Which spark plug would you recommend?
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: May 2003
Location: Sacramento California
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Which spark plug would you recommend?
i am in the process of tuning my 91 and i need a recommendation regarding a spark plug.
1. Autolite double plantium
2. AcDelco rapid fire
3. NGK copper Vgrove
which one you would recommend and why?
thanks boonie
1. Autolite double plantium
2. AcDelco rapid fire
3. NGK copper Vgrove
which one you would recommend and why?
thanks boonie
#2
Race Director
None of those, they are a needless expense. Just a normal plug will be fine and save money. I use Delco, FR5LS for my year. I think I paid $1.80 a piece.
#4
One may last longer than the other, that I cannot tell. I change my plugs once a year. Every 2 years at the most.
#7
Drifting
Stockers for me too. As was said already, you will never know the difference with a more expensive plug, other than perhaps longevity. In the old days with points and carburetors, plugs had a very short life and I could see spending a little more for one that would last longer or fire even through the lean/rich times that a carburator may subject them to. Nowadays though, I change plugs once a year or maybe two years only because I don't want them to get fused to the head and they always look great when I take them out. Save the money and buy a tank of gas, that is more gas than the platinum plugs will save you.
#9
Resist the urge to spend more than needed for a spark plug. I have tried every plug known to man, both at the strip and on the dyno. I have never, ever, seen a difference in power, fuel milage etc.
One may last longer than the other, that I cannot tell. I change my plugs once a year. Every 2 years at the most.
One may last longer than the other, that I cannot tell. I change my plugs once a year. Every 2 years at the most.
Last edited by Tim_Ko; 07-13-2007 at 07:39 PM. Reason: addition
#10
Racer
I have to throw in my .o2 because there are just too many people singing AC spark plugs praise, so I'll be the spoiler. I have not had good luck with them, AC Delco is decent quality equipment, but I do not include their spark plugs in that sentiment. I agree with all of you about platinum/irridium/multi-side electrode spark plugs, they're a waste of money in terms of performance. Platinum and irridium will get you a longer life, but that doesn't mean much around here because just about everyone on this forum is changing their spark plugs every year or two and so never realizing the extended life that those materials provide. The multi and split side electrodes are basically getting you "out of the box" indexxing, you can accomplish the same or better results by indexxing your conventional spark plugs. The problem with indexxing is that it takes a lot of time and the supposed 1% gain in power may not be worth it to you. That's my opinon on that, FWIW. My best luck with spark plugs has been with NGK, have been using V-Power's now for three years and they have been the best that I have ever had! BTW, other than the V-groove on the center electrode, the V-Power is just about as conventional as you can get and they cost $2.25 apiece. My best friend has an '84 Mustang with a pretty warm '93 Cobra engine in it and his old stand-by Autolite plugs were always fouling. I recommended the NGK V-Power's to him and he installed them, the car has never run better and no fouling. BTW, this is one of those subjects that no three forum members will agree on, purely subjective.
#11
Race Director
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: The Top of Utah
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 0
Received 23 Likes
on
22 Posts
Some of the plugs made with exotic metals, namely platinum, will last longer. If you don't like fiddling with your car (why are you in this section of the forum?) and opening the hood, these exotics can be a good value, especially if you are paying for someone else's labor. If you are like a lot of us, and just can't leave well enough alone, the cheapest plug is the best bargain. The spark has to jump the gap, that's it. The plug goes ZAP, and the air/fuel mixture goes BANG, and that is all there is to it. There isn't a nickles worth more power in any one of them over another.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Last edited by CFI-EFI; 07-14-2007 at 11:03 AM.
#12
Large Impressive Member
Member Since: Jul 2003
Location: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
Posts: 65,789
Received 68 Likes
on
34 Posts
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
There are many good plugs with which you can't really go wrong. I've used most at one time or another. I've never been impressed with Champions except for their race plugs. Over the years I've used Autolites in many types of engines though and have always been quite pleased with everything about them. I just use their standard ones in my Vette because I like to keep them pretty fresh in it. I had a set of their double platinums in my Nissan that still looked like new after 70K miles.
#13
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Fort Knox, KY
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I like the NGK TR-55 Double Platinum. I have also used the Autolite Platinums with great satisfaction.
#16
Race Director
I have 4 8 cylinder cars and do not want to be changing plugs on all of them every year...
I use Bosch Platinums +4 on my C4. They are now on their 4th season and the car runs as smooth as the day I bought it...
When it is time to replace them I will put in the same plugs
I use Bosch Platinums +4 on my C4. They are now on their 4th season and the car runs as smooth as the day I bought it...
When it is time to replace them I will put in the same plugs
#17
My best friend has an '84 Mustang with a pretty warm '93 Cobra engine in it and his old stand-by Autolite plugs were always fouling. I recommended the NGK V-Power's to him and he installed them, the car has never run better and no fouling. BTW, this is one of those subjects that no three forum members will agree on, purely subjective.
There is something wrong with your friends car other than the plugs providing he was running the correct Autolite plug in it to begin with.
There is something wrong with your friends car other than the plugs providing he was running the correct Autolite plug in it to begin with.
#18
Race Director
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: The Top of Utah
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 0
Received 23 Likes
on
22 Posts
Originally Posted by JD'S WHITE 93
BTW, this is one of those subjects that no three forum members will agree on, purely subjective.
However, remember the post above...ZAP...BANG! It isn't as convoluted as some would like to make it. If different plugs cleared up a fouling problem, the plugs being replaced were probably the wrong plugs, either in configuration or at least the heat range. Think about it. What can cause fouling and what is it about a plug that could prevent or cure it? Contrary to impressions left by some, it isn't voodoo or black magic.
RACE ON!!!
#19
Race Director
I'm the guy everybody says is crazy for installing the NGK 55IX, yes that exotic Iridium plug. I put them in about 4 years ago or about 20K and they are still running well. I put the Vette through some hard driving including mountain runs and auto crossing. She never missed a beat. I've always been into over kill.