As mentioned earlier, reducing a plug wire’s resistance can make a measurable difference in performance. For street cars, a higher quality spark plug wire can make a significant difference. The least expensive plug wires on the market — similar to older OE plug wires from the ‘70s — used a carbon-impregnated fiberglass weave as the conductor.
Do spark plug wires really make a difference?
There isn't any performance to be gained from spark plug wires, just better build quality, which gives you not a better spark, but rather maintains an appropriate spark for more miles/years before their performance degrades to the point of needing replacement.
What are the benefits of good spark plug wires?
As @tlhIngan said, the benefit of good wires isn't so much the quality of the spark when they are new, but the longevity of the wires. Spark plug wires don't lead an easy life, they are exposed to high temperatures and high voltages and a lot of strain and bending during plug changes and other work around the wires.
What type of spark plug wire should I use for racing?
For racing use with shielded electronics solid core wires may be utilized, but with today’s modern performance spark plug wire construction they are quickly being phased out for spiral core wires with suppression abilities.
Why does a tuner need a stronger spark plug?
A stronger spark produced by reducing the plug wire resistance allows the tuner to lean the air/fuel ratio slightly because less fuel is needed to support combustion. This minimizes the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide numbers.
Will spark plug wires improve performance?
Will New Spark Plugs And Wires Improve Performance? The short answer is Yes, when you replace the spark plugs and wires can increase your vehicle's performance. New spark plugs help keep your engine at its peak performance and efficiency levels. Of course, every vehicle on the road will misfire from time to time.Sep 15, 2020
Do spark plugs wires give you horsepower?
In short, yes, in some situations spark plugs can increase horsepower.Oct 23, 2019
Do bigger spark plug wires make a difference?
That thicker wire core provides a lower operating resistance, allowing more spark energy at the spark plug. This thicker core, once wrapped in the insulating material and outer jacket, is what dictates the larger overall spark plug wire diameter.Oct 13, 2021
Do plug wires really make a difference?
As @tlhIngan said, the benefit of good wires isn't so much the quality of the spark when they are new, but the longevity of the wires. Spark plug wires don't lead an easy life, they are exposed to high temperatures and high voltages and a lot of strain and bending during plug changes and other work around the wires.Jul 13, 2016
Does changing spark plugs increase HP?
When you change your worn-out spark plug with fresh spark plugs, you'll notice a much faster engine response when driving. While spark plugs don't technically increase your engine's horsepower, they bring it back to its optimal combustion level.Jan 3, 2022
What spark plugs give more horsepower?
If you want spark plugs for better performance and buttery smooth idling, then Iridium plugs are the perfect choice. Prepare to pay up to three times (or more!) for Iridium vs Platinum, but they'll usually last longer, deliver more horsepower and breathe new life into your car!Mar 23, 2020
What's better 7mm or 8mm spark plug wires?
8mm spark plug wires are a heavier gage wire than the 7mm type. However, there is more to it than just the difference in the thickness. The thicker wire has a thicker core. The core is the part of the wire that brings power to the spark plugs.Oct 7, 2013
Does spark plug wire Quality Matter?
Spark plug wires can't add horsepower (despite what some may claim), but they can adversely affect your vehicle's performance. That's why it's important to select a good quality set of spark plug ignition wires to deliver juice to your spark plugs.Oct 9, 2015
Are performance spark plugs worth it?
High performance Noble metal plugs can perform consistently and well, which helps to maintain the engineered performance of the engine. They won't make the engine perform better than it did when it was new, but they will help it stay at that level longer.Aug 14, 2016
Do HT Leads improve performance?
Performance HT Leads are Worth it As soon as the flow is interrupted, the magnetic field collapses, creating or inducing a higher voltage in the secondary set. This is the current that then gets directed to the spark plugs.Aug 21, 2020
What happens if the spark plug wire resistance is too high?
