Club Cobra Keith Craft Motorsports  

Go Back   Club Cobra > Cobra Talk Areas > ALL COBRA TALK

Keith Craft Racing
Nevada Classics
Keith Craft Racing
Main Menu
Module Jump:
Nevada Classics
Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
MMG Superformance
Advertise at CC
Banner Ad Rates
MMG Superformance
MMG Superformance
March 2024
S M T W T F S
          1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31            

Kirkham Motorsports

Like Tree4Likes
  • 1 Post By ront49
  • 1 Post By bobcowan
  • 1 Post By Mike I
  • 1 Post By Karl Bebout

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 05-19-2020, 01:54 PM
FredG's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Howell, NJ
Cobra Make, Engine: Backdraft Car #1209 Roush 427R
Posts: 604
Not Ranked     
Default Replacement Plug Wires

Gentleman,

The Roush 427r was built and installed in my Backdraft in 2013. Ignition is MSD6AL. Car has less than 3k miles but I am reading that hi-performance plug wires have a life expectancy of 5-6 years but is mileage the better determiner for replacement. This was news to me. If this is correct, what are some options for Hi-Perf. replacements. MSD 8.5 mm Super Conductor wires are mentioned often. Any other recommendations. Thanks

Fred
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 05-19-2020, 02:56 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Harrison, AR
Cobra Make, Engine: BDR, 418
Posts: 175
Not Ranked     
Default Plug Wires

My Backdraft had about 4k miles when I purchased it...I have never found out who built the engine, a 418 stroker but it had Ford Racing plug wires, 8.5 on it. They looked like a snake that swallowed twenty chicken eggs. Too much heat and too close to the headers. They also had aluminum heat shields on the plugs which I removed...I replaced the wires with Ford Racing 8.5 wires from summit.
Have about 6k on the car now and so far no heat or distortion of the wires. I check them constantly and figure I'll have to replace them in a few thousand miles...I'm sure Summit will have some suggestions for replacements. Those guys know their business and are excellent to work with.
BigGuy likes this.

Last edited by ront49; 05-19-2020 at 02:57 PM.. Reason: add more info
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 05-19-2020, 02:58 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Harrison, AR
Cobra Make, Engine: BDR, 418
Posts: 175
Not Ranked     
Default

I failed to mention that the car ws Build No. 151, built in 2004 so the wires had been on there for quite some time....that should not make a difference on longevity...
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 05-20-2020, 08:29 AM
Mike I's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Cobra Make, Engine: E-M Cobra - RCR GT40
Posts: 499
Not Ranked     
Default

Fred,

If rubber is pliant and no obvious signs of damage due to heat or abrasion, just do a resistance check on each wire with a VOM. If all wires test within range, no reason not to continue using them.

FWIW, I have MSD 8.5 MM wires on my car at least ten years old with no issues.

Last edited by Mike I; 05-20-2020 at 08:31 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 05-20-2020, 08:56 AM
bobcowan's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Cobra Make, Engine: Backdraft, supercharged Coyote
Posts: 2,430
Not Ranked     
Default

Plug wires are a replacement item, just like the plugs. When they start to go, they leak electricity through the insulation. When they get really bad, you can see a blue haze near the wires when the engine is running in the dark.

A good set of plug wires is pretty cheap, around $100. If they're old, I can't think of a good reason NOT to replace them. One my race car, I replace them every 2-3 seasons just as preventative maintenance.
ront49 likes this.
__________________
.boB "Iron Man"
NASA Rocky Mountain TTU #42
www.RacingtheExocet.com
BDR #1642 - Supercharged Coyote, 6 speed Auto
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 05-20-2020, 10:01 AM
Mike I's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Cobra Make, Engine: E-M Cobra - RCR GT40
Posts: 499
Not Ranked     
Default

You'll notice reduced performance long before you start seeing St Elmo's fire...either way, wires are likely shot at that point and won't meet the resistance spec, so...

Another thing, a good quality set of wires won't arbitrarily go bad simply by transmitting electrons they're designed to transmit. Something has to intervene to cause resistance to increase, such as excessively high heat, abrasion, pulling on the wire instead of the boot to remove from plugs, etc. If none of those conditions are met and the resistance is in range, what's to be gained by replacing them?

Me personally, I don't replace them unless I suspect they've gotten damaged and are no longer performing as they should, however, nothing wrong with replacing them as a time compliance item as Bob recommends.
ront49 likes this.
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 05-22-2020, 08:11 AM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 618
Not Ranked     
Default Plug Wires

Buy a Tool that enables you to make your own ends, then buy a "Universal" plug wire set. Doing plug wires is sort of a fun project, one of the few tasks where you can personalize your engine room...Also nice not to have too long wires dangling all over the place.
__________________
Superformance 1764
Ford Racing 427 SB
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 05-22-2020, 05:16 PM
Gaz64's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 2,773
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tortuga View Post
Buy a Tool that enables you to make your own ends, then buy a "Universal" plug wire set. Doing plug wires is sort of a fun project, one of the few tasks where you can personalize your engine room...Also nice not to have too long wires dangling all over the place.
+10.

A well routed plug wire set makes an engine bay.

Leads too long, routed incorrectly etc, just ugly.

I have made my own a few times.

I love pulling my valve covers without pulling a lead off.
__________________
Gary

Gold Certified Holden Technician
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 05-22-2020, 05:39 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 312
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike I View Post
Fred,

If rubber is pliant and no obvious signs of damage due to heat or abrasion, just do a resistance check on each wire with a VOM. If all wires test within range, no reason not to continue using them.

FWIW, I have MSD 8.5 MM wires on my car at least ten years old with no issues.
For MSD 8.5mm, resistance test should show 40-50 Ohms/Ft.
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 05-22-2020, 08:13 PM
Karl Bebout's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Mesa, AZ
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #2119 289FIA
Posts: 5,380
Not Ranked     
Default

Definitely get a universal set so you can make things prudy. I prefer Taylor wires primarily because the clips on the spark plugs are better, in my opinion.
Also, save headaches down the road by liberal use of dielectric grease on the inside of the boots on both ends. Don't get it on the contacts. QTips do a nice job applying the goo. My 2¢
BigGuy likes this.
__________________
Karlos
"In the Land of the Pigs, The Butcher is King"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:29 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: CC Policy
Links monetized by VigLink