Replacing spark plugs, wires, caps, extenders | FerrariChat
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Replacing spark plugs, wires, caps, extenders

Discussion in '308/328' started by keysmatt, Nov 3, 2014.

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  1. keysmatt

    keysmatt Karting

    Oct 31, 2014
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    #1 keysmatt, Nov 3, 2014
    I've seen a lot of discussions about spark plugs, wires, caps, extenders, etc. and, of course, the more I read the more complicated it seems to get. Here's my situation: I don't think I'm getting full ignition performance in my GTSi. The car has the original "double" ignition system and has Champion RN9YC plugs installed with what looks like original wires, extenders and dust caps. On several plugs I am not able to push the extenders fully onto the spark plugs firmly enough to get them to "snap" into place-- there's too much play of the wire within the extender. And at least one of the extenders has a chip broken off at the end, so that definitely needs to be replaced and I need to vacuum out the plug well (I just bought the car, so I have no idea when that piece broke off or where it is).

    I'd really like to just replace everything from the wires to the spark plugs. Can anyone give me a resource (non-OEM) where I can get all the parts I need? I only drive the car occasionally around town, so I don't need "racing" quality stuff, but I'd like to get maximum performance out of the ignition system. Oh, also, I like red wires and caps versus the original black that I have now.
     
  2. MNExotics

    MNExotics F1 Rookie
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    #2 MNExotics, Nov 3, 2014
    If you use the search function you will find several threads about the wires. Taylor makes a 7mm wire that several people have used. The extenders I got from AW Italian have a smaller clip compared to the originals which I think will resist burn through better due to the larger gap to ground. Unfortunately you have a 2Vi and the rotors are very expensive. If the original are in good shape clean them and reuse. Caps are the same for all 308's and not cheap even with the after market copies. As for plugs again do a search and the iridium plugs are currently recommend plugs
     
  3. Saabguy

    Saabguy Formula 3
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    #3 Saabguy, Nov 3, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2014
    As to spark plug wires, use these: MAGNECOR Race Wires: WELCOME TO MAGNECOR! . If you look at the original wires they have a kinda-sorta-spiral winding every so often. This reduces interference from what I've read. It's a once in a lifetime deal with Magnecor wires. And after you put the red jackets on them no one will ever know whats inside.

    YMMV

    Lester

    .. oh yeah, don't do old school racer solid core wire, waaaay to much interference with electronic ignitions!
     
  4. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #4 shmark, Nov 3, 2014
    I ordered my wires and extenders from Kingsborne, and I'm pretty sure I got the caps and rotors from allferrariparts.com. Huge improvement, besides my failed extenders. The car just purrs at idle, like it's supposed to.
     
  5. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #5 GordonC, Nov 3, 2014
    Also check out Superformance in the UK - I bought new (red) wires and extenders from them for my QV.
     
  6. keysmatt

    keysmatt Karting

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    #6 keysmatt, Nov 3, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Ok. So I decided to try to build the wire set piecemeal versus buying an compete kit. (I'm a glutton for punishment). I decided to go with the Taylor wires (I measured about 20 total feet of wire required), extenders from AW and boots from Allferrari. I'm gonna hold off on the rotors until I take a look at them. I'm told by the AW parts person that the extenders come with the metal clips in them. I assume that in order to install each clip/extender onto the end of a wire, I will have to push the clip out of the extender using the wire, crimp the clip onto the end of the wire and then pull the wire back so that the clip seats into the extender. Is that correct? Am I missing anything?

    I've included pics of my current wire setup including pics of the broken extender. If you want to see the car, I'll upload some pics. It's my first Ferrari, I just got it on Thursday.
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  7. MNExotics

    MNExotics F1 Rookie
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    #7 MNExotics, Nov 3, 2014
    Those are not OEM wires, well caps, or extenders. I don't recognize them from the aftermarket. I would bet the extender with the chip was allowing spark jump causing a misfire

    Compressed air is more effective at removing debris from the spark plug wells vs vacuum
     
  8. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    #8 miketuason, Nov 3, 2014
    Contact Dave Helms at Scuderia Rampante.
     
