Hey all. Searched high and low, and while some posts mentioned plugs (NGK), I could not find a recommendation on ignition wires. Rock Auto has several, and shopping locally resulted in a set of Bosch wires for $36, which is much more than Rock Auto.

What do you all prefer with regard to brand for each component? Is it important to match plug brand with wire brand?

Thanks.

We try to avoid Bosch anything on these cars. Their plugs and O2s have a bad history of causing problems on the 3800.
Most of us just run the stock AC Delco wires. Unless you have some really serious mods, they'll deal with any power requirements you can ask of them. Same with the coils. I tried MSD Blaster coils, and had one go out with less than 40k on it. Before that, the stockers had gone 89k with no problems. The only reason I installed the MSDs at all was that I happened to have them sitting around.

I see you have a NA Bonnie. In my NA 3800s, I only run NGK TR55 plugs. They're excellent and only cost about a buck a piece.

Most of the cars on our top-25 list of 1/4 mile times run the Belden Premium wires from NAPA. I have them on one of my cars, had them on the other for quite awhile. Great wires.

NGK V-powers are my plug of choice on both cars. If you go that route, get the TR55'*, and gap to 0.060".

I have Belden'* on my '89 and they are indeed very good wires. They were $35-40, so definately not a bad deal. They replaced the crappy autozone wires I had on the car and my idle instantly got much better.

Found a set of AC Delco'* for my '88 on ebay for all of $14 (new) and should be getting them in the mail any time now.

As for plugs I've been hearing NGK TR-55 from pretty much everyone on this site, so if I were you I'd go with them. I dumbly spent too much money on rapidfire plugs, removed them thinking that they were causign a funky idle and replaced with iridium plugs (which didn't help the idle either). The rapidfires went into the '88 since they were just sitting around otherwise.

I was considering getting Denso irids when I get new plugs. These are great plugs, correct? I am looking for good performance and a long life(100k).

Plugs won't add performance unless you had the wrong plugs in to begin with, they've worn, or you have the wrong gap or heatrange.

If you want longevity, buy cheaper irridiums than Denso. AC Delco or NGK.

Thanks you guys. I have a set of AC Delco wires en route from Rock Auto, and the local Auto Zone has the NGK Iridium and V Power plugs in stock. They said V Power was what came with the car. I'll let you know how it comes out. And with the nice weather coming this weekend, I'll shine her all up right nice and finally get a pic in my signature!

I know. I think my mileage could be better and these plugs are still original(I think) at 86k. Performance and mileage almost have to improve. I just know Denso has a very good name so I wanted to try them. $72 for 6 plugs aint cheap though!

if you want iridium, just buy the delco 41-101. not cheap but half the price of the denso.

but tod, the bosch wires are just fine if you want to save a few bucks. (you may find them locally for cheaper) i had them on my p/a since 02 or 03. and changed them just because. they still had much life in them.

but if you can spare the extra 10-20 buchs for delco or the belden, go for it.

and for plugs, id suggest the oe delco, which will have a longer life than a resistor plug.