Spark Plug Wires, New or Old

Thanks for the info BUDD ('';'')

Now when you are talking a high output coil that COULD be a different story.. A true high output coil [could] require TVRS plug wires or thicker insulation silicone type plug wires [depends on the coil, it's output KV, & more importantly the instructions that come with the coil.. Some high output coils require resistor wires to protect the coil from internal arcing especially if running a larger plug gap... Some of the automotive type high performance coils have a warning to use ONLY resistor wires or coil damage could result.

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~On a stock Deere 2-cylinder [especially a mag system] I wouldn't recommend any resistor wire [even the spiral wound]. If you are using a high output coil then you could probably easily live with those spiral wound..

~Possible spiral plug wire vendors

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http://shop.store.yahoo.com/whitespitstop/ac300plusthu.html

Regardign your comment about a high output coil and a plug wire choice, if youre still using mechanical ignition points and the normal plug gap, that so called high output coil still develops about the same voltage as a stock coil, which is only high enough to arc the plugs gap, regardless if the coil has the "capability" to produce say 50,000 volts versus maybe a stock coils 20,000 volts. Its when you couple that high performance coil with an electronic ignition, run more coil current (and usually run wider plug gaps) that you can discharge more energy (volts x amps) across the plugs gap. Therefore, if you had BOTH an elec ignition and a high energy coil, you could more afford to waste some energy in the wires versus discharging it across the plugs gap.

Bottom line, I would still recommend wire core EVEN IF a stock or hot coil were used.

I guess this is one area where new is not necessarily better, due to the inherent characteristics of the ignition system on which they are used and the possible side effects (interference).

Good Luck n God Bless

John T

If I run elec ignition will this give me more spark to the plugs? I have played with the plug gap last summer to find the best gap for my system. I went all the way to a gap of .100 and got a REAL good spark. The problem as you more than likely already know with this much gap is it will blow out the spark. I ended up with a gap of about 55 to 60 thou.. This seemed to work the best. Here is another one for you. Could I hook two coils together and then increase the gap more?

Thanks for the info BUDD ('';'')

1) If I run elec ignition, will this give more spark to the plus???

YES, if your term "spark" is synonomous with what I would define as "spark energy". When the coil fires and discharges its stored enery, such is expended in the form of volts x amps across the plug gap in the arcing current. In general, an elec ignition coupled with a high performance coil, YES delivers more spark energy (than the old points system) across the plugs gap to better igntite the fuel. It does so because you put more energy INTO the coil (and subsequently store more energy also) when its conducting via more primary current plus the coil is more efficient (better magnetic materials and physical characteristics) and transfers energy better than the stock one.

NOTE AND CAUTION ON PLUG GAPS AND WIRES:

Since the high performance coil can store more energy and ramp up to higher voltages than the stock, its possible to run a wider plug gap. A wider gap requiring more voltage to arc across it, coupled with the fact the arc is more current also, yields a fatter, wider, hotter arc of more surface area spark to better ignite the fuel. HOWEVER, if you run the gap too wide, the coils voltage has to rise to higher levels, and you might get arcign like at the coils tower or places OTHER than at the plug and the plugs dont fire at all. Also due to the coils dynamics, electrical characteristics and discharge rate and time, you could reach a point (also depends on fuel and compression) where too wide a gap would do more harm than good. Generally, not knowing the coil and wires etc etc, a plug gap in the 0.045 to 0.060 range may be better.

CAUTION ON WIRES: As you go up to the higher operating voltages (elec ignition and hot coil), youre gonna need quality high performance wires having higher voltage ratings (usually have more diameter and quality insulators) or else you may arc to frame and damage the insulation. Consult with the coil manufacturer regarding the subject.

BOTTOM LINE, ALWAYS consult with the maker of the coil and elec ignition as to more detailed guidelines and any need of secondary circuit resistances (like in the plugs or wires) to protect whatever coil you purchase.

2) Can you run 2 coils and widen the plug gap even further.

NOOOOO OOOOO OOOOO OOOOO OOOOO OOOOO OO

For one, coils dont work that way and you cant add their voltages together, and even if they did, per the above, you may start arcing to the frame or at the towers etc etc versus across the plug.

Great questions

John T

A battery ignition system should be OK with resistance wires, especially a high output system, and the family and close neighbors will love ya for it!

The only other reason I know of to use resistance wires is to keep down the electrical noise on a modern computerized vehicle, to keep the computer from getting a headache!