I keep going over weather or not to change over to some TR6s, or Iridiums, but I just cant seem to find enough justification to do so. Heres reasons why I feel it is not worth it.

#1. Having an 03L, but going to a TR6, or other style plug designed for a 99-02 lightning I would be eliminating the one thing that makes the 03 heads better.. Increased number of spark plug threads....Sure the head has more threads, but the limited number on the plugs still eliminates alot of surface area for the plug to retain surface friction and stay in place.

#2. My truck was dyno tuned with the stockers in place.

#3. I have no detonation ever, even on my winter tune in 80degree weather (thanks mostly to Fordchips conservitive tune)

#4. Plug read on my stock plugs is good.

#5. I see no chances of power increase going to a TR6, or iridium. In actuality the chances of powerloss is more likely giving the larger electrode to cover up spart (TR6 only)

#6. Unless I go with the Iridiums. Changing from a single platinum plug to a standard plug would cost throttle response.

#7. The COP ignition system was designed around platinum plugs.

#8. A single platinum plug will have a better chance of retaining spark under increased cylinder pressure at higher plug gaps. (having to reduce plug gap would cause a loss of power, throttle response, and pose some drivability issues.) (TR6 only)

#9. Iridiums are almsot $10 a plug!!


The only counter argument to change plugs is the unsuported idea that the stock plugs are increadibly bad for a Lighting with increased boost.. I have found no suporting evidence for this concept. I can see the necessity for it with high boost levels 6-8#+ over stock, where there is an increased possibility of creating and extremely hot flame front originating at the platinum plug. But this is highly unlikely in engines running only 2-4#s over stock.


__________________
Ford Certified technician. Certified in all Ford offerings including Diesel advanced drivability and repair, natural gas vehicles, alternitive fuel vehicles.
Specializing in gas drivability and electrical. Working on stink and shakes when I have to...

 

Very interesting, I would also like to see the Pro's & Con's ****

 

i have a 2lber and intake and bassani but i still am running the stock plugs and so far 22000 great miles-RYAN

 

you can see what all my mods are in my signature but Ive been running six pound pulley for about ten thousand miles with stock plugs and no problem

 

I don't understand your concern over NGK plugs. Are you saying that these http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/product...000&country=US plugs don't have enough threads to seat all the way into the combustion chamber in 03 heads? Looks like there's plenty of plug threads there to me?

Having said that, the OEM plugs were in my 01 L with a 3 lb pulley when I first got into the high-12s. They looked fine when I pulled them to put in colder NGKs along with my 5 lb pulley.

Dan

 

If you're running anything more than stock boost, upgrade your plugs, the stock plugs suck and if you don't believe me, try them with a 2# lower and a 1 and 1/2# upper and see how long they last before your hurt something, time will tell.

 

Running stock plugs with anything more then 2# is completely dangerous. If you do not value the life of your engine, keep running them.

 

I've got a 3#er coming is that pushing it or will I be O.K.
Jeff
Not looking forward to changing the plugs!!!!!

 

Stock plugs are platinum...read more detonation prone.

 

did somthing happen to you?

4# lower ans stock plugs no chip runs like a top

 

running stockers now. won't be for long.

 

I dont have any problem with the NGK plugs, I actualy run them in my supercharged GT. However they have aprox 6-7 less threads than the stock plug. And aprox 3-4 less threads than the cylinder head itself actualy has.

.What is your basis for that claim? Stock plugs suck??? I have seen alot of different plugs in fords in my carreer. And I can tell you that motorcraft plugs offer some of the best drivability of any plug I have seen. Plugs such as Champion, autolight (no they dont make motorcraft), Split fire, ect. have proven to make for some serious drivability concerns.

Burn the tips off? I assume your stating that because of the small diameter of the platinum tip causing a hot point to burn off. Where actuality the sharp "v" in the NGK plug is far more likely to melt before the platinum tiped plug......And on top of that its generaly the ground electrode that burns off the plug long before the fireing electrode melts.

Your claim is the exact thing I am talking about. Outright claims with little to no supporting info to which I have found.

Are you telling me that If I would have put Iridium plugs in my truck bone stock I would have bettered that 13.5 @ 101mph it ran 100% stock???

I highly doubt that, and any gain that may have been found could have been from different indexing rather than better plugs

 

Stock plugs work great with stock boost. However, if you are increasing boost via pulley anything past 2 lbs. extra, the heat range of the stock plugs is *too hot* for the particular application.

 

has anybody ran into a problem though?

 

I don't know what you are talking about by not having enough threads with the NGK. Here is a pic showing the stock plug and several others. They have the same amount of threads.



The TR6's are a step colder than the stock plugs. The problem with the stock plugs is not melting the platinum tips. The problem is the tip retaining heat instead of melting thus making the porcelain around the tip fail. The porcelain then cracks off breaking or bending a valve. The Iridium plugs have been known to do the same thing but you can get them in colder heat ranges which helps.

Sal for one lost a motor to the stock plugs back in the day. So many people are pulling them out now when they mod that you don't hear of failures like you use to.

I hope this helps with the info you are looking for.