Is anybody using any after market spark plug wires on their Jeeps with 3.8 engines?

My Banks headers seem to have heated up the cylinder 5 spark plug wire/boot enough to melt through it and now it's arcing which isnt good.

The OEM factory one's are $70.00+ and if I'm gonna spend that I'd like to get something that can take a little more heat and will not just melt etc.

My search-fu has not been successful so far so I posted this to hear from those that may have replaced their factory wires!

Thanks all,
Mikey

PS if this is the wrong forum please feel free to move it, electrical didnt seem to be the best spot as it's not computer, lighting, GPS ets related......

 

Take a look at this thread

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...ark+plug+wires

 

MKJeep,

Thanks for the link. Interesting stuff but I guess I'm more interested in some wires that are going to be able to handle the heat being given off by the wires but I'm not finding any aftermarket companies are making any for the 08 Wrangler yet other then the thread you gave me a link to.

Mikey

 

Mikey,
How do you like the banks headers? did they give you any noticable boost in acceleration?

 

I helped several friends install the banks headers on their JKs, all came with heat wraps and a new boot for several of the wires. Almost a year and no issues with most, did yours not come with the wraps and new boots?

 

09Rubi,

The headers were installed by the previous owner....... So I dont have the heat wraps and new boots!

Thanks for the info, I'll be calling Banks tomorrow to see if I can get those pieces for my current setup!

Good info

Thanks again,
Mikey

 

I would like some aftermarket wires too. All I can find is the Granatelli and Denso wires. Anybody else know who makes wires for the JK?

 

I do. I followed the thread on the Granatelli wires with the Bosch irridium, platinum fusion plugs. I installed a set of the plugs with a new set of wires this weekend.

The wires I bought were the Borg Warner wires sold by O'Reilly auto parts. They were $18.99 and specific for the JK. Why did I go so cheap? The Granatelli wires were so expensive and "zero" resistance. I thought there could be a radio interference problem and my JK was actually running great already so I wanted some wires which listed "...resistor to eliminate radio interference." Figured I could just swap back in the oem's if I had a problem and only be out $20.

My observations: I am running a 93 octane tune via superchips. For some reason before the spark plug swap when I broke hard at a stop light the engine would idle rough for a few seconds. I also thought I heard a rare ping from the engine but couldn't be sure. Now with the new plugs and wires even under heavy braking the engine idles smoother (or I am hallucinating). Weather is great here and I have had the soft top down and I have not heard a ping since (or I am deaf!).

Worst case scenario: I am keeping the new wires and plugs. I have about 100 miles on this setup and it's better than before .... or if I am crazy at least it's no worse. Oh yeah, the computer is indicating 1+ increase in mileage but this is NOT confirmed by actual calculation. It could just be a case of a "fool and his money"!

 

I bought my Rubicon used with the Gibson header on it already...
After blowing a #4 wire from the heat the header wrap and the standard wire wrap went on...
Then another # 4 wire... Doubled up on the wire heat sheilds but decided to go with the MSD (SF) Street Fire set. After cutting and crimping to length it seemed to run a bit smoother; probably just the new toy feel though. There is quite a difference in insulation thickness so hopefully these hold up to the extra heat from the headers...
BTY, The wires were not covered under warranty either! $70 diag + $14 wire = BS
I would not recommend the headers to anyone...

Oh, and if you buy one of these Street Fire kits from your local auto store ($47) look to make sure you get the straight boot syle (p/n 55511)