Looking for spark plug wire recommendation for my 70 GS 455 (its 76 455 block w/72 heads with a cam in it - that's all I know about it as previous owner built it) What do you recommend? Currently running lectra limited date coded spark plug wires and looking for something that would run better (keep date coded for shows). Did some searching and found these (prefer premade as I don't have the tool but could get one): Accel 5043K = https://www.holley.com/products/ign..._super_stock_spark_plug_wire_sets/parts/5043K AC delco # 9188X from autozone = https://www.autozone.com/ignition-t...ce/wireset/p/acdelco-wireset-9188x/949426_0_0 Various = https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/spark_plug_wires/ Summit various = https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/spark-plug-wire-sets/year/1970/make/buick/model/gs-455?N=filter-options:in-stock What brand do you recommend? Thanks, Nick
I've had great luck with MSD Super Conductor wires, 8.5mm, but might be too big for stock wire looms. Devon
2nd for MSD Fat Amy wires. Get a proper/good quality set of die crimps and use the "universal" set, to get the best length and routing fit.
FireCore50 wires. Rick makes them custom (length) in 7 or 8.5mm. I recently put them on my car after buying them a couple years ago and there's a noticeable difference in cold starts and performance. https://firecoreperformance.com/
I have the lectra limited date coded period correct wires and thought I saw somewhere that they are more for show and have too much resistance so I could be limiting spark and potentially limiting power.
That’s probably a better idea. Don’t think those were available back when I modified mine or just didn’t know about them back then? Run TA valve covers, and I also modified studs and use a nut for where the holders slip onto.
Put an ohmmeter on them. Then you'll KNOW what the resistance is. I've seen cylinders run (at idle) when the plug wires had more than 50,000 ohms resistance. Typical carbon-rope resistor wires have < 4000 ohms per foot, a 3-foot wire would be less than 12,000 ohms. No problem. It's easy to be misled by advertising where they spout nonsense about resistance of their "boutique-brand" plug wires, when they totally "forget" to discuss the inductance of those same wires. The helical-wound wires really do have very little resistance--but they have heaps of inductance. Either one--resistance or inductance--kills current flow through the wire. Killing current flow is how they suppress TV-Radio interference. The service life of the helical-wound wires may be greater than the service life of carbon-rope style wires, but either one can make a spark, so they shouldn't run any differently IF (big IF) they're in good condition.
I have the very same LL date coded wires on my ‘70 GS455 with a 500 hp stroker motor and an electronic points conversion in the stock distributor. Runs low 12s with plenty of spark to get the job done. Many other street/strip cars run these wires without issues.
I was hopeful to do a comparison between the LL wires and the FireCore50's at the track this year by just swapping them out and doing nothing else. That still may happen, as I have until the end of October. I'll be sure to report results. Until then, the FireCores will stay on.
Nick, If you don't mind doing cut-to-length wires I recommend the PerTronix 7mm stock appearing wires #708180. They fit the stock holders perfectly, have no writing on them to announce that they are aftermarket wires, and only cost $56.99 on Amazon with free shipping. Summit has them as well but you have to spend $100 to get the free shipping. Using the universal set and doing the cut-to-length does take a bit of extra time but you do get them to the exact length that you desire.
Thanks! I really like the look of that. Could be a possibility, I watched a few videos yesterday on crimping the two different style ends. Didn't look too bad, just need to get a tool to do it.
Some of those kits may come with the crimp tool. I know my MSD sets did (except for the LS type set I put on the Suburban). It's the one you use with a vice.