Plug wires

[BBB]

Any suggestions on plug wires for a 2003 Forester? I've heard good
things about Accel's solid (not carbon) wires, but none of the sources
I've checked on the net seem to carry them for Forester, or for that
matter for other contemporary Subarus as well.

One hope is that I might find wires for more common Subaru models that
share the same 2.5 engine. Would all 2.5 engines be identical in terms
of wire length, or are there differences due to different layouts in the
engine compartment?

 

[Bill Putney]

Any suggestions on plug wires for a 2003 Forester? I've heard good
things about Accel's solid (not carbon) wires, but none of the sources
I've checked on the net seem to carry them for Forester, or for that
matter for other contemporary Subarus as well.

One hope is that I might find wires for more common Subaru models that
share the same 2.5 engine. Would all 2.5 engines be identical in terms
of wire length, or are there differences due to different layouts in the
engine compartment?

Unless the boots are of a unique (non-standard) design, which many cars are
these days, the Accels come with extra long wires and unassembled, i.e., you
cut to length and stake the terminals on the end with a special crimp tool
that comes in the set.

But - yeah - if the boots are not of the universal type, then the Accels are
a no-go.

Do a search no "MSW wires" and see what you come up with. I will add that,
typically, OEM wires that are of non-standard boot design are pretty good
these days, so unless the dealer prices are ridiculously high, you might do
Ok with those.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address
with "x")

 

[Jeff]

Pardon me for asking but I am curious why would a 2003 Forester need
new plug wires?

I would stick with the OEM wires and not mess with aftermarket. There
are many dealers on the net that have good prices on OEM Subaru parts.

 

[BBB]

Pardon me for asking but I am curious why would a 2003 Forester need
new plug wires?

I would stick with the OEM wires and not mess with aftermarket. There
are many dealers on the net that have good prices on OEM Subaru parts.

Some discussions that I've read speak of better performance, gas
mileage, etc.


--

 

[Edward Hayes]

Mileage and performance improvements with after market wires??? I think not
if the OEM wires are in good condition. In any case I would not go for wires
one needs to assemble as there is too much chance of problems verses a
molded correct length set. ed

 

[Bill Putney]

...I would not go for wires
one needs to assemble as there is too much chance of problems verses a
molded correct length set.

One would have to be pretty careless to screw up the assembly of the
Accel spiral-wound wires. The spiral-wound solid-wire cores are pretty
indestructable - and once you have them trimmed, you fold the core back
to fit underneath the terminal that gets crimped into place using the
tool that comes with them. My guess is that you made that statement
without having seen how it's done. I've assembled and used them on
several of my cars over the years, and they literally last a lifetime.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

[Edward Hayes]

Yes Bill I have seen them and used then successfully but, I have seen and
heard of problems. So, unless one is handy I still recommend the OEM or
other brand-name molded set. ed

 

[David Rees]

Pardon me for asking but I am curious why would a 2003 Forester need
new plug wires?

I would stick with the OEM wires and not mess with aftermarket. There
are many dealers on the net that have good prices on OEM Subaru parts.

Yeah, modern ignition systems are so good these days that anything other
than OEM is a waste of time.

Upgrading your ignition on an otherwise stock car is a waste of money.

-Dave