If the plug wire’s resistance is too high, the spark energy to the spark plug will decrease, causing poor performance and potential spark plug fouling. If the resistance is too low it can interfere with other electronics such as fuel injection computers, car audio, or GPS systems, or even cause crossfire issues between the spark plug wires.
Why is the diameter of spark plugs bigger?
That thicker wire core provides a lower operating resistance, allowing more spark energy at the spark plug. This thicker core , once wrapped in the insulating material and outer jacket , is what dictates the larger overall spark plug wire diameter.
What is crossfire in spark plugs?
Crossfire is when the plug wire resistance is too low or the plug wire is compromised, providing a path for the spark energy to jump to an adjacent plug wire, which then fires the wrong spark plug at the wrong time. The best spark plug wires for the street will use a spiral wound core that is well insulated to protect against RFI ...
How many ohms does a super conductor wire have?
The Super Conductor wire will have as low as 40-50 ohms per foot, while a factory set can have up to 1,500 ohms of resistance per foot or more and go considerably higher as they wear/age. Of course, MSD’s wire products are just one of several brands carried by Speedway Motors. Several additional performance spark plug wire options ...
What size wire should I use for an ignition control box?
A popular option commonly used on the average street and strip application are the Street-Fire wires from MSD. MSD also offers the 8.5mm Super Conductor Wire, recommended to be used with any ignition control box upgrade.
Is an ignition system good?
Just like a rotating assembly or suspension system, your ignition system is only as good as its weakest link. Spark plug wires are often overlooked, but they should be considered a wear item and replaced with other secondary ignition parts during a major tune up. Replacing your spark plugs or ignition coil, possibly even your distributor cap ...
Do spark plug wires make horsepower?
While spark plug wires may not “make” horsepower in the traditional sense of adding a performance part to your engine, they can certainly help create the strongest, hottest spark for your combustion chamber, which aids in helping all your other performance engine upgrades like heads, cam, and carburetor to make the most horsepower.
What is the difference between spark plug wires?
The differences are in the amount of insulation that one wire delivers over another. The middle of Spark Plug Wires have a conductor that is generally made of Graphite of varying thicknesses. The Larger the Diameter of this Graphite is the Deciding Factor.
How to tell if spark plug wires need replacing?
There’s a few thing to look for when determining if spark plug wires need replaced First is external damage, such as cuts in the boots or wire coating, or burns from engine heat. Next is to make sure the electrodes on either end are free of corrosion, and in the correct alignment with the boots.
How does a spark plug wire work?
Most spark plug wires have resisters built in to suppress radio noise. The voltage on them from the coil to the plug is very high, so the size of the wire and the fact that they are fairly short makes little difference in vehicle performance. As long as they measure under 6K ohms they are fine.
How many volts does a spark plug have?
These high tension wires are needed to handle the high voltage reaching up to 12,000 volts! that is directed into your spark plugs. Now, some modern cars have individual ignition coil for each spark plug, or the so called coil-on-plug, so that a thinner wire is used from the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to the coil on plug.
What is coil on plug?
Now, some modern cars have individual ignition coil for each spark plug, or the so called coil-on-plug, so that a thinner wire is used from the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to the coil on plug. You need to know if these wires are needed by your engine. Older cars use a centralized ignition coil that provides the high voltage which is then ...
What is low resistance wire?
Low resistance wires in spark ignition systems, once below perhaps 500–1000 ohms, are mostly an advertising ploy to sell wires. Low resistance wires might help if if the spark plug tips are wet or fouled and have leakage, and you have a very beefy (over 200 mJ) or very “hot” ignition system.
What is the breakdown voltage of a wire?
This is the voltage between the wire’s conductor and something outside the wire exceeds a safe hold-off or breakdown voltage. If we exceed the insulation breakdown voltage, the wire arcs to surroundings.
Is there any performance to be gained from spark plug wires?
