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Plugs And Wires

D

dgbryant

Charter Member
Full Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2002
Messages
286
Location
Texas
OK, we've got some great threads going on most of the important modifications. :cool: Now how about Spark plugs and Wires.
I didn't do many upgrades to my last truck, but I swapped out the stock pugs and wires after 40,000 miles for some performance gear and it really made a difference. I had much better mileage, a whisper idle, and better response. ;D
Gandolphxx has the Nology wires on his 8.1L and he has researched Taylor, MD8's, and possibly Direct Hits. I am not sure if he is using the stock plugs, but I know he will tell us. ;)
My top choice right now is Direct Hits.
www.directhits.com
The kit is about $270.00 and it replaces both your plugs and wires. A guy named Eric from New Jersey posted on their website a testimonial for Direct Hits installed in his 2002 Avalanche. :cool: If Eric is a member I hope he'll step forward and tell us more about it.
Having dropped a little cash on the upgrades for the Avalanche in the last month, I plan to take my time on this one. I would encourage all to post their previous experiences, suggestions, research, and results as usual.

Thanks for all the great stuff guys,

helmet
 
By the way, my wife claims that the "Performance Modification" section of the forum should be renamed "Testosterone Forum". :cool: She is convinced that we are a group of guys plagued with excessive male hormones who for one reason or another didn't have the time or money to monkey with this stuff when we were 18 years old. She also suggests that we are all now making up for lost time in the ultimate race to see who can void the most sections of their warranty in the shortest period of time! LOL!! ;D ;D ;D

I had to share that. She is so beautiful when she laughs, I'm just glad she thinks it's funny. :cool:

helmet
 
I ran magnacore wires and NGK plugs in my last vehicle and to be honest I didn't really notice much of a difference....then again that was a 2.0 4 cyl engine with a max output of 145 hp.....

I've heard the magnacore's are pretty good but I don't know which is proven...any suggestions.. :)
 
Helmet, your wife is, as usual, correct ;D

I run with the Nology wires - actually Corvette wires - aint that funny, a 6800 lb "4x4 Corvette" - I like them a lot - I would be running the Silverstones, but couldn't quite match the specs for the Whipple - maybe later. The supercharger requires non-platinum, cooler plugs with a tighter gap, byebye stock - hence NGK's.

My experience is that most folks will not see much gain from wires on the 5.3 - GM actually did it pretty well at the factory. The 8.1L is an older style engine brought forward.

Tom Byrne of TByrne Motorsports has the Direct Hits on his 8.1L Sub - he would be the best source of advice. My impression is that they do pretty much the same as the Nology set. Both are racing quality and pricey.

Make sure that you get a set that can take the heat - some of the aftermarket wires are tight and get burned by the header. :rolleyes:
 
the direct hits setup looks great. i read the testimonial that eric placed in directhits.com and his issue seemed to be somewhat similar to mine.

just recently, i felt like my Av has not been responding as quickly, and have been looking for a solution to that. besides upgrading intake and exhaust, i was thinking about the PP3 and stat upgrade, although very pricey.

i may just give these a try, and will post as soon as i do.

any other opinions???
 
For what it is worth, and I am sure others will jump in, the thermostat thing is highly over rated - assuming that you have a stock intake - no supercharger, turbo - your LS1 clone will behave better at stock levels - if you decide to force feed it, and up your octane level to 93+ - 102, you will benefit from a lower temp thermostat. Check out http://wwwls1tech.com - real heavy stuff lies here. ;D
 
I wrote to Tom Byrne of TBYRNE Motorsports and asked him about the Direct Hits kit. He has installed this kit on several vehicles, and he has recently installed it on a hopped up Suburban project truck he has on his website.

http://www.tbyrnemotorsports.com/truckcatalog.html
(click on 2002 8.1 Suburban)

This was his reply to my inquiry:
The Direct Hits system works very well to provide you with a much stronger spark. This will help the vehicle run much more efficiently and show you a horsepower/gas mileage increase. The breathing mods that you have done will work well to help with horsepower and should also show a slight gas mileage increase. We haven't done any mods specific to helping mileage but these will usually help.

Tom

I also talked to Lou at Direct Hits and he said they have sold several kits to AV owners, and the general consensus was roughly a 20% gain in power and fuel economy. They claim to reduce harmful emmissions due to the more efficient combustion, but he said they didn't have any testing information for the AV yet.

Gandolphxx, I'm feeling that addiction kicking in here... ;)

helmet

 
that addiction is kickin me right in the butt, as i am typing... ;D

next week i am planning on puchasing the TBS and the directhits ignition system. :eek: whew :eek: , all that stands in my way is my wallet (and boy is he tough). if that addiction is stronger than ever, then the parts are mine, otherwise, my wallet may have me down for the count.

helmet, do you by any chance have a part# i might refer to? thanks!!!
 
j166a99 said:
helmet, do you by any chance have a part# i might refer to? ?thanks!!!
Click to expand...

They don't have the part number listed for the AV on their website but you can call Lou at (88:cool: 800-6700 (toll free) and he will get you set up. He can also answer any questions you might have.
I thought for sure the beast would need to be tuned or adjusted after the install. Lou said just put them in with the negative battery terminal disconnected and your good to go. When you re-connect the battery and start it up, the computer will take over from there. If that's all it takes, I'll probably do it myself.

helmet
 
Helmet - remember the monkey with strong arms - watch out for the rear passenger side one - rumour has it is a b**ch to get at. ;D
 
gandolphxx said:
Helmet - remember the monkey with strong arms - watch out for the rear passenger side one - rumour has it is a b**ch to get at. ;D
Click to expand...

I actually took a look this afternoon before I left the office to see what I'd be getting myself into, and I would have to agree that the rear passenger side plug looks to be one that will require me to borrow Xrover's monkey once again. The rear driver side plug doesn't look much better. I hope that Xrover won't mind if I keep his mechanically inclined primate occupied over the weekend. ;) ;) ;)

helmet
 
if im gonna get the taylor thundervolts, do i need to change the plugs?

i have a 2003 z71 5.3 with about 6000 miles.

if i should change the plugs for better performance with the taylors what should i get. $ is no object.

please fill me in, if 11h is around whats ya feedback?

thanx again.
 
I swapped out the plugs with my Taylors and went with the NGK TR55's that I got from 11H.

I am very happy with the results (y)
 
Hi Men,

I called Taylor to find out which Thundervolt 50 wires I needed for my 2003 5.3 AV. I was told they are not yet available . Is it safe to assume the 98005 (listed for GMC 5.3 1999-2001 LS1 Vortec) Will be ok to use?

Thanks

George
 
NJ George said:
Hi Men,

I called Taylor to find out which Thundervolt 50 wires I needed for my 2003 5.3 AV. I was told they are not yet available . Is it safe to assume the 98005 (listed for GMC 5.3 1999-2001 LS1 Vortec) Will be ok to use?

Thanks

George
Click to expand...

Those are the ones I have on my 2003 Z71. They work very well indeed.
 
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