Topic: spark plug wires w/radio
in Forum: C3 Electrical
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
I'm shopping for spak plug wires again.... (heat wise, big blocks and headers are not always a good combination...).
I keep on seeing spark plug "with radio" and always wondered what it meant; is it "Yes! There is a radio in my car, just like any other car built since 1932" or "Yes! I have a CB radio" ?
Seriously; I don't know the difference between radio and non-radio spark splug wires.
Help!
Help!SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Radio equipped big blocks require the braided, shielded plug wires. Non-radio cars use regular, non-shielded wires.
Without the shielding, there will be a LOT of static in the radio...
Without the shielding, there will be a LOT of static in the radio...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Sorry; I still don't get it (I know it sounds stupid...)
Are we talking about an am/fm radio or a CB radio ?
I'm asking because when I got my Vette, the radio (am/fm) wasn't working to begin with and I replaced it with a custom sound thingy and it sounds ok; not the best, but good enough and I don't have spark plug wires w/radio.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Not stoopid atall!
AM radio is the worse, with non-shielded wires. Back in the day, FM was new, so most people only used AM, and the static was horrible. That's why our cars had the ign. shielding on the dist, and the wires run under the block, inside shielding(on small blocks), and the b-blocks had braided wire covers that grounded to the exhaust.
If you don't have any static on your radio, or if it doesn't bother you, then go with non-radio, non-shielded wires. The wire covers are much better these days, so that may help, too.
AM radio is the worse, with non-shielded wires. Back in the day, FM was new, so most people only used AM, and the static was horrible. That's why our cars had the ign. shielding on the dist, and the wires run under the block, inside shielding(on small blocks), and the b-blocks had braided wire covers that grounded to the exhaust.
If you don't have any static on your radio, or if it doesn't bother you, then go with non-radio, non-shielded wires. The wire covers are much better these days, so that may help, too.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I used to burn through a set of wires every 300 miles, no kidding ! After about 3 sets / $100 each. I went with Jacobs ceramic wires, I've had them for over 2 years and it's the best $189 I've ever spent. For extra protection I covered them with the woven heat sleeves, which didn't work
warbird 2007-07-31 06:46:44
so well with the other wires, but have done a great job with the Jacobs wires.
Unfortunately, your radio static isn't helped any if your radio is a Custom Auto Sound. I've never heard any thing positive about them.
I shielded my dist, and with the ceramic wires, I hardly have any static in AM mode.
Go for the wires if you can, I have your same set-up 454 with headers, and it gets hot under there. These are the best as far as I'm concerned.
P.S.
Try the Accel header plugs (Shorty's) they help keep the wires away from the headers.
Let us know how you make out.
Got it now!
74-454 2007-07-31 19:15:03
Actually, when I said the original radio didn't work, I lied (and it all make sense now). Only the AM hardly worked and I would get a lot of noise. I thought it was the radio. Good thing I kept it!
I did went for that crapy custom audio sound radio for 2 reasons; I didn't want a deck with little buttons and too many lights (out of context) and in every car I own, the first thing I do is install an FM modulator to plug in my MP3 player, so I don't care much about radio itself. To me a radio is just a way to get to my speakers in a "wired" way; without splitting anything. It's not as good as CD, but you are wired directly to the antenna so it's better than anything else out there (for less than 40$ that is...).
You couldn't be more right about the Accel plugs, I swear by them. That's what the PO had. At one point of time I replaced them for something else. 30 minutes later I was back in the store with my old Accel begging the guy to find me some like this.
Not the first time I hear about those wires; it's on my list. I too burned sets one after the other. I even burned 3 wires of a brand new set after 10 miles on time. Frustrating indeed. Even if they are cheaper, it really adds up; not to mention how stupid you look at a red light surrounded by people looking at your car rocking left & right; about to throw the motor out barely running on 4 or 5 cyl while you keep hitting the gas pedal so it doesn't die on you.
in Forum: C3 Electrical
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)