  9. Saabguy

    Saabguy Formula 3
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    #9 Saabguy, Nov 3, 2014
    Do you have a GOOD crimping tool? If you bought it at Autozone the answer is no.. make damn sure you have a good one or you will be wasting your time. Or so I've heard.. some years back.. from someone that .. that I may have forgotten about. It wasn't me, that's for sure as far as you know..
     
  10. pappy.72

    pappy.72 Formula Junior

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    #10 pappy.72, Nov 3, 2014
  11. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #11 shmark, Nov 3, 2014
    FWIW the wires I bought from Kingsborne were plug and play, zero issues, and are effectively OEM. I believe I had to transfer the caps/boots from my old set but that's it. They were relatively expensive (esp considering new wire set for my Corvette was $90!), but they fit perfectly first time, and the car runs perfectly. Worth it to me.
     
  12. andyww

    andyww F1 Rookie

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    #12 andyww, Nov 3, 2014
  13. Robz328

    Robz328 F1 Veteran
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    #13 Robz328, Nov 4, 2014
    I used red Taylors with straight plug ends without extenders; cannibalized the red seals; had to make an installation tool to install/uninstall at the plugs. Works great.
     
  14. keysmatt

    keysmatt Karting

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    #14 keysmatt, Nov 4, 2014
    Can you upload a pic of the wire ends and you tool?
     
  15. keysmatt

    keysmatt Karting

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    #15 keysmatt, Nov 4, 2014
  16. keysmatt

    keysmatt Karting

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    #16 keysmatt, Nov 4, 2014
    Thanks for the link and your tutorial. Very helpful. However, it looks like there's a difference between your car and mine (yours is a 328, right?). I think the plugs on my car (GTSi 2v) are situated much deeper into the plug well than on yours if you compare the distance from the rubber boot to the metal plug clip on your car versus on mine. Is this why you don't need plug extenders and I do?
     
  17. Saabguy

    Saabguy Formula 3
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    #17 Saabguy, Nov 4, 2014
    Matt, the 328 does use plug extenders from the factory. You might be able to bypass them if you make a tool to snap the ends down on the plugs but the factory setup is to have a solid extender.
     
  18. andyww

    andyww F1 Rookie

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    #18 andyww, Nov 4, 2014
    I do have extenders, just didnt cover them in the thread as there is nothing to do other than replace them if bad.
     
  19. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
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    #19 Meister, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2014
  20. keysmatt

    keysmatt Karting

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    #20 keysmatt, Nov 4, 2014
    But without the extender, isn't the metal snap and the top of the plug exposed to the sidewall of the plug well, and thus, susceptible to arcing as may be the case I have since there's the chip broken off of my one extender?
     
  21. Saabguy

    Saabguy Formula 3
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    #21 Saabguy, Nov 4, 2014
    With a good fit I don't think that it will. I have more than a few cars with distributors and the plugs are close to all sorts of metal and don't arc but that isn't empirical evidence. Just stick with the extenders.
     
  22. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
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    #22 Brian A, Nov 4, 2014
    I see no mention of a source for new red(-ish) outer sleeving for the wires.

    Has anyone confirmed a source for original-looking red replacment sleeving?

    I have an '83 QV.
     
  23. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    #23 miketuason, Nov 4, 2014
    When I sent my original set of wires to Dave Helms, he change all the wires with the correct ones and he reused all the red outer sleeves. I don't know how he did it but he did.
     
  24. Saabguy

    Saabguy Formula 3
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    #24 Saabguy, Nov 4, 2014
    The original sleeves appear to be made of silicone and are quite durable. They just get rolled off or pealed off and slipped back on. I would guess that you could order red silicone hose of the appropriate inner and outer diameter and use that.

    Lester
     
  25. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

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    #25 Brian A, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2014
    I ask because my outer sleeves have a splits, crimps and other general ugliness. I would really like to change them when I do my wires. (Fortunately, my caps are in good shape and can be reused.)

    I am hoping someone has purchased outer sleeve material from somewhere that they can confirm looks perfectly stock.

    (I am riding the concours horse for a couple of years, so want to stick to stock material.)
     
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