Active Oldest Votes. 5. There isn't any performance to be gained from spark plug wires, just better build quality, which gives you not a better spark, but rather maintains an appropriate spark for more miles/years before their performance degrades to the point of needing replacement.
Do spark plug wires lead to longevity?
As @tlhIngan said, the benefit of good wires isn't so much the quality of the spark when they are new, but the longevity of the wires. Spark plug wires don't lead an easy life, they are exposed to high temperatures and high voltages and a lot of strain and bending during plug changes and other work around the wires.
Do spark plug wires have better build quality?
There isn't any performance to be gained from spark plug wires, just better build quality, which gives you not a better spark, but rather maintains an appropriate spark for more miles/years before their performance degrades to the point of needing replacement.
What is the resistance of spark plug wires?
Resistance: Rated in ohms-per-foot, resistance is the ignition wire’s tendency to resist the flow of the electric current.
What is the job of spark plug wires?
The number one job of any spark plug wire is to transfer an electrical charge from your ignition to your spark plugs. The challenge is to get the maximum amount of this charge to the plugs without creating interference (EMI or RFI) for nearby electrical components. On top of that, the wires must often deal with larger amounts ...
What is EMI wire?
This is referred to as EMI or RFI and can wreak havoc, especially in sensitive radio communications. Some wires are made to produce minimal resistance. Others are designed to suppress EMI. Spark plug wire manufacturers use different core materials and designs to strike the right balance to achieve their desired goal.
What is the purpose of the Conductive/Suppression layer on spark plug wire?
Conductive/suppression layer: Some manufactures add another layer below the insulation as an added safeguard against energy loss or EMI/RFI. Finally, there’s the core. The core largely dictates the performance of the spark plug wire.
What type of core is used for spark plugs?
Again, some cores offer low resistance while others provide better EMI/RFI suppression. The most common types of spark plug wire cores are as follows: Carbon Core: This is the common OEM-style core used on most modern vehicles. It offers excellent RFI suppression but also creates more resistance than other styles.
How many ohms does MSD 8.5mm Super Conductor have?
MSD 8.5mm Super Conductor wire sets use a special helically wound core that has just 50 ohms of resistance-per-foot but offers RFI suppression equal to a 1,500 ohm wire. That's the advantage of a spiral core.
What is a solid core spark plug?
Solid Core: Solid core spark plug wires typically utilize stainless steel or copper, which conducts electrical current very well. For that reason, solid core wires have lower resistance than other wires to get maximum energy to the plugs.
Why is there resistance in spark plug wires?
The purpose of this resistance in the plug wires is to help suppress electrical interference with other electronic components in the car. However, the resistance must not be enough to hinder the spark from traveling to the spark plug.
How to test spark plug wire resistance?
Testing a spark plug wire’s resistance is fairly straightforward, but you will need a test meter with an ohm setting. If you are not sure how much resistance your engine’s plug wires are creating, you can perform a simple resistance test with a hand-held volt/ohm meter. With the plug wire removed from the engine and your test meter set to ohm (Ω).
What temperature can spark plug boots withstand?
If you’re tired of melted plug-wire boots, Accel has the cure. The Extreme 9000 plug wire kits utilize ceramic boots that will withstand temperatures up to 2,000 degrees. The boots are available in straight, 45-, or 90-degree configurations. Were told the ceramic coating acts as a heat mirror, reflecting infrared energy and heat away from the plug boot. Finally, it’s engineered to resist flaking and peeling.
What is the outer layer of plug wire?
The outer silicone layer of a plug wire is what you can see. This is usually made of EPDM rubber or silicone. Most wire manufacturers offer different colored outer jackets, but the color is purely cosmetic. However, the outer jacket is more than just good looks. It is constructed in such a way to add protection from heat, abrasion, and deterioration from chemical exposure.
What is the core of spark plug wire?
The center core of OEM-type spark plug wires is made of a carbon fiber that helps minimize radio frequency interference (RFI). However, carbon fibers are not great conductors of electricity and develop a strong resistance to current flow in the plug wire’s ability to carry the electrical current.
