Tune-up time

[jrose7]

Just need some experienced knowledge...I have a '04 with a 5.3. Are there any advantages to aftermarket plugs and wires? Does anyone know what size wires GM uses, (7.5, 8.0, 8.5)?

[97BurbanSLT]

dunno if i would use much aftermarket other than ac delco. I havent messed with gm products but i assume factory parts would be best. IMHO the double and quad spark plugs like bosch platinum +4s are junk unless they are called for i prefer ac delco parts that are of a factory spec. I just picked up delco platinums for my 454 and delco plug wires lookin forward to doing the tune up with the intake gaskets YEEHAWWWW

[silveradotrailblazer]

Your 04 may have A/C Delco irridium plugs which are good for 100,000 miles. I have 05 and on the advice of some GM techs I take my plugs out every 30,000 miles and put ani-seize on the threads and reinstall the plugs to help keep the threads from getting stripped in the aluminum heads. The stock wires are 7mm. I like MSD as the seem to take the heat from the engine compartment. Wires can look good on the outside but are baked on the inside. Also the MSDs are 8.5mm.

[sc99z71]

I have a ? about wires also. I checked at Advance Auto and they said they had AC Delco plug wires for my truck for 29.99, but would have to order them. So I called Parks Auto and the chepest set of AC Delcos they had were 60.00. Is there a difference in what each store has. Has anyone bought AC Delco plug wires lately?

[Dr_Zero]

I have a ? about wires also. I checked at Advance Auto and they said they had AC Delco plug wires for my truck for 29.99, but would have to order them. So I called Parks Auto and the chepest set of AC Delcos they had were 60.00. Is there a difference in what each store has. Has anyone bought AC Delco plug wires lately?

I looked that one up online and I think they were looking at ONE wire cause the set is

ACDelco Spark Plug Wires - Standard

Part No. 748GG

2nd Design; w/Delphi Coil; Coil Stamped 19005218; For 1st Design See 88894394

Warranty 1 YEAR REPLACEMENT IF DEFECTIVE
$93.99



ACDelco Spark Plug Wires - Standard

Part No. 350R

Single Lead; Use w/Coil Stamped 19005218

Warranty 1 YEAR REPLACEMENT IF DEFECTIVE
$29.99

(Edit to add)
Found this on rock auto that is only for one wire for $30!!! oh and RA only wants $8.15 for that part not $30
ACDELCO Part # 350R More Info {#12192195}
WIRE,SPLG 2ND DESIGN; USED W/COIL STMPD 19005218, FOR 1ST DES SEE 12192133


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rock auto has them also and they have 2 sets depending on the coil they are different in length it looks like
ACDELCO Part # 748GG {#88894393}
WIRE KIT,SPLG 2ND DESIGN; USED W/COIL STMP 19005218, FOR 1ST DES SEE 88894394; DELPHI COIL, 7MM DIA, 9.2IN LG

$58.79 $0.00 $58.79
Add to Cart
ACDELCO Part # 748HH {#88894394}
WIRE KIT,SPLG 1ST DESIGN; USED W/COIL STMP 12558693, FOR 2ND DES SEE 88894393; MELCO COIL, 7MM DIA, 10.5IN LG

$59.79 $0.00 $59.79

[Dr_Zero]

Just need some experienced knowledge...I have a '04 with a 5.3. Are there any advantages to aftermarket plugs and wires? Does anyone know what size wires GM uses, (7.5, 8.0, 8.5)?

With a stock ignition system there is not really an advantage to bigger wires or fancy plugs. that being said Im trying some of the Denso TT right now to see if they make a difference they were not expensive so I figured I would try them.

The bigger wires have a thicker insulation on them that is the difference in the size.

Factory wires may not be AC/Delco as Packard/Delphi makes the plug wires in many cases, mine were delphi packard.

http://delphi.com/news/pressReleases...8809-04062005/

Good info on the ignition
http://www.centuryperformance.com/ig...s-spg-219.html

Spark Plug Wire Shielding Thickness:Spark Plug Shielding Thickness

Here is another advertiser-abused method to confuse and milk more money from the consumer. When you are reading about plug wire size (5mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 10.5mm, etc) you are only being told about the thickness of the cover, or shielding around the core of the wire, not necessarily the quality of the wire.

If you look at the image at right you will see a simple comparison of wire thickness. This is not a dead accurate image, but it gives you an idea. The center cores are all equal, and we've made minor changes to the thickness of red-colored shielding ring. If you actually take a micrometer or digital caliper and see how thick 1mm really is you will see how you've been duped over the years. Most OEM wire sets up until a few years ago were 7mm and worked just fine. The car manufacturers recently jumped on the bandwagon with 8mm and 9mm plug wire sets coming stock on your new vehicle.

Racers have been upgrading from 7mm to 8mm for decades and for good reason. Years ago with the junky 7mm stock carbon wire sets, when you upgraded your ignition system to a better coil and distributor, then built the engine to handle higher RPM, you really needed some better quality in your plug wires. The older shielding materials did not do an optimum job keeping the spark in the wire. Plus, they did not have much help if you think about the cheap, old, stamped steel chrome wire separator kits with the cheesy grommets slid inside. Your spark from the coil is looking for the fastest way to ground, and you hope that is at the spark plug. Having a nice sharp edge of metal before the plug, that is right up next to the edge of the plug wire is very tempting. So tempting that the spark energy may use it instead, creating an under hood lightshow and corresponding misfire.

Now we're sitting here in the 21st century and technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes have changed. The hot setup right now is actually the Accel 5mm plug wire sets. These use their top-of-the-line 300+ spiral core with a 5mm thick, 550° High Gloss Silicone Jacket. These wires are great! We've tested them and they work perfectly on everything we've installed them on, from street and street-strip vehicles, to 1,000 HP drag cars. Accel is one of the Mr. Gasket companies, as is Mallory, so your getting some shared technologies. Plus, with these skinny, coffee straw looking wires, you have improved header clearance and easier installation in tight areas.

The other thing to consider is to just take a look at a Top Fuel dragster. 6,000+ horsepower and monster dual magnetos, but hanging over the engine are simple 8mm plug wires. They do add the Mallory Pro Shield Insulated Shielding, which is mostly for abrasion protection, since they are rebuilding the engine in a mad rush after every pass.

[sc99z71]

Thanks for the info on the wire sets!!!!