New Ceramic Plug Leads - Worthwhile?
Discussion
Having replaced my extenders a year or so ago, one has just broken at the tip during a plug change and I believe you can't get these anymore!!
I note one of our main suppliers is selling the ceramic lead set. Question is has anyone experience of these and support their views? Do they tend to be brittle or do they breakdown with the heat as used to be experienced with the myriad of alternatives such as socks & various other efforts over the years?
While these are expensive I guess a set of extenders and leads would probably cost similar money - worthy upgrade?
I note one of our main suppliers is selling the ceramic lead set. Question is has anyone experience of these and support their views? Do they tend to be brittle or do they breakdown with the heat as used to be experienced with the myriad of alternatives such as socks & various other efforts over the years?
While these are expensive I guess a set of extenders and leads would probably cost similar money - worthy upgrade?
The only problem with ceramic lead caps is that they are brittle. They have a habit of locking onto the plugs very tightly making it very difficult to remove next time you need them off. Awkward access and the angle of the cap leads to them twisting and then cracking. As they are only sold in sets one crack can be quite pricey. I'd suggest you opt for Lucas leads as these are long enough to reach the plugs without extenders and a quality set of thermal socks. As long as the leads are tied up to maximise space between the socks and the headers all should be okay. I've been running like this for three years covering 7k miles. Service just completed and there was absolutely no heat damage to the leads. The socks will bleach white where they're near the headers but that doesn't compromise their thermal property and the bleaching is on the bottom where it can't be seen
My car has had a Racetech set on it for the last 6000 miles. No problems to date, and no misfires either. My set don’t seem to be too tight and have not gone brittle.
Previously I had six extenders fail within 6 months out of a new set of 8. After that socks worked fine for me, but when I changed the engine, ECU etc 18 months ago, a set of new ceramic leads seemed like a good idea.
Previously I had six extenders fail within 6 months out of a new set of 8. After that socks worked fine for me, but when I changed the engine, ECU etc 18 months ago, a set of new ceramic leads seemed like a good idea.
It should be pointed out that these are the wrong size for the plugs we use which is why they are hard to get on and off.
They look great but I’m not convinced they are any better than quality socks and leads that are tied up properly.
Others have mentioned in the past they have been known to crack when trying to prise them off a plug.
I’ve had socks on the Mbe supplied plug leads for over 2 1/2 years now with no misfires or any heat damage to plug caps at all.
As these ceramic ones are expensive I decided the stress of trying to change plugs down the line when they’ve been on a year or more and clear risk of breaking them out weighed any benefits over good quality plug leads and socks even if I replace socks every now and then.
Each to their own and if they can be purchased with the correct dia I’d have them.
They look great but I’m not convinced they are any better than quality socks and leads that are tied up properly.
Others have mentioned in the past they have been known to crack when trying to prise them off a plug.
I’ve had socks on the Mbe supplied plug leads for over 2 1/2 years now with no misfires or any heat damage to plug caps at all.
As these ceramic ones are expensive I decided the stress of trying to change plugs down the line when they’ve been on a year or more and clear risk of breaking them out weighed any benefits over good quality plug leads and socks even if I replace socks every now and then.
Each to their own and if they can be purchased with the correct dia I’d have them.
But if you leave it too long won’t the lube dry up from extreme heat and make it hard to get em off. It’s hard enough getting rubber ones off due to the angle of the plugs....
I want them really as they look very smart and very much upto the job.
I’m just about to check my plugs as it’s a nice day to be in the evening sun tinkering so I’ll let you know how many f
ks I come up with on this one 
I want them really as they look very smart and very much upto the job.
I’m just about to check my plugs as it’s a nice day to be in the evening sun tinkering so I’ll let you know how many f
ks I come up with on this one Classic Chim said:
But if you leave it too long won’t the lube dry up from extreme heat and make it hard to get em off. It’s hard enough getting rubber ones off due to the angle of the plugs....
I want them really as they look very smart and very much upto the job.
I’m just about to check my plugs as it’s a nice day to be in the evening sun tinkering so I’ll let you know how many fks I come up with on this one
My thoughts exactly, even high temperature grease will volatilise at these temperatures. I suspect grease could become hardened putty making things even worseI want them really as they look very smart and very much upto the job.
I’m just about to check my plugs as it’s a nice day to be in the evening sun tinkering so I’ll let you know how many f
ks I come up with on this one HT leads 7 & 8 are the ones most likely to see excessive heat, they're sheltered under the bulkhead so don't get much air movement. This is worse on the Griff than the Chim as the Chim has bonnet vents. Make sure you find some way to pull those two against the rocker cover. There's a predrilled hole on the side of the cover if you can find a suitable clip
1. MSD Superconductor HT Leads
2. Followed by MSD Pro-Boot Guard
3. Then DEI Titanium Protect-A-Boots over the top of it all
Job done
I've been running this set up for over four years burning LPG which is notoriously hard on ignition components and I've not had a single issue. Unlike what I hear about those ceramic leads you I can pop my MSD Superconductors on & off at will with no issues whatsoever, the plug ends let you shape their final angle too which assists with manifold clearance.
