Right plugs for me ?
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Bedford TX
Right plugs for me ?
I have a '96 LT1 that has just turned over 100,000 miles and I want to put in new plugs. The owner's manual doesn't say what plugs to use when replacing them. I assume they recommend AC-Delco, but is there a better plug to use. Most of my driving is around town. No high speed runs to the border or anything like that. Everything is running smoothly, but I think 100K is plenty of a set of plugs.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: High Bridge New Jersey
Nothing
I have a '96 LT1 that has just turned over 100,000 miles and I want to put in new plugs. The owner's manual doesn't say what plugs to use when replacing them. I assume they recommend AC-Delco, but is there a better plug to use. Most of my driving is around town. No high speed runs to the border or anything like that. Everything is running smoothly, but I think 100K is plenty of a set of plugs.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Corinth TX
You can use the regular NGK Tr-55s and they are pretty cheap. The iridiums and Platinums are the expensive ones but then again any of those extended plugs are expensive. The NGKs are a great plug. No problems whatsoever.
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
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Nothing as long as they have fixed the problem with the pucks falling off the electrodes of their platinum plugs. (And I really believe they have.)
FWIW I use the NGK iridiums. I also feel that the sparkplug offers a unique diagnostic window into engine health. I will change them at or near 30k just to see what they look like. I could put the plugs back in, in some cases, I suppose. But with the PITA that they are to change, I put in new. I'm not arguing that I've got all the answers for plug questions but this is what works for me. YMMV
FWIW I use the NGK iridiums. I also feel that the sparkplug offers a unique diagnostic window into engine health. I will change them at or near 30k just to see what they look like. I could put the plugs back in, in some cases, I suppose. But with the PITA that they are to change, I put in new. I'm not arguing that I've got all the answers for plug questions but this is what works for me. YMMV
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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Yeah, I've read of the pucks falling out of the AC Delco plantinums. Beside, I think they are just getting an aftermarket plug maker to make thiers, right?
The regular copper plugs are now made of metal that will rust, ala Autolite. The bases of the plugs were rusted out in less than a month. I took them out and returned them and got some copper NGK. The original AC Delco plugs that came on my 89 are made of a metal that doesn't rust. And the porcelein on the new AC Delco has some ridges on it the original didn't have. So, they aren't being made the same anymore.
The regular copper plugs are now made of metal that will rust, ala Autolite. The bases of the plugs were rusted out in less than a month. I took them out and returned them and got some copper NGK. The original AC Delco plugs that came on my 89 are made of a metal that doesn't rust. And the porcelein on the new AC Delco has some ridges on it the original didn't have. So, they aren't being made the same anymore.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Superior WI
I just blew like $5 a plug on some Bosch platinum +4's and didn't really notice much difference, seemed to smooth the idle out a bit, could be psychological though
Also added MSD wires. It was one of those "just felt like it" kind of projects.
Also added MSD wires. It was one of those "just felt like it" kind of projects.
Safety Car
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Melting Slicks
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From: Pittsburgh Pa
Instructor
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From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
My 96' with 109k will get E3s when I change them. I saw the Dyno test on a weekend past. It was either Horsepower or Hotrod TV and it showed a 5hp gain before and after, although on a later show they said 7hp.
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I assume you mean 7 RWHP, man that is a lot.
Is this a dyno result or the info comes from the E3 web site?
Is this a dyno result or the info comes from the E3 web site?
Team Owner
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
7hp between brand new plugs Ill never believe it, especially rwhp. 
If the ones you have are old and worn out then might pick up a few chp
All a plug has to do is throw the spark across the gap to ignite, once its lit the mixture thats it.
All that fancy crap on a stock car wont make a bit of difference.
If the ones you have are old and worn out then might pick up a few chp
All a plug has to do is throw the spark across the gap to ignite, once its lit the mixture thats it.
All that fancy crap on a stock car wont make a bit of difference.