Spark Plug Wire Set

[masapell]

Ok, so I finally had time to replace the plugs and wires on Saturday. Again, I put a set of Accel Extreme 9000 wires ($38.00 on Ebay) and a set of AC Delco Iridiums ($5.99 each at O'Reilly's). Everything went quite easily. I went ahead and used the factory heat shields, though the Accels are rated at 600 degrees with the silver coating on the boots. After doing it, I took it for a test drive and everything seemed to be running fine; not a noticeable difference from before the change out. I did not expect any real change in performance, since I did it as a preventative maintenance issue.

However, I have noticed over the past couple of days that the truck seems to lag a bit (stumble, if you will) in the middle from 1st to 2nd gear, and from 2nd to 3rd gear only for a second. This is only under light acceleration, as I do not slam on the pedal as a habit. Though, if I do get on it, it does not seem to do that. Again, this is under light throttle. It has been cooler here and raining the past few days, which we have not had happen in a really long time. I am not sure if what I am feeling is transmission related, or engine related. Any ideas!?

Sincerely,
Matt

[Rmbodie]

Since you mentioned it . Yes I have some ideas . I do not like what I am thinking . I mentioned earlier that I had the NGK Irridiums . I originally installed them in my T/A (same part #) . I developed a hesitation shortly after that . I hoped that it was from the wires due to the difficulty in getting them off . I drove about two months putting up with it until I could put the MSD wires on . Since I was in there , I changed the plugs too with a cheap set of bosch platnums . Everything cleared up . Again I thought it was the wires . I put the NGK Irridiums in my truck and it is now missing at an idle . I have talked to my parts rep at Advance about this and they are going to give me another set . I suspect the plugs now . The parts store computer tell you one gap , your car/truck hood sticker says another . Which do you use ? Rob

[masapell]

I'm thought that I would try something last night on the way home from work. I drove home with the window down and the AC off (it was only in the 80's, unlike a few weeks ago!) I did this this morning, since it was in the 60's. I did not notice any hesitation this time. I am thinking that it might be the compressor cycling off and on. I'll check it somemore later tonight.

Sincerely,
Matt

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by masapell

I am thinking about going with the NGK Iridiums too. I ended up buying Accel Extreme 9000 wires (Ebay $38.00) and they should be in next week. We'll see how that goes.

Stay with the plugs the good AC delco spark plug book calls for on it.
GM made it and they know what plugs work best.
Good Luck
MT

[masapell]

Thanks MT. I figured the same thing. That if GM recommended that particular plug, it should work as designed.
I don't think the slight hesitation is related to the plug/wireset, especially since it only happens for a second between shift points. Logic seems to tell me that I would be experiencing problems throughout the entire power band.

Anyway, here is a picture of the wireset, with a closeup

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by masapell

Thanks MT. I figured the same thing. That if GM recommended that particular plug, it should work as designed.
I don't think the slight hesitation is related to the plug/wireset, especially since it only happens for a second between shift points. Logic seems to tell me that I would be experiencing problems throughout the entire power band.

Anyway, here is a picture of the wireset, with a closeup

Wires look good.
If it gives any more problems check fuel filter and pressure and have a look at MAF seensor.
Sometimes a good spray cleaning job helps MAF sensor.
Might want to get a scanner on it and look things over good.
Even tempt sensor and other things can get oof.
Good luck MT

[clubplug]

Originally Posted by Rmbodie

Since you mentioned it . Yes I have some ideas . I do not like what I am thinking . I mentioned earlier that I had the NGK Irridiums . I originally installed them in my T/A (same part #) . I developed a hesitation shortly after that . I hoped that it was from the wires due to the difficulty in getting them off . I drove about two months putting up with it until I could put the MSD wires on . Since I was in there , I changed the plugs too with a cheap set of bosch platnums . Everything cleared up . Again I thought it was the wires . I put the NGK Irridiums in my truck and it is now missing at an idle . I have talked to my parts rep at Advance about this and they are going to give me another set . I suspect the plugs now . The parts store computer tell you one gap , your car/truck hood sticker says another . Which do you use ? Rob

Hi Rob

If the part store told you to re-gap your NGK Iridium plugs, please change store. I am not kidding. You should never re-gap NGK Iridium plugs, you rick of breaking off the "fine tip" and the NGK iridum plugs or Denso Iridium plugs are designed to work best to the pre-factory gap setting.

[masapell]

Originally Posted by clubplug

Hi Rob

If the part store told you to re-gap your NGK Iridium plugs, please change store. I am not kidding. You should never re-gap NGK Iridium plugs, you rick of breaking off the "fine tip" and the NGK iridum plugs or Denso Iridium plugs are designed to work best to the pre-factory gap setting.

Fortunately for me, I already knew that you were not supposed to regap the plugs(thanks to this indispensable forum). The clerk at O'rielly's did point that out when selling the product.

[Rmbodie]

Originally Posted by clubplug

Hi Rob

If the part store told you to re-gap your NGK Iridium plugs, please change store. I am not kidding. You should never re-gap NGK Iridium plugs, you rick of breaking off the "fine tip" and the NGK iridum plugs or Denso Iridium plugs are designed to work best to the pre-factory gap setting.

