Most reliable sparkplug wires for 914's?
 

I'm just tossing a set of Autolite plug wires
I bought at the local FLAPS ( Checker) for my 914. I don't think one should have to spend 75-200
dollars to get a decent set of wires for this car, and I've heard of people making their own custom sets up from solid core wire and parts. I've also heard Jacobs are good. What do you guys think?

You cannot go wrong with the factory style Bosch replacement wires. All the others are crap.

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72'914

You can go wrong with the Bosch replacements, they don't fit the 914 2.0L. The longest wire is to short to fit the angled plug entry, in addition to being suppression core. After trying a few other brands that were locally available and still didn't fit I made my own set with 7mm solid core. The bake-o-lite ends and distributor rotor have a resistor core so using suppression core wire will result in a weak spark. This is also the reason the engine uses nonresistor plugs. I have also made wires from four cylinder universal kits with long straight silicon plug ends, the air seals fit right over the ends and held tight.

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Chris
75 914 2.0L

I used a set of wires from a Super Beetle. They were longer than the wires for a 2.0 Liter.

I have the Jacobs, but haven't got the chance to install yet. They LOOK good, but for 50 bucks I'm hoping they work too.

Pertronix Flame-Thrower wires have worked like a champ for me; no radio interference/noise, no missing, and no wear & tear after 2 years of use.

You can order them in pre-assembled form from ... you guessed it ... JC Whitney; you gotta think "VW Bus/Type-4" when hunting down stuff like this.

They even have them in various colors to dress up an otherwise ho-hum engine bay.

I had good luck using the Bosch wires for the FI'd Type 3s ('68-'73)when I had an FI'd 914 2.0L stuffed under the decklid in a '65 Variant S. My VW FLAPS guy frequently had then in stock, sometimes I could even find them at the non-VW FLAPS. They had a 90 angle coming off the dizzy, which worked great in the T3, but the purist-freaks may gag seeing that in 914 engine bay. I dunno, would you?

Never even thought about trying type I or III wire sets. I was a little pissed that I bought a set of Standard Tiger Tails (really nice set of wires) listed for the 914 2.0L and one was to short. I don't think anybody around here is that pure, freaks maybe http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/smile.gif, 90s on the cap would make a nice touch to clean things up. I have seen a set of OE wires going for $50 used and $100 new, now thats funny! I even thought of buying those Nology Hot Wires, but then I came to my senses ($150 for a set of wires, don't think the cost to benifit ratio is even close!) Thanks for the tips on wires guys.


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Chris
75 914 2.0L

Hey, I've got a pretty nice sound system, cd player with a changer and two amps in the front trunk. My entire system is forward, and the engine is in the back. Can I run solid plug wires with out noise?, or will the ignition noise still make it to my sound system? Just wondering.
Bee Jay
Here is a picture of my car
http://pelicanparts.com/swapmeet_pics/SLO_concours_July_01/Pic6.jpg

BJ: The possibilities of introducing ignition noise into your electrical system doesn't warrant using solid core spark plug wiring.

The aforementioned wiring kits are perfect for your rev range and street application. Unless you're running some type-of uranium-charged-warp-plasma-controlled-fusion ignition system, your Bosch Blue Coil will zap the plugs through them just fine.

Hey, where do I get this uranium charged warp plasma contolled ignition system? Actually, I was thinking about the MSD-5 system. I've read everything on the MSD6, and it's what I actually have in my Corvette. But the MSD-5 is so much more affordable. I already have the compu-fire and blue coil. Any one try this?
Bee Jay

Hey Bee jay,

Just make sure you ground your amplifiers directly to the battery ground.

Also ground each amplifier too, that'll lessen the chances of ignition noise buzzing through your system.

Hope this Helps,



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72'914
John@pelicanparts.com

I don't know what makes a good plug wire set, but I used the set that PP sells and they fit fine: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/9144/por_9144_igniti_main.htm .

Tim
'73 914 2.0L

The Bosch wires do not fit the 2.0 engine properly; I have the OE German 2.0 wire sets available for $42.00 plus shipping! These sets fit and work great!

Ed Atkinson
608-835-5333