charliemccraney

Where can I get ignition wires that fit properly? The cheap versions available locally do not. Ac Delco wires are available but they cost more than twice everything else and are not in stock but, if I know they'll fit correctly, I'll get them.
I'm using stock looms and stock routing on a stock car.
Three of the wires have long straight boots which to the best of my knowledge go next to the exhaust pipe. With the sets I've tried so far, there's no way to make that happen; if I do that, then some of the remaining wires just aren't long enough to reach a cylinder and really, one of the straight booted wires is longer than it should be to go where I think it needs to go. Correct me if I'm wrong about the location of the straight booted wires.

WESTOF7

universal cut to fit wires should be available at your local speed shop. the msd streetfire sets are pretty good and come with a tool to crimp the wires. it doesnt take long and its gauranteed to fit the way you want.

charliemccraney

I'd like to avoid the hassle of putting together a custom set of wires. It also looks like the only straight plug boots available are for larger wires which will present problems with using the stock looms. It's stock, so I'd think that correct stock replacements are available somewhere.

WESTOF7

Its not a hassle at all two cuts and crimps and your done. If my 19 y o gf can figure out how to make up a set of wires for her jeep im sure you can too. You can get cut to fit wire sets in the stock size. If you really dont want to spend the extra 20 min then try delco if they list a part # for your exact application

charliemccraney

I've made plenty of wires. Shoot, I've gone to the extent of making my own looms on other projects. When it shouldn't be necessary, I call it a hassle. So then do the AC Delco wires actually fit?

ninetyone

iTrader: (2)

Hey man, you can use wires for a 79 0r 80' v8 Camaro. They will be the 90 degree boot style. I used those when i switched over to headers. Got mine at Napa for $17.49.

BASSETT IROC 85

iTrader: (2)

Old trick we used to use was big block wires all straight boots run them over the valve covers.Get them for a 1985 Chevy truck 454engine. I use these for my car. http://www.scottperformance.com/

charliemccraney

I got a set of the AC Delco's and they aren't right.

Can anyone confirm that I am making the correct assumption, the long booted wires go to the cylinders which are next to an exhaust pipe. That is 5,7, and 8. If my assumption is correct, these wire sets I have acquired definitely are not right.

If my assumption is right, can someone point me to a correct set. If my assumption is wrong, correct me. Or, if it is known that correct sets just aren't available, please speak up and I'll bite the bullet and make a set.

camaronewbie

I just always put the shorter wires in first, and worked my way up to the longer wires, unless there was a boot issue. Doesn't matter which wire goes where, as long as they all get a wire that won't melt on the exhaust.

The ONLY way your going to get a set of wires that fits the way you want is to get a cut-to-length set. NO ONE makes precut wires for YOUR car - they make 15 standard sets that will fit 400 different cars. You use the best wire option for each cylinder out of the set that you get, or you cut your own - that's all there is in the world. If anyone made wires specifically cut and booted to fit your car only, the price would be so high that you couldn't afford it anyway.

Kevman

I used the cute yellow Accel ones, 8mm, $29..
When they touch the header, though.. Look out!

charliemccraney

The AC Delco online catalog quite specifically indicates that the plug wire set 708Q is for '87 and '88 V8 Camaros and Firebirds. That's it. So it should be designed for '87 and '88 V8 3rd gens.

I just got an idea. '89 - '92 is a different part number, 708S and 9708S. I wonder if, for whatever reason, I need that one. Judging by the pictures online, it does appear to be more like that which I think I need. I'll pick a set up and have a look.

camaronewbie

Well - right there you have evidence of something stupid on AC/Delco's behalf - there is absolutely no difference between a 1988 vin "E" engine and a 1992 vin "E" engine - both are the same 305 TBI, so if they show different part numbers ...

Maybe the later years had a different heat shield at the exhaust manifolds - they don't have a pic of the 1992 wires, so no telling what plug ends are on those.

camaronewbie

And - not trying to be a jerk here - my father is the same way as you - he'll push his car 3 blocks (because he ran out of gas) to save 2 cents a gallon in a 15 gallon tank (he pushed the car 3 blocks for a total of 30 cents savings). All I can say is I wish I had enough time in life to be the same myself.

