im putting in the new plug wires and the ignition end has a very skinny connector. but it almost looks as if its a clamp around a normal connection i dont want to remove this "clamp" if its meant to be there but they are way different looking than the original OEM ones. (and yes i read the leaflet in the box about them maybe looking different but this is way way different ...

 

Can you post a picture of the original and the new wire so we have a better idea what you mean?

 

workin it

 

see attachment

 

What is the part# for the wires you bought, and what year is your truck? The reds are 7MM - won't get much benefit out of them.

 

written right on the side !@#$%^& i just read the side of the box the wire size is the right ones they sent the wrong wires though.... thse say 99-04 except series 1 i was explicitly clear about this .... WTF i even double checked with Linda at apex before she placed the order....im not happy since i had to wait two weeks for these

 

FYI the thickness of a plug wire does not change how it performs. The center conductors that carry the spark are the same size in a 7mm wire as they are in an 8mm wire. The 8mm wire has thicker insulation is all. If you build a lot of under hood heat like a turbo one you will see a difference in performance once the engine got up to temp.

We have done dyno tests at the BMW shop I work at and on the older cars that still use a plug wires we saw zero difference in lap times or power between new OE 6.5mm wires and performance 8mm wires.

 

I was aware that the real protection gain was from the heat in the compartment .. but i did not know that the conductor was the same guage... i guess i made the assumption that everything grows in unity. but now that you say it and i actually think about the 8.5 mm it all makes sense ... thanks

 

These are not BMW's, they are Rovers. I am aware of what the difference is, and with the all aluminum engine, these things have some pretty severe underhood retention. The 8MM are enough to provide protection while still fitting in the holders. The wire looms have to be swapped if you run 8.5MM, that is why we recommend quality 8MM wires to everyone.

Trust me, they make a difference. I didn't know when I bought mine and replaced a bad set with 7MM Bosch wires. I went through 3 sets in 6 months before getting my Magnacors. I am going on 2 years with them and have had no problems since. The Bosch had a lifetime warranty, and I got a free set every time. I have a new set in the box in my garage.

 

They still sent you the wrong type of wire, regardless of the year. Tell them you need the OEM style wire fr your truck. You need wires that fit "inside" like this cap.



They sent you wires for a "post" cap like this one:




Alternatively, if you haven't replaced your cap recently, you can switch to a post style cap and keep the wires they sent you. It's really just a matter of preference. Personally, I prefer the "post" style caps. They secure wires better.