Premium Spark Plug Wires

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ueberooo

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Has anyone had any experience with premium spark plug wires? What is the chance that these would noticeably help with engine efficiency (mpg numbers)?

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/...tion_22360596-p


(The reason I ask is that I'm down about 2.5 mpg from average hwy numbers (8%). Part of that is the colder combustion air and the lower energy content of the winter fuel, but it seems to be deviating a bit more than usual and I think sometimes I feel a slight fishbite at fuller throttles on the freeway).

For some cars they're $50ish and others $90s and up; are they worth the extra cost (about a 100% premium over low end Bosch's or mid end generic brands).
 
As an electronic guy ( not a car guy ) paying lots of money for wire doesnt make sence to me.

Just buy brand name stuff . your paying twice as much for less than a couple percent diffrence.
 
Hello, If your Subaru's wires are at 180K, as it states in your signature, then a set of new wires has been in your future for a long time. A common ($26 on special, IIRC) wire set on my friend's 2001 Forester w/120K made a world of difference. Use dielectric grease on the boots. Kira
 
They make the car faster because they lighten your wallet.

Just stick with the OEM-grade ones and you will be fine. Plug wires don't add power, they just restore power that was lost over stock (due to worn wires or whatever).

There are tons of race cars and drag cars that still use the OEM ignition wires, such as Erick Aguilar's record-holding all-motor Honda B18C1 using the factory ignition components...
 
dparm nailed it. All that the wires and spark plugs do is ignite the cylinder with a spark. If that is happening, you needn't do anything. Only if your engine is running rough or misfiring do you need to worry about the ignition system.
 
I guess I will be the outcast here....I use MDS wires almost exclusivley. They are great wires and the quality is top notch and they last. They won't give you more power but the better silicon jacketing and such make them last longer. I've learned this thru many years and many brands. Stay away from the off the shelf Autozone wires and such..they won't last if they even work right the first time. I went thru 2 sets of AC Delco wires on my LT1 Corvette before finally putting MSD on and after 4 years still good and look great. Same thing on my other cars and trucks. I will say Accel is NOT a premium brand and are junk. Been thru them as well. I only consider MSD, Morosa and Taylor as top notch premium wires.

If you must go cheaper,than borg warner is not a bad choice for off the shelf.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Wires are normally due for replacement @60k

I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but replacing wires at 60K miles as "normal" maintenance? You shouldn't have to replace them that soon unless the 60K miles came over many, many, many years.
 
Ordinary carbon core wires work just fine for most applications. Wires with coiled wire conductor are generally not going to help unless either the ignition system was specifically designed for them or is unable to handle the demands of a modified engine operating at significantly higher speed than originally intended.

If you aren't racing and you want an upgrade for your wires, look to wires with a better jacket, not a better core. Of course, if you can protect your wires from oil contamination and abrasion due to improper installation, there's little benefit to be found there, either.
 
I would say if it's not missing this is not your problem.
I would look at replacing the O2 sensor. These should be replaced at least every 50k to 75K. Most people don't because it doesn't throw a engine code light. I changed mine on my 03 3.9 Dakota at around 60K miles and got a instant 1 more MPG.
 
Prestolite makes probably 75% of the OEM wires,nothing wrong with them at all.Thing is,wires have little effect on efficiency unless you have a leaking set thats tracking to ground.Otherwise,wires are wires (of the same construction).I laugh when I think of SplitFire Wires that had 2 internal conductors...because if one is good,two must be better!!
 
Those fancy spiral would wires sound good, but consider that the spark actually does not travel through them, but around them in a plasma field.
Sure changes things, doesn't it?
Ford has always made a superb stock plug wire.

And I severely doubt that new wires will fix your 2.5 MPG problem. If they did, you would have an engine code popping up right now.
Wait for spring/summer.
 
I was lucky to get Made in USA wires for my 91 Nissan Sentra. Came pre-applied with di-electric grease and is an improved 1-piece design from the old 3-piece design. Check out what stores carry, could be hit and miss. Went overkill with MSD wiresets for my Silverado 5.3L, but I know I get solid quality wires that will hopefully last another spark plug change.
 
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A lot of miles on old set I'd change em. No fancy wires needed.
If still a little herky-jerky, when was the last time a good PEA fuel system treatment was done.
 
i have ALL WAYS used the medium priced wires. the trucks were mostly gone be for the wires went bad. the trouble on my dodge V6 engines is the cap has a vent that lets WAY to much water in. some JB-weld plugs it fine. no more trouble.
 
Originally Posted By: Kira
Hello, If your Subaru's wires are at 180K, as it states in your signature, then a set of new wires has been in your future for a long time. A common ($26 on special, IIRC) wire set on my friend's 2001 Forester w/120K made a world of difference. Use dielectric grease on the boots. Kira


Hey thanks everyone for so much input.

The current set is not the original subaru wiresets. From the vague memory I have, I'm guessing around 40-45k. Not sure what brand; it was made in the US. I'm coming to the conclusion that replacing the wireset might be a good idea at ~60k (possibly up to double that for a really high quality set); may be ~100k-ish on 6+ cylinders lower revving engines with a better quality set.

It says on the MDS specs/detailed description that actual copper wire is used and wound tightly. This differs from the generics I've usually encountered (is that graphite as conductor??). Just a wild guess, but I could easily imagine the copper conductor lasting twice as long--so, maybe it's a case of what you pay for is about what you get in value.

Oldhp, it's true that the O2 sensor is just about at that 60k interval, possibly past, by a little. Uneven power could also be the fuel filter, yet that wouldn't usually affect the economy...

Oh well, I've now replaced the plugs. The bosch +2's that are out look in really good shape, and could've probably gone about twice as long. In: a pair of bosch +4's and a pair of cheaper ngk g-power plat's. Will spray down the MAF sensor with a MAF cleaner, and will keep an eye one the highway mpg numbers and see where it goes.
 
Originally Posted By: ueberooo

Oh well, I've now replaced the plugs. The bosch +2's that are out look in really good shape, and could've probably gone about twice as long. In: a pair of bosch +4's and a pair of cheaper ngk g-power plat's. Will spray down the MAF sensor with a MAF cleaner, and will keep an eye one the highway mpg numbers and see where it goes.


Why are you using two plugs that are so very different from the other two? Do you hate your mechanic that much?
 
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