Community Forums

jcgribks · 05-06-2014, 06:10 AM

Has anyone with a 454 done away with the stock exhaust manifold spark plug wire heat shields? The little metal cones that bolt onto the exhaust manifold studs.

I'm thinking about trying a set of those Fiberglass Spark Plug boot protectors that are good up to 1500 deg. As in my other post, I have 3 broken exhaust manifold studs broken on one side and I don't have time to drill them out or to change out the heads until June. I have the stock heat shields but 2 of them are not bolted on, just up in place on the plug wires. They might stay put but I don't want to take a chance that they move out of place while going down the road and I burn up more wires and then in turn burn out another oxygen sensor. (which will go bad with raw fuel being dumped down the exhaust because of burnt wires/no spark) which in turn makes the check engine light come on, etc...

So, back to my question, anyone removed the heat shields and ran with the fiberglass boot protectors?

trackman · 05-06-2014, 06:23 AM

Since aftermarket items have come a long way I am open to change. As for the stock plug heat shields I never thought they were very effective. The fiberglass boot is an excellent update.

ga traveler · 05-06-2014, 06:39 AM

I did away with them by using the champion ceramic tip wires. The glass (ceramic) ends on the wires would not burn. All my customers were very happy with doing away with the heatshields. Also the ceramic ends stayed on the plugs much better.

DonDee · 05-06-2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

I did away with them by using the champion ceramic tip wires. The glass (ceramic) ends on the wires would not burn. All my customers were very happy with doing away with the heatshields. Also the ceramic ends stayed on the plugs much better.

Link please??

WeatherTodd · 05-06-2014, 07:14 PM

I did on my old Allegro. I also replaced the stupid manifolds with headers. You will be much happier with the results.

ga traveler · 05-07-2014, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonDee

Link please??

Summit has the Jacobs Ceramic tipped wires. Jacobs is top of the line. They are heavier insulated and have more windings in the wire.

DDDonkey · 05-07-2014, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeatherTodd

I did on my old Allegro. I also replaced the stupid manifolds with headers. You will be much happier with the results.

What headers did you use, and did you have to change the exhaust or were the headers just bolt in (plug and play). I want to do headers but not a new exhaust system. Thank for any input.

WeatherTodd · 05-07-2014, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDDonkey

What headers did you use, and did you have to change the exhaust or were the headers just bolt in (plug and play). I want to do headers but not a new exhaust system. Thank for any input.

I used the Tri Y thorleys. They may be produced under Dougs brand name.

I went with the headers to the optional mandrel formed Y to 3 1/2" single exhaust that exited in front of the rear wheel. The reason for the single was simply the torque increase. No need for duals. I also had a 29" magnaflow muffler on it.

I believe this is the part #. (definitely the same components on my system)
Doug Thorley Thy 306Y2 C Silver Ceramic Coated Exhaust Headers | eBay

jcgribks · 05-07-2014, 11:56 AM

I decided to go with the Accel Ceramic Spark plug wire set instead of the fiberglass boot protectors as I wanted to get a new set of wires anyway. The Accel part number for 95 and earlier NON Vortec 454's is 9024C.

The Jacobs Ceramic set is no longer sold by Summit Racing. The cheapest place for the Accel sets was Amazon at $115. Streetsideauto.com actually had a better price of $106 but didn't have it in stock and wouldn't get any in until the end of the month.

DonDee · 05-07-2014, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

Summit has the Jacobs Ceramic tipped wires. Jacobs is top of the line. They are heavier insulated and have more windings in the wire.

Aha..I asked because I could not find and Champion ceramics as you stated.

terry735001 · 05-07-2014, 02:38 PM

i was told and see alot of the 8.1l parts are the same as the 454 so any updates you can find for the 8.1l could part over to your 454

lonfu · 05-03-2016, 05:11 PM

If you are burning up spark plug boots, then more then likely you have a hidden exhaust leak that needs to be taken care of. I used the fiberglass boots, plus the original heat shields and it still turned the plug boot to goo! Found a crack in the manifold on the backside where it couldn't be seen until removed.

Be sure to use only the expensive GM brand exhaust manifold gaskets. $30 each, not sold in sets, must order 2. The flypro units for 1/8 the price failed after 11k miles.