What is difference between 3.0 & 3.2 Plug Wires?

[roswell998]

I have a 93 atx 3.2:

Rockauto shows different Motorcraft plug wire sets for the 3.0 & 3.2:

P/N E9DZ12259A for 3.0 @ $107
P/N F9DZ12259A for 3.2 @ $148

Then they show the same AC Delco plug wire set for both:

P/N 16826Q @ $34

Bottom line.........I was going to purchase the Delco set because of the HUGE difference in costs since most on the forum seem to feel they work fine.

Now I don't know because I couldn't find anything that addresses 3.0 set vs 3.2 set and maybe all those that support the Delcos are 3.0 mtx users.


SO THE QUESTION IS...........What is the difference between the plug wire sets for the 3.0 vs the 3.2?
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[HopefulSHO]

I have the Delco's on my ATX (3.2). You can't beat them for the price. The ATX wires are a bit longer, but you can still use the 3.0 wires on the 3.2 with a little 'creative' routing I've heard.

Honestly go for the Delcos. I'm perfectly happy with mine.

 

[SHOfun 93]

About $40

 

[sdpatt]

Due to the positioning of the 3.2L's coil pack to a location farther forward on the engine and at an angle, the wires from the aft cylinder bank (cylinders 1-3) are a bit longer than on the 3.0L: on the order of 1-2". In practice, I have found that the wires for the 3.0L will fit on the 3.2L without any change in the routing.

Their use requires only that the routing of the wires from the rear bank be done carefully and with no slack between the harness clips. Their path under the throttle body must also be straight and without deflection to pass around the various hoses.

 

[roswell998]

Due to the positioning of the 3.2L's coil pack to a location farther forward on the engine and at an angle, the wires from the aft cylinder bank (cylinders 1-3) are a bit longer than on the 3.0L: on the order of 1-2". In practice, I have found that the wires for the 3.0L will fit on the 3.2L without any change in the routing.

Their use requires only that the routing of the wires from the rear bank be done carefully and with no slack between the harness clips. Their path under the throttle body must also be straight and without deflection to pass around the various hoses.

Scott, do you know if the Delco set is equal in length to the 3.0 or equal to the 3.2 Motorcraft sets?
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[HopefulSHO]

Probably the 3.2. I have the Delco set (as stated erlier) on my 3.2 with NO problems at all. I even installed them without taking the itnake off (NOT advisable..but I had no option).

 

[roswell998]

I even installed them without taking the itnake off (NOT advisable..but I had no option).

Specifically what are the difficult items/areas related to installing with intake ON rather than OFF?

I just did valve lash adjustment etc and don't need to do other top end work right now. Wish I had installed wireset then

 

[91 SHOplus]

Most aftermarket wire sets are based on the longer 3.2 cables.

 

[HopefulSHO]

If you keep the intake on, the holes you have to push the wires through don't leave you much room at all. I had to push/pull/shove them through enough as to where I was worried about damaging them. I reallly reccomend removing the intake.

The wires them selves of course fit through the holes just great, but the connectors to the coil pack and plugs are a bit bulky. If you do the TB coolant bypass, it makes removing the intake in the future a breeze, but the benefits to this 'mod' are debateable.

 

[roswell998]

Feedback of results

FYI..............


Replaced the original factory set of wires on 93atx (107K miles) with the Delco set and measured them. They are identical in length.

The wires were stretched out on a yard stick and the measurements are from the center of the square knobs to the center of the coil connectors as follows:

1.....32.0"
2.....28.25"
3.....25.25"
4.....26.75"
5.....17.75"
6.....17.25"

Thanks for all the feedback when this thread was first posted. Visually comparing the Delco wireset with the factory Motorcraft set, I can't imagine that the Motorcrafts are superior. Not at $40 incl shipping from Rockauto vs well over $100. Color is a little different and the Delco's don't have cylinder #'s on them. Anyway, time will tell.

Ashton

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[Bizzy]

I'm glad to hear that things worked out. Keep us posted on how well they last and keep your car running. I've always opted for Motorcraft wires just because of the uncertainty of other wire sets, but I'm all for saving a few bucks if they last and fit just as well.

 

[Ferendon]

I got Taylor Spiro-Pro's from Summit, for less than $100 with 2 day shipping. Work great, and I could feel a difference in throlttle repsonse. No real improvement in power, but mileage seemed to improve, and I ran those around the intake, for a while (installed them in a time pinch). After a couple days, I had a chance to run them properly, and they seem to be much more comfortable when routed properly.

 

[soloyosh]

What was the Summit Part# for the Taylors?

Brett

 

[roswell998]

I'm glad to hear that things worked out. Keep us posted on how well they last and keep your car running. I've always opted for Motorcraft wires just because of the uncertainty of other wire sets, but I'm all for saving a few bucks if they last and fit just as well.

I will keep you all posted as miles go by, however I don't put more than about 5K per year on it now so perhaps other people using Delco wiresets will post their ongoing results including mileage totals on them as well.

Also...........I wonder if the original factory wires were made for Yamaha in Japan but the Motorcraft replacements are from a different vendor anyway.

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[Mike Kopstain]

I'm glad to hear that things worked out. Keep us posted on how well they last and keep your car running. I've always opted for Motorcraft wires just because of the uncertainty of other wire sets, but I'm all for saving a few bucks if they last and fit just as well.

They work great; we've sold hundreds of sets of them. I think we were the ones who actually introduced these to the SHO community a couple years back when we bought one of almost every wire made to find a cheaper, quality alternative to the Motorcraft wires.

I haven't had a complaint or a set returned as of yet.