10 Best Spark Plug Wire Sets – Reviews & Buying Guide
The importance of a spark in a gas engine cannot be overemphasized and one critical component that makes the spark light up is the spark plug wire. Basically, this component transfers voltage from the distributor to the spark plug, which then fires up the engine.
Because of its importance, it is crucial that you get high-quality pieces for replacing the old, worn-out ones, and to help you in this, we have looked at 10 of the best spark plug wire sets that you should consider.
10 Best Spark Plug Wire Sets – Reviews
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. NGK RC-XX90 (Ultra-Low Resistance Spark Plug Wire Set) | ||
 | 2. Taylor Cable 64628 (Spark Plug Wire Set with Oil Resistant Insulation) | ||
 | 3. NGK RC-HE76 (Color-Coded Spark Plug Wire Set) | ||
 | 4. Toyota 19037-62010 (Best Spark Plug Wire Set for Toyota) | ||
 | 5. ACDelco 746U (Best Spark Plug Wire Set for the Money) | ||
 | 6. Denso 671-8062 (Class E Rated Spark Plug Wire Set) | ||
 | 7. NGK EUX065 (Spark Plug Wire Set with a Triple Crimp Connector) | ||
 | 8. Motorcraft WR5934 (Good Spark Plug Wire Set) | ||
 | 9. MSD 32829 (Super Conductive Spark Plug Wire Set) | ||
 | 10. ACDelco 9748GG (Widely Compatible Spark Plug Wire Set) |
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. NGK RC-XX90 – Ultra-Low Resistance Spark Plug Wire Set
NGK is one of the best spark plug wire set brands in the market because they make highly efficient units such as this RC-XX90, which have variable pitch windings that deliver an ultra-low resistance.
This results in a very powerful hot spark on the spark plug’s end because most of the voltage from the ignition coil is passed through with minimal losses. Additionally, this kind of pitch winding also results in outstanding EMI/RFI noise suppression, making it very efficient.
Other than this, the wires in this set have positive-locking and corrosion-resistant stainless-steel terminal ends, which fit tightly over the spark plug so as to resist separation due to vibrations as the car moves on bumpy roads.
More features include an oil, petrol and moisture resistant silicone outer jacket that can withstand temperatures not exceeding 250°C (482°F) without cracking, and each wire is numbered for quick cylinder identification. However, you only get 4 wires per set.
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2. Taylor Cable 64628 – Spark Plug Wire Set with Oil Resistant Insulation
This product is packed with 8 wires for use in an 8-cylinder engine, and these have an oil-resistant insulation that can also withstand high temperatures for durability purposes.
The pieces are available in two options, which are a wire core and a resistor core. The wire core option is inferior to the resistor core because it is only usable in situations where radio frequency interference is not a big issue.
Resistor cores are better suited for the modern high ignition engines but both options are equipped with silicone boot ends and you can get them in 90°, 135° or 180° angles so that you can choose depending on the one that’s easier for you to handle.
Other features include an 8mm thick core and double spring locks at the plugs to prevent separation. However, the wires are not numbered for easy cylinder identification.
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3. NGK RC-HE76 – Color-coded Spark Plug Wire Set
Back to NGK and though this set also contains only 4 wires, each one is color-coded for simplified, correct and easy installation. On top of this, each piece is numbered for easy cylinder identification and overall, these features make installation very easy.
The wires are also designed for superior performance, having a variable pitch winding that delivers ultra-low resistance. This results in a powerful, hot spark for effective combustion because of highly reduced losses along the wire.
Corrosion-resistant, positive locking stainless-steel terminal ends are fitted in so as to provide tight-fitting and vibration resistance, which gets rid of possible separations as you drive your car along bumpy roads.
Other features include an oil, moisture, and petrol resistant silicone outer jacket that can withstand temperatures of up to 250°C.
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4. Toyota 19037-62010 – Best Spark Plug Wire Set for Toyota
Toyota’s 19037-62010 is designed as an OEM replacement spark plug wire for the 1996-2002 4runner, 1994-1998 T100, 1995-2004 Tacoma and 2000-2005 Tundra, meaning that it will restore your car’s fuel-burning performance to its original state.
