Universal sparkplug wire kits

[E30godz]

I cant really justify 130 bucks for some ignition wires, so would hacking into a "universal" kit be alright? Alex (brother) said he bought some that were resistant up to 1000 degrees for 70 bucks. I think i remember reading somewhere that the "design" of the wires inside the loom was different from most cars...I'm not really looking for a botch job, just looking for options so all responses along the lines of "Man dont skimp out buy the right wires" ...can go to hell.

[rayz]

i think its fine. just as long as you know what gauge wires to use. and Id stick to the name brand stuff.

[peerless]

Be careful

Each plug wire lead in a BMW’s wire set must have the exact same resistance +/- 10% of a specific value which is unique to the ignition system. Since each lead of a wire set has a different length, this can only be achieved by using copper wire (no resistance) with specific value resistorized ends.

The exact resistance values can not be achieved with Spiro-Core wire!
Spiro-core wire was developed for American and Japanese cars that do not required a specific ignition resistance. Using spiro-core wire eliminates the use of the more expensive resistor type plug connectors, which are used on all European automobiles. The difference is that not all plug wires are equal length. With Spiro-core wire this is why resistance values of number 1 spark plug wire are much different than the values of cylinder number 6. The resistance will vary as much as 1000 ohms. per foot of spark plug wire.

(blurb from BMP Designs website)

Just something I noticed that you might want to take into consideration when experimenting with a "custom" set of wires.

"Man dont skimp out buy the right wires" Goin to hell in a hand basket :twisted:

Later.
Robert
85' 325e

[DaN]

Re: Be careful

Each plug wire lead in a BMW’s wire set must have the exact same resistance +/- 10% of a specific value which is unique to the ignition system. Since each lead of a wire set has a different length, this can only be achieved by using copper wire (no resistance) with specific value resistorized ends.

The exact resistance values can not be achieved with Spiro-Core wire!
Spiro-core wire was developed for American and Japanese cars that do not required a specific ignition resistance. Using spiro-core wire eliminates the use of the more expensive resistor type plug connectors, which are used on all European automobiles. The difference is that not all plug wires are equal length. With Spiro-core wire this is why resistance values of number 1 spark plug wire are much different than the values of cylinder number 6. The resistance will vary as much as 1000 ohms. per foot of spark plug wire.

(blurb from BMP Designs website)

Just something I noticed that you might want to take into consideration when experimenting with a "custom" set of wires.

"Man dont skimp out buy the right wires" Goin to hell in a hand basket :twisted:

Later.
Robert
85' 325e

In response to the BMP blurb, has anyone of heard of the problems associated with using a spiral core ignition wire on a BMW? I thought my original ignition wires were bad because I had a rough idle, so I bought some cheap ones without the resistors, then I wasn't sure if they were performing correctly so I bought some BAVauto high performance wires.
But the rough idle problem is still there, lol. I'm fairly sure that it is related to something else, but what kind of symptoms have people had using wires without individual resistors on them?

[JRowe]

wires

The whole resistance idea with the original plug wires is related to radio interference suppression. It will not affect the performance of your car. Any universal, high quality wires will work as the all have radio suppression built in. My preference is magnecor. They are extremely high quality and work great. you can get a set pre-made for you bimmer for about $80 at this link: http://www.apexperformance.net/secur...6253260.2.html If you need to know more about them, go to their site and read up.

The only hang up with replacement wires is getting the lead put on the wire if you have the type of ignition that requires the pickup (87-88 or later). If that's the case, then you either have to send a pickup to the company so they can incorporate it into the set when they make it, or you have to take a boot off, put the lead on, and replace the boot once the set has arrived at your home. IMO, magnecor is the best replacement value for our bimmers and offers performance which is second to none. However, performance really isn't a factor since stock wires in good condition are more than adequate. So, if you're looking to replace them, go with magnecor.

[E30godz]

sounds good JRow, but I'm a bit caught on the modifcations you have to make to the wires for post 88 cars, as mine is a 1990.

are you saying i would just pll the boots off stock wires and push the magnecores into them?

Or saying that the wire that goes from the coil to the distributor isnt including and you have to send it to them to make one?

[bmwguru007]

sounds good JRow, but I'm a bit caught on the modifcations you have to make to the wires for post 88 cars, as mine is a 1990.

are you saying i would just pll the boots off stock wires and push the magnecores into them?

Or saying that the wire that goes from the coil to the distributor isnt including and you have to send it to them to make one?

You're thinking of the coil wire which runs from the ignition coil to the distributor cap. He is refering to the impulse sensor wire. The impulse sensor wire has a "donut" that surrounds the #6 spark plug wire and runs to the bottom of the diagnostic connector. The only way to get the "donut" on or off the #6 wire is to remove the spark plug boot or have it put on before the boot is put on in the first place.

[Chapel]

how difficult is it to remove the boot to slip the inductive pickup on?