I have done quite a bit of research on the advantages of using "higher end" spark plugs vs. replacement OEM plugs. I have read opinions from both sides of the coin, and haven't really made up my mind as to what direction I would like to go. I seriously doubt I'd see any performance gains from using the more expensive plugs, although they may have a tendancy to last longer than OEM. However, at sometime three & four times the price, I could keep a new set of replacement plugs in every 30K. My question to all of you who are up on this sort of thing is what would you suggest? I'm coming up on my initial 30K service, and changing the plugs is one of the things "recommended" in the service manual. Any suggestions will be appreciated!!
Re: Spark plug recommendations -
10-17-2006, 10:19 AM
My suggestion is really pretty simple. If your car is unmodified the factory spark plug will work well for you and cause you no problems. When you start to modify vehicles by using custom chips, tuners, modified timing curves, changing injectors, nitrous, blowers, headers, hotter ignition systems and the list goes on, there are advantages to using something like a Denso Iridium plug (brand not necessarily important, though I do like NipponDenso). You're correct when you say that they can run 3 times the price of the factory plug. A spark plug in reality has a very simple job to do. All major brands understand this task and do it equally well.
When you get into a situation where you are modifying the timing curve or pressurizing a cylinder then other considerations need to be looked into. The heat range of a plug as well as the gap will likely be changed. Some of the more exotic materials in spark plugs are of benefit in these circumstances too. When adding boost to a cylinder it is not uncommon to literally blow the plugs flame front out and cause a misfire. Hence hotter ignitions, narrow gaps and different heat ranges come into play.
If money isn't an object buy the Iridiums, they too will cause you no problems and you'll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have one of the best products available. If money is a consideration buy the stock plugs. After everything is said and done, if no other changes are being made to a vehicle you won't notice the difference in performance. One last thing comes to mind, should you have a vehicle that is an oil burner at times you can bump the heat range of a plug up a notch and help the plugs live somewhat longer before they become oil fouled.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Liberty is ours to lose. Stand tall, stand firm, stand together!
Re: Spark plug recommendations -
10-17-2006, 11:09 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GearHead_1
My suggestion is really pretty simple. If your car is unmodified the factory spark plug will work well for you and cause you no problems. When you start to modify vehicles by using custom chips, tuners, modified timing curves, changing injectors, nitrous, blowers, headers, hotter ignition systems and the list goes on, there are advantages to using something like a Denso Iridium plug (brand not necessarily important, though I do like NipponDenso). You're correct when you say that they can run 3 times the price of the factory plug. A spark plug in reality has a very simple job to do. All major brands understand this task and do it equally well.
When you get into a situation where you are modifying the timing curve or pressurizing a cylinder then other considerations need to be looked into. The heat range of a plug as well as the gap will likely be changed. Some of the more exotic materials in spark plugs are of benefit in these circumstances too. When adding boost to a cylinder it is not uncommon to literally blow the plugs flame front out and cause a misfire. Hence hotter ignitions, narrow gaps and different heat ranges come into play.
If money isn't an object buy the Iridiums, they too will cause you no problems and you'll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have one of the best products available. If money is a consideration buy the stock plugs. After everything is said and done, if no other changes are being made to a vehicle you won't notice the difference in performance. One last thing comes to mind, should you have a vehicle that is an oil burner at times you can bump the heat range of a plug up a notch and help the plugs live somewhat longer before they become oil fouled.
Very Well said and that about covers it. I use the Denso Iridium plugs in my truck (I am Supercharged )and I agree with Gearhead they make a great plug.
And the cost for them is actually about the same as a regular Platinum plug.I know the A C Delco plugs actually cost more than the Denso's. I am glad however to see you want to change the plugs out at 30k and more people need to think this way. I know the Auto manufactures try to use the No Tune Up until 100k but trust me no plug last that long and sometimes if you wait that long they will not even come out due to carbon build up.
Richard
1997 Ford F150 4x4 Pacific Green w/HOK Kandy Green Flames 2006 Mustang GT
Re: Spark plug recommendations -
10-17-2006, 11:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by 97F1504x4
I am glad however to see you want to change the plugs out at 30k and more people need to think this way. I know the Auto manufactures try to use the No Tune Up until 100k but trust me no plug last that long and sometimes if you wait that long they will not even come out due to carbon build up.
Richard
I too am glad to see people with this mind set. Ignition systems today have the ability to put 100,000 volts through the system. The electrodes on plugs wear, PERIOD. Some quicker than others but they all wear. As the wear on the electrode begins the gap of the spark plug increases. As the gap increases, more voltage is required to fire the plug (typically there is plenty of voltage just laying around to cover just such wear). There comes a point in time that this wear does affect performance often times where you don't look for it but in the vehicles gas mileage.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Liberty is ours to lose. Stand tall, stand firm, stand together!
