Split Fire for an 85 L98????
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 213
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From: Choudrant LA
Split Fire for an 85 L98????
It's time for a tune up and I was going to give splitfire plugs and wires a try. I know I had luck with them on my old truck but haven't heard much about them on the vettes. I also was going to change the distributor cap on it. Any suggestions? I by no means have a high-performance vette. With the flowmasters, I MAY be running 250 hp. Anyone with positive/negative experience with these, please let me know. Also anyone have something that is economically comparable to these that work better, let me know.
Thanks
Eric
Thanks
Eric
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (eric_daniel)
Dude, I was just thinking about this because i have splitfire wires and plugs in my Buick. It has more spunk for sure. I have TPIS wires, and they appear in good shape, so I may just try the splitfire plugs this spring, in place of the bosch +4s which I have no complaints about. :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (oldace84)
put splitfire plugs and wires on a 12 sec f-body and lost 1 tenth in the 1/4. put old wires and plugs back and car gained it back. this was my one and only experience with them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
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From: OH
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (eric_daniel)
Those should work out fine. Read a lot of people that liked them. I'm running Bosch+4s which a lot of people hate, but were a nice improvement over the stock plugs. Also running MSD 8.5 wires, once again much better then 18 year old wires. Can get AM radio stations now if I wanted to.
The L98 has a lot of potental in it, for being only 230hp stock. With my limited mods mine is a completely different car compared to when I first got it. Hopefully my long-tube headers will arrive for the weekend and I can get them on before tracks open around here to see how much power I really have.
The L98 has a lot of potental in it, for being only 230hp stock. With my limited mods mine is a completely different car compared to when I first got it. Hopefully my long-tube headers will arrive for the weekend and I can get them on before tracks open around here to see how much power I really have.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
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From: NJ
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (rsafier)
I have had all different plugs in the 85, including bosh platinum, the best plugs by far were the factory AC plugs. Better idle, milage and all aroung drivability.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: Inland Empire CA
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (Chevy Guy)
Split Fires are just a marketing gimmick. They work - as in they make spark. But they don't give you 20HP or whatever they claim :lol: They even got sued by the government for that stuff. The standard NGK split V would probably be the same if not better or if you have money go with the crazy iridium plugs.
Remember you gain power from getting more air in, and more air out. Not spark plugs (only if the old plugs aren't functioning correctly).
Remember you gain power from getting more air in, and more air out. Not spark plugs (only if the old plugs aren't functioning correctly).
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (WickedC4)
From an engineering standpoint, I don't see how having 2 or even 4 ground electrodes will ever be of benefit. That arc is only jumping one of those gaps, despite what the false advertising shows you.
If anything, it's more edges to cause preignition, and more metal to shroud flame propagation.
The ONLY benefit I see to these types of plugs, is that you can drive around like an ostrich with dirty plugs and still manage to get spark.
If anything, it's more edges to cause preignition, and more metal to shroud flame propagation.
The ONLY benefit I see to these types of plugs, is that you can drive around like an ostrich with dirty plugs and still manage to get spark.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (WickedC4)
Split Fires are just a marketing gimmick. They work - as in they make spark. But they don't give you 20HP or whatever they claim :lol: They even got sued by the government for that stuff. The standard NGK split V would probably be the same if not better or if you have money go with the crazy iridium plugs.
Remember you gain power from getting more air in, and more air out. Not spark plugs (only if the old plugs aren't functioning correctly).
Remember you gain power from getting more air in, and more air out. Not spark plugs (only if the old plugs aren't functioning correctly).
Split Fires are just a marketing gimmick. They work - as in they make spark. But they don't give you 20HP or whatever they claim :lol: They even got sued by the government for that stuff. The standard NGK split V would probably be the same if not better or if you have money go with the crazy iridium plugs.
Remember you gain power from getting more air in, and more air out. Not spark plugs (only if the old plugs aren't functioning correctly).
Remember you gain power from getting more air in, and more air out. Not spark plugs (only if the old plugs aren't functioning correctly).
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (CentralCoaster)
WickedC4 and CentralCoaster are CORRECT!!! Do NOT waste your money. Any good quality platinum plug will work as well if not better than the gimmic plugs.
Save your money for real mods!
Bill C
Save your money for real mods!
Bill C
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 514
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From: ceres ca
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (Bill Curlee)
I just had to jump in. I've tried several of these in a couple of my vettes. In my experience Splitfire= Gimmick saw no difference except cost. Bosch 4s and platinums, did not like. Factory plugs seem to work fine. Never tried cut back plugs in vette. A lot of people swear by it, as do a lot of pro racers (as some of you on this board are}. If unshrouding the spark works so well then how come side fire plugs suck? Is it chamber design? :confused:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (Bill Curlee)
WickedC4 and CentralCoaster are CORRECT!!! Do NOT waste your money. Any good quality platinum plug will work as well if not better than the gimmic plugs.
Save your money for real mods!
Bill C
Save your money for real mods!
Bill C
Actually, platinum is a gimmick in this sense also. Platinum plugs don't erode as quickly as copper, but they aren't as conductive either.
If you want the best performance, invest in good wires, and run Copper NGK's, and change them when they need it!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Torrance California
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (Chevy Guy)
I have had all different plugs in the 85, including bosh platinum, the best plugs by far were the factory AC plugs. Better idle, milage and all aroung drivability.
I tried spitfires when they first came out. And at first I thought Wow what a great improvement. But anything would have been a great improvement considering the condition of the old plugs. The longest life I could get out of the spits were probably only 5k before they looked like toast.
So I guess what im trying to say is I personally didnt like them. That just my 2 cents. :auto:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 213
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From: Choudrant LA
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (1SLO POK)
So the general feeling is no Split Fires..... Would everyone agree that NGK is the best alternative? What kind of wires are the best? I don't mind paying more, just not an outragious price. Is there anything alot better than acdelco for the distributor cap? First time tuning the vette and just need a good heads up!!!!!! Thanks a million for the input.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
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From: NJ
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (eric_daniel)
So the general feeling is no Split Fires..... Would everyone agree that NGK is the best alternative?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 515
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From: HAMILTON OH
Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (Chevy Guy)
Just put Denso's in my L98....seem to work great. Great price too! 1.68 at the Zone. She fires up with turn of the key....but I replaced the original plugs with a bunch of miles. Good luck, can't go wrong with AC/ Delco either.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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Re: Split Fire for an 85 L98???? (toondaddy)
I agree with Chevy Guy. I have been running ac delco plugs ($.89) for twelve years. I change them once a year regardless of milage. Cost is $8 and 30 minutes. This gives me a look into the engine and fresh plugs to boot. I have a nitrous equipted 383 and have never had a spark plug problem(with the ac's anyway) I also have tried almost every type of plug at the track and cannot see a performance gain in any others. Just my $.02
