overpriced exotic metal spark plugs that underperform!!

[CarlB]

 

[4WD]

The "harder thin wire plugs" are not POOR conductors. Please learn about how a plug conducts electricity.

And the precious metal tips last far longer than cheap nickel ones and as such are not just MARKETING.

But as it seems for many of your posts I doubt any of that will make a bit of difference.

Or have it both ways

 

[GMBoy]

i’d be interested to see that. finer electrode on iridium that should lean towards are more consistent spark.

Copper is the best conductor. The better platinum/iridiums are mostly for longer life not performance so there is some truth in that teeny tiny bit of possible additional power with a traditional copper plug. Granted they are mostly nickel tipped now but the core of the plug is usually copper in most plugs even iridiums.

Usually it's just the exhaust manifolds though. That was the case on every single one of them at work, and my wife's '19. And of course Ford and Toyota, and I believe to a lesser extent GM, have had the same problem.

True on the tick. It's just a simple manifold stud repair on Hemi vs the whole lifters on an LS. I had manifold leaks on my 6.0L Denali as well. The hemi is superior motor over all from performance and reliability. Sure early models way back maybe 11 and prior has some issues but they are fixed unlike GM with has been building bad lifters since the same period and even seeing it on 2023's.

 

[4WD]

Copper is the best conductor. The better platinum/iridiums are mostly for longer life not performance so there is some truth in that teeny tiny bit of possible additional power with a traditional copper plug. Granted they are mostly nickel tipped now but the core of the plug is usually copper in most plus even iridiums.

True on the tick. It's just a simple manifold stud repair on Hemi vs the whole lifters on an LS. I had manifold leaks on my 6.0L Denali as well. The hemi is superior motor over all from performance and reliability. Sure early models way back maybe 11 and prior has some issues but they are fixed unlike GM with has been building bad lifters since the same period and even seeing it on 2023's.

I’ll be frank: both you and BC - you are two of the most biased posters here - and base your biases on personal preferences under the auspices of I’m an expert mechanic … Or past relationships …
IMO, Chris L is by far the LS authority here - but he just displays his work product - without allot of “us and them” that does not add to value those seeking objectivity … Not singling out people - just how I address my own staff …

 

[slacktide_bitog]

my 2001 TT gets similar plugs!! its just MARKETING for more profits as the harder thin wire plugs are POOR conductors!! as i noted EZE changes, i am older + slow but i installed plugs in the Kia this morning, about 30 min at a slo pace EZE PEAZY!! your choice your $$$$. the OE plugs did NOT look good!! on that note changing girlfriends plugs in her traded 2001 Passat netted better MPGS + smoother running + imo these "lifetime" things are just MORE MARKETING!!!

Then why do the poor conductors require less voltage? Why isn't silver used anymore? Silver is the best conductor. Bosch made a small line of silver plugs a long time ago. There were even radioactive polonium plugs in the 60s! Most spark plugs have a 5k resistor in them anyway (though some cars have plugs with lower ohm resistors in them, but 5k is the norm). There's just more to it than that.

Also, what engine does the Kia have? And how many miles on it?

 

[KevinMalone]

searching for "regular" spark plugs for girlfriends 2018 kia optima FINALLY showed cheaper options!! less than $20 delivered for copper-nickel ones because no one stocks the lower profit basic plugs!! on an EZE DIY install its a no-brainer IMO!!!

Are they still "cheaper" over their lifespan? The $/mile could be lower with iridium/platinum plugs

 

[BrendanC]

I’ll be frank: both you and BC - you are two of the most biased posters here - and base your biases on personal preferences under the auspices of I’m an expert mechanic … Or past relationships …
IMO, Chris L is by far the LS authority here - but he just displays his work product - without allot of “us and them” that does not add to value those seeking objectivity … Not singling out people - just how I address my own staff …

while i am very biased towards GM products, it has come from experience working on them all…. i’ve been turning wrenches for 15 years at this point. numerous engine swaps, head swaps, LS swaps, coyote swaps etc.

 

[GMBoy]

I’ll be frank: both you and BC - you are two of the most biased posters here - and base your biases on personal preferences under the auspices of I’m an expert mechanic … Or past relationships …
IMO, Chris L is by far the LS authority here - but he just displays his work product - without allot of “us and them” that does not add to value those seeking objectivity … Not singling out people - just how I address my own staff …

Yeah, ok. 30 years at GM in all depts including engineering, running my own repair shop for the past 24yrs so I fail to see any bias... if anything I am one of the more open minded persons here. I could name names, but I won't like you did.

I think I am done here - good bye BITOG this is ridiculous.

