Re: Can We Build Custom Performance Plug Wires For These Old Motors?
CigarXTC - the wires used in your outboard are copper core. They have no resistance, and the conductor does not degrade in time like it will with automotive types. If you do want to use high performance wires, you'll need 0 ohm shielded ones for your magneto ignition system. The (small) resistance of automotive suppressor type wires is enough to seriously impact the amount of energy delivered by the spark, since the bulk of energy transfer between the spark and the fuel/air mixture occurs at around 100v.<br /><br />There's a post about this in General Outboard Questions, a couple months back.<br /><br />I think the reason outboard wires are so expensive is that they are seldom replaced since they don't degrade. They have lifespans exceeding 50 years (as you can see for yourself). For applications where RFI is important, such as modern electronically controled engines, they put the resistor in the sparkplug.<br /><br />On the other hand, if you find some nice *looking* copper core wires (mabey blue or yellow) - please let me know! <br /><br />Good luck and have fun!
