Frequently Asked Questions

ARE TAYLOR CABLE PRODUCTS MADE IN THE USA?
  • YES! Taylor Cable Products are proudly made in the USA. Taylor Cable's Corporate Office and Manufacturing Facility is located in Grandview, Missouri, a Kansas City suburb, housing 100,000 square feet of manufacturing, assembly, and warehouse space.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST WIRES?
  • Taylor Cable's Thundervolt 50 and Thundervolt 8.2mm are the wires with the least amount of reistance (40 Ohms per foot) and will offer the best performance.
I SEE MANY WIRE SETS TO PICK FROM FOR MY VEHICLE. WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET?
  • Choose the diamater of wire you would like. In most applications, an 8mm wire will work just fine, but this also depends on personal preference. Next, determine the amount of resistance you would like. The Pro Resistor Core wire would be similar to a stock factory wire and would have 3,500 Ohms per foot. The StreeThunder series are 500 Ohms per foot. The Thundervolt 50 and 8.2 have 40 Ohms per foot and are the best performance wire.
WHICH IS BEST - MORE OR LESS RESISTANCE?
  • Many believe that a higher resistance (number of Ohms per foot) is better, but the opposite is true. The lower the resistance of the wire, the less energy is lost from that resistance.
HOW DO I TEST MY WIRES TO SEE IF THEY ARE STILL GOOD?
  • To check the resistance of the wires, use a multi-meter to test the resistance (Ohms) of the leads. Once you have read the resistance of the wire, divide that number by the length of the wire (inches) and this will give you the Ohms per inch. Then multiply the Ohms per inch by 12 to get the Ohms per foot. (700 Ohms / 24" long = 29.16 Ohms per inch x 12 = 300 Ohms).
WHAT SHOULD THE OHMS PER FOOT BE ON MY WIRES?

