Hello all, I am wondering if an upgrade over standard plugs and plug wires on a mildly built 70 350 with a stock GM HEI distributor will make any difference in performance? I have tried searching for this topic on google and this site and couldn't find the answers I was looking for. Suggestions on a plug and wire combo would be appreciated. It's just a street car, no track trips in the plans if that makes a difference. Thanks

 

as long as your existing hei system is working properly, and you had it recurved for your application, you're not going to see a difference by changing it(except in your wallet). use a good set of wires, cap, and rotor and you're all set.


bill

 

Thanks, that's why I wanted to ask. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on it if it wasn't going to make a difference.

 

Yeah, the two things that your wires and plugs need to do are to conduct the electric charge and to contain it so it doesn't leak out.

So long as your ignition system isn't producing an inadequate voltage (like some old motorcycles, for instance), which, with HEI, it definitely isn't, there is no need to worry about the first function.
The second function is just another way of saying "good insulation." So long as the insulation is good, and remains good, then your wires will work just fine. The enemies of good insulation are time, heat, and poor manufacturing. You can't do much about the first two, and, unfortunately, the last one seems to have nothing to do with price.

These details do begin to gain importance with very high-end engines, like racing engines, that have very high compression ratios and lots of heat generated, and so require unusually high voltages to ignite their mixtures - In these cases, ignition systems may put out much higher voltages than stock, and require fancier wires.
Unless you have one of those cars, there is no benefit to fancier wires.

- Eric

 

If the wires are old, then yes you may notice that the engine will idle nicer and run a little better.
When I got my 65 it still had the stock wires on it and I did see and improvement in drivability. I wouldn't say it was a real performance upgrade but down low in the RPM's it helped.
If you do a set, get a set of cut to fit wires because most made up sets are for both small and big blocks and on a small block it looks like a giant bed of snakes behind the air cleaner.

 

The engine is going to be a fresh rebuild with some minor upgrades, I need to buy new plugs and wires anyways so that is why I am asking. It's is definitely not a racing engine so from your guys thoughts I think I will just go with factory recommended replacements. Thank you for the replies I just don't like spending money on things that are unnecessary.

 

A good set of 8mm Taylor Spiro-pro wires and plugs of your choice gapped to .045 will make your ignition work great.

 

Oldcutlass, I am learning here so could you tell me why these are good ones to go with? What is the difference between these and other wires? Thanks

 

I and others have had very good luck with them and they are not very expensive.

 

Ok, thank you

 

MSD 8.5 are real nice also and come with a very good tool for stripping and installing the terminals.