Iginition upgrades

Kevin zellweger · February 8, 2004

I am looking to start upgrading engine performance, looking at the ignition i am going to put a set of msd wires, and new plugs. I have heard of the iridium plugs and would like to know if they are avaiable for my 5.3, and if they are any good. hoping for an FIPK soon . Kevin

knipper_03 · February 9, 2004

Stick with good 'ol AC Delcos they were good for 100,000 in my truck then I replaced them for peace of mind

As far as wires I feel it is pointless because the wires are so short for these engines that the resistance is so minimal already that upgrades would not be worht the extra $$

I can't imagine needing any better spark than I have now. They all ready have 8 individual coils.

NothinButBowTies · February 9, 2004

In the latest sport truck, under the new products from SEMA, NOLOGY has introduced a new ignition system for 4.8, 5.3, 6.0.

Nology

99GMCZ71 · February 10, 2004

The ignition system is pretty d**n good stock on these NBS trucks. I could see installing some MSD or Taylor wires, but that's about it.

JayMan · February 10, 2004

Yeah, the system is "up integrated" so every cylinder has its own coil and the plug wire is less than a foot long.

With OBD 2, the coil has to make basic resistance calculations to detect misfire events or spark plug problems. It's not perfect, so my idea of "routine" plug maintenance is maybe every 3-4 years or 30,000 miles city driving, every 100,000 on the Interstate.

The PCM has the resistance map assuming the stock wires and stock AC Delco platinum plugs. If you radically change the wires/plugs you could set the MIL when no misfire is happening, or not have a MIL and subsequent "protection mode" when you truly do have a misfire.

The Helm warns of this in their Ignition section.

lancer1991 · April 18, 2005

Yeah, the system is "up integrated" so every cylinder has its own coil and the plug wire is less than a foot long.

With OBD 2, the coil has to make basic resistance calculations to detect misfire events or spark plug problems. It's not perfect, so my idea of "routine" plug maintenance is maybe every 3-4 years or 30,000 miles city driving, every 100,000 on the Interstate.

The PCM has the resistance map assuming the stock wires and stock AC Delco platinum plugs. If you radically change the wires/plugs you could set the MIL when no misfire is happening, or not have a MIL and subsequent "protection mode" when you truly do have a misfire.

The Helm warns of this in their Ignition section.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Reviving an old thread, but my 2002 1500 has 50,000 on it, so I'm opting to change my plugs. I read this post before heading out to get ACDelco plugs. I was aiming at the stock set, but all they had in stock was the iridium part #41-985. Is there a major difference amongst the two, especially related to the statement above?

What't the deal with the ACDelco website saying "DO NOT DEVIATE FROM PRESET GAP .040" "? Read this after setting them all to .060", but didn't have time to install them this weekend.