Best Spark Plug Cables

[Nitrometano]

Hi everyone.

I installed in a 1979 911 SC a MSD 6AL Ignition System and a Accel 14001 square and ugly yellow coil. I have the original Bosch spark cables installed. The Accel coil that I installed delivery 50,000 volts compared to the MSD Blaster coils that is 45,000 volts.

I'm thinking to upgrade to a best quality and performande spark plug cables. I have read a lot of information around the site and I haven't find some one that explain what spark plug cable brand is the best. Some people say the Magnecor are the best, others the Nology cables, others the Bosch cables, MSD, Hot Wire, etc.

I know that less resistance in the cables more is the current delivery to the spark. The MSD cables have 50 ohms per foot and is one of the spark plug cables in the market with less resistance. But this cables are not available for our Porsches.

Can the original Bosch spark cables cables hold the 50,000 volts or what spark plug cable I need to upgrade and gain the best performance. Also what is the difference between the 7, 8, 8.5, 10mm cables.

Another thing: What is the top speed of a 1979 911 SC 3. The car runs 150 mph at 6,000 RPM in the 5 gear last friday. That is good? Or the car can run at more speed?

[dweymer]

I'm not sure about wires, but I have driven on the roads in PR and to drive 150mph on any of them scares me hearing about it. Aren't there any closed courses where you could do this?

[Porschekid962]

check out the clewett engineering wires, very nice stuff. your car sounds like its pretty healthy.

www.clewett.com

[kqw]

Hey, the road between Aricebo and Aquadilla is pretty good for run at 150mph.

[sammyg2]

Top- speed on a stock SC from the factory is around 142 mph.
have you had your speedo calibrated? many of them (including mine) read about 7 to 10% fast.

[richard glickel]

I think you'd be hard-pressed to find better wires than Porsche O.E.M. In this case, aftermarket does not necessarily constitute an "upgrade".

Richard

[geof33]

Most guys here run Magnacors or stock. Issues with stock are the connectors... they are "prone" to failure/arcing... Magnecors are a great upgrade for the $$$. You will find nology, hotwire etc... not getting good reviews here.

If you want good info check www.magnecor.com.

[ausgezeichnet]

http://www.magnecor.com/ Removed the period at the end.

[Nitrometano]

The car run 150 mph in the highway from Salinas to Guayama. Is a pretty long straightline road to race. The race was between this 911 and 2003 BMW M3. The M3 wins.....*****. The 150 mph was confirmed by the BMW owner too. This guy was surprise that an 25 years old Porsche can run hard. So the Magnacor are spark plugs to go. But what cables, 8mm or 10mm? What are the difference in performance?

[Mike Kast]

can't say I've ever gone 150

[Mike Kast]

equiptment failure's gotta suck at that speed

[strokher racing]

The number one killer of spark plug wires is heat. You mention 8mm and 10mm etc. Most of these wires have the same basic core, but the extra diameter is more shielding. It is easy to get carried away with an ignition system that has enough voltage to light up NYC, but the reality is if you have a 100k volt ignition and the combustion process only requires 20K for complete burn the extra voltage does nothing. There are better wires than Porsche wires with less resistance, but unless the Porsche wires are old you will not be able to tell ANY differnece when swapping to killer race wires. Now throw on 30 pounds of boost etc and I will answer this question differently Just like the ignitions out there. I have ran deep into the 9's with a msd 6a. We have even ran in the 8's with them no problems at all. I think you are covered in the igniton category.

Eric

[RoninLB]

I'm very pleased with the Magnacores on the street.. Usually I like to stick with the same mfg for CD, coil, etc..

anyway... MSD Tech Notes suggests "For serious performance the 8.5mm Super Conductor Wire is the only choice." I guess you'd have to buy a long piece and do your own fitting.

[Lorenfb]

"Can the original Bosch spark cables cables hold the 50,000 volts or what spark plug cable I need to upgrade and gain the best performance. Also what is the difference between the 7, 8, 8.5, 10mm cables."

Greater than 40KV overstresses the whole ignition system. 30-40KV is more than
adequate. Most good spark plug wire sets have good minmum resistance. Don't get
"carried away" with extra low resistance values. Remember, the spark plug wires are NOT
carrying amps, i.e. they're carrying milliamps (secondary current = primary current
divided by the turns ratio = 8 amps/ 100 = 80 milliamps). Thus, huge conductor wires
are a waste.

So again, Porsche failed in designing-in (specing) another key performance
element (ignition wires) in 911s, Please!

Bottomline: A wire is a wire is a wire!

[stlrj]

The problem is not the wire, they all make good wires, but the plug connectors...humm.

The plug connectors are the weak link on all wire sets including our beloved Beru that too easily short out with high loads due to insufficient insulation where it is needed most, at the spark plug insulator.

Compare the amount of insulation at the connector boot of a 911 plug connector tip to any other manufacturer and you will see a vast difference in how much more coverage the spark plug insulator is being protected with the boot over the plug insulator.

For example, take a look at a long plug connector from a Toyota and compare that with a Beru. Even a small block Chevy V8 has plug connectors that encapsulate the spark plug insulator so complete and tight that it sometimes it takes a special puller to remove them without damaging the cables.


Special attention to this area for all 911 plug connectors, aftermarket included, is sorely needed.

Maybe we should be asking who makes the best plug connectors?


-Joe

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by stlrj

Maybe we should be asking who makes the best plug connectors?

ditto

[kepperly]

I don't remember what brand they are but the set I got from AJUSA
has been great and came with all the spacers, boot lube etc.

Keith Epperly 87 slant nose turbo look carrera cabriolet

[Oldporsche]

I'm an MSD fan. I like their products. They also offer a variety of ignition wire products. If you look at one of their catalogs, you will be able to find all of the parts to fabricate a set of wires for your car. They also have prepared kits for various cars. They do not offer the long connectors separately that we need for the 911. In several e-mails with their customer service dept, they said in essense that they could make up a set of wires utilizing the longer connectors, for our use.

With the same type of questions, I asked Magnacor about fabricating a set of wires. They can fabricate just about anything for our cars. I asked if it was possible for an owner to do the same for a custom situation. What I got then was an attitude that only Magnacor had the expertise to correctly assemble their wires. They offer many components for ignition wire separately however.

I called a friend who has his own stock car and also uses MSD components. He told me to come on over and he would help me assemble a set of MSD wires. He had an inventory of MSD wires, their parts and some assembly crimpers, etc. He didn't have a set of long connectors however.

One of these days I will probably do a set of MSD wires for my motor. All its going to cost is parts and a case of beer.

David Duffield

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by old_porsche
They do not offer the long connectors separately that we need for the 911.

One of these days I will probably do a set of MSD wires for my motor. All its going to cost is parts and a case of beer.

So Dave.. MSD does have our connectors? I can find long terminal boots in their catalog, but don't know if they are stiff enough for our type of wire install ?

[Nitrometano]

I contac MSD by email and is this the answer:

"Dear Sir,

For your application you will need to purchase 3 of the Mutli-Angle Boots and terminals, 2 per card part number 3301. The part number for the socket boots and terminals is 3331. You will also need 3 of this part number to get 6 boots and terminals. Once you have purchased these boots, please contact us so that we may provide you with the Volkswagen seals. It would be cheaper if you get pricing and availability through an MSD Dealer. Our prices are 30 to 40% higher because we are contracted not to undersell our dealers. You can obtain a list of dealers who can provide you with prices and availability off of our website at <www.msdignition.com> under AUTOMOTIVE DEALERS."

Thanks,
MSD Tech

I'm not familiar with this thing, but some MSD fan can easyli identify these parts and make custom wires.