Two things....first, my car started hesitating again. Last time, one of my spark plugs wire boots (I have MSD 8.5mm Superconducter) was touching something it shouldn't have and melted, causing the spark to arch out of the boot. Well anyway, I don't have the right tools here to cut another one, so I went to autozone and got the cheapest pair I could, 17.00....SWEET!! So I took all my MSD wires out and put these in. Sure enough, after a couple days I hadn't experienced the hesitation, BUT DEAR G*D where did all my throttle respose go!! It had been so long since I bought them, and have driven with them, I couldn't get over how much of difference there is. The car just wouldn't go, it would think about it and then go. Well, the MSD's are back on, and boy I can't believe the difference....smoother, and you hit the gas and she scoots. So just some411 for you guys thinking about spending the money on plug wires. 50ohms/ft vs 15,000+ makes a huge difference!!

On the second note, and the reason for my post. I want to reset my timing, and its going to be my frist stab at it. Right now it is at 8*, and would like to see what happens when it gets to 10* or 12*. I know its a 15mm bolt, and that you need to loosen the distributer hold down bolt, BUT where the he** is it. Under the distributer, but whats the best way to get to it. Driverside or passengerside....and its near the stem right? May sound stupid, but a little help....lol!

 

Well I guess you figured out how to bypass the EST system since you could read the 8 degrees advance, so the distributor hold-down is by the stem, and behind it. With your motor cold, feel below the distributor cap... feel the distributor column, feel down to it's base, and the 15mm hold-down bolt and clamp (just an L-shaped piece of steel) will be back there, close to the firewall. I use a 15mm socket, with a universal/swivel adapter, a 7" extension, and a 3/8" ratchet.

 

What I do when I time it is this...I'll unloosen the bolt a little bit so i can turn the distributor yet there is still some drag on it...then I set it with the light...but after that I don't tighten it up right away...I'll take it for a ride and depending upon how it drives I adjust from there...I like the light...but I usually go by the way it feels because on some cars you can't set the timing on the factory mark and you have advance it usually...So set it on whatever the hood label says then drive it and adjust to where you feel its right...but if it starts pinging then you know its a little to advanced or what not...Good luck...

JoeP

 

So in your opinion the MSD 8.5's are the best? Where are they sold (pep boys, auto zone, advance etc etc)?

 

Pep Boys? Autozone?? Advance??? Hell no!! (Well, unless you want to pay double the price, and wait a few weeks for them to order it!!) Never go to those local stores! I get a kick out of the people that pay $100 for a 3 inch Autometer tach from Pep Boys.

http://www.summitracing.com . I get the "universal" sets, which means, I cut the wires to the length I want. The universal for 6 cylinders is MSD-31179, the universal for 8 cyls is MSD-31199. I buy the 8cyl one. The 6cyl one is $74, the 8cyl one is $76. For that extra $2, you get 2 more plug wires- handy as spares, or, if you're like me and change the wires every year, after 3 years, you'll have a free set.

Call them at 800-230-3030 and ask for a free catalog. [start the "usual" speech that nobody listens to]When you flip through the catalog, you'll get a general idea of what summit carries, but you won't see any part #s for our 2.8/3.1 v6's. To get part #s, you either have to call Summit and ask for the parts/pricing department, or go to the manufacturer's web site and look up the part # on their online catalog. Ex, http://www.mrgasket.com for Accel, http://www.msdignition , http://www.autometer.com , http://www.bmracing.com , etc. Hell, Summit doesn't list any MSD wire set part #s at all! Even the v8 guys have to call to get a part #. When you get your part # from a website, say it's from MSD, and part #31179. Put "MSD-" in front of it, to make MSD-31179.[end the "usual" speech that nobody listens to]

And SAE, I noticed the exact same thing. When my MSD boots ripped, MSD said they'd repair my wires for free! Great, but I had to wait a week. (They wound up making new wires for me! I love that company!!) Anyway, I bought a cheap $15 set of plug wires, and noticed the car was slower right away. Seemed like the motor didn't want to rev up as fast or as easily. When I put the MSD 8.5mm's back on, the engine was "zippy" again. 'Course, you actually pinned the right word for that, "throttle response".

 

we carry the msd wires @ the AZ I work at, well worked at. If I don't turn in my discount card I can still use itat others, or go by when "discount freindly" people are working

 

Yea, TomP when I bought mine I bought the V8 set....BEST way to go. I already used one of the extras, and will end up using the other one too. But hearing you story about getting yours replaced for free is going to make me call them. One of them actually just fell apart the other day. I was pulling number two (from the boot) and the bott came out, but the terminal was still connected. The other one that was replaced was touching the EGR valve....thats when I bought thier wire seperators....lol!! Live and learn.

Camaro89dude, yea in my opinion MSD's are the best. Resistance is only 50 ohms/foot....which is great. And its no lie, I tested each of mine with a multimeter. Definately the best, if you have the money of course. The difference over stock is unbelievable (get the GM blaster coil too).