At a decision point with my 94 Camaro. I need plug wires. I am running the second set of delco's that has ever been on the car.

I swapped my 2nd set of wires about 5 years ago. I ran Edelbrock shorty headers with them with no trouble. I upgraded to a set of Pacesetter LT headers a couple of years ago. I ran the plug/wire setup for a season until my opti failed. In the couse of replacing coil/opti/plugs/wires to correct a heat problem, I noticed my #5 and #6 wires were taking a beating with the Pacesetters (burning about 2-3 inches after the boot). I replaced them with my original wires (held on to them as spares) as a stopgap measure. I added asbestos heat sleeves and made sure the wires were in the stock routing looms.

The car is missing again now. The question is should I replace the wires and redo them in the stock locations or just do the OTVC setup already and stop messing with it?

 

I would do the OTVC wires. A good set of MSD SUPER CONDUCTORS and route them carefully and secure.That's what I did and it appears they might last forever. I also used some Moroso looms and drilled holes in them and wired them to bolts I installed in the side of the heads. Never have had an issue for years.

 

I have the same headers with m.s.d super conductors routed through the stock location,with protective sleeves. Never had an issue with mine except when i routed them incorrectly the first two times,that was also with Bbk shorties and they were a major p.I.t.a

 

I burnt my #5 plug wire about a year (~2000 miles) after swapping out to Long Tube headers (they plug wires were reused-- had ~30k miles on them at the time) and I've since replaced the wires to solve my missing issue.

I'm using the stock wire routing basically, though I've done a few things to try to keep the wires away from the header primaries.

 

Go with the OTVC. I put them on my Firehawk a couple months ago. I have Mac mid lengths. I purchased my OTVC kit from Thunder Racing for about $120. It comes with everything you need. The kit comes with Taylor wires. You pick your color and you have to measure and cut your own wire length and crimp your sparkplug boots and opti ends. Its easy. I have not had one misfire since I did this install and it looks great.

Here is a video of my set up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgfHKweEsZ4

 

Matt-

Nice looking setup. I am not totally in love with the appearance of the OTVC setup, but I am foolish to think replacing the wires is going to address my issue.

I am thinking of going with the OTVC setup with MSD wires and a kit that makes them lay on the side of the valve covers. If I remember right, the whole thing (including pre-cut wires) will run $157. I have the corvette fuel rail and valve covers and really like the flat, clean look it gives the engine. But, that look is not worth having a car that does not perform.

Thanks to all for the input.

 

I had OTVC wires and HATED them. They make the valve covers just about impossible to keep clean, they make the engine bay look busy and distracting, and the fact that you cut and crimp your own wires sucks, not to mention leaves a ton of room for crimping errors.

Stock routing is definitely the better option for me.

 

Paul
Thunder Racing sells the plug wire kit that runs on the side. Its the same kit I bought u just check top or side when ordering.

I actually like the look, its neat and organized plus the most important part it works. The look will grow on you.

Joe- As much work as u have done on your car, I doubt u had any problem
crimping and cutting wires. I think for the price the plug wires should be ready to plug and go. It was a pain in the *** to do but what jobs are fun to do on a LT1. Almost none.

 

I did not have any problems cutting and crimping but I know of a few guys who did it themselves and ended up having ignition issues because of a few crimping errors. But to me it was more the PITA of keeping the covers clean and them generally being in the way. Plus I didn't like them hiding my nice billet smooth valve covers.

I do know that since I have them routed properly in the stock location I have nothing to worry about. OTVC, never again!

 

I used Moroso loom brackets. They keep the wires above the covers and they are very easy to keep clean.

 

One vote for OTVC.

Hooker Headers with MSD kit.

I think it cost $120 or so, and included enough stuff to do the opti to coil wire as well.

I burned up 3 wires with botched routing in the stock locations, the OTVC setup keeps them up and out of the way.

I used the vice style crimper from the kit.. no problems at all.

 

Where's the pole?

I would never run OTVC wires, NEVER. Such a hassle and extra money spent for nothing. I can't imaging adjusting the rockers with all that junk on there. Just run the wires from the bottom, use zip ties when necessary, and be mindful of the headers. I've got factory style wire routing on both of my LT1's and rarely has burn wire problems.

I'm not sure what you've got done to the car, but on my DD car I run the lifetime warranty Oreily's made in the USA wires. They work great and are priced the same as Autozones Chinese wires. I'd save big money on plug wires for race style motor.

-Dustin-

 

I went OTVC MSD wires, and I agree that while they work to keep them off the headers, they do clutter up the engine bay a bit.

 

I use heat shields and stock routing with no problems...yet.

 

Thanks for all of the input. I purchased delco set #3 and stock style heat shields for all plugs...

I will update later this summer with results