msd ignition vs stock ignition

[cas8_1999]

would msd ignition and wires be better or just another thing for us to spend our money on for no reason? if it will make a difference on our rides the g what is the diff? also our stock plugs and wires are pretty much very good is there any that would work with our setup better..?
99 g

[P10DET]

Originally posted by cas8_1999
would msd ignition and wires be better or just another thing for us to spend our money on for no reason? if it will make a difference on our rides the g what is the diff? also our stock plugs and wires are pretty much very good is there any that would work with our setup better..?
99 g

Unless you are running a high boost turbo set-up, don't waste your money. The stock ignition with the SR20DET is more than adequate up to double digit boost levels. The SR20DE has the same ignition system, making it pretty hard to beat.

Stick with NGK plats. People have tried other brands (notably Bosch), but the NGKs are significantly better. I've read many accounts of people who have had ignition problems with Bosch plats with as little as 2k miles and replaced them with 60k mile NGKs and the ignition problems have totally gone away. This is not a fluke occurance. There are many examples of this that have been posted to the SE-R mailing list. The design of the Bosch plugs specifically is the cause of this problem in the SR20.

As for plug wires, the OEM are best. I was talking with Clark Steppler at JWT a couple of weeks ago about this. They have solved a number of ignition problems by replacing new aftermarket wires with old OEMs. In fact he told me a story of someone who had a persistent ignition problem and trailered his car from Phoenix to JWT in San Diego. He insisted it couldn't be the wires since they were brand new. After tinkering with the car for a while they pulled some old wires off a core engine they had lying around and the ignition problems totally disappeared.

It turns out that a common problem with aftermarket wires (even popular premium brands) is arcing in the spark plug wells.

The bottom line is, unless you are running a lot of boost, stick with the OEM plugs, wires, and other ignition parts. Aftermarket are a waste of money.

[cas8_1999]

thank you for the detailed response..!

[G-Forces]

Not to knock what George said. I mostly agree but this post from SCC's Mike Kojima makes me think there may be a benifit to wires.

http://www.se-r-list.org/archives/19.../msg00235.html

Now I have full bolt-on's (minus ECU) so I might see more benefit than someone with a stock motor. I'm thinking of getting the Nology wires before my next dyno and testing out Mike's results.

[G-Forces]

Here's another claim to the Nology wires effectiveness.

http://www.se-r-list.org/archives/19.../msg01296.html

I can't remember if Kyle is on this forum, but if you are could you give your impression of the Nology wires since way back in 1998.

[P10DET]

Originally posted by G-Forces
Not to knock what George said. I mostly agree but this post from SCC's Mike Kojima makes me think there may be a benifit to wires.

http://www.se-r-list.org/archives/19.../msg00235.html

Now I have full bolt-on's (minus ECU) so I might see more benefit than someone with a stock motor. I'm thinking of getting the Nology wires before my next dyno and testing out Mike's results.

Yes, the Nology wires are an exception. They are a specific exception. But, wires in general (even so called performance wires) are pretty much a waste of money.

[cas8_1999]

are the nology wires 180? that link wont work for me it says forbidden? and those wires thats the ones better then our stock ones on the stock sr20de?

[P10DET]

Originally posted by cas8_1999
are the nology wires 180? that link wont work for me it says forbidden? and those wires thats the ones better then our stock ones on the stock sr20de?

Yes, the Nology are better than the stock wires. They must be installed correctly with all of the ground straps attached properly to be better. They are the only ones that have been shown to be better than stock.

They also are in the $180 range. Actually, probably a bit more now. That price is 3 years old IIRC.

[cas8_1999]

this applies to the p10 and p11?

[P10DET]

Originally posted by cas8_1999
this applies to the p10 and p11?

All SR20.

[dre]

casual- the link should work if you do the following-
copy the shortcut from above (right-click, copy shcut)
then open a new window, and paste the link in... Don't know why, but it works.

[cas8_1999]

thnaks it worked.

[GtRider]

what about NGK wires and spark plugs?
are they any good? or a waste of money?
what about an MSD ignition?

[P10DET]

Originally posted by GtRider
what about NGK wires and spark plugs?
are they any good? or a waste of money?
what about an MSD ignition?

Skip the NGK wires. They are OK, but the OEM are the best, except for the $200 Nology wires that can be a bit touchy too.

NGK platinum plugs are the only ones I'd every consider using. They are the best for the SR20.

An MSD ignition will get you nothing but a lighter wallet unless you are running a large turbo (T04 variation) and lots of boost.

[GtRider]

thanks for the info P10DET.....