Plugs and Wires

[Highbeamz]

I searched for this, but the thread I found was too old to post in (just over 3 months).

I keep hearing a lot of people saying to stray from Bosch plugs/wires...I can live with that although I've never had a problem.

I'm going to do my plugs and wires pretty quick but I'm wondering if it's even justified to buy something "better" than OEM? I had my eye on PRJ spark plug wires (10.4mm) and they have features I don't think I'd use. They're good for taking on and off a lot, but I don't do a lot of work that requires removing the wires, so that feature is useless. Other than the claimed ~4whp on a 300whp setup, there will be very little power gain if any off these wires as far as I'm concerned. So is there any real point to getting these wires for a non racing setup? The extra cost just isn't looking like it's worth it...unless the Delco's are more expensive than I'm imagining. I see the Delco's are supposedly 7mm, and the PRJ's are 10.4mm....is that going to produce anything better spark-wise or is that just a thicker jacket?

On the plug note, I don't plan to move onto Autolites until I add a pulley, and Delco seems like a safe bet. Is there any runners up or better ones worth noting? I've seen the new E3 plugs, but have also read they *may not* live up to the hype.

So I'm just looking for suggestions here, otherwise I'm going OEM.

For the record, I may plan on upping the power by adding 3.4 pulley, headers, better intake, higher ratio rocker arms, lower t-stat, autolite 104's . Even under that setup, is there any need to get "better" wires?

[tblake]

Right now I'm running autolite 605's (1 range colder) and delco wires (45 bucks)

I have a 3.5" pully, 180 stat, and a stage 1 throttle body.

The plug wires I put on last year with a set of ac delco 41-101 plugs. this year I swapped out the plugs for the 605's. the wires came off a little hard but weren't ruined.

Not sure how much the wires your looking at are, but If they are a lot more than delco's, I wouldn't get them.

[Highbeamz]

They're about $120US, didn't think they'd be worth the extra cost, considering for 60 bucks you can get a press on pulley and actually gain power rather than some fancy looking thick wires.

[tblake]

120? Forget it! for just a little more you can get a smaller pulley and reprogrammed PCM.

[Christ]

thicker wires transmit MORE energy... thinner wires do it faster.

Electricity does NOT flow THROUGH the wire... it flows AROUND IT. hence the reason braided wire is used in most automotive connections or DC setups regardless of use.

bigger wires will cause more impedance, but better holding power for the remainder of the spark duration.

If you spend alot of time driving at low speeds, bigger wires are better... if you spend alot of time at high speeds (engine speed) then you use smaller wires.

Always use the shortest possible wire to get to where you need it... slack is loss of current due to impedance.

Hope this helps.

[tblake]

Originally Posted by Dr0pZ0n3

thicker wires transmit MORE energy... thinner wires do it faster.

Electricity does NOT flow THROUGH the wire... it flows AROUND IT. hence the reason braided wire is used in most automotive connections or DC setups regardless of use.

bigger wires will cause more impedance, but better holding power for the remainder of the spark duration.

If you spend alot of time driving at low speeds, bigger wires are better... if you spend alot of time at high speeds (engine speed) then you use smaller wires.

Always use the shortest possible wire to get to where you need it... slack is loss of current due to impedance.

Hope this helps.

What?

[Highbeamz]

Well I think I'm going to go with Iridium plugs, either NGK or Delco, it seems many cars are equipped with NGK from the factory (including GM's?)...so I can't see it being a bad bet. I think I'm going to go with Delco wires unless there's a GOOD substitute for the same price, otherwise I'm probably wasting money.

[Highbeamz]

I also need to find some Delco parts distributors, I have no idea if the stealership has huge markup on their parts or if I might as well get em there...

I wanna pick up a new fuel filter and for the time being I'm just gonna go OEM (trying to find a Delco one), not going to mess with stuff until the engine's modded, I just want a tune up for now.

[tblake]

Dealership markup will be higher on tune up parts.

www.rockauto.com has good prices

But I suppose you want them now..... Carquest, Napa, and Autovalue sometimes carry ac delco parts at lower than dealership prices.

[00GTP4ME]

I have the same plugs as tblake and I think they're great.

[tblake]

BTW, if you plan on doing any mods, right now might be the time to put a set of colder plugs in. A lot of us are running just regular copper core autolite plugs. I've got a set of autolite 605's which are one range colder. However if you would like to stick with platinum plugs, the TR6IX is a platinum plug that is one range colder.

[tblake]

Originally Posted by 00GTP4ME

I have the same plugs as tblake and I think they're great.

Hey Matt, What mods have you done to your car?

I'm just wondering because I put in my autolite 605's, 180 stat, and 3.5" pulley all at the same time, and my car doesn't start like it used to. I used to be able to Tap the key, and now sometimes it requires an extra half second of cranking before it starts. I was just wondering if this is due to the Autolites or the added boost. Something tells me its because the plugs aren't plats. Either way I can live with it, but it was just so nice when I could start my car like that.

BTW, my DHP PCM is on its way! (now I wish I'd have when with a modular pulley system so I could swap on a stock 3.8" and then switch to a 3.4". I just wanted to play it safe with the 3.5". Dont need any cracks in my pistons.

[00GTP4ME]

I actually put on the platintum 605's (AP605). I don't even remember what the plugs were before these because they were the plugs that were on when I got the car. I've never noticed any kind of a problem with starting.

Other than that, I've got a cat-back exhaust with high-flow mufflers and a cold air; that's it. U-bend delete is next. I'm very nervous about putting on the smaller pulley because I drive the car a little....athletically from time to time. The extra power would be great, but like you said I don't want to crack anything. If they had like a 3.6" pulley, I'd probably put that on. Do you have a boost/vacuum guage for your car? How many pounds does a 3.5 pulley add?

[tblake]

Other than the stock boost guage (which sucks) I have nothing. Whats the stock pulley boost? 4psi? I think I read somewhere that a 3.4" boosts almost 10psi, so maybe 8-9psi with the 3.5". I'm not sure.

With your mods, you will totally be fine with a 3.5" pulley. Just put in a 180 stat at the same time and you'll be all set!

Wish I could afford cat back exhaust. I just spent a lot on some new lower controll arms and a stabilizer bar. Maybe after I order a high flow downpipe.

[00GTP4ME]

Oh yeah, I have a stabilizer bar too. I love that thing. I can take corners like no body's business.

I put in a guage pod with a boost guage and if I'm pinning it, it gets up to 5 pounds.

How did the 3.5 pulley affect your MPG?