Ignition Wires for Honda Integra DC

Ignition wires, or spark plug leads, carry the high voltage from the coil or distributor to each spark plug. They have to do so in the heat of the engine bay without leaking to earth, and without broadcasting interference to the car’s electronics.

A lead loses energy in two ways: through resistance in its core, and through insulation that cracks or tracks, so the spark finds an easier path to earth. The set listed here has a stranded copper core in a double silicone jacket. Silicone stays flexible in engine-bay heat, and copper has very little resistance.

Copper, however, does nothing to suppress the radio-frequency noise each spark creates, which the resistive core of a suppression lead absorbs. With copper-core leads, fit resistor spark plugs, keep the leads away from sensor and ECU wiring, and check that ECU, data logger and radio work without interference.

Leads are made for one engine layout, so check the details before ordering.

• Engine: the title names the cars the set is made for, and the listing names engine versions it does not fit, so confirm the engine code first.
• Lengths and ends: each lead is cut for its cylinder, with boots shaped to clear the head and to suit the cap or coil.

Replace the leads one at a time, so the firing order cannot get mixed up. Push each boot home until it clicks onto the plug terminal, with a little dielectric grease inside. Route the leads in separators, away from hot exhaust parts. Leads of cylinders that fire in sequence should not run side by side, as one can induce a spark in the other.

To remove a lead, twist and pull the boot, never the wire. Check the set for cracks, burn marks and tracking lines, and measure each lead’s resistance with a multimeter if a misfire appears.