spark plug wires for 2nd gen?

[kaz98gt]

I've seen them everywhere, some for alotta money and others around $20 for a full set. I've already changed my plugs, but I've heard that wires should also be swapped too? What's the deal; mine aren't too beat up physically, but they're probably original with the engine (probably 120k). Anyone ever do this?

[tebriel]

generally more expensive wires don't make a difference. the most i've paid is 40 bucks.

[Zues Marine]

^+1,

 

but NGK wires do a tiny bit better... tiny.. and they're around the same price as OEM

[peterd]

I just bought new wires today for $28

[Bassnectar]

i had my wires and plugs swapped after i had a misfire engine code and it seemed to clear all that up and the car did run a little better.

 

i put 4 Ngk in,

 

but the car was running 3 bosche and 1 ngk which might of thrown things off a tiny tiny tiny bit.

[kaz98gt]

ok so unless they're really beat up or it's misfiring, there's no need for wires

[Zues Marine]

true dat

[tebriel]

ok so unless they're really beat up or it's misfiring, there's no need for wires

 

well you def need wires... but maybe not new ones

[iluvdrt]

I have had very good luck with the Bosch wires from Napa.

 

If you want to test them check the continuity with a multimeter from one end to the other. Anything less than 0.5 ohms is good. I also like to put a little dielectric grease on each end of the wire. It helps the contact of the wire and prevents the white corrosion from forming inside them.

[Baddog]

I used Bosch and the damn things misfired all the time in cyl 2. Replaced with NGK and good to go.

[Bassnectar]

i got owned when my car misfired had the wires and plugs changed at a shop and got $crewed

[kaz98gt]

so the wires don't just wear out over time? what I've heard is that they lose their ability to carry electricity as they age; that's what I'm worried about. keep in mind I'm a moron when it comes to electronics haha

[Zues Marine]

im sure it couldnt hurt to replace them, plus you really arent losing much $ if you do..

 

i say go for it

[Bassnectar]

its true they lose capacity over time, so guaranteed being 12? or so years old there not giving 100% flow but im not sure how much they would have degraded. If you do replace them go for the Ngk

[kaz98gt]

you got it, I'll test the continuity or something tomorrow. I'm going to start the long journey on learning electronics with the help of my dad haha.

[Bassnectar]

change your car cd deck

youll be forced to do a quick rewire

[stevenva]

so the wires don't just wear out over time? what I've heard is that they lose their ability to carry electricity as they age; that's what I'm worried about. keep in mind I'm a moron when it comes to electronics haha

Spark plug "wires" aren't actually traditional wires. (You might have a mental image of a copper core with thick insulation covering it).

At the center of a typical spark plug wire is a graphite core which carries the power. It is a depletable automotive item that will deteriorate over time.

[kaz98gt]

dug up from the boneyard!

 

I never did get around to this; I've been whoring the suspension and interior for most of the time. But I did check with napa and they've got a good set for $28; I'll test the continuity of them this weekend.

[legacyman1657615403]

im running ngk wires with ngk iridium plugs and i definitly notice a difference between to oem wires and boshe plugs i had in it before.

[jamesm113]

how are the denso ones? Are they the OES for subaru?

[Platinum_Racing]

Quality wires are quality wires no matter how you cut it. Don't expect them to add any performance to the car, but they will restore performance lost from the old wires.

 

The main difference between cheap wires and expensive ones is the quality of the rubber boots, the quality of the insulation, the quality of the wire itself, the size of the wire, and the quality of the metal connectors and the way they're secured to the wire itself. More costly wires will have a better fit/finish but they won't improve performance over cheap wires. They generally last longer too.

 

Wires can wear out over time. Over years and years of use heat can take its toll on the wires, increasing resistance. Mathematics states that as the resistance of a circuit increases either the voltage must drop or the current passing through the circuit must increase to compensate. Both of these consequences can reduce the efficiency of your ignition. If resistance gets too high you can actually cause the coilpack to overheat.

 

I generally only go with expensive wires on vehicles with aftermarket ignition systems, like my old F150. For cars with stock ignitions I go with mid-grade wires.

[Platinum_Racing]

Spark plug "wires" aren't actually traditional wires. (You might have a mental image of a copper core with thick insulation covering it).

At the center of a typical spark plug wire is a graphite core which carries the power. It is a depletable automotive item that will deteriorate over time.

 

This is true for older cars and/or American cars, but most wires out there now consist of a spiral copper core. The spiral suppresses the electro-magnetic field created by the high voltage pulses of electricity through the wires.

 

Either design looses efficiency with age, and neither design should be considered an average wire by any means. They are purpose built wires made for one specific application... Low current, low resistance, high heat, high voltage automotive use where electro-magnetic interference is an issue.