I have a good set of plug wires on my 496, but they’re not what I consider a custom fit. Considering the cost of new wires, and the likelihood they wouldn’t be a better fit, is there available terminators and tooling out there to produce my own fit?

Msd31229

is a cut to length plug wire set that will do what you want. I would post a hyperlink but I’m not allowed to

Msd 8849 is just the ends that standard strippers and crumpets work with

Check out Davis Unified Ignition (DUI) "Livewires". They have wires for BBC for either over the valve covers or under the exhaust plus several other choices. I had a set on my old 454 and they fit very nice. Also, put some wire looms on them and they looked perfect. They are 8mm wires and come in 8 colors. Don't know if those are exact enough for you to fit the 496, but I would guess that they are. They aren't cheap, but then, no good wires are. Call them and ask. They are good to work with.

https://performancedistributors.com/...evy-livewires/

I bought a set off of BUP a few years back. He had them custom made (moroso??). Fit perfect and reasonably priced.

I always used these MSD 31489 8.5 mm HEI 90 degree boots fits marine big block Chevy

Thanks to replies, I did find several options from MSD for replacement boots and terminals.

Call Rick at firecoreperformance dot com

He can make anything you want at any length with any boots. Building your own always sucks, the terminals tend to come off, etc.
Rick's Firecore wires are used by lots of drag racers who are pulling the plugs after every round, and they hold up amazingly well.

I haven't priced 496 wires lately, but I'd wager the Firecore50s are competitive.

LMAO...I just looked up the OEM Merc 496 wires...$460. The garbage MSD 496 wires are $300.

I just paid $175 from firecore for custom length wires for remote mounted coil-packs for my turbo LS street car.

Fire core are really good. So are Scott’s.
Bamm !
https://sparkplugwires.com/amp/mercr...96-marine-set/

Check out Rick at firecoreperformance dot com , we replaced some MSD wires that got burnt on the dyno headers and very pleased with the product and price was more then fair ..