which tune up parts are best

[Dakota1820]

Trying to get all my ducks in a row before I purchase the 97 ram. Simple question which spark plugs should i get copper, platinum, iridiums? Wires ? Basic ones or higher performance ones? And cap and rotor cheap Every day stuff or performance stuff? Any of it make a significant change in fuel efficiency or power? All advice is appreciated.. I know on my Saturn they warn against using anything but copper plugsvbut wasn't sure if that same logic applied with the Dodge. And for detail sake it's a 97 ram 318 auto
. thanks guys

 

[SteveSRT8]

I ran the nice NGK's in my 99 just because they last nearly forever. It was a 5.2 Magnum just like the 97 you are looking to buy.

I'm pretty sure we used Sorensen ignition parts (cap and rotor) as they were the quality gig back then.

It's been a while since we've even SEEN a distributor!

 

[Turk]

They're not as picky on those things...

Hey - still keeping the Saturn?

Also, why is a "chevyboy" buying a Ram??

 

[46Harry]

I use either NAPA Echlin or Standard Motor Parts Blue Streak ignition parts. They are top quality parts, but they are more expensive. The upside to that is the parts perform better and last longer than the cheaper parts. Spark plugs are your choice, if the engine isn't an oil burner, platinum or iridium plugs are worth the extra money as they last longer and the engine will run a bit better. Most new cars have platinum or iridium plugs installed at the factory because they perform better than the older plugs.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Dodge engineers did a study some years ago and found that the Magnum engines perform best with a plain copper core plug. There is no need for platinum, iridium, plutonium or kryptonite plugs in your 318. NGK is a very good plug, I use them in my Dakota and they are doing fine. Personally I really like the Echlin better quality ignition parts at Napa. The distributor cap and rotor buttons have brass contacts and they work great and last a very long time without corroding. The Belden Premium spark plug wires at Napa are every bit as good and better than OEM for a very reasonable price.

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
Dodge engineers did a study some years ago and found that the Magnum engines perform best with a plain copper core plug. There is no need for platinum, iridium, plutonium or kryptonite plugs in your 318.


IMO, Jeeps are like that too. I use Autolite Copper Cores (Walmart) in my 2.5L/4.0L's. I always try to use copper cap and rotors too.

 

[beast3300]

As for the best it's hard to say. Instinctively I would use Champion because it was OE. Alternately Autolite have never given me a problem for anything I have put them in.

P.S. all the cars in my signature have Autolites in them.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I used to use Autolite 3923's in my truck. Ran them for a long time with no problems. So do a lot of other Dodge owners. Autolite recently moved their production for some of their plugs to China and there have been a lot of reports of quality problems. Be careful what you are buying if you use Autolite. The NGK's I put in at my last tune-up were made in Japan, but NGK still makes some plugs here in the USA too. I have never had any problems with NGK.

 

[daman]

Iridiums are a long lasting plug(100,000 miles) so if there a bear to get at on a Dodge engine you may want to go that route.

 

[The_Jeff]

Saturn twin cams take autolite 3924s, one heat range warmer. Dude could consolidate!

Rams have a rep for pinging due to leaky valley gaskets getting oil in. OP should check that out. Might be picky on plugs, you'd want a cold one.

 

[Dakota1820]

Yea still got the Saturn and I'm buying a ram because I'm friends with the guy selling it I'm not happy with the way gm is doing business

 

[chubbs1]

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
There is no need for platinum, iridium, plutonium or kryptonite plugs in your 318.

Thanks for the first good laugh of the day Jimmy9190!

 

[Jimmy9190]

Autolite 3923's are one heat range colder than stock. They can help with pinging, that is why a lot of Dodge owners use the 3923. The 3923 provides good engine performance too, but you should inspect the plugs very carefully before installation.

 

[stephen9666]

I'm an NGK fan. All our cars have NGKs in them. All the ones I've bought have been made in Japan.

As far as ignition parts, I wouldn't go cheap. Better quality parts aren't too much more expensive. But, even the more expensive ones might be made in China now. I recently replaced the cap and rotor on my Nissan. The parts that came off were NAPA ignition parts that were made in Japan. The replacements were made in China, which I wasn't pleased to see.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
Dodge engineers did a study some years ago and found that the Magnum engines perform best with a plain copper core plug.


Anyone with a brain knows this. Pretty much true with any motor made. There is no more power to be gained with a tricky plug material.

However, if you own many vehicles or prefer not to turn wrenches you can easily run 100k miles on a good set of Platinum/Iridium hybrids. Copper is also in virtually any plug, so that's really not the correct term to use.

 

[Dakota1820]

Are their any fuel economy benefits to using platinum or iridium?

 

[SteveSRT8]

None while they're both fresh.

But when they're 30k miles old the regular plugs will already be deteriorated, the plats will be just starting to get good!

 

[mechtech2]

Warn about only using copper plugs? What about copper cored platinum or iridium plugs??
Do you think the plug is made of copper?

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^Is that why my plugs keep melting?

 

[Jimmy9190]

I like the NGK copper core plugs. They do a great job and don't cost near as much as some of the other material plugs and the performance is very good, surely good enough and more than adequate for my old truck. I do not have a need for a "better" or longer lasting plug. I imagine pretty much any plug will do for the OP's 318, however I (and a good many others) just prefer NGK copper core. I don't mind changing my plugs out when it is time, either. In fact I don't mind turning a wrench any time my truck needs it. I enjoy working on my truck and keeping it in the best shape possible.