HT leads

[alderley]

I visited Middlewich MOT centre run by a very TVR understanding, former TVR dealer technician. He was adamant his HT leads would be better than mine. I disagreed because I was perfectly happy with my nice red race-quality leads. To avoid any subjective opinions, I wanted some scientific evidence and suggested an experiment. We measured exhaust gas at tickover under identical conditions except for the leads. I was amazed by the results we got. Bank A cylinders showed a 63% decrease in unburnt hydrocarbons (using his HT leads). Bank B also showed considerable decrease in hydrocarbons. As a scientist, I know you cannot base a theory on a single result but it would be interesting to get data for other TVRs. The original red leads were not brand new but had only done 2500 miles. It would be interesting to try the equivalent of a rolling road day and test a range of leads on different cars (monitoring exhaust gases) but this would probably be impractical.

[jesfirth]

interesting what were the leads he was suggesting you use

[hjb15]

I have just bought some Magnecor leads to replace the originals, so would be interested in further spec's etc.

[kojak]

.....and they are guaranteed for 10 years I believe.

[purpleheadedcerb]

All I would say is that manufacturers are very quick to label their products as 'race' or 'sports' without them necessarily being any better than standard. For example, I know a Dolomite Sprint owner who moved from what he thought were uprated leads to Magnecor leads and noticed a considerable difference on a rolling road set-up. The standard ones were packing up at 30000 volts whereas the magnecor handled another 50% increase with no drama.

I had a Lucas Sports coil on my Sprint which was giving a very erratic delivery over 5500rpm on my sprint. I changed it for an Aldon epoxy filled flame thrower coil and it gave me another 8bhp straight away and tidied up the power curve through to 7000rpm. Best £40 i've ever spent on my Racer. These were back to back tests.

In answer to your question, yes I think decent leads could make that much difference. I'll be having Magnecors put on mine at the next service.

Scott

[Julian64]

Errum, can I just ask, why you think the improvement was?

You see as I understand it the only function of an HT lead is to make the plug spark. The brightness of the spark will either ignite the fuel air mix or it won't. Your HT lead isn't creating a bigger or brighter spark, and even if it was its not going to change the form and completeness of burn within the cylinder.

So unless your car was fluffing on the old leads I'm not sure I believe that the massive difference in exhaust readings was attributable to the leads.

In the past I have changed plug leads and changed plug gaps, coil packs and retested exhaust gases and it hasn't make a single bit of difference, and you are report a very very big difference.

[purpleheadedcerb]

Apparently, The higher voltage allows larger spark plug gaps for added power, smoother response and better fuel economy.

[steve_T]

As has been said, I'd favour the old ones being duffers as the explanation, rather than the new ones being wonder products.

[Julian64]

Huh, timing sensor from the crack itty bitty 12V no current signal. I doubt that could affect anything, let alone put out an EMF capable of affecting a 30KV HT lead, although it's possibly the other way round.

I dunno, the longer I read the Cerb pages the more I rekon I'm getting argumentative or just plain senile.

[peter_melichar]

I just bought the Red Magnecor leads for my Cerb 4.2 97. Run perfectly !

Pete

[trackcar]

where's that popcorn smiley when you need it?

[trackcar]

Julian64 said:

I dunno, the longer I read the Cerb pages the more I rekon I'm getting argumentative or just plain senile.

I dunno Joo .. I think your posts are cracking. You seem very technically aware to me

[cooky]

Magnecor.... here we go again

suppose Alderleys red leads were the above. Had a similar episode meself



>> Edited by cooky on Wednesday 8th February 23:29

>> Edited by on Thursday 9th February 11:15

[ridds]

Seen lots of reports regarding HT leads and hardly any ever make any noticeable difference. You'll struggle to see massive changes even in swapping plugs, providing you have the correct heat rating and protrusion in the first place etc.

[Tam Lin]

kojak said:

.....and they are guaranteed for 10 years I believe.

10 years on a Cerb !? I hope you're right, I expect mine will be toast in about 6 months...

I thought HT leads were best if they didn't conduct all that well, as once a spark starts across the plug gap, you don't want zillions of amperes flowing & shortening the life of every component in range, including the owner...

[Julian64]

trackcar said:

Julian64 said: I dunno, the longer I read the Cerb pages the more I rekon I'm getting argumentative or just plain senile. I dunno Joo .. I think your posts are cracking. You seem very technically aware to me

Gee tanks

I keep forgetting you must spend half your life listening to these sort of threads, but with the person standing in front of you.

Do you smile sweetly, or do you find yourself using the phrases, 'well actually', or 'in the real world' a lot ?

P.S. hows the racing going?