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Any issues from longer than stock spark plug wires?

muddermilitia

muddermilitia

ThatTrazerGuy
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Brainstorming stuff for my 1959 Chevy Apache project. The truck has a 2005 5.3l LS in it.

I am disguising the engine to look more retro. I already have valve cover adapters and some SBC valve covers on it. I plan on swapping the factory intake for a Holley or Edelbrock intake that will allow me to run a standard round air cleaner. The ignition coils are going to be remote mounted.

Now here's my idea. I think I will have enough room to mount a distributor cap on a round plate at the back of the motor. i was going to drill out each spark plug connection point so that I could run a plug wire through it. Then route them through the fire wall and have the ignition coils mounted inside the truck under the dash board.

This would really get people to scratch their head when they look under the hood

I think I will probably have to order 2 spark plug wire kits as this will definitely add some length to the wires. Do you guys think I will see any issues with longer spark plug wires? The engine is totally stock right now. Just has CPP exhaust manifolds. In the future it will probably get a cam swap, but nothing crazy. It is going to be a street driver, no racing
 
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Not sure why, but this is interesting to me. I'd like to hear some thoughts on this as well.
 
Doubt the length will make much difference,but you may run into radio static issues having coils and plug wires under the dash..
I'd keep them away from the ECM also in case it may be affected ..
 
muddermilitia said:
Brainstorming stuff for my 1959 Chevy Apache project. The truck has a 2005 5.3l LS in it.

I am disguising the engine to look more retro. I already have valve cover adapters and some SBC valve covers on it. I plan on swapping the factory intake for a Holley or Edelbrock intake that will allow me to run a standard round air cleaner. The ignition coils are going to be remote mounted.

Now here's my idea. I think I will have enough room to mount a distributor cap on a round plate at the back of the motor. i was going to drill out each spark plug connection point so that I could run a plug wire through it. Then route them through the fire wall and have the ignition coils mounted inside the truck under the dash board.

This would really get people to scratch their head when they look under the hood

I think I will probably have to order 2 spark plug wire kits as this will definitely add some length to the wires. Do you guys think I will see any issues with longer spark plug wires? The engine is totally stock right now. Just has CPP exhaust manifolds. In the future it will probably get a cam swap, but nothing crazy. It is going to be a street driver, no racing
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I am probably going to be the only one to say it but the whole thing about the new coil on spark plug systems is to shorten the distance and get a better spark.
By lengthening the wires you will lose spark from the resistance in the long wires.
I wouldn't do it.
If I want the look of old, I would put the old engine.
But that is just me
 
dont buy cheap wire and it works fine, buy cheap wire and have problems
 
Thanks for the input.

I went newer engine because this truck will be driven, alot, and far from home. So economy as well as reliability were the main factors, plus its also easy to get parts for it from the local parts store (in stock too)

A local friend drove his LS powered 1950 buick from Chicago, to San Diego, to Vegas, to the top of Pikes Peak in Utah, then back home all within 6 days this past spring. Not one issue with his drivetrain. That's what I want from this truck. I want the old nostalgic look though, too
 
Issam is right. The short plug wires are what you want. I’d look into other ways to hide them either off the valve covers or near by on the frame. It may run ok with them remote mounted, but not sure the risk is worth the appearance gain.

I would think the timing would get thrown off with enough of a run. At the very least, a bit adjusted timing and a bit weaker spark. Not really worth it.

You could always disguise the real wires/coils and fulfill your idea with fake wires.
 
Lots of people remote mount the coils with zero issues. Don't put them in the trunk but mounting them on the firewall or just on the inside or on the frame won't hurt anything.
 
Heck,older small blocks with points had spark plug wires 3 feet long and they ran OK...as long as you use quality wires I see no issues other than the possibility of radio static or the ECM possibly being affected if they are routed to close to it..shorter IS better,but I doubt anything 3 feet or less would pose a problem..

I once had one of those big yellow ACCEL "super coils" on my Buick--had to put the stock coil back on it,because that thing put out 50,000 volts and more sparks were jumping to ground on the engine block from the wires ,than at the spark plugs,and it refused to run on rainy days..
Put the stock coil back in and ta-da--no problems..plug wires were brand new too..
 
muddermilitia said:
Brainstorming stuff for my 1959 Chevy Apache project. The truck has a 2005 5.3l LS in it.

I am disguising the engine to look more retro. I already have valve cover adapters and some SBC valve covers on it. I plan on swapping the factory intake for a Holley or Edelbrock intake that will allow me to run a standard round air cleaner. The ignition coils are going to be remote mounted.

Now here's my idea. I think I will have enough room to mount a distributor cap on a round plate at the back of the motor. i was going to drill out each spark plug connection point so that I could run a plug wire through it. Then route them through the fire wall and have the ignition coils mounted inside the truck under the dash board.

This would really get people to scratch their head when they look under the hood

I think I will probably have to order 2 spark plug wire kits as this will definitely add some length to the wires. Do you guys think I will see any issues with longer spark plug wires? The engine is totally stock right now. Just has CPP exhaust manifolds. In the future it will probably get a cam swap, but nothing crazy. It is going to be a street driver, no racing
Click to expand...

Length isn't an issue. The voltage is high and the electrical current is low. Low current = low loss. Like someone mentioned, get good quality wires.
 
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