I'm just stating - You talked about hassle with cut to length wires - you've spent 5+ days now and countless trips to various auto parts stores trying to get a set of plug wires in your car. Took me 30 minutes to cut and boot my own Taylor wires. And only 10 minutes to slap in a set of Autozone pre-cuts.

Please - do your sanity a great favor - never ever buy a LT1 car! Those plug wires are impossible!

charliemccraney

I don't think you're being a jerk. I really haven't spent much time on this. I've needed to go to the store to get parts for other projects, anyway so I get everything at once. I still have one wire set I tried a couple months ago which I can use to compare any replacements before I actually try to install them on the car. I probably have about 5 minutes in actually trying to solve this issue in the past 5 days. To boot, the parts store is literally on the way to work so I don't even have to go out of my way for that. Plus, if I actually do figure it out, it will be real easy the next time and save people here some time. To me it's worth the little extra time involved.
For me, custom plug wires isn't just custom plug wires. It will mean custom looms to insure they are held in place well, and that takes a lot of time to design, build, test fit, etc. I have a high attention to detail. I can't just have wires laying over things. That's just me.

ASE doc

The first rule to replacing OE wires with OE replacements is to do one wire at a time, matching each wire to its best match in the new set. I have had great success with AC Delco replacement parts on GM cars. I find the fitment to be quite good. I have also had great succes with NAPA Belden wires. They have a glossy silicone outer jacket and always fit very well. Obviously youv'e already got the original wires off. So you'll have to figure out which wire goes where by trial and error.

If you take your time you'll find the ACs fit well when you have them right. If I remember correctly, the straight boots go to #5, #6 and #8. Ofcourse take care with the seperators not to break them. If one does break, use a zip tie to affix the wires to what's left.

charliemccraney

Do you know if yours is as it rolled out of the factory as far as the ignition wire layout goes? I think the straight boots should go to 5, 7, and 8. Might you be able to take a look?

The 89 - 92 wires don't seem right either. All of the sets I 've tried have a short wire with a 90 degree boot on the plug end. This particular wire is the same length in all of the sets. The only cylinder it will reach is #7. That means that either my notion of where the straight boots go is wrong, or all of the wire sets are wrong.

WESTOF7

you wouldve been done this already if you wouldve made your own. nothing you get from the parts store will fit right. If delco doesnt have them your probly not gonna find a set.

ASE doc

I was referring to the wire layout as it is printed in the factory manual(very clear pictures of the wire routing. Mine is nothing like OE. Sorry. I know wire fitment because I have been an engine performance specialist for 30 years. AC Delco is very good. NAPA Belden is also very good.

Making your own wires is a good option on high performance applications(like mine) where OE wires are not the best option. I cant think of why anyone would want to do this on an OE application.

It might be time for you to purchase a really good service manual. The factory(HELMS Publishing) manual has vast information on your car. Including clear pictures detailing ignition wire layout. In the future, remember, never take more than one wire off at a time. Not unless you are very familiar with the layout, or if the wires are in a loom or assembly where you can build it and replace it as a unit.

charliemccraney

I got my Helm manual today. It shows 5, 6, and 8 using the straight boots. It looks like it has to do with the wire dividers, rather than the exhaust pipe. My notion was wrong. With this info, I'll try installing the wires again, the way it is indicated in the manual. With this info, it also looks more like the 89-92 wires are actually correct. The other has one wire that is simply too long to be correct.

This manual is awesome. It almost makes me want to throw away my Haynes. ..That sounds kinda funny.

charliemccraney

Success! I finally got around to installing them. AC Delco part 708Q is the correct set. They fit great now that I know how they should be routed. No custom wires necessary.

I measured the wires as I was installing them and they are as follows, for the stock looms and routing.
1 36.5" 90 boot
2 41" 90 boot
3 32.5" 90 boot
4 32.5" 90 boot
5 27" straight boot
6 33" straight boot
7 22.5" 90 boot
8 33" straight boot