Vortec 8.1 Popping or Misfire Under Load

[Isaac-1]

$785 for AC Delco plugs and wires is insane, A full set of 41-101 AC Delco plugs is only $80 from a reputable seller, and just about the most expensive spark plug wires you can buy for the 8.1L is the Magnum Extreme plug wires from Ultra RV products (well worth the money in my opinion) is only $285, add on another maybe 1 hour of labor at $150 per hour, and you are still well short of $785

 

[TheBar]

Magnum Extreme plug wires from Ultra RV products (well worth the money in my opinion) is only $285,

$285 RV specific plug wires are insane to me. Why not use higher spec wires from Summit Racing or JEGS that are competition proven for half that price?

 

[Isaac-1]

Because i burned through 2 sets of $145 Taylor Extreme plug wire sets in under 10,000 miles on my coach, before investing in a set of the Ultra RV Magnum Extreme plug wires which are still working nearly 25,000 miles later.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

$785 for plugs and wires !!
You need a new mechanic.

I wouldn't say that until you try to access them on an 8.1L in a motorhome chassis.

 

[garyb1st]

Because i burned through 2 sets of $145 Taylor Extreme plug wire sets in under 10,000 miles on my coach, before investing in a set of the Ultra RV Magnum Extreme plug wires which are still working nearly 25,000 miles later.

This from the original owners service records.

June 2008 Ultrapower performance power with Platinum plugs and Taylor wires installed.
March 2009. #3 plug wire came loose.
June 2009. #2 taylor plug wire bad.

Each time the owner brought the Pace in because it was misfiring while taking off and under load.

Even though the price is high, I think the Wizard has a valid point. The Pace is getting new plugs and wires today.

 

[garyb1st]

New plugs and wires installed. Mechanic said all the plugs were in bad shape and needed to be replaced. With 65,000 miles of wear over the past 17 years that's pretty good service.

The mechanic also said the wires were in good shape. He left me the old wires and said he would not charge to put them back in if there is any issue with the new wires. We'll take the Pace out for a test run and report back.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

The primary issue I've read about with wires and the 8.1 is heat from the exhaust manifold roasting the plug boots. Maybe the ultraEV wires come with heat resistant boots or sleeves. Mine still has OEM wires and plugs. Prolly pushing my luck at this age and miles but am reluctant to mess with something that works.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Keep us posted how this turns out. I think you've found the problem hopefully.

 

[Isaac-1]

The Ultra RV Magnum Extreme plug wires are not conventional plug wires, they use a a solid stainless steel core with silver plated copper coating and are sleeved with a fiberglass sock. How much of that is a sales pitch I don't know, what I know is mine are still working 8+ years later.