Spark plug wires, worth it?q
Spark plug wires, worth it?q Being our spark plugs wires are short, and are decent for that matter, are new wires worth the money?Do they yeild any HP gains?ANy proof of the gains?Not sure what brands to look at, or for that matter if they are worth the money.
Some people claim gains from wires, truck coils and
from increasing spark dwell, it's all about getting a
hotter spark delivered to the gap. Even though the
wires are short, they are resistive and that sheds
some of the finite coil energy (current) before the
gap. A wire type that uses inductance for RF
suppression instead, will deliver more of the original
energy.
That said, let me advise you about specifics. I got
a pack of Taylor Thundervolt wires. I snapped them
on properly and had one come off the plug at 100MPH
(made me think I blew something up). Had to track
that down and recrimp the end to get it to stay put.
Later on header install another of the ends pulled right
off. Just poor construction IMO. I had to run out and
get another set before I could get the car out of the
shop, only thing I could find was MSD in red
but
these seem to be much more solidly made, molded-on
ends, etc.
You could see a few HP, or not, depending on how
well ignited you are already. It's not like these motors
are poorly sparked, it's an "every little bit" deal. But
as you go up in cylinder pressure and RPM the spark
matters more to output, too. I'd call it a "why wouldn't
you" mod and cheap enough. Just look for low resistance
and high physical quality. Take one out of the box and
try to pull it apart before you pay for it
If they say
"WTF are you doing trying to break it?". tell 'em "WTF
are you selling, that it'd break?"
from increasing spark dwell, it's all about getting a
hotter spark delivered to the gap. Even though the
wires are short, they are resistive and that sheds
some of the finite coil energy (current) before the
gap. A wire type that uses inductance for RF
suppression instead, will deliver more of the original
energy.
That said, let me advise you about specifics. I got
a pack of Taylor Thundervolt wires. I snapped them
on properly and had one come off the plug at 100MPH
(made me think I blew something up). Had to track
that down and recrimp the end to get it to stay put.
Later on header install another of the ends pulled right
off. Just poor construction IMO. I had to run out and
get another set before I could get the car out of the
shop, only thing I could find was MSD in red
but these seem to be much more solidly made, molded-on
ends, etc.
You could see a few HP, or not, depending on how
well ignited you are already. It's not like these motors
are poorly sparked, it's an "every little bit" deal. But
as you go up in cylinder pressure and RPM the spark
matters more to output, too. I'd call it a "why wouldn't
you" mod and cheap enough. Just look for low resistance
and high physical quality. Take one out of the box and
try to pull it apart before you pay for it
If they say"WTF are you doing trying to break it?". tell 'em "WTF
are you selling, that it'd break?"
I don't think it'll add anything realistically. Unless your ingintion is degraded because of age or use then you won't get power by putting fresh wires on, but that's more of a maintainence (sp?) issue.
Originally Posted by FIREHAWK#608
I don't think it'll add anything realistically. Unless your ingintion is degraded because of age or use then you won't get power by putting fresh wires on, but that's more of a maintainence (sp?) issue.
Low voltage ohm readings may not be too relevant.
Old carbon core wires can be discontinuous at low
voltage because you can need tens or hundreds of
volts to jump grain-to-grain-to-grain. With 40kV of
backing voltage this is not necessarily a big deal.
Once the breakover threshold is overcome the wire
resistance will come down to a lower value. But still
not as low as a spiral wound, copper-conductor type.
But it's a loss nonetheless, that you might be better
off without (until the point that your stereo picks up
noise you can't tolerate).
Old carbon core wires can be discontinuous at low
voltage because you can need tens or hundreds of
volts to jump grain-to-grain-to-grain. With 40kV of
backing voltage this is not necessarily a big deal.
Once the breakover threshold is overcome the wire
resistance will come down to a lower value. But still
not as low as a spiral wound, copper-conductor type.
But it's a loss nonetheless, that you might be better
off without (until the point that your stereo picks up
noise you can't tolerate).
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I cast my vote for the MSD's, i love the way they click on
BTW - jimmyblue, why in gods name are your posts always about 2" wide?
Are you typing them out on a tiny computer???!?!!?!
BTW - jimmyblue, why in gods name are your posts always about 2" wide?
Are you typing them out on a tiny computer???!?!!?!
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 0
From: Seattle,Wa.
When should plug wires be replaced?? How many miles are they good for. I bought the car new and I'm wondering when I should change them.
My T/A runs very well right now, I want to keep up with the general maintenance stuff you know.
My T/A runs very well right now, I want to keep up with the general maintenance stuff you know.
Originally Posted by TheBlurLS1
I cast my vote for the MSD's, i love the way they click on
BTW - jimmyblue, why in gods name are your posts always about 2" wide?
Are you typing them out on a tiny computer???!?!!?!
BTW - jimmyblue, why in gods name are your posts always about 2" wide?
Are you typing them out on a tiny computer???!?!!?!
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie's 02 T/A vert.
When should plug wires be replaced?? How many miles are they good for. I bought the car new and I'm wondering when I should change them.
My T/A runs very well right now, I want to keep up with the general maintenance stuff you know.
My T/A runs very well right now, I want to keep up with the general maintenance stuff you know.
