I just purchased a 1986 Trans Am w/TPI and the spark plug wires need to be replaced. I believe the wires have been routed incorrectly due to them be melted against the exhaust. They run along the firewall and down around where the exhaust mounts to the manifold on the passenger side. Is this correct? [This message has been edited by DClark2001 (edited November 11, 2001).]

DClark,

Welcome Aboard!

I hope these help. This is a completely stock '86 TPI:







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Later,
Vader
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If you want to beat the World, it might reach up and pull you down...
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The stock routing has to be the hardest thing ever! I was so glad to upgrade to headers and use the "Made for You" wirelooms that bold to the center bolts of the valve covers. Keeps the wires routed nicely. If you are gonna stay with the factory routing, get the band aids out!

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Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI Edelbrock Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake 1 5/8" Headers Semi-Siamesed Runners, IROC
suspension, alum shaft. Numerous mods.
92Z28convt5spd (stock)
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!

Get a whole crate of band aids... my wires aren't routed nicely yet.. it was kind of a quick job... It'll be done for the unveiling next year. But a question for the picture posting... When did GM use red spark plug wires? Or did you replace the factory wires exactly when they were with aftermarket wires?

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1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA L98 5.7L, Black on Black with 114,000kms.

Best ET 14.559 @ 95.25MPH
Custom 3" Stainless Exhaust Y-Pipe back (High flow Cat and Flowmaster Mufler)

I replaced the OEM wires ni the exact looms that the factory used, but I used Packard red silicone wire and stock boots and terminals.

You can get them pre-cut through GMPP or many dealer parts counters. Some larger parts counters have the wire in bulk - 50 ohms/foot.

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Later,
Vader
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If you want to beat the World, it might reach up and pull you down...
Adobe Acrobat Reader

Vader,

Thanks for the pics of the '86 TA. I was able to reroute the wires behind the exhaust manifold but still not happy with how it looks. At least they're not touching the exhaust now. I'm definitely going to going to rerun the wires on my next day off though. Looks a lot better with the wires run correctly. By the way, I didn't get any cuts while running the wires the hard way, I had someone run the wires, from up top, down to me while I was under the car. It's also a lot easier changing the spark plugs from underneath also with using a sparkplug socket and a boxend wrench that fits the top of the socket. Changing the spark plugs themselves took me about 10 minutes or less.



[This message has been edited by DClark2001 (edited November 12, 2001).]

I also did not like the factory setup.

For the passenger side I ran them under the TPI plenum and around the front of the block under the alternator. No hot exhuast issues.

And for the comments about resistance and length. I used MSD 8.8 wires with 10-20 ohms (not K ohms, just ohms) per foot. All the wires are roughly the same length.

The result is wires you can't see when you look at the engine.

Each to their own. My engine bay is more for show these days.

Mark.