Hey all, I'm getting ready to do a full tune-up on the `89. I will replace the cap and rotor with either Standard or AC-Delco parts.

I just wanted to get an idea of what spark plug wires people use for the TPI. Something in the 8mm range. I'm looking for a pre-made wireset for stock exhaust manifolds.

I would appreciate any recommendations!

 

I buy the best ones NAPA has on hand.be glad you don't have the coil in cap distributor. as NO BODY makes wires for them anymore

 

That's quite wrong I just bought some big body HEI with coil in cap wires at O'Reilly

 

really?? did the wires have the ridge on the cap side for the round wire retainer?? my local oreilleys ware house insists that style has been discontinued. plenty of small cap wires to be had, but those are not correct for a coil in cap distributor.

 

Sounds like the parts guy is smoking something. That type of plug wire was used from 1974 to 1986 covering hundreds of vehicles. I would try elsewhere. Rock auto has plenty to choose from.

In my case, it's a small-cap HEI. What brands/part numbers do people like?

 

I run Taylor wires from Summit racing. Good plug wires at a great price.

 

Are they universal or custom-made for your application?

 

MSD 8.5mm wires
MSD, Accel, mallory, etc cap and rotor with the brass terminals.

And Rusty, you need to find better parts people. The Large coil in cap HEI is the most common GM dist. and EVERYBODY has plug wires for them.

 

im finding it hard to find the correct wires.all the parts houses have the 87 and up small cap HEI wires . but to find the ones with the provision for the retainer ring, no one seems to carry those anymore.

 

Newer wire set instructions will probably tell you to discard the retaining ring.

If one is hell bent on wanting to use the retaining ring, just buy a model year correct set of wires regardless of distributor boot type and make a separate boot purchase:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Taylor/895/44056/10002/-1

http://www.jegs.com/i/MSD-Ignition/1...rentProductId=

Or remove the boots from your old set and swap them onto the new set.

For restorations, keep searching for an NOS set or search the bone yards and start hoarding boots.

 

I built my Z-28 to be as exact as possible. not restored per se, but as close to the factory design as I could get it. so I don't care for deviation, as far as parts are concerned. that's why I care to keep the ring, it came that way. so its stayin !

 

Oh ok, I get what your saying now and yes that is correct. To get that extra little nub of rubber sticking up off the boot you will have to go with a uni fit, make your own set or performance set like MSD, Taylor, Accel, Moroso, summit house brand, etc.

Part store's stock no longer has the boots like that