Magnecor Wires - New Motorcraft Plug

[MichaelH]

I have two questions.
1. I'm going to get new wires for my '95 MTX. SP Motorsports have Magnecor on sale. They're red and look cool, but has anyone used them? Are they worth the extra $, even on sale?

2. I'm also getting new plugs. Motorcraft has the new Finewire plug out - AGSP32FM to replace the AGSP32PP. Anyone used the new one yet?
Thanks.

 

[sdpatt]

Does that new Motorcraft plug have platinum on both electrodes? If not, we will be replaceing them much more frequently.

 

[TYSHO]

I believe so from what I was told, they're suppose to last longer. After closer inspection they tend to be a bit taller than the PP's, just found this out. However, I have my own little stock pile of the PP's. wink

 

[AutoSHO]

MichaelH:
I have two questions.
1. I'm going to get new wires for my '95 MTX. SP Motorsports have Magnecor on sale. They're red and look cool, but has anyone used them? Are they worth the extra $, even on sale?

No. They allow condensation to form in the plug wells. I would not recommend them.

I have hear many good things about the Taylor wires that Summit Racing sells for about $75. They are available in either Red or Blue. A search on their website for "taurus sho" will bring them up.

 

[Rockledge]

sdpatt:
Does that new Motorcraft plug have platinum on both electrodes? If not, we will be replaceing them much more frequently.

This may be of interest to you: New Motorcraft Platinum Spark Plugs

 

[MichaelH]

OK, thanks. Sounds like no on the Magnecors and yes on the Taylor and the new platinum plugs.

 

[luigisho]

FWIW I have heard that the original batch of SHO wires from Magnecore had fitment issues and the new sets are a correct fit.

 

[clintonk]

I had a set of the redesigned Magnecors on my '90 for over 100K miles with no problem.

Clinton Knight
'90 White 194K
'95 Green 61K

 

[sdpatt]

I had previously read that link and the discussion about the new fine wire Motorcraft plugs, but they only mentioned a nickle platinum tip on the center electrode and the allowed "reduction of [the] required firing voltage." Since we can't dial down the firing voltage of our systems, and three of our plugs fire from the side wire to the center electrode, the high voltage ignition system on our SHO engines is going to quickly erode the unprotected side wire on three of the six plugs. I am NOT sold. Caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.

 

[Rockledge]

sdpatt:
I had previously read that link and the discussion about the new fine wire Motorcraft plugs, but they only mentioned a nickle platinum tip on the center electrode and the allowed "reduction of [the] required firing voltage." Since we can't dial down the firing voltage of our systems, and three of our plugs fire from the side wire to the center electrode, the high voltage ignition system on our SHO engines is going to quickly erode the unprotected side wire on three of the six plugs. I am NOT sold. Caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.

Good stuff, Scott. I will pass along the substance of your very thoughtful comments and see if I can get some kind of response.

 

[MichaelH]

Rockledge:

sdpatt:
I had previously read that link and the discussion about the new fine wire Motorcraft plugs, but they only mentioned a nickle platinum tip on the center electrode and the allowed "reduction of [the] required firing voltage." Since we can't dial down the firing voltage of our systems, and three of our plugs fire from the side wire to the center electrode, the high voltage ignition system on our SHO engines is going to quickly erode the unprotected side wire on three of the six plugs. I am NOT sold. Caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.

Good stuff, Scott. I will pass along the substance of your very thoughtful comments and see if I can get some kind of response.

I don't agree. We're talking spark plugs, not main bearings. I'm not afraid to try them. I was looking for experience with them, not unfounded speculation. I'll let you know if they turn out to be a problem. Same for the Magnecor wires. Again, I was looking for experiences, not speculation or hearsay. I got a real-life positive experience for the Magnecors, so I'm much more inclined to go with that, rather than a comment which says "I heard they were a problem".

 

[Rockledge]

sdpatt:
I had previously read that link and the discussion about the new fine wire Motorcraft plugs, but they only mentioned a nickle platinum tip on the center electrode and the allowed "reduction of [the] required firing voltage." Since we can't dial down the firing voltage of our systems, and three of our plugs fire from the side wire to the center electrode, the high voltage ignition system on our SHO engines is going to quickly erode the unprotected side wire on three of the six plugs. I am NOT sold. Caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.

