Spark plug wire recommendation for 455

Of course. Those were the original RF suppression wires. Cheap, easily mass-produced.

Carbon-core, or "Carbon Rope" wire suppress RF by dramatically decreasing ignition spark current (amperage) using high resistance. Resistance cuts amperage, reduced amperage cuts RF energy.

"Spiral" wound (really, Helically-wound) wires suppress RF by dramatically decreasing ignition spark current (amperage) using high inductance. Inductance cuts amperage, reduced amperage cuts RF energy.

The nice thing about the helically-wound wires from the consumer standpoint is the extended service life compared to carbon-rope wires, assuming the insulation isn't burned, cut, or abraded. The carbon-rope wires tend to increase resistance over time as they're used. Not unusual to see plug wires that start out at ~2000 ohms/foot, (~6000 ohms for a 3-foot wire) turn into 20,000, 40,000, or higher resistance as they've exceeded their useful life. Engine runs OK at low-to-moderate throttle, misfires badly at higher load.

The nice thing about the helically-wound wires from the ad-agency/seller standpoint is that you can tell The Great Unwashed about the dramatically lower resistance compared to carbon-rope plug wires, (a few ohms vs. 6000 in a new 3-foot plug wire) and insinuate that lower resistance means greater spark power to the plug gap. People can understand resistance, they have more trouble with inductance. (Inductors are also known as electrical "chokes".)

Don't get me started on "Conductive Latex" plug wires.

 

After understanding more what suppression/carbon core is, I think these Standard brand “pro series” ones are suppression/carbon core the same as Lectric Limited and mislabeled as spiral core on Summit’s website. Still a nice inexpensive option for close to factory fit out of box.

 

I have been using Accel 300+ wires for years. Great wires IMO......

 

From further reading, it appears for electronic ignition systems, the most important thing to not damage the electronic equipment is RFI suppression, which both the suppression core and spiral core provide. Then it's a matter of how efficient of a spark do you need. Suppression core will typically provide better RFI suppression compared to spiral core but a less efficient spark. However, by bypassing the resistance wire or ballast resistor to provide 12 V, the increased voltage should improve spark quality also. Also switching to Flame Thrower 2 or MSD Blaster 2 coil should improve spark performance.

I am thinking if you are using a set of carbon/suppression core wires (the Lectric Limited or the Standard brand 9896 or 29896) in a points distributor setup with only 6-7.5 V and getting enough spark, then I would think this may be good enough when you switch over to an electronic ignition with 12 V along with a Flamer Thrower 2 or MSD Blaster 2.

Suppression core are usually made of impregnated carbon fiber (which I believe is referred to as "carbon core") or impregnated graphite (also carbon but doesn't seem to be what "carbon core" refers to). Both the carbon fibers and graphite are what provide conductance but are impregnated in some kind of polymeric binder. Spiral core (also may sometimes be called "metal core with suppressive material") are made of a metallic conductor, typically stainless steel, copper, or an alloy wound in a spiral formation with some kind of polymeric fibrous material. The metal in the spiral core is what provides the conductance and the spiral configuration is what I believe provides the RFI suppression.

 

Carbon core are inferior conductors, but the question is do I need to throw out my brand new 2 sets of Lectric Limited carbon core suppression wires just to switch to a Progression Ignition distributor that calls for suppression or spiral core wires. If the resistance isn't too high, science says probably not.

 

Both carbon-core "carbon rope" wires, and helical-wound wires are "suppression core".

They use different technology to reduce amperage delivered to the spark plug, the reduced amperage kills the RFI.

Debateable. Since both technologies dramatically reduce the amperage delivered to the plug, while not affecting voltage too much, I don't think there's much difference in spark power except in the advertising materials. This assumes that both styles of plug wire are in good condition.

I wouldn't put a Blaster 2 coil on my car. High-failure, made-in-China junk.

I've heard the same--but less frequently--about the Flame Thrower coil.

That HEI electronic ignition with no ballast resistor should be getting 13+ volts with the engine running. As said...those cheap aftermarket coils are more trouble than they're worth.

Sort of.

The carbon/graphite coats a fabric "rope" or string. The carbon provides a high-resistance conductor.