Even though this makes it very limited in terms of compatibility, the fact that it is made by Toyota assures you of superb quality and good performance. Because of this, the product is actually the top-rated spark plug wire set in this review.
However, the kit is quite costly, but this is justifiable based on its brand and expected performance quality.
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5. ACDelco 746U – Best Spark Plug Wire Set for the Money
If you are tight on cash, you can get this 6-piece spark plug wire set for your car, though it must be a GM vehicle because the pieces are designed as GM OEM parts for restoring the engine to factory performance.
That said, this 746U is well equipped for the job, featuring a fiberglass braid and carbon impregnated fiberglass core for superior electrical conductivity and strength.
Additionally, the pieces are engineered to suppress noise from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), leading to better conductivity and improved performance.
A thick silicone jacket ensures that the conductive core is protected from heat and abrasion, which are very common inside the engine compartment.
Other features include a spark plug distributor boot shape for proper fitting and installation (creates a watertight seal), and a terminal design, which is corrosion-resistant, and improves spark plug retention for non-separation as you drive on bumpy roads.
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6. Denso 671-8062 – Class E Rated Spark Plug Wire Set
This 8-piece spark plug wire set has class E rated silicone jackets, which basically means that it has a very high-quality outer cover that can withstand chemicals, moisture, heat, and cold (from -40 to 428°F).
Other than this, the pieces are available in 7 and 8mm thickness, and they are designed to be identical in form and performance to factory-installed units for restoring the original fuel-burning performance.
Additionally, they have identical OE end caps, which means easy installation and they fit tightly into position, preventing separation as you drive. However, the wires are not numbered or color-coded for easy matching or cylinder identification.
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7. NGK EUX065 – Spark Plug Wire Set with a Triple Crimp Connector
NGK’s spark plug wire sets do stand out from the rest because of their high-quality features such as the triple crimp connector design on this 4-wire kit. This connector gives a better connection of the core between the terminal and the cable, resulting in a stronger voltage passing through.
The terminal itself is made out of stainless steel, which is highly durable and corrosion-resistant, while the core is an Aramid composite that is surrounded by a magnetic ferric layer.
This magnetic layer is then covered in a unique variable pitch winding, which creates an ultra-low resistance so as to deliver a powerful, hot spark with high RFI/EMI noise suppression.
Each of the 4 wires is numbered for easy cylinder identification, and they are also color-coded for easy, straightforward installation.
Other features include heat resistant silicone jackets that can withstand temperatures of up to 250°C or 482°F, and this same jacket is also resistant to oil, petrol, and moisture, thereby ensuring that the wire inside is firmly protected on the inside.
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8. Motorcraft WR5934 – Good Spark Plug Wire Set
This WR5934 spark plug wire set from Motorcraft is designed to deliver the maximum voltage from the distributor to the spark plug with very minimal losses.
As a result, the wires ensure optimum engine performance while reducing the chances of misfiring and overall, this increases the lifespan of the engine.
The wires are actually tested to meet OE specifications, which means you should expect reliability and durability under extreme performance conditions, and they have a wire set boot plus connector design for the best performance.
However, the pieces are not numbered or color-coded for easy installation, but you get 8 wires, which are ideal for an 8-cylinder engine.
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9. MSD 32829 – Super Conductive Spark Plug Wire Set
Though very expensive, this spark plug wire set has one major advantage and that is having a superconductor, which is made of an 8.5mm thick copper alloy.
This material has a resistance fewer than 50 ohms per foot, making it very efficient at transmitting high voltage from the distributor to the spark plug.
Additionally, the wire consists of a ferromagnetic impregnated core, which is very effective at choking EMI, and this core is wrapped in 40 feet of the copper alloy conductor for high EMI noise suppression.
Other features include Dupont Kevlar material on the conductor core for increased tensile strength, a tough jacket that is heat and abrasion-resistant, and stainless-steel terminals with dual crimp tabs for grabbing onto the jacket and wire conductor separately.
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10. ACDelco 9748GG – Widely Compatible Spark Plug Wire Set
ACDelco’s 9748GG is designed as a widely compatible spark plug wire set that can be used on over 96% of domestic US vehicles such as GM, Chrysler, and Ford, as well as imported ones such as Toyota, Nissan, and Honda.
