Tune Up Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 14
From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
Tune Up Question
I am looking to do a basic Tune Up.....CAP< ROTOR, Plugs Wires etc. I already have a K&N Filter, and UltraFlow Exhaust, airfoil intake and a computer chip.
My question is this... Will using Platinum Plugs....or SplitFire Plugs over AC Delco Plugs make a difference. Also will upgrading to "Accel" Performance Cap, Rotor and Wires really make a difference over standard AC Delco stuff?? How does everyone feel about Platinum Plugs??? I have heard so many different opinions about the heat of the spark. Will using Platinum Plugs create problems as far as timing or ignition problems??? THANKS!!
My question is this... Will using Platinum Plugs....or SplitFire Plugs over AC Delco Plugs make a difference. Also will upgrading to "Accel" Performance Cap, Rotor and Wires really make a difference over standard AC Delco stuff?? How does everyone feel about Platinum Plugs??? I have heard so many different opinions about the heat of the spark. Will using Platinum Plugs create problems as far as timing or ignition problems??? THANKS!!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
I'm no expert, so take this for what it's worth.
All the opinions I've read are: Stock car go with AC Delco. Only worry about changing to other things when you've modded the car. I bought a tune up kit off of ebay, all AC Delco stuff, my 87 is stock, going to do it when it warms up.
Oh, and about the airfoil. Do a search. One forum member installed one, and it came loose. Got sucked into his engine and destroyed it. Apparently it managed to work past the intake valve, and partially out of the exhaust valve.
All the opinions I've read are: Stock car go with AC Delco. Only worry about changing to other things when you've modded the car. I bought a tune up kit off of ebay, all AC Delco stuff, my 87 is stock, going to do it when it warms up.
Oh, and about the airfoil. Do a search. One forum member installed one, and it came loose. Got sucked into his engine and destroyed it. Apparently it managed to work past the intake valve, and partially out of the exhaust valve.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,773
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From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
the tech guys at Corvette Fever claimed recently that just switching to the platinum plugs alone was good for 5 hp with no other mods at all. I can neither confirm or discredit that claim. I'm just passing it along.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
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From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
To the OP, don't waste your money on those things, regular plugs will work fine, as for a cap, just make sure the contacts inside are brass/copper, not alum. If you do not have a FSM, get one, they are worth there weight in gold.
Randy
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,725
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From: Bergen County, NJ
I've done all the work on my '88, with AC Delco repalcement parts. I don't think you will get a performance boost by using any other brand.
Platinum plugs last longer, and aside from joecavers post, I never heard of a performance boost, unless the last plugs were badly worn.
If you are looking for a small gain, and you like working on the car, I'd suggest porting the plenum. It allows more air to flow into the runners.
http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/dox...-port/port.htm
Platinum plugs last longer, and aside from joecavers post, I never heard of a performance boost, unless the last plugs were badly worn.
If you are looking for a small gain, and you like working on the car, I'd suggest porting the plenum. It allows more air to flow into the runners.
http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/dox...-port/port.htm
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Lose the K&N too on a stock L98.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm
An excerpt...
The "high performance" cotton gauze and foam filters do not filter as well as some have claimed. I actually received an e-mail from K&N stating their filters filter within 99% of the OEM filters. This may be true, and 1% may not sound like much. I contend that 1% over many miles, may be important. Really, it is up to each individual to decide. The poorer flowing filters, remove more particles, and the better flowing filters remove less particles. If you think about it, that conclusion passes any and all common sense tests, so it is not surprising. There are many that will be shocked by the results, that should not be though. I've used high performance filters in the past, and I might again in the future. At the same time, I know that the stock OEM type filters perform very well in filtration and don't inhibit flow nearly as much as some think.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm
An excerpt...
The "high performance" cotton gauze and foam filters do not filter as well as some have claimed. I actually received an e-mail from K&N stating their filters filter within 99% of the OEM filters. This may be true, and 1% may not sound like much. I contend that 1% over many miles, may be important. Really, it is up to each individual to decide. The poorer flowing filters, remove more particles, and the better flowing filters remove less particles. If you think about it, that conclusion passes any and all common sense tests, so it is not surprising. There are many that will be shocked by the results, that should not be though. I've used high performance filters in the past, and I might again in the future. At the same time, I know that the stock OEM type filters perform very well in filtration and don't inhibit flow nearly as much as some think.
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Brett Foote
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
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From: Pennsylvania
AC Delco all the way
Stick with all AC Delco parts. Replace with what the car called for originally. You will be much happier knowing you did not waste your money on all that high performance stuff that did not change any performance at all. Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 14
From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
THANKS for all the Replies everyone!! Really helpful...particularly the reply about the K&N Filter. I often wonder how much of a waste of $$'s some of the "performance" parts really are....aside from bigger ticket items like Exhaust systems or Cold Air Induction systems.....the smaller parts probably don't offer really noticeable improvements aside for the general knowledge that the owner has that they are installed....maybe in their own mind....."gee my Vette seems "faster " . I often wondered about how true this is.
As for the Air Foil....it was installed by the previous owner along with the open box K&N Filter & Chip/ thermostat. I upgraded the Exhaust to SS UltreaFlows...mostly for the sound & looks...and more so because my OEM Exhaust was shot. The Ultra Flow was at an affordale price range. I guess my Vette has gained some HP from the exhaust + the other "mods" but I dont have before & after DYNO results!!!!
Looks like the most sensible tune up for me would be Delco plugs & wires.....ACCel brass contact Cap & Rotor.
As for the Air Foil....it was installed by the previous owner along with the open box K&N Filter & Chip/ thermostat. I upgraded the Exhaust to SS UltreaFlows...mostly for the sound & looks...and more so because my OEM Exhaust was shot. The Ultra Flow was at an affordale price range. I guess my Vette has gained some HP from the exhaust + the other "mods" but I dont have before & after DYNO results!!!!
Looks like the most sensible tune up for me would be Delco plugs & wires.....ACCel brass contact Cap & Rotor.
Last edited by Chewch87; Feb 19, 2008 at 07:39 PM.