Sparkplug cable

Will a sparkplug cable that is not stainless steel braided work on a CIS engine?

With one CAVEAT, yes! If it is the '73-'77 version with point-triggered-CDI igniton, no problem ... in fact, the 'big' 911 '74 factory brochure showed a 2.7 CIS engine with green fiberglass cooling shroud and sparkplug wires without shielding!

The magnetic-triggered CDI of the '78-'83 SC's (and Turbo's from '76) probably needs the shielding, but I have been told that if you are just replacing the black neoprene wires and re-using the connectors, the shielding can be re-used, too!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I had a 78 SC which I ran unshielded cable for years without any problems.

Besides, GM's HEI ignition systems in the early 70's were also of the variable reluctance transducer type of triggering signal which is identical to the SC and they never used shielded cables.

Regards,

Joe Garcia
86 Carrera

[This message has been edited by stlrj (edited 08-29-2000).]

My plugwires ('78SC) are not shielded, and my buddy's '79 930 are also not shielded. Can't tell you what problems this may cause, but I haven't noticed any.

[This message has been edited by RarlyL8 (edited 08-29-2000).]

Oh, but the stainless steel socks look so cool! They can be found in most auto parts stores.

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'83 SC

Superman, what is the purpose of the stainless shielding? I thought it was only for radio interference. Can anyone tell me more about interference with magnetic pick up cdi's as mentioned? thanks jer

I replaced the original spark plug cables in my '80 SC with Magnecor 8.5mm cables about 6 months ago. No problems that I can detect. The car seems to maybe idle just a bit more smoothly with the new cables.

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Greg Slater
'80 SC
gslater@uswest.net

Greg does your car have a bosch cdi with magnetic pick up in the distributor? thanks jer

I presume so, since it's a completely stock 1980. I got the car a year ago, and the work I've done in that time seems to be the only mods that were ever made... No mods to any ignition componentry have been made (except the plug wires), and the stuff that's there sure looks like it's been there for a long, long time.

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Greg Slater
'80 SC
gslater@uswest.net

thanks Greg...the help is appreciated jer

RJM3, you apparently know as much about the shielding's purpose as I. Something about radio interference and the CDI unit.

FWIW, I take the simple position that the world's finest automotive engineers thought this was a good idea. they also don't include unnecessary components, as a rule. So, I'm open to the possibility that some parts on my car are unnecessary, or that an upgraded replacement can be found. On the other hand, these cars are harder to 'upgrade' than those four cylinder farting machines we discussed on another thread.

But I do think the stainless steel socks look cool and help protect the wire physically. My stainess steel is worn in one place from rubbing. An this is just a sock that slips over the wire. You can put them on any car's existing wires, as long as you can get one end off.

Wire repair for me will involve high quality, bulk cable, good beru connectors, and socks. Better than spending $200.

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'83 SC

Cool...thanks superman i'll put them back on my new wires ..I agree with you on the engineering side...I just wish i knew more about it..Seems that the cdi unit itself is well shielded and heat sinked...maybe it's like spark scatter?????thanks jer