QV spark plug wires and extenders - Black vs. Red

James, do a search on this as there are some great threads on the topic.


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Suggest you measure the resistance of the extenders you have and be sure whatever you get has similar resistance because I don't think all red or black are the same.


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And also check for burnt holes.

 

My QV had 0 ohm extenders and that is what I replace them with. The purpose of resistance in the plug extenders is a bit mysterious to me.

I just replaced much of the maintenance items in my 308 QV’s ignition system (distributor caps, rotors, ignition wires and spark plugs) (I had replaced extenders recently). I did a bit of reading particularly before purchasing new ignition wires. What I learned is that resistance has become a meaningless measure of ignition wire performance (and, I suspect, plug extender performance as well).

Here is an explanatory article by Magnecor, who is one of the major manufacturers of ignition wire: Truth About Ignition Wire Conductors

Our OEM Cavis brand ignition wire is that old cheap “carbon core” stuff. It needs to be replaced every couple of years. Modern “mag core” ignition wire lasts much longer and some manufacturers claim “lifetime”.

I learned that making a wire set is pretty easy, reuse your red sheathing and boots, buy good 7mm wire, some connectors and one of these: ACCEL 7mm - 8mm Crimp Tool. Also Silicone spray is your friend during assembly: DuPont Teflon Silicone Lubricant Aerosol Spray

 

I thought reading here that our ecu in the QVs fry without some resistance in the wire/extender. Can't find the thread just yet......


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That would be bad.

 

Here is discussion on wire resistance for QV but still checking.....
Plug Wire Resistance
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=478456


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Found it;;
Plug extenders - differences?
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=450474


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Cavis wire is not carbon core. It is the same construction as Magnacore spiral wound.
It has 700 or so ohms per foot resistance.

The connectors, black or red have no resistance.


None of the wire is red. It is all the same but in later years they used red silicon tubing on it for cosmetic purposes.

 

Injected cars got the red silicon tubing over the Cavis wire. I believe that only a 7mm ignition wire will pass through that tubing and most of the readily available modern day wire is 8mm.

Dave Helms had the last of the 7mm Taylor ignition wire that he was selling, but that was awhile ago.

 

No, only some of the 4 valves and all of the 3.2s got the red wire covering like I posted prior.

And it fits 8mm wire. 7mm wire is only on Alfa Romeo and Maserati of the 50's and 60's that I know of.

 

Except on the car for the first 308 GTB sales brochure?

Best
Martin
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Uh, the topic was QV's. That doesn't look like a QV.

Save that picture for the next thread on carbureted cars.

 

Oh yes. Sorry!
Sale brochures are on my mobile devices anyway.

Best
Martin

 

My only mobile devices run on gasoline.

 

LOL! That's what I said too till around two years ago. I was also late in the game

Best
Martin

 

There is no red, only black. The red is a cosmetic sleeve.

There is no difference in construction. Cavis and Magnacore are both spiral wound. Magnacore is slightly larger and the red sleeves are very difficult to install otherwise it is interchangeable. Magnacore discontinued the 8mm. It may not be available at any price but it is higher quality. Cavis is available in bulk to make your own.

 

I used Kingsborne wire to make a set. They also sell all the proper ends. Available in 7mm or 8mm in red.

Here is the link for the red 8mm bulk wire.

Kingsborne 8mm Mag-Wire Wound Wire WSP 1310

 

getting ready to buy their 7mm and their extenders
the 7mm fits the red sheaths and caps

 

Belden used to make a 7mm spiral wound wire in bulk for about a dollar/ft. I made new plug wire using it and it has been fine. Also, https://www.brillman.com/store/configurable_product_detail/red-packard-spiral-wound-suppression-ignition-cable-sold-by-the-foot-2204, https://www.brillman.com/store/configurable_product_detail/black-packard-spiral-wound-suppression-ignition-cable-sold-by-the-foot-2203

 

FWIW, I used 7mm Kingsborne mag wire as well. It is the same 7mm diameter as Cavis so slides back through the red silicone rubber sheating wthout much issue.

If you call Kingsborne, they are willing to ship any length of bulk ignition cable you want; their website just offers it in 25 foot increments. Likewise, they'll ship any number of terminals.

Interestingly, they sell two different types of Ferrari 308 extenders that they rate as 0 ohm and 2k ohm.
http://www.kingsbornewires.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=extenders