Doing the 'ol plugs/wires/cap/rotor thing...

[Jelly]

Well, if all goes well, I'm gonna be replacing the spark plugs, wires, cap, and rotor this coming weekend.

No big deal or anything. Just looking for any suggestions on what to get...brands, etc??

BTW, it's a Chevy C1500 with the 4.3L.

 

[Dan4510]

Jelly,

Get dist cap and rotor with brass inserts. Try to get spiral core plug wires. Very low resistance and will last. Better store brands have this option.

Use silicon grease on plug ends to keep moisture out.

Dont go to autozone!

Dan

 

[Amkeer]

Stick with oem parts.

Daily Drives:
-2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner XtraCab, 2.7 Liter , Mobil 1 Synthetic SS 5w30.
ODO 8700 Miles.
-1995 Toyota 4-Runner 3.0 V6, Mobil 1 Synthetic SS 10w30.
ODO 85500 Miles.
http://community.webshots.com/user/amkeer

 

[Jelly]

Any other suggestions?

 

[Kestas]

Stay with OEM-style spark plugs - don't use anything fancier.

 

[Jeff in Western WA]

I'll go "against the grain" here, Delco parts are fine but, can be costly, Taylor makes a great wire, Delco makes fine plugs but, there have been isues of 10% or more "bad out of the box", a couple hi-po Chevy performance shops love the Bosch+4 (if you need platinum tips), I'd be more convcerned maintencae wise of cleaning the MAF, TB/intake, PCV / breather tubes and PCV valve, also a Delco fuel filter if over 60K miles along w/ filters, lubricants (rear end/brake fluid/PS f;luid, ATF servie, manual transmission service), etc., not just the electronic stuff...my.02 is free, take it for what it's worth

 

[JohnnyO]

quote:

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Originally posted by Dan4510:
Get dist cap and rotor with brass inserts.

---

NAPA caps and rotors have brass fittings. IMO you're always best off with OE spark plugs though, i.e. AC's for a GM and Motorcraft or Autolite for Fords.

 

[Lumberg]

Probably the most important, and hardest thing, is routing of the spark plug wires. It's the difference between the wires lasting 30k vs 90k.

 

[jsharp]

I'd go OEM on all these items unless the Taylor wires are as cheap as stock GM...

 

[motorguy222]

Jelly,you can do what you want but the OEM name isnt always the best.You can get Lifetime warrenty plug wires at Advance Auto at a good price.If the wires fail you can take them back and get new ones.As far as plugs go,AC is probably the best way to go,I dont know about Bosch +4 plugs but their regular plugs arent the best ever was,at least the ones I have used werent.Autolite also has good plugs,better than regular Bosch in my opinion and Autolite makes plugs to fit GM products,they are not just for Fords.From all indications,the GM 4.3 is a great engine and will last and last.

 

[JohnnyO]

Just an FYI, but on a Ford site I belong to people report nothing but problems with Bosch plugs.

 

[n8wvi]

And I've had nothing but great luck (and slightly increased mileage and longer life) with Bosch (specifically the Platinum +4) plugs. But that's in Subarus, I'm sure they won't work in a Chevy

Dave

 

[cousincletus]

I would prefer OEM parts if the price is the same, but I usually get my parts from Carquest Auto Parts to save a buck. Their parts are consistently good quality.

 

[VaderSS]

I was very impressed with the Borg-Warner Select wires, rotor, and cap I put on the Festiva a few days ago. The cap in particular was a real piece of work.

I prefer Autolite Platinum Pro spark plugs, but in the next heat range down from recommended, as they seem to run a bit hotter than OEM.