Can regular Bosch Platinum plugs be cut-back?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Can regular Bosch Platinum plugs be cut-back?
Hey guys,
I have a set of Bosch Platinum plugs for my '89 L98. The electrode design is a little different from a "standard" plug and I am curious if these plugs can be cut-back? If so, is the improvement the same as what you get from cutting back a "standard" plug?
Thanks in advance.
I have a set of Bosch Platinum plugs for my '89 L98. The electrode design is a little different from a "standard" plug and I am curious if these plugs can be cut-back? If so, is the improvement the same as what you get from cutting back a "standard" plug?
Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,367
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Last edited by hngacurv; Aug 20, 2005 at 08:47 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
mate thats a desperate measure, youll only get about 5 to 10 BHP at the most. I wouldnt cut back platinums at all, why dont you have a look at some Splitfire plugs? these offer a very simular gain as a cut back but in the triple platinums offer a 100,000 mile garrentee. You wont get that from cutting back your bosch platiums!!! here is the site for you, with the plugs for your model.
http://www.splitfire.com/catalog/index.html
http://www.splitfire.com/catalog/index.html
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
mate thats a desperate measure, you'll only get about 5 to 10 BHP at the most. I wouldn't cut back platinums at all. Why don't you have a look at some Splitfire plugs? These offer a very simular gain as a cut back but in the triple platinums offer a 100,000 mile garrentee. You won't get that from cutting back your bosch platiums!!! Here is the site for you, with the plugs for your model.
http://www.splitfire.com/catalog/index.html
http://www.splitfire.com/catalog/index.html
But I do agree, it is a bit desperate in order to get maybe 5 or 10 more horsepower. But I figure, what the heck? It'll take me maybe 1 to 2 minutes per plug on the grinder to cut the electrodes back, and maybe 40 minutes to swap them all out. So a little over an hour's work for even 5 horsepower - why not? Heck, I'd be happy if all that happened is the idle smoothened out a bit.
Actually as it turns out, I also have a set of barely used AC Delco plugs (p/n FR5LS) sitting in the garage. I'll try to cut those back rather than the Bosch Platinums. They're alot cheaper, so if I don't like the results, I can always just pitch 'em.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by TheCorvetteKid
I've always liked Splitfire plugs, but they are REALLY expensive here in Canada, and they're difficult to find too. Ordering them via the internet is an option, but when you include shipping in the mix the price becomes really prohibitive. So unless someone guarantees me that I will see at least a 10bhp increase, I'd rather stick with a brand I can get off the shelf.
But I do agree, it is a bit desperate in order to get maybe 5 or 10 more horsepower. But I figure, what the heck? It'll take me maybe 1 to 2 minutes per plug on the grinder to cut the electrodes back, and maybe 40 minutes to swap them all out. So a little over an hour's work for even 5 horsepower - why not? Heck, I'd be happy if all that happened is the idle smoothened out a bit.
Actually as it turns out, I also have a set of barely used AC Delco plugs (p/n FR5LS) sitting in the garage. I'll try to cut those back rather than the Bosch Platinums. They're alot cheaper, so if I don't like the results, I can always just pitch 'em.
But I do agree, it is a bit desperate in order to get maybe 5 or 10 more horsepower. But I figure, what the heck? It'll take me maybe 1 to 2 minutes per plug on the grinder to cut the electrodes back, and maybe 40 minutes to swap them all out. So a little over an hour's work for even 5 horsepower - why not? Heck, I'd be happy if all that happened is the idle smoothened out a bit.
Actually as it turns out, I also have a set of barely used AC Delco plugs (p/n FR5LS) sitting in the garage. I'll try to cut those back rather than the Bosch Platinums. They're alot cheaper, so if I don't like the results, I can always just pitch 'em.
Yeah but its not just the fact of time, it will also greatly reduce the life of the plugs too. Which at the end of the day means more money.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
If you're expecting 5-10, I think you'll be totally disapointed. I read an article how a dyno test on cut back plugs versus standard plugs only
showed around 2 hp gain in an RPM range MOST drivers (except strip)
very seldom reach.Can't remember if that was bhp or rwhp.
showed around 2 hp gain in an RPM range MOST drivers (except strip)
very seldom reach.Can't remember if that was bhp or rwhp.
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