msd ignition upgrade
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Canada
electricity travels on the OUTSIDE of a conductor. a large-diameter center electrode, even if made of copper, will flow more electricity than a narrower center electrode (thin platinum). Motorcraft plugs are your best bet.
IMO Ford racing wires are 9mm which is fine. As long as your wires are kept from lying on the valve covers or engine block you won't have any problems with arc'ing.
As for ignitions...I'm always partial to Mallory, but that's a whole other thread!
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
The electrode is not made of copper - only the core of the electrode is copper, and it is there primarily for heat dissipation rather than electrical conductivity. This is a common misconception that I see repeated here quite often. The center electrode would wear much too fast if the copper was exposed to the combustion chamber. The spark does jump from sharp edges, which would be on the outside of the electrode tip, but there isn't much of an electrical current jumping the gap - it is more dependent on voltage than anything else.
NGK Spark Plugs - Including Iridium IX - Quality Replacement NGK Sparkplugs
Spark Plug Construction
I also read the same information on center electrodes in Bosch literature as well. The heat dissipation is the reason "platinum" plugs also have a copper core in the center electrode - the platinum is just a plating on the spark faces of the electrodes to make the plug last longer. Platinum doesn't wear as fast as the nickel alloy used in standard plugs.
NGK Spark Plugs - Including Iridium IX - Quality Replacement NGK Sparkplugs
Spark Plug Construction
I also read the same information on center electrodes in Bosch literature as well. The heat dissipation is the reason "platinum" plugs also have a copper core in the center electrode - the platinum is just a plating on the spark faces of the electrodes to make the plug last longer. Platinum doesn't wear as fast as the nickel alloy used in standard plugs.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
I have the 6al with TFI coil....easy to install. I also have the 9mm Ford Racing wires and find the length to be perfect allowing room to route without worrying about interference. Running Motorcraft copper plugs gapped to .050 and plugs are perfectly clean. Plugs stay super clean with the high energy ignitions. My '95 Bug2 PCM has factory rev settings of 5350 rpm. You have no need for 6al unless you want a rev limiter less than factory settings. If you want more than factory settings, this can only be attained through changing settings in the pcm with chip/qh/or tweecer type device.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
You really think the Ford Racing wires are the prefect length? They are inches longer than the Motocraft or Accel wires and hang loosely. They look to me like they were made for a 460. I'd rather have the BWD wires from Orielly. Also, I would rather have 8mm wires that don't require the massive bulky wire separators. I think some of the other wires are available in 8.5 which may work in the smaller separators.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
You really think the Ford Racing wires are the prefect length? They are inches longer than the Motocraft or Accel wires and hang loosely. They look to me like they were made for a 460. I'd rather have the BWD wires from Orielly. Also, I would rather have 8mm wires that don't require the massive bulky wire separators. I think some of the other wires are available in 8.5 which may work in the smaller separators.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I don't see how you used the stock wire separators on the Ford Racing wires. The wires are much too large. Did you force them into the separator and pinch them? Are we talking about the same spark plug wires? I'm talking about these. They are about the worst fitting kit I have seen.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-12259-C301/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-12259-C301/
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
Originally Posted by TexasGuy001
I will also say that the Ford Racing wires do not fit well at all. They are 10 miles too long and are bulky so they don't allow a clean install. They also do not come with the provision for the coil wire retaining clip.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 2
I use the MSD 31329 8.5 super conductor made for the mustang , they are a little longer for routing around headers , ( racing wires ) a good set of wires and coil is important for a good spark , alot of guys use them with the 6 liter tune up ....Lew
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
You can get the wires from Summit or sometimes Ebay for a good price. Advance wanted 50 bucks I think. The dealer wants over 100 dollars.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACF-WR4093/
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
Yep, my wires are the blue 9mm FMS Racing wires. They may or may not have been the stock separators, as wires were not stock....they were Taylors, but the separators work fine. I like the little extra length....like Lew said....to work around headers, etc. I can't stand a wire that is too short and gets scorched by headers. I'll show pics of mine if I get a chance, I don't think they are that bad. There wasn't much difference between them and the Taylors that came off...as far as length. The back wires are probably a little longer than they need to be. You could get one of the kits where you have to make up the final length....those are fun.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I wouldn't buy the KN or the gimmicky E3 plugs they are made in China.
New User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
MSD 6A Ignition guidance.
So the MSD 6A ignition systems are universal, or is there a specfic sub model I need to get? I just ordered some NGK IX Iridium spark plugs and Ford Racing wires to supplement the SuperChip, K&N, and Flowmaster exhaust. I'm thinking the MSD 6A would be a great next step.