The wires are actually designed to match the form, fit and function on most new vehicles, which means you should expect up to par or even better engine performance once these wires are installed.
Other than this, you get a total of 8 wires and each has a terminal design that improves on spark plug retention, reduces corrosion and simplifies the installation process.
Other features include a high-temperature resistant silicone insulator, a spark plug distributor boot shape for proper fitting and a coil retainer for preventing micro-arcing and fretting. However, the wires are not numbered or color-coded for easy installation.
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How to Buy the Best Spark Plug Wire Set
1. Type of Spark Plug Wire Set
There are 3 main types of spark plug wire sets. These are:
Distributed Resistance Spark Plug Wire: This type of spark plug wire consists of very fine strands of fiberglass bonded with carbon. Carbon gives the wires a high resistance, which is actually good in this case because of 1 particular reason; it helps reduce radio frequency interference.
Though RFI might not interfere with your radio’s reception, it may interfere with the sensors and computers that control how the engine runs and thus, may also interfere with electricity is passed on to the spark plugs. Most American cars are designed to use this type of wire.
Inductance Style Plug Wire: Most Japanese cars run on this type of plug wire, and they are basically composed of a spiral core with a copper alloy or nickel alloy wire wound around it. This winding creates a magnetic effect, thereby reducing RFI.
The main advantage with this type of wire though is that it has a very small amount resistance, meaning that a small amount of current is required to power the spark plugs when starting or running the engine.
Fixed Resistor Spark Plug Wire: Most European car manufacturers use this type as standard, and it contains steel or copper wires and plug-boots with resistors inside.
Buying Guide: Each of these types has its own benefits and it is recommended that you buy replacement spark plug wires of the same type as the ones you want to replace.
2. Your Spark Plug
This factor is also important to check due to compatibility purposes. Since different cars are equipped with different types of spark plugs, the same applies to wire sets.
Each type of wire set is designed to fit over a certain range of spark plugs and therefore, make sure you pick the one that fits best for your car.
3. Brand
Another important factor to consider is the brand. All the products reviewed above are from reputable companies but you should select one based on the brand that you associate with most.
For instance, if you own a Toyota and you really like the brand, then buy a Toyota spark plug wire set for replacement as soon as the factory pieces get damaged.
When to Change Spark Plug Wire
Some of the signs that will let you know its time to change the spark plug wire include a hard start, rough idling, slow acceleration, increased fuel consumption, hesitation, and sputters.
However, this can also mean that there is another issue with other engine components such as the spark plugs. To confirm whether it’s the wires or not, use an ohmmeter to measure the resistance of each piece individually.
The one with a very high resistance that exceeds its rated ohm range definitely has a problem and should be replaced immediately.
How to Test Spark Plug Wire
There are 4 ways in which you can test a spark plug wire.
1. Visual Inspection
The first and easiest thing to do is to carry out visual inspection of the wires. Check the plug end boots because they are usually the first parts to fail.
Also, run your fingers through the entire length of the wires to feel for any brittleness, cracks or exposed layers. If the wire is soaked in oil, replace it.
2. Look for Sparks (Leaks)
If you don’t find anything via a visual inspection, wait till its dark outside then pop up the hood and run the engine. If there are leaks on the wires, you will spot lightning-like bolts of electricity escaping to the nearest metal object. Such wires require immediate replacement.
3. Make Sparks
This method basically requires you to use a grounded jumper wire or screwdriver and it should be well insulated to protect you from being electrocuted (remember you are dealing with very high voltage).
Run this tool along the wire and if there are any arcs, you will see or even hear them as the electricity escapes towards the grounded metal.
4. Measure the Resistance
Lastly, you can use an ohmmeter to measure the resistance and for a good wire, its resistance should fall within the given ohm range by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
A good quality spark plug wire can drastically improve an engine’s performance by ensuring enough voltage reaches the spark plug for powerful firing.
This is because most aftermarket wires are designed to have the lowest amount of resistance, resulting in minimal voltage losses along the way.
With that in mind, you will certainly get the best spark plug wire set for your car from the ones listed in the review above so as to boost your engine’s output.