Spark plugs and wires:what works

[bentpshrods]

I am upgrading my 340 ignition to an electronic ignition system. Along with this what is a good performance spark plug wire/plugs/coil set up to use. I've been out of wrenching  for awhile    (20yrs) and dont know what the latest tech. is . Which plug wires--Accel,Moroso,MSD, Taylor ,and size, 8mm,8.8mm,11mm race wire? Whats a good plug--split fire had just came out when I stopped so there must be some newer technology. I am looking for a good high performance street set up.  Thanks

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Don't believe all the hype you hear. All the new stuff isn't all it's cracked up to be. Stick with the old fashioned single prong spark plugs. 8mm wire will suit you just fine. I've used Accel and Taylor with no problems. Race wire would be a big no-no. I have also used the Accel super-stock coil with no problems.

  Mike

[zerfetzen]

Although my 'Cuda is a 318, so a little different than yours, I just went through this; maybe this relates to you as well.  I had my engine rebuilt and am constantly reworking something on this once-pretty-rusted car.  With the new motor in, I was pretty glad to drive it, but noticed in February that I had about a snowball's chance of starting it when it was cold.

After being stranded with a dead battery that got tired of trying to turn it over, I didn't think it was funny anymore, even though the ignition setup was brand new, but '73-style.  So I went with an MSD 6AL ignition module, MSD billet distributor, 8.5mm MSD super conductor spark plug wires, and MSD Blaster 2 coil.  I bought it all through JEGS for about $500, except the spark plug wires which I bought through Summit for about $80.  It starts like a champ, battery stays strong, and I haven't been stranded since.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Although my 'Cuda is a 318, so a little different than yours, I just went through this; maybe this relates to you as well.  I had my engine rebuilt and am constantly reworking something on this once-pretty-rusted car.  With the new motor in, I was pretty glad to drive it, but noticed in February that I had about a snowball's chance of starting it when it was cold.

After being stranded with a dead battery that got tired of trying to turn it over, I didn't think it was funny anymore, even though the ignition setup was brand new, but '73-style.  So I went with an MSD 6AL ignition module, MSD billet distributor, 8.5mm MSD super conductor spark plug wires, and MSD Blaster 2 coil.  I bought it all through JEGS for about $500, except the spark plug wires which I bought through Summit for about $80.  It starts like a champ, battery stays strong, and I haven't been stranded since.

Oh do you bring back memories!!!    When I first bought my car, I had no prayer of starting it when it got below 40 degrees F. The problem turned out to be my ballast resistor. I always thought they had to be good or bad, but I found out there is a middle ground too.      Stock resistors measure 1.2 ohms. Mine was twice that. UGH!!!! A simple $5 part was killing me.

  Mike

[zerfetzen]

Interesting stuff, I too thought they were good or bad.  Thanks for shedding some ballast light!

[Rob C]

I have found the Orange box OK @ best. Use the Chrome box with a MP distrib and standard spark plugs with an extra .010 gap. MSD wires are fine. The mark of a better or best wire is how many ohms per foot it has. The less the better.  Do not use solid core metal wires.
MP wires are made by Taylor. I have had no issue with them at all. They work fine.

[Bullitt-]

  I ordered the Mopar Performance Orange wires for that stock look, from Summit, They were too short. Just about every one was shorter than a good fitting set I was replacing and some would just not do. Summit exchanged them but seemed put off. The MSD set that I got are too long. I like them, they have the huge plug boots, gonna see if MSD will shorten for me.

[Mopar73340]

  I ordered the Mopar Performance Orange wires for that stock look, from Summit, They were too short. Just about every one was shorter than a good fitting set I was replacing and some would just not do. Summit exchanged them but seemed put off. The MSD set that I got are too long. I like them, they have the huge plug boots, gonna see if MSD will shorten for me.

I use Jacobs electronics ignitions, no problems whatsoever. Also you can get the custom wire set which are easy to put together at whatever length you need.