The Answer to Spark Plug Wires ( Ignition Wires )

[David15151]

This is to help all those looking to upgrade their ignition wires and are not sure what brand they would like to buy.

The following is the resistance measured in ohms/ft by each major ignition wire distributer.

(low = good, high = bad)

MSD Ignition 8.5mm Super Conductor (40-50 ohms/ft)
Accel Thundersport (150 ohms/ft)
Taylor 8mm Spiro Pro (350 ohm/ft)
Aurora ignition wire set (400 ohms/ft)
Vitek Performance Cables (their web site does not mention resistance, but John Monnin measured them at about 800 ohms/ft; the label under Vitek's braiding says "Magstar Gold 8mm High Performance S-4 Stainless Steel Mag Wire" - thanks John!; Magstar wires are manufactured by Wiretec)
Wiretec Magstar Gold (800 ohms/ft as measured by John Monnin)
NGK Resistor Spark Plug Wire Set (2600 ohms/ft)
Mitsubishi factory wire sets (3000++ ohms/ft)
Car Quest brand wire sets (3000++ ohms/ft - Thanks to Bret for measuring these wires.)
Magnecor KV85 (6000++ ohms/ft)

 

[David15151]

And we are to believe that this form you are pulling your info off of.. which is around 7-8 years old is accurate? It claims that a spiral design is only temperary EMI suppression .. maybe it was right.. back then. Like I keep trying to say... Magnecore is using the old way of thinking to apply it to todays technology. Sure it was an awesome wire in its day but times change and better things are designed. The designs of the low resistance wires of today seem to be on par with what magnecore stated would theoritically work for EMI suppression. Before, you could either have low resistance, or good EMI suppression.. today, you can have both.

 

[99gst_racer]

maybe it was right...

Maybe, maybe, Maybe..... We dont really know because we dont have proof of EMI surpression......

Magnecore is using the old way of thinking to apply it to todays technology.

And it still seems to be working pretty good, IMO.

The designs of the low resistance wires of today seem to be on par with what magnecore stated would theoritically work for EMI suppression.

They stated that would theoritically work, but only temporarily. That design is NOT permanent.

Before, you could either have low resistance, or good EMI suppression.. today, you can have both.

Like I said, I want to see accurate and permanent EMI supression #'s for proof from more than one manufacturer, and only then will I be "sold" on low-resistance wires.

 

[fertez_turbo]

Shouldnt you be working, Paul?

 

[99gst_racer]

Shouldnt you be working, Paul?

I'm Multi-tasking!

 

[fertez_turbo]

I'm Multi-tasking!

Since we both get off at 6 I'll just meet you at your house and I'll give that T25 a good kick and it should come off. Then we can duct tape the 14b on.

Then all we gotta do is tune the NOS Fogger and you'll run 9's.

 

[96TSi_Chris]

I find it hard to belive any wires will make a HUGE RESPOSE period.
unless your like missing a wire or 2. I dont think anyones rear is that dyno-sensitive to
feel a diff from brand to brand. just my .02

Im not talking about hp. Obviously spark plug wires arent going to be felt as a hp gain, im talking about smoother idle (w/ the new mitsu wires, he had a tad of a lumpy idle) easier to start, and smoother pick up in boost and rpms. I see the tests and the data, im just trying to get some kind of explantion as to why this happened.

Now obviously a lower resistance SHOULD be better in reality, but ive had the stock wires, mags and ngks. New of all three i should add, and the aftermarket wires proved to be better (pretty much the same reference as i gave above). Im not calling BS, its just hard for me to believe especially when i can see a difference.

 

[trbotaln]

I really think that their is almost no way that magnacore wires are the worst. I noticed a huge difference when I put magnecore wires in my car. It had never ran so smooth. I still think that magnecores are better than the oem wires

 

[RunninVR4]

I'm not arguing the resistance readings. I'm simply stating that there is MUCH more important things to worry about than resistance. If it's worth it to you to supposedly "gain" 2 HP with low-resistance wires and take the chance of ruining electrical components from imporperly suppresses EMI's, then feel free and "add" your 2 ponys. I hope it's worth it. :thumbdown

Did you read my post about the TPS which works off hz. OOOOh yeah when my friend took out his MAGNECOR WIRES and put in ACCELS which added spark his TPS problem went away. Because of the high resistance they don't have a large area around them emmiting EMI or EFI. But brands like NGK and MSD and ACCEL use lower resistance wires with a special shielding material and not just HIGH TEMP SILICONE like MAGNECOR. Compare outer diameter of wire on NGK OR MSD OR ACCEL to MAGNECOR outer diameter it's insane the 8mm magnecore wire is like twice as thick.

Dude do you know what Dwell time on a coil pack is? Do you know high resistance hinders a coil packs capability. By having a more full spark, you get better more full combustion (he end result of the full spark = HP).

First think of battery like an intake. Then think of a coil pack like an engine. Then think of wires like exhaust pipes. Do you not increase HP by making the piping larger (i.e. LOWER RESISTANCE) and making it easier for the engine to get ride of exhaust gasses? Same principle!

 

[Gigaah]

I got sick of reading mid page 2. However I think probably the only way to really do it right is have someone (not manufacturer) capable of testing all of the wires by measuring the spark voltage at the end of the spark plug connector. I would think that would put any
doubts to rest. Seems straight forward enough. with everyone trying to prove they are the best you'd think they'd all have done it by now and the winner would have posted such results.

Unless such tests yield results of minimal difference. What IS the voltage drop at standard spark voltage/amperage with the given ohms/foot?

 

[99gst_racer]

I got sick of reading mid page 2. However I think probably the only way to really do it right is have someone (not manufacturer) capable of testing all of the wires by measuring the spark voltage at the end of the spark plug connector. I would think that would put any
doubts to rest. Seems straight forward enough. with everyone trying to prove they are the best you'd think they'd all have done it by now and the winner would have posted such results.

Unless such tests yield results of minimal difference. What IS the voltage drop at standard spark voltage/amperage with the given ohms/foot?

I agree.
When buying plug wires, there is much more to look at then simply ohm resistance. Thats like buying a car and only looking at the tire performance. There is so much more important factors involved in the purchase.

 

[99gst_racer]

I really think that their is almost no way that magnacore wires are the worst. I noticed a huge difference when I put magnecore wires in my car. It had never ran so smooth. I still think that magnecores are better than the oem wires

^^ I agree. ^^
This thread only states that Magnecor's have the highest amount of resistance. But that information alone is not enough to judge any set of wires, nor is it enough info to decide on a purchase. Like I said, there are many other factors involved with plug wires.

 

[aleccolin]

In my opinion, the Magnecor's aren't worth it - and I know from experience. When wires start arcing through the sheathing, it doesn't matter how much you paid for them or how good they're supposed to be, they're crap. They lasted about a year on my car. They didn't last a month on the old man's truck (347 stroker, blown, 140K volt Jacob's ignition), but the MSDs we replaced them with have been on there for 6 YEARS with no problems. I put Accel's on my car and have had no problems what-so-ever.

It comes down to a cost/benefit analysis. For the money, no wires are better for our cars than the Accel 300+ Thundersports. Less than half the cost of even the MSD wires, and they've been proven to give years of flawless performance on even heavily modified engines. Buy the Magnecors if you wish, I'm taking that money to go get some race gas.

 

[99gst_racer]

Magnecor's may not be the best or even everyone's favorite, but simply having a higher resistance doesn't make them the "worst".

In my opinion, the Magnecor's aren't worth it - and I know from experience. When wires start arcing through the sheathing, it doesn't matter how much you paid for them or how good they're supposed to be, they're crap.

On 16 valve OHC motors, the plugs are deep in the plug holes, water, oil or any other moisture can collect in there and have no place to go. All multi-part spark plug wire connectors are vented to prevent them from popping off the spark plug as the engine heats up. It is preventative maintenence to periodically check these plug holes to make sure moisture is not accumulating. If it is, it must be cleaned out. Whe the moisture just sets in the holes, the wires have little or no hope of surviving arcing.
Suggested remedy:
Had the spark plug connectors on a given vehicle been regularly removed and the accumulated moisture (and oil) around the spark plugs removed, no failure would have occurred.

Wires do not arc through because of a brand; it is mostly because of lack of maintenence. High perofrmance parts and components need regular preventative maintenence or they will fail.

 

[FutureGSXOwner]

The MSD's totally eliminated fuel cut issues I was having after the Magnecores didnt.

 

[fertez_turbo]

The MSD's totally eliminated fuel cut issues I was having after the Magnecores didnt.

Elaborate on these 'issues' you speak of.

 

[aleccolin]

Had the spark plug connectors on a given vehicle been regularly removed and the accumulated moisture (and oil) around the spark plugs removed, no failure would have occurred.

Wires do not arc through because of a brand; it is mostly because of lack of maintenence. High perofrmance parts and components need regular preventative maintenence or they will fail.

