School me on spark plug wires
#3184874
10/18/23 04:06 PM
10/18/23 04:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,016 South Park, Pa.
68LAR
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I need schooled on spark plug wires with regard to ohms with MSD ignition. I’ve been running the Taylor 8.2 mm wires that have 40 ohms per foot. Others sell higher ohm rated wires. Which is better??????
4 speed street legal. Best time 10.99 @ 124 mph on 93 octane pump gas @ 3926# total weight
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: 68LAR]
#3184878
10/18/23 04:26 PM
10/18/23 04:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,806 Wichita
GY3
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I'm not your guy for a deep dive on things like ohm readings, etc., but I can tell you the Firecore wires I bought are the best wires I've had on this car!
We've run Taylors (no real issues there), MSD and standard parts store wires and these work better and fit better than any of those.
Good spark is critical with a nitrous car and we've never had a single issue.
'63 Dodge 330
11.19 @ 121 mph Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs.
9.92 @ 135mph with a 350 shot of nitrous and 93 octane pump. 1.43 60 ft. 3,750 lbs.
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: GY3]
#3184881
10/18/23 04:32 PM
10/18/23 04:32 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,640 On the run…
BloFish
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I Live Here
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On the run…
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Another vote for Firecore wires.
It really doesn't matter whether you win or lose… as long as you look good doing it!
‘65 A100 ‘69 ‘Cuda ‘73 Vega GT ‘06 Mega Cab ‘14 Mercedes SLK
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: BloFish]
#3184883
10/18/23 04:41 PM
10/18/23 04:41 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,016 South Park, Pa.
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Another vote for Firecore wires. Okay, but my question has to do with the ohm ratings. Why is a low rating better than a high rating? Which is better for an MSD ignition? Also, where to get Firecore if they are so good??What ohms per foot do they have??
4 speed street legal. Best time 10.99 @ 124 mph on 93 octane pump gas @ 3926# total weight
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: BloFish]
#3184884
10/18/23 04:44 PM
10/18/23 04:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,273 PA.
pittsburghracer
"Little"John
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"Little"John
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,273
PA.
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I use Moroso spiral core wires and have for years. The set on my duster are 8 years old and raced weekly during the summer. I like to make my own wires and bought the proper tool to do so years ago.
1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.38@138.67
Livin and lovin life one day at a time
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: AndyF]
#3184889
10/18/23 05:02 PM
10/18/23 05:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,016 South Park, Pa.
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Ohms isn't the most important thing for plug wires since you're dealing with a lot of volts. Especially with a CD ignition, or with EFI. Buy Firecores and don't worry about the ohms. Ohm’s are a measure of resistance, which takes me back again to my question. Which is better, more ohm’s or less? And Why? Again, if Firecore is that good, where do you buy them and what is the resistance of them???
4 speed street legal. Best time 10.99 @ 124 mph on 93 octane pump gas @ 3926# total weight
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: 68LAR]
#3184890
10/18/23 05:08 PM
10/18/23 05:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,745 On the parachute mount
n20mstr
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Ohms isn't the most important thing for plug wires since you're dealing with a lot of volts. Especially with a CD ignition, or with EFI. Buy Firecores and don't worry about the ohms. Ohm’s are a measure of resistance, which takes me back again to my question. Which is better, more ohm’s or less? And Why? Again, if Firecore is that good, where do you buy them and what is the resistance of them??? Less OHMs is better , it’s lower resistance and transfers the spark better . Another vote here for Firecore, they will custom make your lengths and the customer service is top notch .
....BAD A$$ STREET CAR.....
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: 68LAR]
#3184897
10/18/23 06:12 PM
10/18/23 06:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,203 Oregon
AndyF
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I Win
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Ohms isn't the most important thing for plug wires since you're dealing with a lot of volts. Especially with a CD ignition, or with EFI. Buy Firecores and don't worry about the ohms. Ohm’s are a measure of resistance, which takes me back again to my question. Which is better, more ohm’s or less? And Why? Again, if Firecore is that good, where do you buy them and what is the resistance of them??? For your application it doesn't really matter. EFI engines, or any computer controlled engine will need low RF noise wires and low noise is more important than ohms per foot. If your Taylor wires are working okay then keep them. If they need to be replaced buy some Firecores.
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: AndyF]
#3184917
10/18/23 08:06 PM
10/18/23 08:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,260 Star Idaho
67vertman
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As stated less Ohms are better at voltage transfer through the wire. The spark plug wire has one crucial job: to deliver the high voltage from the ignition coil or distributor to the spark plug.
When spark plug wire resistance is too high, the spark plug won’t receive enough voltage to create a strong spark..
Spark energy travels from the ignition coil or distributor through the spark plug wire to get to the spark plug, which is why the plug wire is also called an ignition wire or coil wire.
Now, imagine the plug wire is a water hose, and the spark is the water running through it. Resistance would be like sand in the hose, impeding the water’s flow.
Lower resistance means more spark energy from the coil reaches the spark plug to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. And the converse applies with higher resistance.
The distance traveled also matters. So, spark plug wire resistance is measured in ohms per foot. A high resistance wire can measure around 5,000 ohms per foot, while a low resistance wire can easily fall in the 2-digit ohm per foot range.
Here are some examples of plug wire resistance per foot:
Copper core wire: 1-6,500 ohms Inductive wire: 650-2,500 ohms Carbon core wire: 3,000-7,000 ohms
How To Test Spark Plug Wire Resistance
Measuring the spark plug wire resistance is pretty straightforward. You’ll need an ohm meter or digital multimeter (set to measure ohms).
