Tarheelexec

My 83 SC has developed a low end miss especially under strain. It is the reverse reaction of bad gas (usually okay at low speeds and clears up at higher speed) My problem is the reverse....runs rough at lower speeds (under 40 mph) and runs smoother at higher speed.

My local Porsche shop put a scope on it and thinks it is one bank of ignition wires. Scope variance is about 1-1 /2 inches on the screen....When manually speeded up the line flatens out to almost a being totally straight for all six cyls. He wants to replace the wires with new Beru w/braided coverings. His estimate is about $450 for wires plus a couple of hundred for labor.....Seems very stiff to me as I see Beru wire set available from places like Auto Parts Wholesale for about $230 dollars incl coil wire.

Any thoughts ??? Is this a job that a resonablly handy guy (but not a mechanic) can handle? Are after market wires even a consideration or to be avoided at all costs. I am frustrated at the many mini-issues with this car....which only has 61,500 miles but was stored for several years....Tarheelexec

J. Brinkley

magnecor blue (8mm) are sold all over for $110. look around a little. NO way should you spend $650 dollars for wires and install. YOu can do it yourself. Even if you spent 500 on tools. That's crazy man.

ruckmjr

That is a definate DIY job. Just take the time, move stuff out of the way -- easy.

Glenncal1

Tarheel-a new set of wires from Pelican for OEM is $185, I just changed mine out for some Jacobs wires at ~$130 (I wanted something from this century). I would also replace the cap and rotor at the same time. You will need to move the heater hoses to get to the wires. You might as well replace the plugs at the same time. A couple hours work at the most. Jim '78SC

theiceman

This work is as basic as it gets and just about anyone can do it. Fair enogh the spark plugs can be a bit of a pain but nothing serious.... my socket kept coming off the extension and getting stuck on the plug .. grrrr. \\

but all in all very doable even if you just want to stick to the cap / rotor and plugs...

bourgeois911

As much as I try to buy from board sponsors, I ended up getting a set of Magencore wires from these guys , about $150 w/shipping. They're the 8.5MM jobbers and they were a perfect fit.

Tarheelexec

Okay you guys convinced me that I can do the change over....Do I buy the Magnacor Blue or the Beru (OEM) wires? Where is the best place for stock and price....

Glenncal1

Tar-as I said before I went with Jacobs wires from Pelican, good fit about $130. I decided that I wanted to use the more modern technology rather than the OEM braided wires. So far so good. The OEM wires will last a long time. As I said before you should do the cap and rotor and plugs at the same time. Jim

Tarheelexec

Thanks Glenncal1.....I'll start the pursuit.....Don

Tarheelexec

Update.....Purchased a set of 8mm red Kingsborne ignition wires (including the coil wire) with Beru ends and paid $130 dollars (vs $450 for OEM). Installed them (they are numbered by cylinder) in less than an hour, and the car runs perfectly!!! It was the wires and the Kingsborne did the trick.......very pleased with the quality and the result.......Thanks to all you folks for the advise and confidence to attack this project....
Tarheelexec