Example:



A helically-wound (not "spiral") plug wire construction is more complex, therefore more expensive.

Example:

For strict DC...yes. But automotive ignition sparks are PULSED DC, which is effectively AC as far as an inductor is concerned. Therefore the helically-wound wires are not really "better" conductors of spark energy. They may be more durable conductors, though.

So put your ohmmeter across the ends of your plug wires, find out what the resistance is, and then divide by the length of the wires in feet. Find out what the resistance-per-foot of those plug wires are. If it's still within reason--let's say 4000 ohms/foot--they should be entirely satisfactory. Be sure to wiggle the wires as you're watching the ohmmeter reading, to assure that the wires aren't damaged internally--poor connection between the metal terminal on the end, and the conductive material it's crimped-to, for example.

Have you ever put a spark-tester calibrated for your ignition system on the spark-plug end of your plug wires? There's multiple styles of spark-testers. Some have a fixed gap suitable for ballast-resistor ignitions, or for HEI-style non-ballast-resistor ignitions. Some have an adjustable gap that can be used with either ballast-resistor or non-ballast-resistor ignitions. And some have a damned light-bulb that glows when there's spark energy, and are functionally useless for checking spark power.

My favorite kind of spark testers: They look like a spark plug with an alligator clip welded to the side. The ballast-resistor version has a visible center electrode. The non-ballast-resistor has a recessed center electrode, making for a longer spark-gap requiring additional voltage to bridge the gap. You'd actually see the spark jump the gap--no stupid light-bulb.




HEI (non-ballast-resistor) style available from multiple sources, here's one on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WZXAW...KC3HBBDO&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

Your explanation of things appears authoritative.

What coil do you use then? The new stock AC Delco coils are probably made in China too.

 

Whenever practical, I buy OEM ignition components such as distributor cores, modules and coils used from the Treasure Yard. Tested, proven performance at pennies on the dollar. The stuff that actually comes on the vehicle from new is often of higher quality than the supposed "exact replacement" parts sold over the parts counter.

The last aftermarket coils I bought were made for FAST (formerly Crane), the PS50 version. The PS60 is the same thing in phony-chrome, ("nickle plated") and there's a higher-primary-resistance pair in black or "chrome" for ballast-resistor-style ignition systems, PS20 and PS40. At that time they were claimed to be made in USA. No promises on whether they still are. Verify before purchase.
https://www.summitracing.com/search...atch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=FST-730-0030

 

I just learned of the MSD controversy. In 2005, the MSD President admitted their coils were made in China after it got traction in a forum.

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/msd-blaster-2-coil-guess-country-of-origin.549641/

FAST was bought by COMP Cams and is part of the Edlebrock Group. I wrote to FAST today and someone from the Edlebrock Group wrote back in less than 1 hour and said the FAST coils are assembled in Indiana, although he said he didn’t know where all the individual components were sourced. But at least it’s still put together in USA.

 

I wrote to FireCore with lengths and am waiting back for response. I wasn’t sure which boots to get.

 

If it's of any help, this is how the straight boots behave on my 455 using MSD Ignition 31183 Black Universal 8.5mm wires. Tidy enough for me.



Devon

 

Firecore will make them them whatever size that you want, and whatever ends that you want on them. I`m good friends with Rick, the owner. And when you call them, you will talk to Rick, not someone answering the phone that is clueless

 

Before MSD moved production to China, they were made in Mexico. They were still high-failure.

I have an ancient (1979?) MSD Blaster (NOT "Blaster 2") on my 'Camino. Far as I know, it's a USA product, but obviously the packaging has been missing for decades. The thing is two or three times the size of the Blaster 2. Along the lines of the old Accel "Super Coil". The thing is so old that I can't find a photo on the internet.

MSD sold made-in-USA ignition coils fairly recently, but they were really expensive and not typically stocked in stores. I suspect that they still do--if you search around enough.

Kinda thinking this was the daily-driver USA-made coil. Has to be used with a spark-box (MSD 6 series) because the low primary resistance will fry typical OEM modules.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8253
But again...Summit isn't listing Country of Origin, so verify before you buy.