My Chimaera is not an occasional use summer's day toy, it gets used very regularly and as TVR intended, I ditched those terrible failure prone misfire educing plug extenders years ago, four years and tens of thousands of hard miles on gas running my MSD double wrapped setup without a single issue should give everyone confidence my set up is truly comprehensively tested and fully proven.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
2. Followed by MSD Pro-Boot Guard
3. Then DEI Titanium Protect-A-Boots over the top of it all
Job done
I've been running this set up for over four years burning LPG which is notoriously hard on ignition components and I've not had a single issue. Unlike what I hear about those ceramic leads you I can pop my MSD Superconductors on & off at will with no issues whatsoever, the plug ends let you shape their final angle too which assists with manifold clearance.
My Chimaera is not an occasional use summer's day toy, it gets used very regularly and as TVR intended, I ditched those terrible failure prone misfire educing plug extenders years ago, four years and tens of thousands of hard miles on gas running my MSD double wrapped setup without a single issue should give everyone confidence my set up is truly comprehensively tested and fully proven.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
bobfather said:
HT leads 7 & 8 are the ones most likely to see excessive heat, they're sheltered under the bulkhead so don't get much air movement. This is worse on the Griff than the Chim as the Chim has bonnet vents. Make sure you find some way to pull those two against the rocker cover. There's a predrilled hole on the side of the cover if you can find a suitable clip
I think the key to all this is just suspending your leads and getting their lengths cut right, then using plenty of dividers and yes I use all the available ones on the rocker boxes too 
Heath fitted a set to my 430 last year when he was giving her a going over. She then went into storage until April 4th when I picked her up near York. The weather was pants as you might recall it rained, hailed, and was bloody freezing to just downright miserable and cold the whole time we were in the UK. Hitting France again it rained the driving through Germany was horrendous due to torrential rain and more hail. Weather finally improved in the Czech Republic. Not one misfire even with water sheeting up through the bonnet vents.
They are of course still new but we have covered over 3,200 miles already however have not tried to pull any of them off the plugs. Time will tell but Mat Smith also recommends them in fact he was trying to source a set for an customers car while we were there on Monday 9th April.
They are of course still new but we have covered over 3,200 miles already however have not tried to pull any of them off the plugs. Time will tell but Mat Smith also recommends them in fact he was trying to source a set for an customers car while we were there on Monday 9th April.
ChimpOnGas said:
1. MSD Superconductor HT Leads
2. Followed by MSD Pro-Boot Guard
3. Then DEI Titanium Protect-A-Boots over the top of it all
Job done
I've been running this set up for over four years burning LPG which is notoriously hard on ignition components and I've not had a single issue. Unlike what I hear about those ceramic leads you I can pop my MSD Superconductors on & off at will with no issues whatsoever, the plug ends let you shape their final angle too which assists with manifold clearance.
My Chimaera is not an occasional use summer's day toy, it gets used very regularly and as TVR intended, I ditched those terrible failure prone misfire educing plug extenders years ago, four years and tens of thousands of hard miles on gas running my MSD double wrapped setup without a single issue should give everyone confidence my set up is truly comprehensively tested and fully proven.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Ive also done this minus the pro boot guards. 2. Followed by MSD Pro-Boot Guard
3. Then DEI Titanium Protect-A-Boots over the top of it all
Job done
I've been running this set up for over four years burning LPG which is notoriously hard on ignition components and I've not had a single issue. Unlike what I hear about those ceramic leads you I can pop my MSD Superconductors on & off at will with no issues whatsoever, the plug ends let you shape their final angle too which assists with manifold clearance.
My Chimaera is not an occasional use summer's day toy, it gets used very regularly and as TVR intended, I ditched those terrible failure prone misfire educing plug extenders years ago, four years and tens of thousands of hard miles on gas running my MSD double wrapped setup without a single issue should give everyone confidence my set up is truly comprehensively tested and fully proven.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The msd leads are very good, i especially like the multi angle plug end.
Should hopefull last a long time.
I had to get them over from summit racing in the states but money well spent in my opinion.
The kit listed is all high quality stuff, some of the heat socks on ebay etc is dreadful.
bobfather said:
HT leads 7 & 8 are the ones most likely to see excessive heat, they're sheltered under the bulkhead so don't get much air movement. ....
I had assumed this but when I swapped all mine over for some new Beru extenders last year all except the ones on 7 and 8 had cracked to the extent of misfires. 7 & 8 where still perfect. I measured the temp of the manifold and found that it actually gets hotter the further forward you go towards the pre-cats.Roll on 8 months and I serviced the car at the weekend every single new extender a crack up the plastic insulator which re-enforces what others have previously posted about the new extenders being of poorer quality to the originals.
I'm about to have a spare set of manifolds ceramic coated and will ditch the extenders when I fit these. Fortunately they're not misfiring and they only cost me €40 delivered for the lot.
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