wires

[tnmk]

OK so, 55,000 miles. I'm assuming original wires. I plan on changing plugs soon anyway. How long are the factory wires good for? what's an economical but reliable replacement brand?

not looking for performance, just want a good running car with good mpg.

oh yea, 1993 Geo Prizm (Corolla) 1.6 L

[Flashmn]

they're good aslong as theres no cracks, and resistance is within specs.

[94_Rolla_Guy]

i just changed mine out at 243k and the new ones made minimal difference so, id leave them. a great test is too wet the wires in the dark if you see blue sparks and the engine runs worse then replace them, Just dont spray them with the hose get a spray bottle or just splash a little water from a cup or something

[diver9000]

You want good quality wires: Get a set of knology wires (hotwires). They are suppose to last a lifetime.

[diver9000]

So what did you decide about your wires???????????

[Flashmn]

I'd pick up a set of OEM toyota wires, they're actually the best.

[tnmk]

Considering they appear to be in good condition I'm leaving them alone.
I would be willing to do a resistance check.

What range should I be looking for? I'd be using a standard Craftsman multi meter.

[Flashmn]

I'd say below 15ohms.

[diver9000]

OEM toyota wires are good, but its strictly a personal choice. Truly only a personal choice, but the knology hotwires add a few hp and they are pretty much guaranteed.

[Flashmn]

no offense, but plugs and wires dont add hp. OEM wires are made to toyotas specs, all other "general" brands will fall short, I've had my wires from 2000 and they're still in great condition.

[freakinbox]

But just like exhausts, if the engine is no longer stock... they can help.

[Flashmn]

No they dont help at all. Only thing a spark plug does is to provide a small spark to ignite the mixture. Thats all it does, by the time power is made, the spark has long since gone. You wont get more or less hp by changing plugs. Reason you change plugs is because the electrodes wear out due to the electric arc, gap range changes, and misfires can start. Also heat ranges differ, but a colder or hotter plug will have 0% effect on hp, only reason of them is to provide a heat range necessary for normal plug operation. For example forced inducted engines have cooler plugs, because the mixture and combustion process is hotter = plugs need to cool down faster. A low compression engine will have hotter plugs, due to cooler combustion thus a cold plug will quickly get filled up with soot.
A hot plug can wreck an engine, because you can get pre-combustion with a plug that is glowing (kinda like on diesels), which leads to detonation and engine failure.

Just basic sparkplug 101, dont get onto the bandwagon and get iridium plugs, because they promise higher hp. Its false marketing.