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Are 10mm + wire worth the buy?

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Old Oct 19, 2016 | 05:01 PM
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Question Are 10mm + wire worth the buy?

Hey guys I was given a brand new set of MSD universal wires (PN: 31239). I was going to buy the LS1 boot kit and rebuild them for my tune up, but I thought I'd first ask about the 10 & 10.4mm wires. Is there any real benefit over the larger wires vs the MSD set I have? I also have a brand new set of the universal Crane Fire Wire, from back in the day... I remember pay $200 for those damn wire and never used them, lol...

Anyways, I degrees...

So are the 10 or 10.4mm worth buying?
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Old Oct 22, 2016 | 01:45 PM
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Some advice would be great. If there's a better forum to put this in, please let me know.
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Old Oct 22, 2016 | 04:23 PM
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Not sure if this will help you at all but my modified 2001 Trans-Am originally had MSD 10mm wires on which unfortunately got damaged when a garage fitted them incorrectly so that they melted against the headers. All I could get hold of for the weekend (was a show that weekend) were OEM GM wires. Fitted those and noticed absolutely no difference to the performance of the engine.
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Old Oct 22, 2016 | 08:02 PM
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10mm wires are nothing but nuisance. They offer no performance gain while being more difficult to work with.
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Old Oct 22, 2016 | 08:33 PM
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In a nutshell, a spark plug will only use as much power as it needs to make a spark. If you have a 50K joule system, but you only need 30K joules to make a spark, you will only get a 30k joule spark.

The only time you need a stronger energy pulse for the spark, is when you have unusually difficult conditions: high compression, forced induction, nitrous, etc. Otherwise, adding high energy components is really a waste of time and money. There is no benefit to be gained.
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Old Oct 23, 2016 | 03:05 AM
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Great info guys, thanks!
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Old Oct 23, 2016 | 09:26 AM
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Older SBC applications with distributor ignition and 3ft long plug wires...yes.

Coil per cylinder ignition and 10-12" long plug wires...no.
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 10:57 AM
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Default My Spark Dissappeared

My major work in this area was begun in the early 1980's as a member of the DIS inventor team.
At that time the first automotive coil design of a "twin post" DIS coil was needed along with spark plug wire design.
The customer was GM, Buick Division.

Today we have the #1 Ignition Coil (IGN-1A) AND quality FireCore wire accepted by ALL.

MY greatest experience was gained by the use of my CO-2 test chamber, eight channel, eight plugs, eight plug wires tested, one test period.

What was found :

1. 10mm wires had a much greater chance of "pinhole" leaks than a 8.5mm wire, THOUGH this was manufacturer specific.
2. The Corona Effect was about the same as witnessed in wires WITHOUT leaks.
3. The resistance of the wire has GREAT effect on Spark Duration, 0-50-250 is common, with LITTLE effect on Ionization Voltage requirement.

NOW for simple math :

1. One Jewel = One AMP/One Second.
2. Ohm's Law : I=V/R

Thus lie the answers :

1. Coil Energy has a great effect on Spark Duration, the longer the better.
2. The resistance of the wire, higher, will allow for a longer spark with LITTLE effect on allowing a spark to take place.
3. LONG Spark Duration is MORE effective at lower RPM

Lance
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