do aftermarket plug wires make a difference?
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Re: do aftermarket plug wires make a difference? (jazzpur)
In my opinion, get whatever you want. Aftermarket and OEM cost about the same (yeah, I know someone reading this knows of a really good deal on an aftermarket wire set), so get whatever you want as long as it comes with lifetime warranty. There is no clear performance advantage to 10.4 mm "Nuclear Red" wires. I vote Bosch.
In my opinion, get whatever you want. Aftermarket and OEM cost about the same (yeah, I know someone reading this knows of a really good deal on an aftermarket wire set), so get whatever you want as long as it comes with lifetime warranty. There is no clear performance advantage to 10.4 mm "Nuclear Red" wires. I vote Bosch.
Re: do aftermarket plug wires make a difference? (jazzpur)
I also started to get mis-fires on my 2.0L at around 40k miles, so I had my original wires replaced with a new set of factory wires and Bosch Platinum Spark Plugs (MISTAKE). This set-up seemed to fix my problem for a short time,... until the Electrodes in the Platinum plugs burned down, then the mis-fires were back. I later discovered that I had 2 problems; one was the Bosch Platinum Spark Plugs, which aren't really the best for ABA engines, and the replacement Bosch wires seemed to wear out very quickly. So, I was back to my original problem.
I bought a set of Blue Igniters Spark Plug wires from Rapid Parts and a new set of Spark Plugs for a 2.0L from my VW Dealer,...Problem solved, haven't had a miss since and my 2.0L runs even more smoothly than before the mis-fires started!
I also started to get mis-fires on my 2.0L at around 40k miles, so I had my original wires replaced with a new set of factory wires and Bosch Platinum Spark Plugs (MISTAKE). This set-up seemed to fix my problem for a short time,... until the Electrodes in the Platinum plugs burned down, then the mis-fires were back. I later discovered that I had 2 problems; one was the Bosch Platinum Spark Plugs, which aren't really the best for ABA engines, and the replacement Bosch wires seemed to wear out very quickly. So, I was back to my original problem.
I bought a set of Blue Igniters Spark Plug wires from Rapid Parts and a new set of Spark Plugs for a 2.0L from my VW Dealer,...Problem solved, haven't had a miss since and my 2.0L runs even more smoothly than before the mis-fires started!
Re: do aftermarket plug wires make a difference? (Wolf_GTI)
Whats too quickly? You got 40K out of the first set and the replacement set (assuming they were OEM) are the same wires. Did you try using the correct plug when the Platnums crapped out first?
| Quote, originally posted by Wolf_GTI » |
| I also started to get mis-fires on my 2.0L at around 40k miles, |
| Quote, originally posted by Wolf_GTI » |
| and the replacement Bosch wires seemed to wear out very quickly. |
Whats too quickly? You got 40K out of the first set and the replacement set (assuming they were OEM) are the same wires. Did you try using the correct plug when the Platnums crapped out first?
Re: do aftermarket plug wires make a difference? (MikeBlaze)
some aftermarket wires are sporting a bigger diameter. Supposedly delivers the spark quicker and i.e a lil better performace. So...... if you have to replace them I would buy aftermarket bigger diameter wires that come with lifetime warranty as oem does not have such a warranty.
P.S Autotech red wires are pretty good http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Modified by mums at 6:44 PM 5-12-2003
some aftermarket wires are sporting a bigger diameter. Supposedly delivers the spark quicker and i.e a lil better performace. So...... if you have to replace them I would buy aftermarket bigger diameter wires that come with lifetime warranty as oem does not have such a warranty.
P.S Autotech red wires are pretty good http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Modified by mums at 6:44 PM 5-12-2003
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Re: do aftermarket plug wires make a difference? (Wolf_GTI)
damn, i just installed platinums!
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| Quote, originally posted by Wolf_GTI » |
| I also started to get mis-fires on my 2.0L at around 40k miles, so I had my original wires replaced with a new set of factory wires and Bosch Platinum Spark Plugs (MISTAKE). |
damn, i just installed platinums!
Re: do aftermarket plug wires make a difference? (mums)
Don't be fooled. Often times those larger diameter wires are merely added insulator not added conductor. Also a larger wire adds resistance to the elctricity hurting perofrmance if you do not have an upgraded ignition.
Modified by MikeBlaze at 7:01 PM 5-12-2003
| Quote, originally posted by mums » |
| some aftermarket wires are sporting a bigger diameter. Supposedly delivers the spark quicker and i.e a lil better performace. So...... if you have to replace them I would buy aftermarket bigger diameter wires that come with lifetime warranty as oem does not have such a warranty. P.S Autotech red wires are pretty good http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif |
Don't be fooled. Often times those larger diameter wires are merely added insulator not added conductor. Also a larger wire adds resistance to the elctricity hurting perofrmance if you do not have an upgraded ignition.
Modified by MikeBlaze at 7:01 PM 5-12-2003
Re: do aftermarket plug wires make a difference? (MikeBlaze)
| Quote, originally posted by MikeBlaze » |
Don't be fooled. Often times those larger diameter wires are merely added insulator not added conductor. Also a larger wire adds resistance to the elctricity hurting perofrmance if you do not have an upgraded ignition. well a larger diameter wire would theorectically yield less resistance Modified by MikeBlaze at 7:01 PM 5-12-2003 |
| Quote, originally posted by MikeBlaze » |
Don't be fooled. Often times those larger diameter wires are merely added insulator not added conductor. Also a larger wire adds resistance to the elctricity hurting perofrmance if you do not have an upgraded ignition. Modified by MikeBlaze at 7:01 PM 5-12-2003 |
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Re: do aftermarket plug wires make a difference? (jazzpur)
I have had problems with OEM plug wires in the past. Usually the #3 plug wire burns out or the plug blows an electrode or tip. Gone through 3 sets of wire sets through the dealer. I finally got fed up and went to 8mm wireset from Vitek and Bosch Platinum +4's and never had problems since. That was 2-3 years ago. Still running smooth and strong.
I have had problems with OEM plug wires in the past. Usually the #3 plug wire burns out or the plug blows an electrode or tip. Gone through 3 sets of wire sets through the dealer. I finally got fed up and went to 8mm wireset from Vitek and Bosch Platinum +4's and never had problems since. That was 2-3 years ago. Still running smooth and strong.
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