Best spark plug wires
 

I was just changing the plugs on my ZX, & managed to pull a boot off the plug end, no problem, been there before. One thing I noticed, wire says "Hi-performance Marine Use", "Stainless". Oddly though, the core just a solid core wire, no stainless there, so I thought, must be the connector. I dropped it in the bilge, was using a screwdriver to scoot it back up to me, & it stuck to the end of my "magnetic" tip screwdriver...hmmmm...obviously not stainless either. So my question, can I use a good quality wire from maybe Summit, or Jegs. Or, does it "have" to be "Marine"? Especially since the only thing that I can find stainless on the current plug wires, is the writing on the outside :eek: . Does anyone have a good recommendation of what brand, & where do you get em from? I definetly want the ones completely assembled, I've done the "universal fit", that ain't much fun putting them little ends on....LOL.

MSD

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...45346_-1_10691

Rick:
I have always had good service from the MerCruiser blue spark plug wire sets. Use dielectric grease in the boots and you'll be able to remove them from the spark plugs without damaging anything.

I would be very reluctant to use a solid core wire with the MerCruiser Thunderbolt ignition systems. If you use an MSD box they do not recommend it either.

In a pinch I have used Accel or Mallory high performance wire I purchased at Advance Auto parts with no repercussions.

I had accel's on my and they where fine

The best?? I would make my own, get some thick extension cord, about 100 ft for two motors, and make your own, just buy the screw in ends, maybe even just wrap the one end around the tip of the spark plug and put electrical tape on it to hold it and keep it dry. I double up two on each plug and I get 50 hp each side. If you give me some measurements I can make some, I charge $1000 for 2 motors but that is a cheap 50 hp!!!!:eek:

Check out the Live Wires...:drink:

http://www.tpmarine.com/index.asp?Pa...ROD&ProdID=679

MSD marine wires. You don't have to worry about making them up. Right out of the box, great wires. The only thing that i did was buy some di-electric (sp?) grease and shoot some in each boot. No problems now for 3 years!

I really appreciate all the input on this, it does seem to give me plenty of options. I'm happy to see that "Marine" does not have to be stamped on the side of the wire for my boat to run...:D .
I completely overlooked the dialectric grease, I guess just slipped my mind, but I'll definetly be sure to do that.

I had these from DUI on my supercharged truck, one fell on a ceramic coated header and still didnt burn through the heat shield, these wires are awesome!!! I will put them on the boat when the others go.

OK, here's a question. When is it "time" to change spark plug wires?

its so many ohms for foot of restiance , dont remember the #, Id say 2-3 years


Taylor has some pretty expensive/nice one. I use MSD:D

phillips...

MSD 8.5's never lasted me very long,I bought some taylor 10.5's and they seem indestructible,Smitty

The Mercury Thunderbolt white spark plug wires are the sh1t:cool:

I like Nology Hotwires;

http://www.nology.com/hot.html

Accel 300+ 8.8mm´s here only. works great with no radio interference at all.
With these wires I have noticed a difference.
All other 8mm whatevers none except yellow 8mm Accels which are POS.

Heres the info.
300+ RACE WIRE
Applications: Race engine configurations
Features: Silicone spark plug boots, black wire, stainless steel spark
plug terminals,
Benefits: Maximum energy to spark plug, heaviest gauge
conductor in the industry, 8.8mm oversized racing wire,
complete suppression of EMI/RFI (radio noise)
Construction: 5.0 mm, 8.0mm, & 8.8 mm, 600° F double silicone
construction with a fiberglass braid
Core: HD gauge spiral wound copper/nickel alloy conductor,
magnetic suppression & fully reactive ferrite material, all
Kevlar core, 150 Ohms per foot resistance

Msd

I have used MSD, Accel, and Taylor, But was put on to Scott by are circle track engine builder. These things make Taylors look like spagetti. Check them out http://www.scottperformance.com/wiresets.htm

I run the MSD also.


I ohm mine out each season.
Just did them..... 146ohms on the longest and 96 ohms on
the shortys


G

Here is some that are 25 ohms per foot:eek: http://www.vitekperformance.com/tech...erformance.asp

Factory wires are they claim "good" if resistance is under 1400 ohms/ft,general performance wires ie; regular Accels - 700 to 800 ohms/ft,Accel 300+ Moroso Blue Max Jacob's - 250 to 450 ohms/ft,MSD 8.5's 40 to 50 ohms/ft and then Moroso has a new wire that's 35 to 40 ohms/ft

Im trying to find info on the others


http://www.inct.net/~autotips/plugwire.htm

http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/DavidKucharczyk/ignition.html
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http://forums.gmhightechperformance....ion/index.html


cheap test:p
Grab a water bottle sprayer and add a little regular dish soap and water and spray the spark plug wires WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING . If the soapy water mixture finds a hole or soft spot in the spark plug wire the spark will jump out of the wire and ground itself to the water.

The engine will miss and run bad once the spark comes out of the water. If you see the spark come out of the wire grab that wire and if it shocks you replace them:rolleyes: :D

Or do what we do to people at the dealership, get some speaker wire and wrap it around the coil, put on coil wire back on. Run the wire so it can't be seen and strip a 3 inch section off the end. Dampend seat. When someone tries to start the car it shocks the heck out of them everytime they turn it over (key needs to be metal). They usally don't know what is going on and turn off the key but Ive see some turn the key a couple times and it zaps them then they leave it running lololol getting ZAPPED...works best on older cars with seperate coils and metal keys ..

I´d rather go with the Viteks Braided 10mm than those that you linked..they look like jumping ropes. Although they have a "huge" resistance but they might be like that for ages...i.e unchainged because they are protected.

what would happen if ya took the wire and grounded it the the body?

Are you running the nology wires,I considered them for my sled,its a novel approach but wondered how they would work,Smitty

Nology has been on my map too they are popular with the racers and the look to perform.
Well now we got 3 choices.

1.Nology for those who want the best/ have a raceboat
2.Viteks Braided when extra heat insulation is needed (running headers on a boat)
3.Accel300+ for regular boating.

Heres my takeoff Taylors

and the new MSD's

To me the best set of plug wires are any ones that don't knock you on your ass when you touch them with the engine running!

Yes and they perform very well though I can't be the judge on the other's suggestions.

BTW, the stainless terminal ends are made from a magnetic grade of stainless, I think its in the 400 grade. My biggest customer is one of the top two or three manufacturers of ignition terminals. Different brands of terminals use stainless or plain steel spring clips on the terminals.