Spark Plug Wires Recommendation

[lv2race]

Can anyone recommend a replacement set of spark plug wires for a 2.0 liter, Single Plug, Bosch Coil and MSDS, racing engine?

[Paulporsche]

Try contacting MSD for a recommendation. I have the 8.5mm red wires from them on my engine. They work fine.

BTW where are you in Roch? I used to live in Irondequoit.

[randywebb]

Rather than collecting anecdotes, why not check on what expert engine builders (who would see something like a statistical sample of problems) use?

Search on spark + plug + wire* + Weiner to see what he likes.

You could also look up what Henry/Supertec uses tho those engines might see less rain/snow than ones in the PNW.

IIRC, the connectors a re a big issue, more so than the wires.

[mgbruno]

Steve Weiner from REnnsport is awesome. He's been a great help to me. Always. If his shop were here in DC I would give him tons of business. I've asked him about this - Nology, Magnecor, etc, etc. He said don't waste my money on anything but Magnecor. Concerning your specific needs, I'd ask him. Just google REnnsport and you can contact him via his website.

[RoninLB]

I use 8.5 Magnecore. The connector may not be the toughest but their fine if you're not sloppy when making the connection.

The spiral neturalizes static field without a resistor. I bought the optional long coil wire and mounted it on the elec panel. I picked out wire connectors at the speed shop as the 8.5 could be a pia to fit all mfg's.

Beru may be a great wire but it's a problem waiting to happen imo.

[Grady Clay]

The critical word about cap, rotor, wires and plug connectors is: NEW.

Even the highest quality parts age, get damaged, get dirty, etc. On a track engine I would replace everything annually and have a complete new set as spare. Having a known good, set up and tested complete ignition system to swap on the engine is a great diagnostic tool. That means a set and run-in distributor, rotor, cap, wires, plug connectors, coil, wiring harness and CDI. You should be able to find TDC #1, plug in the entire assembly, set the static timing and be right on at 6000 rpm.

An issue about pre-SC engines with high energy systems is the small distributor cap. Someone should market an adaptor that allows the large cap and rotor (993?). With new 8.5 mm ignition wires, perfect plug connectors, etc, the terminal spacing in the cap becomes the limiting factor. Rev-limit rotors don’t help either.

Don’t forget the rubber insulating stand offs that separate the wires and prevent them from flopping about. Having the wires as separate as reasonable and not parallel helps prevent cross-fire. If the wires can flop about, the surface gets abraded and can compromise the high voltage integrity.

The spark plug end of the plug connectors is notoriously not inspected for cracks, arc tracks or other damage. Before installing plugs, wipe the ceramic with a clean cotton ball and alcohol. A magnetic spark plug socket won’t get the insulator dirty.

The devil is in the details.

Best,
Grady

[lv2race]

Thanks for all your help.

PS -Paul, I'm in Honeoye Falls