(I posted this earlier but some how it disappeared) Spark plug technology it has come a long way or has it? On my off topic Ford truck I purchased a set of Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion plugs for the 302. Everything I have read about them would seem to indicate that they perform better than a set of OE plugs. At $8 bucks a plug they better damn well live up to their claims! Bosch also claims (on their packaging) that if you don't feel a difference they will refund your money. A very bold claim. If I can get 15mpg out my truck Ford truck I will happy. Yes, I also plan on replacing the wires, cap and rotor. What plugs do you guys run and why? Is there really a difference or is it marketing hype? I'd like to hear educated opinions from those who have more technical experience with engine electrical systems.
Personally, in my almost 20 years as a driveability tech I've found that whatever came OE in the car is usually what it performs best with. In the case of my '52 Olds I put in AC plugs. With my '55 F100 I run Motorcraft. In my Jeep daily driver I run Champions. I also feel that the benefits of a platinum spark plug are mainly the increased longevity they provide. Platinum tipped spark plugs will typically last twice as long as a standard copper-type spark plug. That's great for a daily driver but in my 'toy' I'm sure not going to be putting 60K on a set of plugs before I want a fresh set. I can also almost guarantee that you would feel ABSOLUTELY no difference between running a brand new stock plug compared to some high-performance plug. It's probably not going to run worse, but I doubt you'll notice any real positive difference. A few years ago when the Split Fire plugs were advertising a lot and making tons of bogus claims we'd see a few cars with them come into the shop running poorly. Without doing anything else the first thing we always did was take those out and put in a new set of original plugs. Seemed to always fix it. I won't lump Bosch in with the Split Fire 'snake oil' type products. Bosch does make a legitimately good product- especially for European applications. However, if the simple addition of a fancy spark plug would really give better performance and mileage to every engine don't you think the car manufacturers would be running them in every engine? Unless your engine was designed to require platinum or other special plugs I don't think you need them. If it makes you feel better about your car to use them then do it- there's probably no harm but I don't think you'll notice a difference. Jay
We saw a few split fire plugs with broken and melted electrodes, I think they were just using a hotter plug. I had a problem blowing out Champion plugs in my dirt modified. I switched to Motorcraft and had no problems. I now use them when I can in everything. (as long as they have an application number). In my race motors and hot rods I modify the ground electrode and run it as a side gap, its self cleaning even with an "oil" motor (thats another story). In a shop situation I would use the factory brand and heat range for your application. Remember they have been tested. Smokey Yunick R.I.P. - inventor of the extended tip sparkplug
Mike, Lots of snake oil around spark plugs... Feeling a difference is pure hooey. Put 'em on the dyno, and show me the difference.
I rebuild Ford engines and always use Ford factory spark plugs usually Motorcraft or Autolight . I bought a box full a few years ago and never had a problems yet with what the car manufacture came with . If you are driving a super car I would see spending the big $$$ for a spark plug BUT with the cars we drive , I can't see where you will see any difference . Just my opinion . Retro Jim
I've heard nothing but nightmares about splitfire. Bosch on the other hand, I've read lots of good things about. Whatever the outcome, this truck I've owned for a few months, knocks and pings when under load, which leads me to think it's got hot plugs in it. I've used high octane gas and cheap gas. It still knocks when under load. (changing the fuel filter helped a bit, not much but a bit) Hopefully changing plugs will help eliminate the pre-detonation problems.
I had an O/T 97 s10 2.2 4 cyl and I put a fresh set of Bosche Platinum (single electrode) in it, and within 5-6000 miles, the truck would barely move itself. Threw a set of delco platinum in it and it ran like a top the rest of the time i owned the truck. Since then, it's delco platinum for me! (although, now they are delco iridium, which is also a good plug)
I have found the same. You'd think a quality plug is a quality plug, but I try to stick with OE. I find with spark plugs, as with oil, everyone has their preferences. Just remember the main benefit to platnium or iridium is longer life
Honestly I have built many engines from Turbo 4 cylinders VW, Nissan, toyota, and honda to high revving V8s ford, chevy and a few air cooled VWs what ever it may be and I still stand by autolight copper plugs, gapped correctly they make a great spark and make great power they are cheap hold up to forced induction and nitrous pretty well and if you burn up a ground strap then just replace them
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