Ceramic ignition leads

[Chim2018]

Hi

Planning on updating the ignition system and noticed the ignition leads with ceramic ends, however they are significantly more expensive.

Has anyone else fitted these leads and are they worth it in your opinion?

Thanks

[Belle427]

Seem to have mixed reviews.
Sound like a great idea but have read reports on them sticking to plugs leading to cracking when trying to remove.
Cant be bought singularly either so what happens if one breaks.

[bobfather]

I liked the idea of these at first but the sticking issue and the fact that ceramic caps are very brittle put me off. If one cracks when pulling them off, which is made more likely due to the angled shape, then you'd have to buy a complete set again. Some people have tried high temperature lubricant but that stuff turns into concrete at those temperatures and therefore make it even harder to remove them

[Classic Chim]

Here’s the solution employed by Powers Performance for the Mbe coilpacks mounted behind the Plenum arrangement and as you can see nothing over the top just quality leads,rubber plug caps protected with socks.
The trick is keeping them suspended and away from the manifolds, they seem to last forever.
These are over three years old and daily use for most of that time so subjected to every extreme.

It’s one of those things where simple, quality and solid seems to the basic solution that does job, mostly if you keep them suspended,,, the caps are a good tight fit so don’t move or turn so it’s a problem gone. Even chucking the ca4 about as hard as I could they didn’t move.

Ceramic look great and i’d Like some but expensive if you have to buy a complete set of spares!

[Colin RedGriff]

I've had them fitted for over 2 years now and I'm very happy with them. Yes, they grip the spark plugs tightly, but I view that as a good thing as far as getting a good spark. As far as cracking goes, I've managed to remove and replace all mine without cracking any, as has my local TVR specialist.

I think you just need to take care and make sure you pull the ceramic part that is in line with the spark plug and don't use the angled part of the ceramic shroud to lever it off.

[Steve_D]

I hate them.
They are very difficult to remove so if you run a workshop and break one guess who will have to replace the whole set.

Steve

[spitfire4v8]

I havent had an issue with them cracking but the dizzy cap end crimping seems very variable. I dont advise them.

[NZ fan]

i was an early adopter of these leads and also have posted of their over tight grip on the plugs. i have never broken one but i have had the metal end piece stay behind on the plug because they grip the plug tip far too firmly. i have since gutted out the original leads from the ceramic tips and fitted some generic leads inside the ceramic tips. these come on and off the plugs with no problem,
i love the look of the ceramic ends and wouldn't hesitate to buy them again only next time i would die grind the dimples that grip the plugs to a point where i could fit and remove them with minimal effort.

[QBee]

I have a set fitted by my TVR guru when I converted to Emerald & turbo.
Car is presently in for service. I will report back with his comments, minus the expletives.
As for performance, my car strikes everyone by how smoothly it runs, myself included.

[lancelin]

In my experience they are rubbish! I cracked one just pulling it off straight and not at an angle. The plug terminal inside the ceramic boot is positioned randomly - sometimes too far up the boot!! Also the plug crimp can pull off the cable!

Angled rubber boots with heat socks are the go. Just keep them from actually touching the manifold.

Ceramic leads are also too low in resistance.

[Richard 858]

I'm very happy with mine although I did have 1 crack which was replaced under warranty after 11 months. Mine are fitted together with iridium plugs (as I believe are Anthony's) so no need to remove them for servicing.
Good strong spark, and a lot tidier than extenders, socks, etc.

[KevtheRev]

I'm happy with mine.

The make/type to use are "Accel 9002C Ceramic Leads". These are a 135 degree plug cap universal lead set that you make up to length at the dizzy end, They come with a king lead, crimp anvils.

Use the dielectric grease to aid assembly & plug cap removal.

I did a bit of homework on TVR tax and ended up buying from one of the USA speed shops on eBay using the eBay Global Shipping Program.

[2gins]

Top tips on keeping the leads in position? My extenders are rotating and no. 8 has become slightly toasted where its gotten intimate with the manifold. I'm thinking about binning the lot, I'll probably go for socks.

[lancelin]

Are there alternatives to Accel 9002C Ceramic Leads. Perhaps I was unlucky but I know quality when I see it. They wouldn’t replace mine under warranty.

[Belle427]

lancelin said:

Are there alternatives to Accel 9002C Ceramic Leads. Perhaps I was unlucky but I know quality when I see it. They wouldn’t replace mine under warranty.

I followed the route of Msd super conductor leads and quality heat socks.
The yank leads do seem to be able to handle the heat much better than ours.
The Msd plug ends are also multi angle meaning they can be moved away from the manifolds, but you need a method of holding them there.
Personally I would try a set of standard quality Bosch leads but invest in the proper heat socks and not ebay specials.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[jojackson4]

Had them on for 3 years
No problem abit of silicon lub when fitting them jobs a good one


As for removing them twist and pull straight A’s above you bend them they will brake
If you buy them made up the ends can be done abit sty

Get them from the states and save some cash and do your own ends

[Twistygit]

Just out of curiosity, what sort of difference in heat is there if the manifolds where ceramic coated or wrapped?

[Chim2018]

Thanks for all your replies.

I think, considering the cost difference, I might go for a decent set of standard leads.

The picture of the socks got me thinking. Would there be a benefit of using them so you can do away with the extenders and put the lead straight onto the plug?

[phillpot]

Chim2018 said:

The picture of the socks got me thinking. Would there be a benefit of using them so you can do away with the extenders and put the lead straight onto the plug?

I thought that was the whole idea of them?

[bobfather]

phillpot said:

I thought that was the whole idea of them?

Correct, the socks allow you to do away with the extenders