Beru's for 'Free'

[Matt Smith]

I blew one of my Beru's the other day (coincidentally after opening my plug gaps; have big spark MSD). Actually, it wasn't a Beru to start with, but and aftermarket Bakelite Peru. Whatever, it was old, made of Bakelite and works the same as the beru: screw in wires, 1K ohm resistance etc. etc.

It was a saturday, and I needed parts FAST. Called the official Porsche parts gurus over here in NZ and was quoted around $65NZ (half that for USD) each; 3 week delay ex Germany.

What a farce. I was disgusted both at it's ridiculous cost and total unavailability. I wanted to drive NOW!!

I entertained the thoughts of a BMW one, but they are 5Kohm, expensive too, and just not right.

Then I called in at a small VW restorer/performance centre, held the offending item in my hand - didn't tell him what I needed it for-and asked him if he had any. Sure enough (and to my amazement), he bought out a box of them, shiney new bakelite.

"Sure, Type four VW, $8.90 NZ each".
They are 'Beri", but made in Germany and seem to be quality. 1K stamped on the base. I laughed, told him it was off my 911. He laughed too. I bought 6 for the cost of 1 Beru and have been smiling warmly since.

[Superman]

My local VW guru says Type 4 VW spark plug connectors are not the right-angle type. Of course, the right-angle thing may not be necessary, but it looks neater. Still, for a fraction of the cost.....

[Matt Smith]

Correct, they are not angled- but neither were the last ones. I have angled rubber boots there; they came with my stainless 8mm lead kit.
They come on and off the plugs fine, as they are easily long enough. So basically, with new air seal rubbers on them (also VW part no. 111.905.449) they do the job as per factory, and can be routed accordingly.

Now I have found these at a reasonable price I may consider twin plugging- finally.

[Oldporsche]

Matt, you may consider the literature from MSD about spark plug wires. As I understand it, the MSD unit works well with the spiral core type wires.

I am working on replacement wires for my car using aftermarket wires specifically used with MSD units.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[rfix'n]

I thought the Beru's where 3k-4k ohms and on the dizzy side the plugs were 1k. Not sure if it matters or why there is resistance at all? Maybe someone more knowlegable will chime in.

[Matt Smith]

David- I bought the wires before the MSD. And I have read the literature until blue in the face!
This was just a soloution to my particular problem on a saturday morning, and it seems to work well. The real interest should be to those who have a stock system with maybe old, usless Beru's and need a fix that doesn't feel like the P. tax man is reaming you over a barrel with a big smile on HIS face.

[Superman]

I think you;re right, Rob. 1k connectors at the distributor cap, and, like 3k resistors in the Berus. The reason for this resistance is radio interference.

[CamB]

Yeah, the MSD literature does refer to sprial wound wires.

Thing is, the Magnecors (supposedly the best) in all their majesty are something like US$130+++ for a set.

I bought helical Bosch wires for less than US$40 a set (and for a V8 so I have 2 spare) - all that I don't have is appropriate spark plug connectors...

... if I could find the connectors for a reasonable price then I would be ready to go for (probably) sub-US$70. How much can unresisted connectors for a Porsche 911 possibly cost???

So anyone know where to get durable/qulaity unresisted connectors??

Cam

[Matt Smith]

Oh no! It's happening again- the great plug wire debate!

Cam- I'm sure we measured your (standard) Beru's while they were apart (ie, the plug end) and they gave 1K too?

Is it just me or do plug wires get exponentially more confusing the more you read about them?

[Superman]

Yes Matt, up to a certain point. Then, it gets simple. The fact is, you could use plain copper wire welded to the spark plugs and to the distributor cap. Your radio might sound fuzzy, but nothing elase bad would happen.

[Fishcop]

Guys, I've just ordered a set of Aussie made "Top-Gun" wires. They are spiral wires with connectors for the 911 included for about $100 Australian.

I'll let you know how I go when I get them

[CamB]

Matt

I am certain we measured 1k (except on those ones which measured infinity, dammit). (early cars, remember)

And there was definitely no beru on the distributor end?

John

Oh please do let me know how the Top Gun's are. Matt has Top Gun solid cores with his Berus (FWIW).

So they have the correct 911 ends? Excellent!!! And A$100 is only US$50! Beautiful... I am going twin plug soon and need to save

My research suggests that the Magnecor or equivalent spiral/helical wound wires should do the same job as the Berus (reducing RFI) - hard to tell because of conflicting manufacturers opinions, but check Magnecors website.

I trust Steve Weiner from Rennsport Systems, he has told me Magnecors are good with the MSD (which apparently puts out major RFI) and that is enough for me.


Cam

[Fishcop]

Let me get this right though.....If you don't give a rat's arse about the radio reception in the car, then RFI is not an issue correct?

[CamB]

Someone who knows should answer, but the engine computer would and other electrical items might give a rat's ass about RFI. 'Course the '69 has electric, um, lights, and not much else.

Actually this is a very good question. How bad would the RFI be - bad enough to mess with the car next to you? that would be VERY VERY cool.

So I am waiting for the answer too...

[Matt Smith]

My eyeballs and testicles eagerly await the answer too. Btw- what is 'radio'??

[jay castriotta]

Eyeballs and testicles?? Uh Matt, um, what eaxctly are you doing with the wires??

[Matt Smith]

Arn't they the most susceptible bits to RFI/radiation/whatever?

told you this plug wire stuff got wierder the more you looked into it...

[Oldporsche]

I definitely think a lot of this plug wire stuff is voodoo. The connector, or how do you get the wire connected to the spark plug seems to be the problem.

BTW, Beru I think at one time made straight (no resistance) spark plug wire connectors. I bet that they would now be very hard to find.

It seems that there are plug wire connector combinations out there that will work. I have several plug wire catalogs that illustrate prefabricated wires that will probably work very well. I have even contacted factory reps about the illustrated sets in their catalogs and have been told that I would just have to see the retailer.

In one of the catalogs, I found a statement, saying essentially that they would welcome development of new applications. I think that with the right combination of wires that are offered from different sets, one could develop a good, reasonably priced set of wires for retrofit of MSD units to earlier cars.

On my personal car, I have a partial set of MSD wires, however MSD doesn't have any applications for Porsche in their catalog.
I asked the PO about the wires and he said that his mechanic put them on the car. GO Figure!

Since winter is again upon us, I try to get some more info from the vendors and chase the problem some more.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[Superman]

Settle down, guys. I am no expert and I've heard warnings about RF interference with onboard systems. But some of the most trusted folks I've talked to say that's a bunch of $#`!.

Truth is, wire sets with no resistance have been preferred by race teams until recently. And the reason they now use sets that prevent RF interference is not to protect their car's other systems, but so they can talk and listen on their radios.

Some say that resistance balls up the spark like a capacitor allowing a more powerful spark but I'm not sure that's true.

I feel there is a bit of snake oil out there. You're just moving a burst of high voltage energy from poin a to point b.

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

Yes they look the same, Porsche used them on pre 69 engines too and Bremi is a good company. However they will not survive very long under the CDI fire. Get a set extra for your trunk.

Grüsse