On neither engine has the plug connector pop off the plug creating an alternate "path of least resistance" ground path for the electrical signal. Never has this happened. Neither engine collects any fluid collect around the plug - oil, water, or otherwise. Both sets of Magnecors, one for the big V8 and one for the small four banger, started arcing through the sheathing to the nearest ground; the V8 about six inches from the plug, the DSM near the edge of the valve cover. In the case of the V8, it was throwing spark nearly a half inch long, clearly visible in daylight. Simply put, I'm not impressed. I have certainly seen much crappier wires in my day, but none so damned expensive.

MSD - pricey but good
Accel - much less pricey, just about as good

Let me also mention that not all the Accel wires are good. The 300+ Thundersports for DSMs and other imports seem to be really excellent wires for the money, as well as several other lines of wires that Accel makes. They do make some crappier ones though, and usually price is the best indicator of that quality differential.

 

[v2ner]

fuel cut saves lives.....the lives of ur turbo and engine.

 

[FutureGSXOwner]

Elaborate on these 'issues' you speak of.

Sure. My car was tuned with a logger at stock boost for troubleshooting purposes and also on a wideband upon experiencing horrible lag and fuel cut (bucking, hitting a "brick wall"). I replaced my plugs with colder ones and it did nothing. I bought Magecores and they did nothing. I bought MSD's and they did something. Is that clear enough for you?

 

[fertez_turbo]

Sure. My car was tuned with a logger at stock boost for troubleshooting purposes and also on a wideband upon experiencing horrible lag and fuel cut (bucking, hitting a "brick wall"). I replaced my plugs with colder ones and it did nothing. I bought Magecores and they did nothing. I bought MSD's and they did something. Is that clear enough for you?

Thank you Captain Obvious. I established that with your last post. What I wanted was an explanation as to why the MSD got rid of the fuel cut and the Mag. wires didnt. Fuel cut has nothing to do with plug wires. Fuel cut is an air/fuel related problem, not spark.

It's like saying my stereo is louder when I have a full tank of gas. With no explanation why, I'm still in the dark.

 

[99gst_racer]

Thank you Captain Obvious. I established that with your last post. What I wanted was an explanation as to why the MSD got rid of the fuel cut and the Mag. wires didnt. Fuel cut has nothing to do with plug wires. Fuel cut is an air/fuel related problem, not spark.

It's like saying my stereo is louder when I have a full tank of gas. With no explanation why, I'm still in the dark.

I put the low-resistance MSD sticker on my windshield and it got rid of fuel cut and boost creep! j/p

 

[99gst_racer]

I bought MSD's and they did something. Is that clear enough for you?

No dude, actually, that is not clear enough... Futher elaboration would help. If you stumbled upon a factual discovery that MSD wires rid DSM's of fuel cut, then I will present you with the nobel prize (and a cookie).

 

[99gst_racer]

David - Thanks for the purchase. I dont mean to agrue (more like a debate), but DSMJim did say it best in your other thread.....

I would suggest some more research is done before making a post like this. Basically what your doing is looking at manufacturers claims and taking them as the law and judging all spark plug wires based on Media hype. There is a lot more to a wire than OHM's / foot.

Though this is from one manufacturers website (Magnecor's), this information has been regarded as being truthful and accurate for many years now.

 

[DSMJim]

I have magnacores on my car, I run very fast for my setup and have absolutly no problems even with my MSD DIS2. If they were that bad then it show up in my time slip somewhere. I don't seem to see a problem myself.

I'm willing to guarantee that my HP and MPH will not increase or decrease based on ignition wires. I have no electrical problems in my car at all. ie Alternator wire though the stereo etc which is associated with HO ignition systems.

 

[David15151]

Honostly no amount of info will me the all out ending factor in this debate. I do think though there is a LOT of good info in the entire thread enough so that someone who didnt know what they wanted can make a good choice at to what they will get. Therefore we can skip just about any future "which plug?" thread. I doubt any thread has had so much real data and concepts behind a set of ignition wires. Therefore, even though we have not come to a mutual agreement I believe this thread serves its purpose. If ANYONE needs info on spark plug wires.. lord knows we got a bucket load here.

 

[pianoman]

I had a misfire at idle. the plugs are 6months old. and the wires are about a year old. They were Taylor wires. They seemed like good wires, although anythings better then napa wires. Well my car started to miss at higher rpms at wot. It would studder at anything over 6000rpms. Well my buddy whos kind of a ricer wanted his taylors back cause they were blue and they matched his blue silicone vaccum hose under his hood Well he had a set of msd's under the hood of his car, and thats what he gave me. My car does not miss at idle and the studdering at high rpm's has gone away. I didn't change anything else but the plug wires. nothing. This is what i know for me personally. Also i always try to keep the plug wires from touching, no matter what wire or car i have. Just out of curiousity, what about wrapping the wires in electrical tape?


----the plugs are bpr6es and im boosting 14-15psi.