What is a plug wire?
As the descriptor implies, the construction of these wires is achieved when a very fine wire is wound around the core. This winding is typically an alloy made of copper, nickel, and/or tin. This winding is designed to help contain RFI and EMI, and still offer a low resistance within the wire. Spiral wound wires are a mainstay on any high-performance ignition system.
How much resistance does a spark plug have?
Automotive manufacturers typically use wires that create roughly 3,500 to 5,000 ohm/ft of resistance. Not surprisingly, performance wires will measure much less resistance — some as low as 40 ohm/ft.
What is a spark plug wire?
A spark plug wire is one of those performance components that doesn’t receive much attention, yet it performs a critical task. Without spark plug wires, you might as well forget about getting to work! While a spark plug wire’s job might appear simply to transfer high voltage to the spark plug, this can and does require some sophisticated ...
What is the best wire for plugs?
The most common are 7mm and 8mm thicknesses, but what’s more important is the conductor. The best choice is the spiro-wrap style Taylor wires that reduce resistance, minimize RFI noise, and offer the best performance.
What is routing wire?
Routing plug wires is a matter of making sure the spark plug boots avoid contacting the header tube as this will quickly melt any silicone boot. Routing wires cleanly over the valve covers, for example, is easier with these Taylor interlocking plug wire separators.
What type of plug wires are used in LS engines?
Taylor offers plug wires like these ThunderVolt 8.2 mm wires specifically for LS engines. The truck-application plug wires are longer than the passenger-car versions.
What is Taylor boot plug wire?
Taylor offers ceramic boot plug wires as an option when boot clearance to the headers is tight. This is an LS engine with shorty headers and a set of Taylor ceramic boot wires. Reducing HC (unburned hydrocarbons) means more of the fuel is burned during idle. During incomplete combustion, carbon monoxide is formed.
How many ohms per foot is an OE wire?
The OE manufacturers tend to use wires that produce roughly 3,500 to 5,000 ohms per foot. This is a measure of electrical resistance. Performance wires will measure much less, such as 40 ohms per foot. This reduced-resistance allows the engine to start easier and will produce a smoother idle.
Does a GM LS have a female socket?
Older engines used a female socket in the cap that required a male socket end on the plug wire. With later model cars, the GM LS engines use individual coils, and this requires a special connector. Finally, the Ford Electronic Distributorless Ignition System (EDIS) also has its own unique coil connector. 6).
Why do spark plugs need to be replaced?
For this reason, plugs need to be replaced to ensure that a spark is reliably created. Early spark plugs were made with nickel electrodes and cores. As engines became more powerful and reliable, the conditions in the combustion chamber became more stressful.
Why is nickel not good for spark plugs?
Nickel was found to be unsuitable as a material for the core of the spark plug because it failed to conduct heat away from the central electrode. A new design was introduced that paired a copper core with a nickel-chromium coating on the central electrode.
How long do nickel chromium plugs last?
Many nickel-chromium plugs need to be replaced every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on wear and the specific plug, but noble metal plugs can last for more than 100,000 miles.
What metals are used in spark plugs?
Many spark plug manufacturers are producing plugs that use “noble” metals for their electrode coatings rather than nickel-chromium, primarily platinum and iridium. Some even use the noble metals for the core of the plug.
Why is oxidation important in spark plugs?
Consistent performance over a long life. Given the durability of these metals, the gap between the two electrodes should remain fairly constant, which will make the spark consistent.
What happens to the air around the central electrode of a car?
Due to the corona effect , the air around the central electrode becomes ionized and creates a region of plasma between the electrodes.
Why do plugs have multiple electrodes?
Manufacturers have started producing plugs with multiple side electrodes to help extend the life of the center electrode by encouraging sparking from multiple points. Wearing of the central electrode reduces the strength of the ionization and increases the amount of voltage required to create the spark.
