclusively since 99, I imagine theres bound to be bad batches tho.
Anyway, back on topic.
I know for a fact that my car idled better and seemed to run better with the stock wires over the MSD's that I had. Also, Patrick G suggested that I switch back to the stock wires when I told him I had MSD wires on the car. Other than hearing from others that MSD's caused a loss of power, I have no real world evidence other than what I observed with my car. Like I said before though, I have heard MSD's are junk and if your stock wires are in good shape there is no reason to change them out.
Just last year I installed MSD's while doing my Header Install. I still have the stock plug wires. I don't seem to have any issues with idle or anything else, but maybe I'll have to swap them back in and check them on the SOTP Dyno.
We'll see what happens.
Thanks RedRocket. Thats exactly what I was looking for: A "Real World" experience.
Just last year I installed MSD's while doing my Header Install. I still have the stock plug wires. I don't seem to have any issues with idle or anything else, but maybe I'll have to swap them back in and check them on the SOTP Dyno.
We'll see what happens.
Just last year I installed MSD's while doing my Header Install. I still have the stock plug wires. I don't seem to have any issues with idle or anything else, but maybe I'll have to swap them back in and check them on the SOTP Dyno.
We'll see what happens.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Garland, TX
I can't remember the thread,someone did a resistance test on five different plug wires.MSD had the lowest resistance with a tighter average of resistance for each plug wire.
The other sets were all over when it came to resistance per wire.
I can't remember all the names of the plug wires tested.
I remember MSD had just slight less resistance than GM.They were close to each other.
The other sets were all over when it came to resistance per wire.
I can't remember all the names of the plug wires tested.
I remember MSD had just slight less resistance than GM.They were close to each other.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 14
From: Chicago, IL
I can't remember the thread,someone did a resistance test on five different plug wires.MSD had the lowest resistance with a tighter average of resistance for each plug wire.
The other sets were all over when it came to resistance per wire.
I can't remember all the names of the plug wires tested.
I remember MSD had just slight less resistance than GM.They were close to each other.
The other sets were all over when it came to resistance per wire.
I can't remember all the names of the plug wires tested.
I remember MSD had just slight less resistance than GM.They were close to each other.
Was this the thread? I remember reading through this before I bought my MSDs....although the place I bought 'em from took too long to ship 'em and a bunch of my stock wires were busted (so no daily driver) so I had to just goto Autozone and get whatever they had. My MSDs are waiting in a box for this summer.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...y-results.html
Also, this is what other LS1tech users are using:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...lug-wires.html
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Garland, TX
Was this the thread? I remember reading through this before I bought my MSDs....although the place I bought 'em from took too long to ship 'em and a bunch of my stock wires were busted (so no daily driver) so I had to just goto Autozone and get whatever they had. My MSDs are waiting in a box for this summer.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...y-results.html
Also, this is what other LS1tech users are using:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...lug-wires.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...y-results.html
Also, this is what other LS1tech users are using:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...lug-wires.html
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 14
From: Chicago, IL
-New gaskets are not needed
-New bolts are not needed
-MSD wires are not needed, GMPP wires are also red and cheaper
-New mounts are not needed and you may get unwanted vibration with prothane
-Why tune out emissions if you have EGR & AIR hooked up?
-The "right way" would include a full dyno tune
Skip the stuff that isn't needed and that will save you $200 as well as the time you will spend swapping motor mounts.
-New bolts are not needed
-MSD wires are not needed, GMPP wires are also red and cheaper
-New mounts are not needed and you may get unwanted vibration with prothane
-Why tune out emissions if you have EGR & AIR hooked up?
-The "right way" would include a full dyno tune
Skip the stuff that isn't needed and that will save you $200 as well as the time you will spend swapping motor mounts.
While the Gaskets & Bolts are not needed...is it suggested to do so or do most people just reuse?
Is seems like everytime I check threads everyone is jumping on a bandwagon of hating something b/c they read that somewhere on tech someone said it is ****. Or swearing by something that they read and giving advice on products / cams they have never had any experience with all while basing all of their information on what other people have posted. It is almost like a whisper down the lane game. </rant>
I have had the MSD wires and NGK combo for 4 years car runs perfect!!
The Gm gaskets are a must! I blew out 2 pairs of header gaskets before I bought the GM's again.
I have had the MSD wires and NGK combo for 4 years car runs perfect!!
The Gm gaskets are a must! I blew out 2 pairs of header gaskets before I bought the GM's again.