what spark wires with wasted spark?

[guibo09]

gonna probably upgrade to wasted spark when i go MSII. just wondering what spark wires are used when you do this? is it the original M20 ones or the ones that match the solid state coil packs?

[nando]

gonna probably upgrade to wasted spark when i go MSII. just wondering what spark wires are used when you do this? is it the original M20 ones or the ones that match the solid state coil packs?

it depends on what coils you are using

but you won't be able to buy off the shelf wires that will work. Fortunately you can make your own pretty easily, 8mm wire kits and connectors/boots should run about $75 total. You pretty much have to modify wires to work either way (either make GM wires work on BMW spark plugs, or BMW wires work on GM coils), I would just go custom and skip the headache of trying to figure that out.

[guibo09]

it depends on what coils you are using

but you won't be able to buy off the shelf wires that will work. Fortunately you can make your own pretty easily, 8mm wire kits and connectors/boots should run about $75 total. You pretty much have to modify wires to work either way (either make GM wires work on BMW spark plugs, or BMW wires work on GM coils), I would just go custom and skip the headache of trying to figure that out.

oh wow, i didnt think i would have to go custom for this. what are most people using? is there any detailed info on how to build the cables, how to match the proper resistances, etc?

[nando]

It's not complicated - cut the wire to the appropriate length, crimp on the connector, slide boot over connector. After modifying my bavauto wires I wish I would have made my own to begin with rather than wasting $100 on pretty red wires..

resistances.. I don't think BMWs use resistors in the wires anyway. At least, there were none in the wire sets I took apart. They may be intergrated into the boots, but not the wires. If you modify a set of BMW wires to work with GM coils you don't have to worry about it. But I wouldn't worry either way.

[guibo09]

It's not complicated - cut the wire to the appropriate length, crimp on the connector, slide boot over connector. After modifying my bavauto wires I wish I would have made my own to begin with rather than wasting $100 on pretty red wires..

resistances.. I don't think BMWs use resistors in the wires anyway. At least, there were none in the wire sets I took apart. They may be intergrated into the boots, but not the wires. If you modify a set of BMW wires to work with GM coils you don't have to worry about it. But I wouldn't worry either way.

perfect, thanks for the info. i was asking exactly because i dont want to spend money on a wire set for a stock m20 if wasted spark is in the works.

ccan you be so kind as to direct me to a place where i can buy a spark plug wire kit? i assume they sell brand specific boots?

EDIT: dont these look like the stock wire set? http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/BMW_E30...ECU_Convertion

[nando]

those are bosch coils, you can use the stock plug wires with them. However they are harder to find in the states and cost more than their GM equivalents. First you need to figure out what coils you are using, and then order the appropriate connectors for them. I got mine from summit racing, jegs also has a nice selection.

[SpecM]

why not just use GM wires, and leave the little tabs on the plugs?

[guibo09]

why not just use GM wires, and leave the little tabs on the plugs?

explain?

[Knockenwelle]

I think he means the round little snap-caps.

Making plug wires is not any harder than regular wiring, and the result of a well-fitting and neat wire set are worth it. Just get a cut-to-fit set with straight plug boots from your local speed shop or Summit, and knock em out. I really like MSD super-conductor wires for several reasons; they're worth it.

[nando]

why not just use GM wires, and leave the little tabs on the plugs?

this works, but they won't be even close to the right lengths.

[SpecM]

this works, but they won't be even close to the right lengths.

oh, that depends on where you mount the coil ;)

even a set of wires from a 3100 or 3800 are too long?

[nando]

I don't think it matters, unless you mount it right on the strut tower, you're going to have wires made for a V6 trying to fit them on an inline 6. Most people mount theirs on the firewall above the valve cover, mine are on the battery tray - either way the GM wires would have been all wrong lengths, but I could have cut them to fit just as easily as the bavauto wires I cut up.

[asubimmer]

just make your own set. its not even funny how easy it is to make them

[guibo09]

ok so i looked through the summit and jegs catalogues and im completely lost. i can find wire no problem, but im having a hard time finding the proper end connectors. they dont seem to indentify which car these things work on.

i want a spark plug connector thats exactly like OEM (fits the spark plug and seals against the valve cover). how do i know which is which?

ok found these at pelicanparts:



but they are like 8$ each! any more affordable alternative? and can i buy the long plastic cover/holder part separately?