Re: Spark plug recommendations -
10-17-2006, 11:34 AM
Just for more clarification, I would be willing to spend the money if I could see a tangible difference in one over the other. I think the more I read, I will probably go with the factory Denso or NGK plugs (whichever is in the Toyota 1GR-FE engine).
I am a real stickler for maintenance. The 30K service calls for plug changes as well as diff fluid change along with the normally scheduled oil & filter change. I guess that's been passed won to me from grandfather & father. Take care of what you have.
GearHead_1's right on the money with his first post,
I did the NGK V plugs in a 1993 4.7 stock motor 50k, to see if it would get rid of a cold lope... the truck would lope like it has a full cam in it cold. does not do it all the time.
The plugs did not solve the problem, nor did they change the performance or fuel mileage one iota. I think I paid $ 4.00+ per plug. No savings there.
As far as Platinum plugs go even I have had veh that did not like them... it is a shot in the dark if the veh is going to like the plugs or not.
I still have Police Crown Vic's with factory plugs in them and there mileage is around 70k... on the odometer, but we usually triple the mileage on the odometer because of the idling time so that would make 200k estimated miles on the engine. I have had the same style car go 45k and burn the plugs right out of them...so it's going to be trial and error.
i put NGK GPower plugs in my old 4 banger 2 litre VW golf and it definately helped with my intake and magnaflow exhaust as for now with a ranger pickup truck and no mods to the engine im just using oem spec plugs probably ac delco or something similar . bosch who knows i havent bothered to play with it since it got cert etested .
NGK, copper plugs for better spark but needs to be replaced more often, 20k
Platinum do not conduct sprak as well as copper but for most daily drive cars this does not matter and you will get 60k out of them
Iridiums are most expensive but conduct spark better then platium and last 100k
Autolites are good but I only run these in Ford cars
Re: Spark plug recommendations -
07-14-2009, 12:53 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaredPointer
I have done quite a bit of research on the advantages of using "higher end" spark plugs vs. replacement OEM plugs. I have read opinions from both sides of the coin, and haven't really made up my mind as to what direction I would like to go. I seriously doubt I'd see any performance gains from using the more expensive plugs, although they may have a tendancy to last longer than OEM. However, at sometime three & four times the price, I could keep a new set of replacement plugs in every 30K. My question to all of you who are up on this sort of thing is what would you suggest? I'm coming up on my initial 30K service, and changing the plugs is one of the things "recommended" in the service manual. Any suggestions will be appreciated!!
Platinum plugs last longer than non platinum plugs. Today a lot of cars use platinum plugs which can go 150,000 miles before needing a change.
That beats the heck out of every 10,000 miles.
If you use a fuel cleaner to keep the carbon output down both plugs will give optimum performance but the Platinum plug will not burn out from head or loose its gap.
Save time, less work in the long run.
Re: Spark plug recommendations -
07-14-2009, 09:23 AM
I know GM make 3-4 different iridium types of plugs.The top of the line plugs are more expensive but they say are worth the extra money. Its in most cases 8-12 dollars each depending where you buy the plugs. They say the plugs are good for 100-k miles before a change should be required. The technology today is much different than the old time champion plugs used when I started driving.
I change plugs at 60-70 -k miles and have never seen any unusual problems when getting them out. I am sure its much like oil change intervals, some say 3000-k some 5000-k and some even higher.
Maine state police use Mobil diesel synthetic 15x40 oil in the ford 4.6 gas crown Victoria's.They change at 10,000. The ford speck is sae 5w20 in this application. They have not had any oil related problems and this has not made any warranty problems with ford. Ford also said this vehicle can use up to 1 qt of oil every 1000 miles and is normal ( sounds funny ha )
Portland PD also uses fleet 15x40 in every vehicle the city has.
Back to plugs, it's up to the person when and why. I would myself rather change out the plugs earlier than later. That's why they make Chevy's and fords its your choice.
Spark plug recommendations -
10-17-2006, 09:31 AM
Re: Spark plug recommendations -
07-14-2009, 09:23 AM
I know GM make 3-4 different iridium types of plugs.The top of the line plugs are more expensive but they say are worth the extra money. Its in most cases 8-12 dollars each depending where you buy the plugs. They say the plugs are good for 100-k miles before a change should be required. The technology today is much different than the old time champion plugs used when I started driving.
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