Plugs And Wires?

brtt485 · July 15, 2009

So I have read every post the search function could find relating to the selection of plug wires and plugs and everything I read seems to be about earlier models, say 2005 and earlier. I have a 2006 Silverado, 4x4 Ext Cab LT3 with the 5.3L V8. It just turned 70,000 so I thought it might be time for some new plugs and wires.

From the posts I read the consensus on plugs seemed to be either AC Delco or NGK. Does the same hold true for my truck? Do type of plugs came stock in my truck, copper, platinum, iridium?

For wires all summit shows are some Taylor's (cheapest), AC Delco which is obviously the factory option, and then Granatelli's which are by the far the most expensive but say they offer near 0 Ohms resistance. The Taylor's say they offer 500 Ohms resistance which doesnt seem to be much better than stock but they are much cheaper.

What other options have you guys used? What do you suggest?

alwcurlz · July 16, 2009

So I have read every post the search function could find relating to the selection of plug wires and plugs and everything I read seems to be about earlier models, say 2005 and earlier. I have a 2006 Silverado, 4x4 Ext Cab LT3 with the 5.3L V8. It just turned 70,000 so I thought it might be time for some new plugs and wires.

From the posts I read the consensus on plugs seemed to be either AC Delco or NGK. Does the same hold true for my truck? Do type of plugs came stock in my truck, copper, platinum, iridium?

For wires all summit shows are some Taylor's (cheapest), AC Delco which is obviously the factory option, and then Granatelli's which are by the far the most expensive but say they offer near 0 Ohms resistance. The Taylor's say they offer 500 Ohms resistance which doesnt seem to be much better than stock but they are much cheaper.

What other options have you guys used? What do you suggest?

I'll give my two cents here....

Well, your factory plugs should last at least 100,000 miles. I took my plugs out with over 134,000 miles on them and replaced them with new ones. They looked good and my new plugs made no difference in performance or fuel economy after running them a while. I actually cleaned them, re-gapped to spec and put them back in. Ran just as ell. Unless your motor is running rough and you know some wires are bad, I wouldn't bother replacing them. I think the wires would probably last the life of the truck in my opinion.

Offshore24 · July 16, 2009

I've always run wires till they short. Shorting generally shows up as an intermittent miss in the morning that goes away when the vehicle is fully warmed up. May not be the right way to do it but it's just what typically happens. Usually happens somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 miles for me. Plugs will last 100k but I'd take them out, gap, and put them back in. That way when you go to replace them at 100k you can still get them out. Once they freeze in, they're a PIA to get out.

Spurshot · July 16, 2009

I've always run wires till they short. Shorting generally shows up as an intermittent miss in the morning that goes away when the vehicle is fully warmed up. May not be the right way to do it but it's just what typically happens. Usually happens somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 miles for me. Plugs will last 100k but I'd take them out, gap, and put them back in. That way when you go to replace them at 100k you can still get them out. Once they freeze in, they're a PIA to get out.

My 99 has 215K on it. Original wires still on it. I was wondering if they needed changing after reading this thread. But they don't touch anything like looms to short against. I thought about doing the "grab one" test, but I hear the new HEI ignitions with individual coils have extreme voltage that could be hazardous.

On plugs getting stuck, try using a dry type of anti-seize like the Champion sparkplug thread lube. Works wonders. I don't know if this product is an aviation only or auto/aviation product.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ep/spa..._antiseize.html

Chuck