Can anyone recommend a good cap/rotor+plugs & wires combination. All of those components seem pretty old on my 1990 formula (I know the plugs need replacing). Ive looked at a bunch of different ones at different price ranges. Id like to get something that performs to a high standard and lessens chances of misfiring & such.

 

MSD offers replacement cap and rotor for both the internal (large body) and external(small body) GM HEI. Their quality is excellent and the price is actually less than comparable parts from NAPA or other aftermarket OE replacement parts suppliers.

As far as wires go, NAPA Belden Max Protection are very good. MSD 8.8mm is about the best you can get, but you pay for them and for best fit you want the cut to fit which require a pricey set of crimpers to get them right. Because of the funky, under the manifold routing from GM, you need to be sure your seperators are all there and be sure to route the wires carefully or you'll have burned wires and misfires.

For plugs, stick with what came in the car. AC Delco in the correct number for the engine. No other plug will work as well as what was originally intended for it.

 

Thank you for your input. Ive done some research on plugs and Pulstar iridium CB1i plugs seem to be highly recommended from several sources. They are pricy but considering the role spark plugs play and the mileage you can potentially get out of higher-end product, the price seems reasonable. Any thoughts?

 

I have been through just about every brand of plug on just about every make of vehicle. The engineers of each engine specify a particular heat range and electrode design of plug for that engine. It has been my extensive experience that no other plug will work as well as the original in any engine. However, it's your car and your money. Do as you see fit.

 

ACDELCO R45TS plugs. Only way to go.

 

Don't waste your money on high-$$$$ "gimmick" plugs.

AC/Delco are entirely adequate. So are Motorcraft, Champion, NGK, Nippondenso, Bosch (just the OEM replacement - NOT the "+4" or whatever other wallet-lightener they are pimping this week). Basically, any OEM grade part, from any of the top-line mfrs that supply plugs to the car mfrs for new cars.

For a cap & rotor, look for ones with brass - NOT the usual chinesium - contacts. Look for a rotor with a longer "tip"; alot of them the tip misses the cap contacts by near 1/8", which just adds that much gap IN FRONT OF the plug that the spark has to jump BEFORE it can get to the plug. The Accel tan cap & rotor are decent for example, as are some of the ones you get at the REAL parts stores; Standard Ignition, Niehoff, etc. Pay less attention to the name on the box and more to THE PART itself.

I've used Taylor Spiro-Pro wires on pretty much everything they would fit, for years. I highly recommend them. Get the ones with 90° ends and route them CAREFULLY in the exact path the stock ones followed, and cut to length. You can make them fit and lay in there as neatly and as well protected as the stockers if you're careful, and not have the "bird's nest" effect you see in about 90% of the pics people post of their engines. Although I must say, about 90% of the time, the people who go out of their way to post engine pics, have engines with nothing interesting worth seeing ANYWAY.

 

I agree about the spark plugs. Platinum will wear longer, but not improve performance.

How do you think the E3 plug advertisers made the ad that "proves" E3 plugs burn faster than conventional ones? Saw it on spike tv last week. I wondered where the smoke and mirrors were.

 

I agree 100%, cheap aswell. I like to use MSD components for the cap/rotor, wires and coil.