Clubplug, Actually the store computer specified " DO NOT GAP " . but I noticed that they were different when I opened the packages . One was as wide as 75 thousanths another was around 50 thousanths . So I chose to set them at the engine spec (.060).
They are fragile, Before I bought them I wanted to see what one looked like . The clerk brought one to the coughter and opened it and the tip was missing already . So I inspected all of them before leaving the store . I am going to pull them out again soon to replace them with another set . Rob

[70GTORAG]

masapell, just wondering how the accel 9000 wires are working for you?
I was ready to give them a try but may try the MSD's Super Conductor. Was told the MSD wires are better, and they are cheaper too. Here in canada the Accell are $105 and the MSD are $65. Delco's priced at $100 bones.
The only difference I can see is the resistance in the Accel wire is 500 Ohms/foot and the MSD is 40-50 Ohm's/foot. I checked the wires in my truck and they come up at 450 Ohm's/foot. They say Delphi on them and I assume they are the stock wires. Also nobody stocks the Accel wires so I am taking that as a hint.
I am replacing my wires cause there is 125,000km on the clock and there is also a slight miss at idle, causes the engine to vibrate slightly. I assume it may be the wires as the plugs were replaced short time ago. I used Delco's and the Parts dude at the dealership told me that the plugs must be gapped at .040" and NOT the specified .060" as shown on the sticker in the engine compartment.
I have the same 1-2 shift problem under slight throttle when engine is cold, not present when engine at operating temperature. More throttle makes it shift better.

[Rmbodie]

Is the accel set a universal (you cut and crimp) or are they ready to mount? My local Auto zone said Accel did not make wires for the 5.3 vortec ,only the distributor V8.I have the same shift issue It feels like it does not want to move at first when temp is low unless I force the issue . Rob

[masapell]

Originally Posted by 70GTORAG

masapell, just wondering how the accel 9000 wires are working for you?
I was ready to give them a try but may try the MSD's Super Conductor. Was told the MSD wires are better, and they are cheaper too. Here in canada the Accell are $105 and the MSD are $65. Delco's priced at $100 bones.
The only difference I can see is the resistance in the Accel wire is 500 Ohms/foot and the MSD is 40-50 Ohm's/foot. I checked the wires in my truck and they come up at 450 Ohm's/foot. They say Delphi on them and I assume they are the stock wires. Also nobody stocks the Accel wires so I am taking that as a hint.
I am replacing my wires cause there is 125,000km on the clock and there is also a slight miss at idle, causes the engine to vibrate slightly. I assume it may be the wires as the plugs were replaced short time ago. I used Delco's and the Parts dude at the dealership told me that the plugs must be gapped at .040" and NOT the specified .060" as shown on the sticker in the engine compartment.
I have the same 1-2 shift problem under slight throttle when engine is cold, not present when engine at operating temperature. More throttle makes it shift better.

Here is the link to Accel's info PDF page. Scroll down to about page 4. It shows that the difference in resistance is negligible, when looking at voltage. With the short amount of wire, the voltage is almost identical, thought the resistance is a bit higher.

http://go.mrgasket.com/pdf/sparkplugs/Wire_Summary.pdf

The wires have worked out just fine for me. I got them for a REALLY great price off of ebay. They were expensive through a parts house, somewhere around $150, if I remember correctly. With shipping, I think I paid just shy of $50 for the whole set. In addition, there were no fitment problems, and they were made specifically for the 5.3. I hope the information helps.

[70GTORAG]

The difference in voltage based on resistance is negligable, you are right. So what makes one wire better than the other? Like I said the price and availability of the MSD wires will likely make my choice.
Has anybody that replaced wires have any success with the slight engine miss problem go away? What other solutions or fixes has anybody done to resolve this problem... or should I say annoyance. However, with the slight miss would that not affect gas mileage?
I had a 94 yukon 5.7L with the same slight miss at idle, changed the plugs and tried several sets of wires, talked to the dealer and tried Delco plugs and wires as recommended, but the miss did not go away. Even with the new plugs and wires when I ran the engine at dark you could still see the spark arcing off some of the wires, without even having to mist the wires. Dealers technicians had no clue. I gave up also and accepted it. ANYBODY know what the answer is please post it.

Would also like to know the answer to the slight hesitation at shift points when engine is cold. Is there anybody who knows the engine,trans,ecm process during the shift points, and what to try to solve the problem. Again, it is not a detrimental issue to the operation of the vehicle, but a small annoyance that is likely going to make someones world come to an end if there is no resolution.

These forums are great and i use them alot, however there seems to be a huge lack of follow up on the results and resolutions to problems. But what the h#ll, if even GM Grand Master Technicians do not know the answer than who am I to talk.

[bigj-dog]

I had a slight miss with my '89 K1500 and replaced the TBI base gasket and miss disappeared. My '02 6.0 has no miss, but I just put a set of JBA Headers Power Cables plug wires on for $55 off of Ebay and I couldn't be happier.

[HanibalTheCannibal]

I put in AC Delco's last spring. They were more, and I had to search around town for them. I would not get the Lifetime autozone wires whatever youdo.

PS The ACDelcos have a lifetime warranty!!