Spark Plug Wire Heat Sheilds

**stevenm357** · 05-12-2008, 11:30 AM

Forgive me if this sounds stupid. but i did a search and have seen pictures that contradict things. so here is the question

I bought MSD plug wires do i need to put the factory heat shield on with those? if not, why?

Thanks!

**2001NBMZ28** · 05-12-2008, 11:48 AM

Not needed, most people are glad to get rid of heat shields. Got rid of mine when I put Taylor wires on my car.

**0rion** · 05-12-2008, 01:13 PM

I ditched the heat shields too. If it makes you feel more comfortable keep them or you can buy some nice looking silica based protectors through summit.

**stevenm357** · 05-12-2008, 01:30 PM

it's not really to make me feel that much better. It's my gripy father and his mechanic friend who i some times ask questions to... and don't usually like the answers I get.

I'm 28. but not a lot of experience being a mechanic. while everyone else was out working on cars I was working my way to a national fighting championship in karate and numerous state and regional shooting titles. But I now have a car that i love and am doing the work on it myself. So lots of questions pop up.

**Y2KPewterSS** · 05-12-2008, 02:29 PM

I ditched mine as well when I put my MSD wires on.

**stevenm357** · 05-12-2008, 05:44 PM

Can anyone give me a good reason that they are not needed? like MSD wires have a shield in them?

**splitfinger09** · 05-12-2008, 11:54 PM

I kept mine...I mean it cant hurt anything to keep them. Im also running kooks lts

**JoshieDoom** · 05-13-2008, 12:05 AM

I kept mine as well. Ive got those socks on my truck and put them on my dads truck when I changed his plugs. I thought about putting them on.

**0rion** · 05-13-2008, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by stevenm357

Can anyone give me a good reason that they are not needed? like MSD wires have a shield in them?

msd really doesn't pimp their wires heat ratings that I can find. Granatelli does but msd doesn't. I do know msd wires will dry and crack if they physically touch a header tube....seen it happen multiple times on my buddies vette. Couple of my wires are close to a primary tube but I've never had an issue with them. The long boot on the wire will let you bend it and create your own angle coming off the plug so that helps to get a little distance between the wire and primary.

**va2001ss** · 05-17-2008, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by stevenm357

Can anyone give me a good reason that they are not needed? like MSD wires have a shield in them?

Taylor ThunderVolt 50 wires advertise:
"600 degree heat protection"
"No additional sleeving required"

I have used these wires for years, zero issues.

**JoshuaGrooms83** · 05-18-2008, 05:42 PM

I installed mine with the heat shields on, no prob what so ever... at least not with the heat shields.

**punisherTA** · 06-04-2008, 06:12 AM

I had a local company called WeaponX install a set of their iridium spark plugs in my ride and while they were installing I asked them if the metal shields were necessary. They said the metal shields can help keep radiant interference down in the electronics as well as keep heat down in the wire which can increase electrical conductivity of the wire. They said that I was better off keeping them on.

Take it for what it's worth. Hope it helps.