Spark Plug Wires
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Coquitlam, BC Canada
Spark Plug Wires
I'm going to be doing a tune up on my truck and need to replace the plug wires badly. I was wondering which one people have had luck with, is there any gain from 8mm to 8.8mm wires on a stock 400 engine is it worth the extra money? which brands give you the best deal for the dollar?. MSD, SuperStock etc?
Thanks for any repies,
Joey
Thanks for any repies,
Joey
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Boise, ID
Spark Plug Wires
For a stock engine, in my opinion, regular over the counter wires are just fine. I've used all types of wires on many types of engines and can't say I prefer one over the other.
As far as aftermarket wires (MSD, Accel, Taylor, Nology, etc.), they might be overkill but certainly won't hurt you. The only aftermarket wires I've ever used are either Accel or MSDs. Of the two, the MSD is by far the more superior wire. The MSD wire ends stay crimped and the boots fit very well. I cant tell you how many Accel wire ends I've seen pull off. Oh yes, and the Accel wires burn very easily.
As far as aftermarket wires (MSD, Accel, Taylor, Nology, etc.), they might be overkill but certainly won't hurt you. The only aftermarket wires I've ever used are either Accel or MSDs. Of the two, the MSD is by far the more superior wire. The MSD wire ends stay crimped and the boots fit very well. I cant tell you how many Accel wire ends I've seen pull off. Oh yes, and the Accel wires burn very easily.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Boise, ID
Spark Plug Wires
superswamper, your points should be fine with your Accel coil. The points simply act as a trigger for the coil to fire. The higher winding count in your coil may put a little more strain on your points and condensor but I doubt you'll ever notice a differnce in reliability.
As for your wires, you're kind of in the same boat fordblue is. If you're running points or most any other type of stock ignition, you won't see much of a difference with aftermarket wires. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage you from buying yourself a nice set of wires. You just won't reap the full benefit without the "whole package".
Possibly an exception to this rule of thumb are the Nology wires I mentioned earlier. I've never used them but many people claim to see 5%+ power increases on the dyno with stock vehicles. These are very trick wires but are very $$$$.
As for your wires, you're kind of in the same boat fordblue is. If you're running points or most any other type of stock ignition, you won't see much of a difference with aftermarket wires. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage you from buying yourself a nice set of wires. You just won't reap the full benefit without the "whole package".
Possibly an exception to this rule of thumb are the Nology wires I mentioned earlier. I've never used them but many people claim to see 5%+ power increases on the dyno with stock vehicles. These are very trick wires but are very $$$$.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Coquitlam, BC Canada
Spark Plug Wires
Thanks for your reply,
I have problems with the boots coming off when you go to pull the plugs, so right now I'm leaning towards the MSD, the price I can get on these seems to be better than others. And the accel wires were a bit less but after your post I'm thinking not.
Thanks
Joey
I have problems with the boots coming off when you go to pull the plugs, so right now I'm leaning towards the MSD, the price I can get on these seems to be better than others. And the accel wires were a bit less but after your post I'm thinking not.
Thanks
Joey
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Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Indiana
Spark Plug Wires
With the Accel's, I have not had trouble with the boots coming off, rather its been the spark plug terminal ends pulling off the wire. 
I have went to MSD Heli-Core wires, and had great luck with them.
I have went to MSD Heli-Core wires, and had great luck with them.
Last edited by Superdave; Apr 9, 2003 at 12:21 AM.
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From: Grande Prairie, AB
Spark Plug Wires
My truck i bought gots accel 8.8......so far so good...
tho i dont know how long the dude before me had em..He also had autolites and i just put in soem NGK. Not bad.
tho i dont know how long the dude before me had em..He also had autolites and i just put in soem NGK. Not bad.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Boise, ID
Spark Plug Wires
Originally posted by Superdave
With the Accel's, I have not had trouble with the boots coming off, rather its been the spark plug terminal ends pulling off the wire.
I have went to MSD Heli-Core wires, and had great luck with them.
With the Accel's, I have not had trouble with the boots coming off, rather its been the spark plug terminal ends pulling off the wire.
I have went to MSD Heli-Core wires, and had great luck with them.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Spark Plug Wires
I've had the same problems with Accel wires. You tug on the boot as you should to take off the wire and the darn clip stays on the plug. Then it becomes a pain in the butt to fix it. I'm jumping over to Taylor 10mm wires. However, I'm moving to an MSD ignition system which will benefit from the wires. With your stock application, I would use MSD. Just a preference thing.
Good luck!
Good luck!