Solid core & Spiral core plug wire question
 

Greetings, I seem to be confused about the solid core wires, and the spiral core wires. And, why some people say that the solids can cause problems. I also know that when we Dyno'd my engine, the shop didn't check my wires first. They were solid core new wires, and caused a problem with the dyno. As in the shop, had to pay to have something fixed. Which they said was because they can't have solid core wires on an engine they dyno. So, does it matter when using them in my 67 with a electronic conversion? Thank you friends.

Mike

The best plug wire out there is the spiral wound. It is the most durable. Spiral wound wires do not get the harmonic vibration that solid core wires have. These harmonics actually destroy the solid core wires from the inside. IMO, Taylor Thundervolt 8.2mm wires are the best. They are 100% silicone, have the spiral wound core and only 50 ohms of resistance. :2cents: Check them out. http://www.taylorvortex.com

Not sure about the dyno issue.

Solid core wires cause a lot of radio frequency interference that causes issues with instrumentation and computer systems.

Spiral wound and other types minimize the RFI while providing good spark energy.

George

We used to use solid core (copper) wires with our points in the 60s. Packard 440 with Rajah terminals. Pretty much hard wired from coil to sparkplug. LOL Worked just fine since there was not an IC or Transistor in sight LOL A reasonable choice back then as the carbon core suppression wires available were somewhat fragile and unreliable.
A car with an AM radio could hear each and every cylinder fire if you got within 20 feet of a car with solid sparkplug wires. From a clicking to an angry loud buzzing in your radio. Really put the buzz to Elvis and Chubby Checker. If its putting out that much radio interference with old low power points ignitions think about your modern ignition output. Consider what is floating around a dyno room interfering with its sensors and computers not to mention the electronic ignition which is supposed to be protecting your new motor from misfire and knocking at high rpm.

So it really is possible to get a buzz from Elvis & Chubby Checker? lol

I think the issues your shop was having was to do with interference to their network cables. When I had a Dyno installed in my shop we were getting similar issues even with some spiral/carbon core ignition systems. Solved the problem by installing all shielded cabling.

Thank you for the great information. I ended up buying two sets of decent after-market wires, both of which were solid core. I'll get the spiral wires. Good day friends.
Mike