WTF!! $440.65 plug wires??

Newbie

Newbie

New Member
Oct 22, 2007
858
Apex, NC
Boat Info
'01 230BR
Engines
350mag B3,
Thats the most absurd price I've seen for a set of eight plug wires :wow: In dealing with my issues of my 8.1 I figured I'd replace the plug wires just to eliminate the possibility of them being part of the cause. Merc replacement wires at a discount supplier are $440.65 cents, and thats a discount off of the $518.40 list price.

Somebody's gonna have to give me a real good reason not to use automotive wires for $50 bucks here. :smt013
SB
 
Next question. Anyone know what parts on the 8.1 are standard GM parts and not mercruiser specific? I'd imagine the injectors would be GM issue along with the coil pack. These types of parts are always 1/3-1/4 price when auto vs merc. Sure would be nice to know whats interchangeable.
SB
 
Since 68 people have looked at this so far and no one has answered, I'll give it a try.....I personally know of no reason automotive wires wouldn't work fine. I would think all electronic parts, including injectors, would interchange. Things like water pumps, and of course exhaust manifolds, stuff that's exposed to water, and subject to corrosion are a different matter.
 
I'm not positive, but I think that price may include the coils....each wire has it's own coil.
 
I thought maybe the same but, no they don't. Coil packs are an extra 100 bucks each.

I know many if not most parts are not interchangeable. Issues like ign protection, maybe some coatings etc but I can't imagine Merc uses specific injectors from a 3rd source or they're own development. Wires, they're not from GM but damn for sure are not worth 440 bucks. I'm going to pick up a set of AC Delco's this week just to see if the length's are the same. A plug wire is a plug wire and as far as I'm concerned, if it will work in a Chevy 2500 8.1, it will work in my sea ray. I have found that the merc 8.1 uses a 42lb injector, now I just need to see what a standard GM 8.1 vortec uses. Coil packs look identical to GM's coil pack which are 1/2 price. Gotta do some more digging I guess.
 
If the parts are for a boat, just stick on an extra zero ! I get my Merc parts from the USA and still are 1/10th the price they are here in Australia. The thing that bugs me, the boxes and bags the stuff comes in is marked " Made in China ". Go figure ???
 
Newbie said:
Thats the most absurd price I've seen for a set of eight plug wires :wow: In dealing with my issues of my 8.1 I figured I'd replace the plug wires just to eliminate the possibility of them being part of the cause. Merc replacement wires at a discount supplier are $440.65 cents, and thats a discount off of the $518.40 list price.

Somebody's gonna have to give me a real good reason not to use automotive wires for $50 bucks here. :smt013
SB
Click to expand...

I'm with you. There is no way in life those wires should cost that much!! If you can't get the right fitment using the GM wires, think about buying a spool of good Mallory Silicone TVRS spark plug cable, the fittings, boots and the crimping tool. Make your own friggin wires for less than half of the price and then you will have something good for sure!!:thumbsup: Or go to Jeggs Performance on line and get this set http://www.jegs.com/i/Granatelli/467/28-1712S/10002/-1
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't do anything until you find out for sure whether they are the same or if there are some special resistors or something in the lines. Not a place to be fooling around. Talk about ingnition source!!!!!!!
 
Hampton said:
I wouldn't do anything until you find out for sure whether they are the same or if there are some special resistors or something in the lines. Not a place to be fooling around. Talk about ignition source!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Thats kinda what I'm thinking. Thats why I'm going to try the wires for a 2500 GMC with an 8.1 first. I can't imagine theres anything special but who knows.

Awe crap, just looked at the link by sprink for jegs. If that pic is actually for the 8.1vortec, they wont work. The coils are mounted on the intake manifold and apparently with a truck app, they are routed in between each exhaust port to the plug. On a boat, because of the manifolds, they have to be routed around then under them. Bastards.

I'll still check this week on AC Delco wires.
 
My vote, due to past experience with several boats, is go automotive. Napa stores have a marine cross reference that will tell you what they can provide for your application at a better price.
 
Sorry I can't be more specific, but I recently replaced the wires on my boat with marine ones. The mercruiser wires were super expensive, so I got a universal marine set and made 'em. Kind of like using accel wires for your vehicle, but they were marine grade. I had two different people tell me that marine plug wires were made with a special insulation and some kind of non-corrosive (maybe a type of stainless that conducts well) core. They said that the wires will last forever, and there was a difference between marine and automotive. I still replaced mine because some of the boots were ripped off.

I am all for using non-marine specific parts whenever possible; those bastards jack the prices for no reason at all:smt013.
Example - my new stainless grill came from Lowe's for 70 bucks - the Magma that looks exactally the same is 289.
 
I like the bulk wire option myself. Get a spool of marine grade wire and connectors and a crimping tool and make the wires yourself. That price is way out in left field. For that money, they should have solid gold cores.
 
Newbie said:
Thats the most absurd price I've seen for a set of eight plug wires :wow: In dealing with my issues of my 8.1 I figured I'd replace the plug wires just to eliminate the possibility of them being part of the cause. Merc replacement wires at a discount supplier are $440.65 cents, and thats a discount off of the $518.40 list price.

Somebody's gonna have to give me a real good reason not to use automotive wires for $50 bucks here. :smt013
SB
Click to expand...

I'm with Hampton on this one. The wrong wires could pose a serious potential hazzard. That kind of money for plug wires is stupid. Go to another marine dealer and purchase the kit to make your own wires, should work out to 1/3 the cost. Always go marine parts only, that's the safe thing to do,yes, always more expensive but gassers are explosive machines so not worth taking the chance.
 
https://www.mercurypartsexpress.com...hp?target=cart&cart_id=4166706675&mode=delete 863656A 1WIRE SET-SPK PLG $116.50 863657A 1WIRE-COIL $33.20 863704T COIL-IGNITION $205.90
Based on what I'm seeing at MercuryMarine.com

WIRE SET-SPK PLG and WIRE-COIL are 2 seperate things but the image they both look like wires.

I'm not a mechanic but I would guess that the WIRE COIL is 1 wire that goes from the COIL IGNITION to the Rotor/Distributor and the WIRE SET goes from the Disitributor to each Spark Plug.

Either way no where near your $400 price tag.
 
yes napa have marine wire I use them on my 454 perfect and less than 100$
 
FYI.....the coils and wires on these vortec 8.1s are not like your father's oldsmobile....No cap...No rotor....each cylinder has it's own coil....

vortec81.jpg
 
Here's the rest.....and especially for you guys that have been looking for the torque curves....

vortec812.jpg



vortec813.jpg
 
Thanks Dom, good info there. 8.1 wires are specific and diff than say a 7.4. Apparently there is a special stainless winding and Kevlar core. I found more info but I'll type it at home and noty phone
 
Newbie said:
Thanks Dom, good info there. 8.1 wires are specific and diff than say a 7.4. Apparently there is a special stainless winding and Kevlar core. I found more info but I'll type it at home and noty phone
Click to expand...

What the heck is a "notty phone"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,238
Messages
1,429,060
Members
61,119
Latest member
KenBoat
Back
Top