With the engine off, here’s how:
1. Detach the sparkplug wire at each end — from the spark plug connector and ignition coil (or distributor) connector.
2. Check your owner’s manual for your plug wire resistance range — it’ll be in kiloohm (k ohm). Multiply the wire length in ohms per foot (if your wire is 2 feet long and the manual requires 15-19k ohms per foot, you’d want a measurement of 30-38k ohms).
3. Set the ohm meter to the nearest setting larger than the required resistance range (e.g., for a 15-19k ohm range, set the dial to “20k”).
4. Touch the ohm meter leads to a metal center at each connector end of the spark plug wire, and note down the reading.
5. Compare the ohm meter reading to your required specification.
Higher readings mean too much resistance in the ignition wire, and you should probably get a new wire. Even if the spark wire meets specifications, you should still check it for physical damage and voltage leaks.
As other have stated, get the Firecore Wires!
My Monster are real!
Living within your means makes life pretty easy.
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: 67vertman]
#3184919
10/18/23 08:12 PM
10/18/23 08:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,273 PA.
pittsburghracer
"Little"John
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"Little"John
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,273
PA.
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You guys try to make everything so complicated. Lol.
1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.38@138.67
Livin and lovin life one day at a time
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: pittsburghracer]
#3184935
10/18/23 09:05 PM
10/18/23 09:05 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,016 South Park, Pa.
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You guys try to make everything so complicated. Lol.
Agreed? I’m not the brightest light bulb n the box, but I’m not the dimmest either. No one has answered my question out right. What ohm wires for an MSD ignition?? I’m with the lower resistance the better but not a solid core wire. What is the resistance of the Firecore wires??? The Taylor’s that I use are 40 ohm’s per foot. I’m not looking to change unless I can be persuaded by good info. Thanks for all the input.
4 speed street legal. Best time 10.99 @ 124 mph on 93 octane pump gas @ 3926# total weight
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#3184948
10/18/23 10:50 PM
10/18/23 10:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,016 South Park, Pa.
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6 AL digital is what I’m running. I still want to know the best ohm’s of wires to use. My plugs are gapped at .043”. I’m having no issues with the engine pulling over 6800 rpm. Just curious as to what I may be missing if anything with the wire ohm’s.
4 speed street legal. Best time 10.99 @ 124 mph on 93 octane pump gas @ 3926# total weight
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: 360view]
#3184972
10/19/23 06:40 AM
10/19/23 06:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,987 A shed in England
Tig
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A shed in England
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Just to add to the above. With electronic ignition, data logging and EFI the best spark plug wires do have a higher resistance to reduce RFI and EMI, this is also due in part, to the core being longer as they are helically wound which also helps with suppression. Some spark plugs have a resistor built into them for better RFI / EMI suppression and are recommended for use by OEM and lower end ignition systems. The larger the gap at the plug, the higher the voltage has to build up to jump the gap, the higher the interference. If you have a high o/p ign system you will likely need higher resistance plug wires (typically 50 ohms per foot). In a nutshell, the best plug wire is what your ignition manufacturer of choice recommends. Coil on plug has an advantage over single coil as each individual coil has more time to allow the voltage to decay before it fires again, allowing for a higher voltage spark at high rpm. HTH's EDITED
Last edited by Tig; 10/19/23 10:51 AM. Reason: too many zero's
'74 Challenger..9.46 @ 145.9 1/4, 6.001 @ 118 1/8 so far. 4023lb !!! # N/A, Marsh performance 655ci, Indy Maxx, T/R, Indy 600-13 X's, Street legal, pump gas, full interior, Cal-Tracs, mufflers, 3:73's and real 10.5 radials. 9.51 @ 142.4 1/4, 6.003 @ 114 1/8 with our old mule KB, 572-13, 580 wedge. RHD '68 Barracuda Fastback 323ci street/strip. Best ET 13.88 @ 99.03
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: Tig]
#3184974
10/19/23 07:54 AM
10/19/23 07:54 AM
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,326 Loudoun County, VA
Brad_Haak
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,326
Loudoun County, VA
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I was wondering about plug wire recommendations when I saw this thread pop up. Time to replace my old MSD 8.5s and was looking at a new set of those or Moroso Ultra 40s. Wasn't considering Firecore 50s cuz I build my own wires so that I can run ceramic plug boots where needed due to burning issues.
2021 Challenger 6.4L Scat Pack 1320 100% stock: 1.680, 11.894 at 113.75 (DA 175 ft) weight reduction, wheels, tires, Hellcat air box: 1.661, 11.686 at 115.97 (DA 710 ft)
1973 Challenger 452 ci street/strip [2008] pump gas, DOT radials: 1.454, 10.523 at 126.44 (DA 514 ft)
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Re: School me on spark plug wires
[Re: Brad_Haak]
#3184978
10/19/23 08:10 AM
10/19/23 08:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,169 MI
68shifter
super stock
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super stock
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MI
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MSD and Firecore are 50 ohms/ft Moroso ultra 40 are 40 ohms/ft
Mancini sells Firecore but if you just go to firecoreperformance.com You can buy direct.
Less ohms the better-but there’s other things to consider RF/EMI suppression is a big one in cdi type. Essentially noise suppression from the wire that can have an effect on other electrical components. Too long to type here.
That being said I’ve run Ultra 40’s, MSD, and Firecores for the past 15yrs. None have ever given me a problem and move ever had a better et vs another. I like the plugs on the Firecore and Moroso the best.
68' Barracuda (4 speed)
64' Savoy (4 speed)
65' Satellite (girl tranny)
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