Hi Scott,

I passed along the points you raised about the new Motorcraft fine wire plugs to some people who who are also interested in the issue. They are the same people who have been my sources of information on this subject. Here is a response that I got from one of them:

Hi Joe,

Your SHO forum friend brings out a point ....that has been the argument all the time for using DP plugs with EDIS!

I raised the same question with the Motorcraft engineer, and I'll try and explain his response. One thing to understand first, when a coil "discharges" (due to the induced field from the coil primary into the coil secondary), the voltage will only build up until the spark occurs, and will not increase any more. There are several parameters that effect the voltage required for the plug to spark. In addition to the gap, and pressure/composition of the cylinder charge, the physical structure of the plug electrodes also determine the spark voltage. A "blunt" electrode requires a higher voltage to spark, than a "sharp" electrode. With the "fine wire" center electrode being sharper than the platinum bead on the older DP plugs, the spark voltage is lower with the new "fine wire" platinum's. With this lower spark voltage, there is less energy, so electrode erosion is reduced. Because of this, platinum is not needed on the outer (GND) electrode. I'll keep an eye on mine to see how they do!!

I hope this answers the question on why only the center electrode is platinum on the new "fine wire" plugs. As explained by the Motorcraft engineer, there are several side benefits to the lower voltage:

1) lower misfires
2) longer coil pack life
3) longer plug wire life

These points alone are reasons NOT to increase the plug gap wider than the recommended gap. I have seen many posts about gapping plugs wider than the recommended gap!

I hope you have a good weekend Joe, and keep in touch!

Bob

Thought you might be interested.

<small>[ February 22, 2004, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: Rockledge ]</small>

 

[sdpatt]

Thank you for sharing that technical response to an important question for us SHO owners. I think I will try to locate some of the remaining sets of the double platinums to equip my engine. There have to be some is a warehouse somewhere and how many more plugs can my 283,400 mile SHO need? The next scheduled 60K interval, my car's 6th, will arrive at 330,000 miles.

 

[SHOtimer]

Scott,

I picked up 12 AGSP32PP's at my dealership to secure that I will have the proper plug for my next two 60k's. Looks like you are trying to do the same thing. My dealer has several boxes of the 'old' plugs that I can easily get my hands on if you would like me to. Let me know if I can help you on that.

Doug

 

[Yamaha V6]

Well, as far as the Magnecores go, when a manufacturer like Magnecore does a whole technical writeup on the issues experienced with the Taurus SHO, I'd say it's more than, "I heard there was a problem".

http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/techbulletins/techsho.htm

 

[SHODWN]

I could be reading you incorrectly Fred but the article clearly states that its the installers error when they fail. Not due to improper fitment.

Magnacor have been around for a while and are probally the best wires out there if you want to spend the money. I think someone said they were listed for 75.00? The first set I bought was in 97 and I "think" I paid like 200.00 for them. Im sure some oldtimer will ring in here and tell me what they paid back then.

 

[SHODWN]

I could be reading you incorrectly Fred but the article clearly states that its the installers error when they fail. Not due to improper fitment.

Magnacor have been around for a while and are probally the best wires out there if you want to spend the money. I think someone said they were listed for 75.00? The first set I bought was in 97 and I "think" I paid like 200.00 for them. Im sure some oldtimer will ring in here and tell me what they paid back then.

 

[DHMag]

Toolman is running Magnecors....apparently they work well for him...

 

[Mike Kopstain]

It was indeed just the first run of wires that was too tall. It's amazing that after years, that one bad run still haunts this brand.

 

[Trusty89]

I just wanted to add that I've been using my Magnecors for about 7 years in my 89 and they work great! I was turned on to them by the Lingenfelter Performance shop that uses Magnecors exclusively so I figured I'd give them a try.

Also, I'm not sure if this is related or not but I get the BEST radio reception I've ever experienced with these Magnecors. I have a cheap $35 stereo but it out pulls any car I've ever been in.

I was searching something else and this topic came up.