Plug Wire Question
 

I know that some of you use different than factory wires in your cars. I have been told that I should replace my plug wires, because as someone said on PPBBS "they were likely installed in a place called Stuttgart." What plug wires did you select and why? I am now running an MSD, and that calls for "non-solid core" wires. I would like to go stock if I could still use them (with current set up), but they are super expensive from PP. ~185 for one side: 3 plugs! Vertex supposely has OEM sets for $185, but I can't tell if that's for all 6.

Also, it appears that the factory wires are the only ones that need to be grounded. I assume it's b/c they have the braiding. Can someone explain this to me?

Many thanks!

I bought a slightly used set of Magnacore's from Charlie. They seem to work just fine on Lu's car.

Steve,

Before you replace them, make sure it is necessary as german wires can live a long time! First, do you see sparking at night (electricity arcing from one wire to another)? Are they hard (not flexible)? Last, do an ohms check for resistance to see if they are in spec. If you answered no to the first two and they are in spec, blow the money on a DE! (or a down payment on my ghia:) )

Mark

Oh and the hardness issue is a subjective one but I do mean hard, as in either not movable at all or barely as they will be stiffer than they were when they were new.

I bought Magnacores for my Carrera and they work fine, about $150 a set (all 6 that is). I know you can get OEM wires from the manufacturer (i.e. not from Porsche, which adds their Porsche markup) that have the Porsche part number ground off, but are otherwise the same. Ted has these in his Carrera, so maybe he'll chime in.

Steve,

I bought Magnacor's from Apex for about $140 + shipping. From what I've read they are the best replacement. It looked like mine were the "original" German wires. I also changed the plugs (Copper from platinum) at the same time and noticed a big difference.

Ken

P.S. thanks to Charlie for helping with the wrenching!

P.S.S. now if only I could get the lambda brain to talk to the FV!

I forgot to answer the braiding question. First, they sell those and I actually bought them for my '76S (my sc doesn't have them but would have from the factory). The reason they are there is to reduce radio interference (that annoying hum). The CD box puts out a lot of energy and radios aren't keen on it.

Is the braiding why they have to be grounded too?

Steve,

The braiding was Porsche way of trying to 'fix' the bloody backfiring that would destroy our air boxes. The braided grounds were an added precaution thinking that possible arching was igniting a mix in the air box. CIS boxes after the late 70's have cold start fuel enrichment ports that virtually eliminated the backfiring during cold starts. Yours being an 83 and also have the pop off valve, you are fine....no need for the braids.

I run the magnecores also and they work just fine.

From the Rennlist mail list:

I recently replaced my original spark plug wires on my '78 911SC club
racer with Magnecor wires (ordered via apexperformance.net). I didn't
have much of a reason to replace them, except that they were old, and I
was doing a spark-plug change and valve-adjustment at the same time,
and I've seen Magnecor wires used on many cars at club races.

They arrived fairly quickly and fit perfectly. They're cheaper than
the OEM wires, I believe. And if you read Magnecor's website, they
debunk a lot of the other aftermarket wire vendor's myths. (Of course, it's
also their salespitch, so take it for what it's worth.)

At the one track event I've done since then, I didn't really notice any
increase in performance. However, my fuel mileage was SO much better
than it had been before! I used to go through 15 gallons of gas a day
at a typical DE. After my little tune-up, I went through about 20
gallons during an entire 3 day event. I don't know how much of that can be
contributed to wires, or valve adjustement, or plugs... In any case,
I'm happy with them.

Good luck!
Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Gerry Engstrom <mightys4@hotmail.com>
Sent: May 12, 2004 4:15 PM
To: 911/993/996 <911@rennlist.org>
Subject: [911] 911 Plug Wires - Recommendations, Experiences?

Hello everyone,

My plug wires are in pretty bad shape and I'm replacing them. I have a
couple of alternatives that I know of including: 1.Bosch OEM Braided,
2.
Bosch regular rubber without steel braiding, 3. Magnacore Sport and
Racing
wires. Are there any other alternatives out there? Anyone have direct
experience with the Magnacores or other aftermarkets? Worth the money?

I know I have read that the braided was a fix by Porsche for the
backfire
issue that turned out not to be the case, so I question the expense of
something that isnt required anymore.

I look forward to your insight and experiences, and thank you.

Gerry Engstrom
1976 911S
RLM 030504-3285

The June “Excellence” magazine “Tech Notes” recommends using any high quality 7mm Aramid wire w/new plug ends & boots. Using the Aramis carbon wires are suppose to eliminate any radio interference problems as well. I like the yellow ones with the Marc’s wheel paint fan & shroud :!: