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7mm vs 8 mm wires?

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Old Apr 13, 2005 | 09:16 AM
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Default 7mm vs 8 mm wires?

What would be the advantage of upgrading to 8 mm wires on my 96?
I see some series II motors have 8mm.
Better spark? accellerate under load better? Mileage???
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Old Apr 13, 2005 | 09:32 AM
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Default Re: 7mm vs 8 mm wires?

Originally Posted by SSEBONNE4EVA
What would be the advantage of upgrading to 8 mm wires on my 96?
I see some series II motors have 8mm.
Better spark? accellerate under load better? Mileage???
A little bit of all three, possibly.
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Old Apr 13, 2005 | 09:51 AM
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My understanding of wire MM is better quality and more insulation for less arching.
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Old Apr 13, 2005 | 09:55 AM
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The bigger the wire, the easier power flows through it. More electricity through the wire, in theory, means better spark means better gas burning means better performance...

The ultimate would be if it was feasable to actually solder or weld the wire at each end. Even better electrical flow than press on fittings, but tune-upos would take a week.....
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Old Apr 13, 2005 | 11:57 AM
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Calling specs on the diameter of the outside of the insulation is a misnomer. Forget the 7mm 8mm crap.

It'* just the outside diameter, and means nothing as far as performance, other than resistance to abrasion/arcing. Nor does an 8mm wire automatically have more current carrying capability over a 7mm. Because the center conductors may be identical between the two.

Buy a quality 7mm wire (Belden Premium, or similar) and be careful with your routing. You don't need more wire until you upgrade the rest of your ignition anyway.
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Old Apr 13, 2005 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by willwren
Calling specs on the diameter of the outside of the insulation is a misnomer. Forget the 7mm 8mm crap.

It'* just the outside diameter, and means nothing as far as performance, other than resistance to abrasion/arcing. Nor does an 8mm wire automatically have more current carrying capability over a 7mm. Because the center conductors may be identical between the two.

Buy a quality 7mm wire (Belden Premium, or similar) and be careful with your routing. You don't need more wire until you upgrade the rest of your ignition anyway.
Well, ain't that a kick in the pants? Freakin' marketing people had a lot of us going on that one....
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Old Apr 13, 2005 | 12:15 PM
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Compare the schematics/cross-section on the boxes of wires. Many 7mm wires have superior construction to some of the 8'*. It costs next to nothing to produce the thicker insulation, and they can charge a premium price for it.
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Old Apr 13, 2005 | 02:50 PM
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Default wires

That makes sense if its just the thickness of the insulation material the only difference.
My 96 SE has carquest Low ohm 7 mm wires installed by the previous owner. Maybe I'll
leave these put for now.
I'm upgrading the 90 SSE this week to the Delco ignition (just back from the bone yard)
It has packard triple silicone 8MM wires.
I have a new set of Delco premium 8mm. Maybe its a good time to put them on the SSE as
they are the shorter wires for the Delco.
Just didn't know which car I wanted to put the Delco wires on.
I may just do the ignition first and see how it works out.
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