The best spark plugs

jjbula · Sep 2, 2002

Just took the Windstar in for new spark plugs. Brought my mechanic platinum Bosch (dual posts) and he told me that I was going to have poor gas mileage. He recommended autolight. I'm not a big fan of Autolight, but they look like the Motorcraft he replaced (112K on them, I know I waited too long to replace). I'm sure I can get 80-100K on the new platinum autolights so I'm not worried.

His reasoning is:

Autolight for Fords
AC Delco for GM
Champion for Chrysler

Also, my buddy swears by Bosch 4 post plugs. I think two or more posts are better than one and have a high opinion (without much factual evidence) of Bosch plugs. Does it really matter that much?

Also, are NGK better than Bosch?

Patman · Sep 3, 2002

I have had the best luck in all of my cars when running NGK plugs, in particular the V power style ones. I seem to get better low end and midrange response with these plugs. I tend to change my spark plugs often in my cars too, so it's not as if the performance difference I'm feeling is due to fresh plugs. For instance, in my 98 Formula when I had it, I changed out the stock plugs at about 7k, and then 1k later changed them again, and 1k later again. That's when I settled on the NGKs for that car.

I've also had good results with NGKs in my 95 Escort GT, my current car (95 Firebird Formula), my wife's Honda, and a 5.0 Mustang.

Brad · Sep 3, 2002

I have a lot of buddies from the Explorer board and they have had nothing but problems with Bosch plugs in the Ford 4.0L.

I am assuming this van is stock? Just plain ole' Motorcraft Double Platinums will work just fine. Available at most Autozone's for less than $4 each.

VaderSS · Sep 3, 2002

I've been using Autolite Platinum Pro double platinum plugs for 6 years now on several different cars including my Impala. I've had very good luck with them.

For N20 applications, non-platinum NGKs seem to give the best service.

I ran the Bosch platinums for several years, but had problems with them in GM vehicles, especially those with HEI setups and "lost spark" type setups, the type with one coil going to two plugs.

Spector · Sep 3, 2002

I tried the Bosch + 4 in one engine, not worth the price, stick with OEM, especially in the Japanese cars

Chris A · Sep 3, 2002

I run the NGK V-power plugs, but then I come from the LT1 crowd where they are a real popular plug.

Pat, was that an LT1 F-body you changed the plugs on so often? Those motors must be the worse I've seen to change the plugs and plug wires.

Patman · Sep 3, 2002

Hehe, nope, it was my LS1 Formula, which was super easy to change plugs, only 45min start to finish. When it came time for the plug and wire change on my current LT1, I had a friend do it, and it took him 8 hours! (and he's done a couple dozen LT1 plug changes too!)

VaderSS · Sep 3, 2002

I had my wires and plugs changed at a local shop. They quoted me $80 labor. It took them 6 hours. The mechanic told me, "You got one HECK of a deal." I said, "I know."

satterfi · Sep 3, 2002

What do you guys pay for NGK plugs?

The NGK platunum plugs I use in my Honda bike are $10 each. Plus I have to order them and wait 5 days.

Then if that's not bad enough the manual says replace them every 10k miles!!

[ September 27, 2002, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: BOBISTHEOILGUY ]

sprintman · Sep 3, 2002

NGK Iridiums awesome - Like the Platinums but better again. I use in a Mazda turbo and Sube Outback. Fit and forget!!

Terry · Sep 3, 2002

Many of my analysis customers that use a Autolite plug in any engine have higher Nox than those that don't.

In fact I can drop NOx many times by changing to a non autolite. I haven't used autolites in my own cars for 25 years.

Just a observation.

UncleS2 · Sep 3, 2002

I've had problems w/platinum plugs before; put a set in my mother's '90 Taurus V-6. A fes months later, car started missing, hard to start, etc. But it had new plugs, right? The Ford shop put new plugs in it(Motorcraft regulars), & it ran like a top. BTW, guys; put all the ground electrodes you like on a plug, it'll still throw just one spark-not 2 or 4 or whatever.

Most 95-present Neons don't like platinum plugs of any kind. Some give trouble right away, others after a month or three, only a few seem to run OK for any length of time on platinums. So, I'm sticking with plain ole copper core plugs- Champions right now, last set was NGK. I might try a set of those 99 cent Bosch copper cores next.

RB Shannon · Sep 3, 2002

Terry,what is it about the autolites that increase NOx,Is it specificly platinum's or with any autolite.

jjbula · Sep 3, 2002

Thanks for all the comments.

I'm glad I didn't put in the Bosch but wish I had bought the NGK.

Since drag racing is out of the question, won't be putting it on the lift to reach around the exhaust manifold to change the plugs again.

I'll be testing the oil in 2 or 3 months to see how the Nox is.

[ September 04, 2002, 07:32 AM: Message edited by: jjbula ]

Employee#08 · Sep 3, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by Stuart Hughes:
BTW, guys; put all the ground electrodes you like on a plug, it'll still throw just one spark-not 2 or 4 or whatever.

Stuart is right. It would still find one electrode to spark. I know the Bosch +4 plugs retail for $17.99 up here in T.O. Why waste money on a gimmick. I rather run NGK G-Power Platinum plugs for $6.99-$7.99. Which is a better plug. If money was not an issue I would use NGK Lasers.

Chris A · Sep 3, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by satterfi:
What do you guys pay for NGK plugs?

The NGK platunum plugs I use in my Honda bike are $10 each. Plus I have to order them and wait 5 days. Bastards!

Then if that's not bad enough the manual says replace them every 10k miles!!

The normal V power plugs are about $1.50 each. The same plug in a platinum would be almost $7, but it only takes me about 30 min to change my plugs so I don't need the extra life of a platinum.

Terry · Sep 3, 2002

All the autolites, I just had a analysis customer change from autolite platinums to a another brand and sure enough the NOx dropped.

I would have thought they would be ok. I'm not against the brand but when you see this over and over it makes you wonder. If they run good in your car use them. I just haven't seen it on analysis.

MolaKule · Sep 4, 2002

I use plain old copper plugs, the AC types for the GM vehicles, because all of my engines have very accessible plug positions, well, except for the '86 Burb with the headers. I wished I had done some custom bending for one or two positions, but generally, 30 minutes is all it takes.

The Nissan, well, I assume it takes the platinum plugs (probably the NGK) that supposedly go 100,000 miles.

For ignition wires, I like the High-Temp Accell 8.8 mm make-it-yourself wire kits, with the spiral core Resistance is on the order of 500 ohms/foot. They survive the headers a lot better.

deepsquat · Sep 5, 2002

I am running the Bosch Platinum +4 in my 95 Nissan Altima ...now have put 53000 miles on them...just got back from a trip ...75-80 mph and got 31 mpg (4 cylinder Auto) ...I hope they last 100000

Patman · Sep 5, 2002

I honestly do not believe any plug can last 100k. GM equips all the f-bodies with platinum plugs, but yet a lot of guys I know who pulled them out before 25k found that most of the platinum discs on them were totally missing! I found that on my 95 Formula at 60k, there were no platinum discs left at all! Which means the gap now becomes .080 instead of .050!

The best spark plugs

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