New guy needs help!!! P0302 misfire Options

[freeriders98]

So I just picked up a 96 GT. Guy I got it from said it had a rough idle and check engine light would come on occasionally. Had a rough idle, but CEL was off when I test drove it. Of course it showed up the next morning...

So here is what I know now. CEL is throwing a P0302 code. It only happens if I let it idle for a bit, like warming it up on a cold morning. Before I drove it home after buying it (4hr drive) I cleared the light it and it never came on.

At idle it is rough, but as soon as it comes about 1000rpm it smooths right out and runs really nice.

I checked the plugs today, all looked good. It has midgrade NGK's in it.

I've been looking for some pointers for a couple days now, and have searched on here.

Most reference a coil/plug set-up. So does my Celica have just a standard single ignition coil mounted on the fire wall?

How likely is it that plug wires are my issue? The ones on it are tiny and look to be a generic set. Would a set of better insulated NGK wires help? I know that wires can get interference and cause some firing issues if not well enough insulated.

And help or input would be great. I'd like to at least narrow it down to 1 or 2 things before I start throwing money at it.

[Box]

Went and looked at pictures of the cap and on the GT it's mounted elsewhere. Though easy enough to find, just follow the middle "plug wire". From the sounds of it you found it anyway. Should be able to find a resistance test for it online to see if that's it or not. From Googling "5S-FE P0302" it seems like a common enough issue. One guy went through and changed all of the fuel and ignition components only to still have the misfire. Possibly could be compression in that one cylinder, which is why it wouldn't hurt to check before spending a lot of money for nothing. Another possibility could be severe carbon buildup. There's literally a dozen right answers, it's just a matter of finding the right one in this instance.