If I improve ignition system would I get better mileage?

Question

I have a 1990 2.3 liter Ford Ranger and I was thinking about putting 8.5mm wires and a new set of plugs in. What I'm thinking is that it will improve my combustion where it don't work as hard to send the piston down. Tell me what you think?

Answer 1

The improvement will be proportional to the extent that the old system was bad. It can't hurt to upgrade, it can't hurt the mileage.

Answer 2

I have heard pros and cons for 8.5mm wires vs. stock wires. One was that you're wasting your money with the 8.5 wires since a new set of stock wires will deliver just as much. But, I went ahead and put the Moroso Blue Max on along with MSD ignition, etc. I also used Bosch platinum plugs which I changed about every 25-35K. Can't say that it improved my mileage as I was running Gibson headers and exhaust with K&N filter, TBI spacer, and a Superchip. I never had any ignition problems though. :-)

http://www.moroso.com/articles/articledisplay3.asp?article=AboutSpiralCore.html

Answer 3

New wires and platinum plugs will help your engine run great, as for increasing your mileage, it will like 2-3 miles per gallon versus bad plugs and burnt wires. For better mileage try opening the exhaust and intake..... get a cold air intkae for the engine and a high flowing muffler, like a flowmaster or magnaflow.

Answer 4

You would only get better mileage if your present ignition system is not performing up to factory specifications. Maximum fuel economy is already available from the factory ignition system as long as it is performing properly. "Over capacity" and "extra capacity" ignition components will not improve fuel economy as their greater spark capacity and better conduction wires simply are not required or needed. The vehicle manufacturers already spend a fortune on research. If fuel economy could be improved simply by installing heavier conductor ignition wires, "hotter" spark coils or exotic spark plugs, they would already be using them.

Answer 5

If you live in a state that requires smog checks (like California) you should be really careful what modifications you make to your engine because your engine might start failing its smog tests.

Answer 6

sure,anytime you upgrade,you get better performance.when a motor is running better,the better the gas mileage it will be,as long as your fuel system is up to par,like a new gas filter.