  • ThunderVolt 50 = 40 Ohms

  • ThunderVolt 8.2 = 40 Ohms

  • StreeThunder = 500 Ohms

  • 409 Pro Race = 350 Ohms

  • 8mm Spiro Pro = 350 Ohms

  • 8mm Pro Wire Resistor Core = 3,500 Ohms

  • Full Metal Jacket = 350 Ohms

  • Extreme Service = 350 Ohms

  • SST = 500 Ohms

  • 8mm High Energy = 5,000 Ohms

HOW LONG SHOULD MY WIRES LAST?
  • Most OE (original equipment) wires should last around 4 years or 60,000 miles. Since Taylor wires use a spiral wound core and 100% silicone insulation, these wires will not break down over time, and if they are not physicallly damaged, should last the life of a daily driven vehicle. On race applications, because of higher temperatures and the fact that the wires are removed and reinstalled more often, they should be checked every season.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEI (HIGH ENERGY IGNITION) AND SOCKET CONNECTORS?
  • HEI is a distributor cap style with a male post on top. Socket connectors are for a female distributor cap (points style cap)and use brass terminals that insert into the cap.
WHAT DO I DO IF A SPARK PLUG TERMINAL PULLS OFF?
  • In a pinch you could reuse the terminal and crimp it with pliers, but this should only be done as a temporary fix. You should always use a new terminal and a spark plug terminal crimper to attach it. Cut off about a 1/2 inch of wire, then strip off about 1/2 inch of insulation, exposing the core. Crimp on the new terminal.
DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL TOOLS TO CRIMP ON THE TERMINALS?
  • You will need a spark plug terminal crimping tool in order to obtain the correct crimp. These can be found at most any parts store or puchased from us. Also, you do not want to use cable coaxial crimpers or pliers as these can compress and crush the core of the wire.
HOW MUCH DIELECTRIC GREASE OR LUBRICANT SHOULD I USE?
  • Apply a thin coat on the inside of the spark plug boot, distributor boot and coil boot. Use a clean cotton swab or similar tool to apply.
DOES A LARGER DIAMETER WIRE OFFER BETTER PERFORMANCE?
  • The diameter of the wire does not determine performance. A larger diameter wire will have a higher dielectric strength which is needed in high compression engines or applications with large amounts of boost. Larger diameter wires will also help protect the core from damage and last longer in high heat applications.
HOW LONG IS THE BATTERY CABLE IN THE BATTERY BOX / RELOCATION KITS?
  • The battery box and single trunk relocation kits include 16 feet of red battery cable and 20 inches of black battery cable. The Side-by-Side Dual Mount (#48500) comes with 17 feet Red and 36 inch Black cable. The Pro-Competition Dual Mount (#48600) comes with 16 feet Red and 18 inches black cable. It also comes with 1-6 foot red and 1-6 inch black 2-gauge cable.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BATTERY CABLE AND WELDING CABLE?
  • Battery cable has thicker strands of wire and stiffer insulation that will hold up better to abrasion. Welding cable has thinner stranding and a more pliable insulation that makes it much more flexible and easier to route. Generally, if you plan to run the cable under the vehicle along the frame, you would want to use a battery cable. If your run is going to route the cable through the interior of the vehicle, you would use welding cable, but make sure to protect the cable near sharp corners.
WHICH WIRES SHOULD BE USED FOR RV'S, DULLY, TOW AND SERVICE VEHICLES?
  • Taylor's Extreme Service series wire sets (#996xx) are the absolute best for high heat, severe service and high performance applications. They provide protection up to 1,500 degrees farenheit with 102,000 volts dielectric strength and a resistance of 350 Ohms per foot.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET MY VERTEX MAGNETO SERVICED?
  • This depends on how much you are using it. If you are running your car alot, you will probably need it serviced annually. Otherwise, every two or three years or seasons will most likely be sufficient.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OAC VERTEX MAGNETO AND AN OXC VERTEX MAGNETO?
  • The OAC competition model is a self-contained unit and has an internal coil. Amperage for the OAC = 1.3 AMP. The OXC Super Competition model has an external coil and is used for more high output applications. Amperage for the OXC = 2 AMP. It is used for maximum voltage output with a long duration spark and has been designed for engines using superchargers, exotic fuels and high compression engines.
WHAT SHOULD THE SPARK PLUG GAP AND THE POINT GAP BE WHEN USING THE VERTEX MAGNETO?
  • You should run a tight plug gap, 0.018" - 0.028". Much wider than this and it may end up arcing to other objects inside the mag. Point gap should be 0.015".
WHAT TYPE OF WIRES SHOULD I USE WITH A VERTEX MAGNETO?
  • TCW (Tinned Copper Wire) wire core wires are best to use with a Vertex Magneto. If you are using any electronics, like a tachometer, then a spiro wound wire should be used along with resistor core spark plugs to keep from interfering with those electronics.
HOW DO I INSTALL A TACHOMETER WITH A VERTEX MAGNETO?
  • To use an electronic tachometer with a Vertex Magneto, you will need to purchase a tachometer signal converter (available from Auto Meter or MSD). You will also need to use a spiro wound ignition wire and resistor spark plugs to prevent interference with the tach.
DOES THE HELIX POWER TOWER REALLY WORK?
  • Since 1997, Street & Performance Electronics spent thousands of dollars in research & development, data acquisition equipment, and thousands of man hours to produce a product that the general public can purchase, install and enjoy. Using simple properties of internal combustion engines, if you supply more air and fuel into the combustion chamber, you can produce more power. Installation of the Helix Power Tower induces more air into the engine (5-8%), the fuel injection senses this presence and increases the fuel delivery. In turn, the extra power gained will let your foot ease from the accelerator. Up goes the fuel economy. The secret is torque. The more torque delivered to the wheels the better the throttle response, the better the power, and better fuel economy.
WILL THIS BLOW UP MY VEHICLE?
  • Installing the Helix Power Tower is increasing the power level of the engine from 8-25 rear-wheel horsepower. If your engine expires due to this increase, there is really something else wrong. Most engine applications are designed with a tolerance of +10% and installing this product usually can fall in the 5-7% range.
I STILL HAVE THE FACTORY AIR INTAKE ON MY VEHICLE, WILL THIS WORK?
  • Yes, the Helix Power Tower works well. All testing is done with stock hardware installed to provide gains above stock.
I DO NOT HAVE THE FACTORY AIR INTAKE SYSTEM ON MY VEHICLE, WILL THIS STILL WORK?
  • Yes, in most cases. But, there are a few that just will not fit because the air intake manufacturer uses all the necessary room to make their product fit. Taylor Cable Products either has an air intake system to fit those difficult applications or a simple modification or work-around to adapt the after market air intake with the installation of the Helix power Tower.
I GET A WHISTLING NOISE AS I ACCELERATE, IS THIS NORMAL?
  • The first design would whistle, because of the sharp edge of the spiral. On the second design, a small hiss may be heard. Vehicles with an aftermarket air intake may amplify the hiss, as it acts as a megaphone and may make the noise louder than normal.
I DO NOT FEEL ANY DIFFERENCE IN MY VEHICLE AFTER I INSTALLED THE HELIX POWER TOWER. WHY?
  • Each application has been tested for gains. There may be some situations though, that may cause this issue. The general tune of the vehicle, fuel pressure, restrictions, etc. While trouble shooting some issues, the following have been found: wrong spark plugs, clogged fuel filters, even incorrect ignition timing. Remember, these products were tested on stock, unmodified vehicles. Other modifications may interfere or hinder expected performance gains.
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AFTER INSTALLING THE HELIX POWER TOWER. WHY?
  • Review all connections that may have been removed or disconnected during the installation. Make sure they are properly reconnected and correctly installed. If that is not the case, verify the mounting gasket correct position. Do all of the holes line-up against the throttle body and/or the Helix Power Tower? Recheck any and all vacuum lines that may have become disconnected during installation.
MY VEHICLE USES MORE FUEL THAN BEFORE, IS THIS SOMETHING THE HELIX POWER TOWER OR AIRMAX DOES?
  • It is possible for this to occur. A couple of things to look for are: Is the driving style different than before, new product installed you would like to see how it does. If many items were installed during the Helix Power Tower installation, revert most back to stock and retest your mileage and then one-by-one reinstall your other upgrades.
DO I HAVE TO CUT, WELD OR SOMETHING TO INSTALL THE AIRMAX?
  • No. Simply, follow the instruction to install the AirMax. Remove the OE air intake system and install the AirMax, tighten a sealing clamp or two and its installed. No cutting, no modifications to the OE air intake. So if you did decide to transfer your AirMax to another like truck, everything is there to reinstall the OE system.
MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON AFTER INSTALLING THE AIRMAX AIR INTAKE. WHY?
  • Review all connections that may have been removed or disconnected during the installation. Make sure they are properly reconnected and correctly installed. Make sure all of the sealing clamps are firmly tightened and correctly installed.