When upgrading a junkyard LS engine, one of the most impactful changes you can make is swapping out the old, worn-out ignition system for a high-performance setup. The stock coils and plug wires that come with a junkyard LS engine may get the job done, but they severely limit the engine’s potential for power and efficiency. By replacing them with superior ignition components from Performance Distributors with their SOS (Sultans Of Spark) coils and LiveWires spark plug wires, you can unlock your engine’s true capabilities and avoid a myriad of frustrating issues down the road.

Upgrading your ignition system to SOS coils and LiveWires when adding power proactively prevents misfires, poor response, and other issues the factory system can’t handle.

The Factory Ignition System: A Bottleneck to Performance

The ignition system is the heart of your engine, responsible for generating the spark that ignites the fuel mixture in the cylinders. The factory coils and plug wires on an LS engine are adequate for stock power levels, but they quickly become a bottleneck when you start modifying the engine for more power. We reached out to Brian Caruth of Performance Distributors to get more information on this matter. “Installing the SOS Coils and LiveWires will undoubtedly increase power over a junkyard ignition system.”  Caruth continues, “Horsepower gains will vary depending on the engine and certain factors such as stock or modified, naturally aspirated or boosted and if it has high mileage or is a fresh build. Based on field testing, customer feedback and dyno results, we estimate horsepower gains to be in the 5-to-15-horsepower range.”

Old, used junkyard coil packs can lack the voltage output to effectively jump a large plug gap. This results in a weak spark that can lead to misfires, poor throttle response, and decreased power output. Additionally, the stock plug wires are prone to high resistance and heat damage, further degrading the spark energy that reaches the plugs.

Worn-out coils and plug wires can cause erratic engine behavior, trouble codes, and decreased performance. Reusing the factory ignition system may seem like a good idea to save money upfront, but it could lead to time-consuming problems and decreased performance in the long run.

SOS Coils: Unleashing the Power of a Hotter Spark

SOS Coils can be a game-changer compared to coils that have been bolted onto an LS that have racked up the miles and are sitting in a junkyard. SOS Coils offer significantly higher voltage output than factory coils. They deliver a robust 40,000 volts of spark energy, a 60-percent increase over the 25,000 volts from standard coils. The increased voltage leads Performance Distributors to suggest opening the plug gaps to .065-inch for the best performance on naturally aspirated engines. 

Customers have reported quicker starting, smoother idle, improved throttle response and more grunt throughout the RPM range. — Brian Caruth

The increased spark energy from SOS coils translates to real-world performance gains. On a supercharged LS engine, swapping to SOS coils resulted in a staggering 26 horsepower and 24 lb-ft of torque increase at the wheels. Even on naturally aspirated engines, gains of 5 to 12 horsepower throughout the RPM range are common.

But, the benefits of SOS coils extend beyond just raw power increases. The hotter, more consistent spark they provide also leads to quicker starting, smoother idling, and improved throttle response. For LS enthusiasts looking to maximize their engine’s potential, SOS coils are a must-have upgrade.

Dyno Testing the SOS Coils Upgrade

We conducted our own dyno testing on a built CTS-V to see the performance gains from the SOS coils. The car already featured a Lingenfelter 378-liter engine with an LSA supercharger upgrade and a larger Lingenfelter intercooler package, making it the perfect candidate to showcase the benefits of the SOS coils.

The increased spark energy from SOS coils translates to real-world performance gains. On this supercharged LS engine, swapping to SOS coils resulted in a staggering 26 horsepower and 24 lb-ft of torque increase at the wheels.

LiveWires: The Perfect Companion to SOS Coils

While SOS coils generate an incredibly hot spark, that energy is meaningless if it can’t reach the plugs efficiently. This is where LiveWires spark plug wires come in. Designed specifically to complement SOS coils, LiveWires offer ultra-low resistance and increased heat protection to ensure maximum spark energy transfer.

An 8mm spiral core wire with a durable and lasting silicone jacket and synthetic outer braided cover keeps the LiveWires temperatures down and the outside looking cool.

Unlike factory plug wires, LiveWires feature a high-temperature sleeve made from heat-treated glass braid that protects up to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. This prevents the wire from degrading due to extreme temperatures under the hood, a common issue with stock wires. Inside the sleeve is an 8mm spiral core wire with a durable silicone jacket, offering an extremely low resistance value of 300 to 350 Ohms per foot.

LiveWires are also custom fit to each specific LS engine application, eliminating the hassle of universal wire sets that require assembly. With numbered boots on both ends, installation is a breeze. Plus, they come with a tube of dielectric grease to prevent voltage leakage and ensure the boots and terminals slide on and off the plugs smoothly.

Real-World Results and Customer Feedback

The combination of SOS coils and LiveWires has proven to deliver substantial performance gains in real-world testing. Performance Distributors has had multiple customers report transformative improvements in their engine’s behavior, including quicker starting, smoother idling, and more aggressive throttle response. For LS enthusiasts struggling with a weak factory ignition system, SOS coils and LiveWires are a revelation.

“The feedback we have received by customers using our SOS coils versus the stock coils has been nothing but positive,” said Caruth. “Customers have reported quicker starting, smoother idle, improved throttle response, and more grunt throughout the RPM range. Switching to the SOS Coils and LiveWires spark plug wires will generally cure any hesitation, random misfires, reduced power, and poor fuel economy problems.”

Perfect for both naturally aspirated and boosted applications.

Optimizing the rest of the ignition system is important to get the most out of SOS coils and LiveWires Performance Distributors says, “The most notable mistakes that are made with the SOS Coils are not re-gapping the plugs wider to take advantage of the increased spark energy. Another mistake is using stock or low-budget plug wires with high resistance values that decrease spark intensity at the plug,” explains Caruth.

Available in over eight different colors, LiveWires can be customized in color and length for your build.

To take advantage of the SOS Coils on boosted engines, it’s recommended to run a smaller plug gap to prevent spark blowout. Generally, a .005-to-.010-inch larger gap can be run over the suggested plug gap recommended by the manufacturer of the power adder. Experimentation may be necessary to find the perfect gap for your specific combination.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

While the upgrade to Performance Distributors SOS coils and LiveWires is relatively straightforward, there are a few common mistakes to avoid. Failing to re-gap the spark plugs wider is a common oversight. Skipping this step prevents the engine from taking full advantage of the increased spark energy. Running the SOS coils with stock or low-quality plug wires is another mistake, as these wires can’t handle the higher voltage output and will degrade the spark.

You can ensure your engine runs at its absolute best by pairing Performance Distributors SOS coils with LiveWires and optimizing the plug gap. The performance gains and improved drivability will be transformative, making the upgrade well worth the investment.

The factory ignition system on a junkyard LS engine is a severe bottleneck to performance, prone to issues like misfires, poor throttle response, and decreased power output. By upgrading to Performance Distributors SOS coils and LiveWires, you can unlock your engine’s potential for power and efficiency.