 

[wlk]

Hey now you are not being fair! Every one knows the 800 series are the best GM has ever built - I own 2.....an 05 Yukon SLT 4x4 5.3L and a 06 Sierra Denali AWD 6.0L......they are better then the 14 Sierra Denali by a mile! I sold that to my son its a POS

But if I were to buy a new truck....its RAM all the way.

the 01-02 800’s were the best trucks ever built period. modern enough to diagnose and have comfort, analog enough to work on without a snap on computer. if i had to buy a new truck today (i wouldn’t, i like my old stuff), 2022 silverado 250”HD 6.6L gas with the 6L90e. they are rock solid and amazing on fuel/power. never have to rev them out to go anywhere and can get 20mpg on the highway

You both are wrong, . My 93 C1500 w the 5.7l is better than any LS. My kid has a 5.3l and it is not worth it. I've owned many 90s 5.0l and 5.7ls and would take one over any of yours anyday. Ease of working on, and access to almost everything is great. Reliability is above par and price point for parts is great.
Now I am on my second Ford, last was an 04 Expedition, w 5.4l 2v, and now 94 f250 w 460. Loved the Expedition, sold to my kid this July but the access to the back half of the motor was squat. Now the new 460 is accessible like my old Chevy's. Too soon to tell if I like her more, only had her about a month now. But I do love the noise that the 460 makes.

Now I will agree w BrendanC Rams are at the bottom

 

[malibuguy79]

I got NGK Ruthenium HX plugs in the race car, everything else that currently runs has NGK Iridium plugs.

 

[4WD]

while i am very biased towards GM products, it has come from experience working on them all…. i’ve been turning wrenches for 15 years at this point. numerous engine swaps, head swaps, LS swaps, coyote swaps etc.

Right - but the next guy comes along and will say that’s why I know they are no good - my point is we don’t really have stats …

 

[wlk]

i’d be interested to see that. finer electrode on iridium that should lean towards are more consistent spark.

Copper conducts better

 

[wlk]

I’ll be frank: both you and BC - you are two of the most biased posters here - and base your biases on personal preferences under the auspices of I’m an expert mechanic … Or past relationships …
IMO, Chris L is by far the LS authority here - but he just displays his work product - without allot of “us and them” that does not add to value those seeking objectivity … Not singling out people - just how I address my own staff …

Well I'd hate to be your staff as you praise in public and correct in private. I'd reevaluate your approach

 

[BrendanC]

Right - but the next guy comes along and will say that’s why I know they are no good - my point is we don’t really have stats …

while i see your angle here, they need to do their own independent research rather than just base it off of one person’s form posts. i have admitted to being biased towards GM, but only in the 3/4 ton market. you couldn’t give me the keys to any new half ton. only a 6.6L gasser with the 6l90. i have the wrench time to form my standpoint on things.

 

[BrendanC]

You both are wrong, . My 93 C1500 w the 5.7l is better than any LS. My kid has a 5.3l and it is not worth it. I've owned many 90s 5.0l and 5.7ls and would take one over any of yours anyday. Ease of working on, and access to almost everything is great. Reliability is above par and price point for parts is great.
Now I am on my second Ford, last was an 04 Expedition, w 5.4l 2v, and now 94 f250 w 460. Loved the Expedition, sold to my kid this July but the access to the back half of the motor was squat. Now the new 460 is accessible like my old Chevy's. Too soon to tell if I like her more, only had her about a month now. But I do love the noise that the 460 makes.

Now I will agree w BrendanC Rams are at the bottom

the 5.7’s are rock solid dependable and i love a gmt 400 truck. you cannot beat a GMT 800 with a 6.0/4l80 when compared to a 5.7/4l60. much less the creature comforts between gmt400 and 800 etc. grandfather has an all original minus a few 60e’s 1990 k1500 5.7L with over 400k on it. rear pinion bearings are shot but it fires up and runs without hesitation. this is a photo of it down in a rock valley with my pickup prior to its lift. this photo is atleast 10 years old at this point and it’s still kicking around on city streets to this day.

 

[4WD]

I don’t like 1500’s either - but can’t justify a ZR2 Colly - and don’t have an RV at the moment for the 6.6L …
(but, those would be my choices) …

 

[CarlB]

Cool a KIA optima spark plug thread. Let's talk about our personal preferences regarding pushrod v8s.

 

[kschachn]

Copper conducts better

And yet there are no copper electrode plugs. How does that work? What is conducting better?

 

[OVERKILL]

And yet there are no copper electrode plugs. How does that work? What is conducting better?

You beat me to it, lol.

 

[Astro14]

Copper conducts better

The core of the plug is copper. The electrode is what we are discussing. Even ruthenium plugs have copper cores.

Silver conducts even better than copper. Gold better still. So, why not silver or gold plugs? Because they would cost too much.

The electrode material matters. But melting point is the critical factor.

Iridium, and ruthenium, have exceptionally high melting points. Platinum is close. So, those electrodes don’t erode nearly as quickly as nickel, which has a good melting point, but not as high as those others.