Plug Wire Conversion?

[RobertK]

I was pondering.. since E30 plug wires are so damn expensive is it possible to just make you're own plug wires and convert the plugs to use the little rounded plug ends as opposed to how the stock ones slide over the little threads.

This would be a hell of alot cheaper and allow you to use whatever performance plug wire you wanted.

[kowalski]

you can buy just the ends i believe...

[RobertK]

But why go through the trouble of just buying the ends if you can buy a "make you're own" plug wire set and leave the rounded plug ends on when you put the new spark plugs in?

[Jordan]

IE sells 8mm wires for $130.

[RobertK]

What I'm talking about is buying a generic performance $50-$60 plug wire kit from Auto Zone and then cutting and crimping them to make my own custom wires.

Is there anything that the IE or BMW wires have that is special about them that a generic plug wire set.. say.. for a Ford or Chevy.. does not.

[rs4pro3]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...20&hg=12&fg=05
Here is what I mentioned to you about on the phone,
The boot end for the plug has 5000 ohm resistance and the plugs for the coil and distrubutor cap have 1000 ohm resistance. So unless the aftermarket ford/chevy ones have the same resistance readings the ecu may not tell the coil to supply a correct spark.

[PeaveyBassist]

What I'm talking about is buying a generic performance $50-$60 plug wire kit from Auto Zone and then cutting and crimping them to make my own custom wires.

Is there anything that the IE or BMW wires have that is special about them that a generic plug wire set.. say.. for a Ford or Chevy.. does not.

Stop being a cheap ass. Save up the $130 and get the 8mm wires from IE.

Will

[RobertK]

Stop being a cheap ass. Save up the $130 and get the 8mm wires from IE.

Will

Shit.. don't preach at me boy.. If I remember correctly you were whining about replacing a head gasket a few days ago.. j/k ;)

Just trying to think outside the box a bit. But the resistors would explain the cost difference in manufacturing the wires. Plus the fact that I'm trying to save for a wedding this summer so if I drop $130 on some plug wires I'll get my ass reemed.

[PeaveyBassist]

Not whining ;) Just trying to figure out my options and how much it costs. Save like... $10/week for the plug wires, then dont tell the fiancee ;)

Will

[Court M3]

just save the money and get the IE ones like everyone suggests. $130 is cheap for a set of good plugs

[Jon '92 325ic]

Save yourself some more money...

and don't get the 8mm "performance" wires from anywhere. I got 8mm wires from Bav Auto as a gift. No difference in performance or economy. Glad I didn't pay anything for them. If your wires need to be replaced and you "upgrade" to 8mm, you'll notice an improvement, but that's because your existing wires need to be replaced, not because your new wires are 8mm. Take the money you save and buy a Plasma Booster by Ignition Solutions. That WILL provide a noticeable improvement.

[nando]

and don't get the 8mm "performance" wires from anywhere. I got 8mm wires from Bav Auto as a gift. No difference in performance or economy. Glad I didn't pay anything for them. If your wires need to be replaced and you "upgrade" to 8mm, you'll notice an improvement, but that's because your existing wires need to be replaced, not because your new wires are 8mm. Take the money you save and buy a Plasma Booster by Ignition Solutions. That WILL provide a noticeable improvement.

8mm wires cost the same as new stock ones (or cheaper, if you get them on sale like I did) and they look nice too, so why not?

[RobertK]

I want to replace my plug wires mainly because mine are the OEM wires that came with the car from the factory and more than likely should have already been replaced considering the car has over 250,000 miles. I was just curious if I could find a cheap DIY self route and make my own.

Do the boots degrade just as much as the wires.. or is it possible to salvage the boots and use those to create my own set from some 8mm wire?

and don't get the 8mm "performance" wires from anywhere. I got 8mm wires from Bav Auto as a gift. No difference in performance or economy. Glad I didn't pay anything for them. If your wires need to be replaced and you "upgrade" to 8mm, you'll notice an improvement, but that's because your existing wires need to be replaced, not because your new wires are 8mm. Take the money you save and buy a Plasma Booster by Ignition Solutions. That WILL provide a noticeable improvement.

Went by rs4pro3's place today in Chattanooga to swap hoods. While I was there he mentioned the Plasma Booster and showed me the one on his 325e. He also said that he could tell a difference in performance.

Where is the best place to pick one up?

[rs4pro3]

http://www.performingimports.com/index.htm

http://www.ignitionsolutions.com/default.asp

Bav auto also has them, the one I have came off a VW golf that a guy sold to me for $10:mrgreen: I figured for that price I'd try it, the idle smoother out and MPG seemed to change between .2 mpg