i want to change my spark plugs this weekend and i would like to know what some of you guys are running and how well they work.

thanks,
brian

 

What's up Brian! That's my name also.
Welcome to the site! Most everyone here on this site are running Bosch Plat+4 plugs.
They are the best plug you can get. I just put some in my truck with new 9mm FMS wires and they work great.

Good Luck!

Brian

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1997 F150 XLT 4.6L Auto 4x4 ORP SC 3.55LS Oxford white, Med. Graphite Int. White Faced Gauges,Bed Cap,Superchip,AirRaid,Bosch+4,9MM FMS Wires,Bug Deflector. Rancho RSX Shocks, 3" Flowmaster 40 series,Bassani Nascar Tip. 285/75/16 BFG AT's, 16x8 Centerline 45 series



[This message has been edited by 97F150 (edited 08-17-2000).]

 

Hello to everyone,
been lurking for a bit.
Are the plus 4's much better than the standard Bosch Plat's? I have used the standard one's for year and found them to be very good.




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2000 f-150 red XLT 4x4 5.4L 3.55 sliding rear, 60/40, towing package, keyless entry

 

I've got the Champion Truck plugs in mine.

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1999 F250 LD S/C XLT 4x4
5.4L, 3.73, 4R100 trans.
Flowmaster 40 series, K&N, Poweraid, Superchip, Rancho RSX shocks, Stull billet grille, 2-PIAA Pro80XT's (120W), 2-KC Daylighters (150W)
265/70 R17 BFG AT KO's on 17x8 American Racing Atlas rims
Kenwood 7000 CD, Alpine 3342 Signal Processor, Alpine MRV-F353 5Ch. Amp, Pioneer TS-A6865 3-way speakers, Lightning Audio 1 Farad Capacitor, RS10A Bazooka Bass Tube. CompuStar alarm/autostart.

 

Here is my two cents......I worked at a Canadian Tire Store for 8 years and read many articles on plugs and being the service writer, I listened to most of the mechanics feed-back. We had a lot of cars come back into the shop not running properly because the mechanic had put in the champion, NGK or crappy motomaster plugs. We did countless numbers of plug changes for that reason. It became standard in our garage anyways that the mechanics only put OEM plugs into all vehicles. That would mean AC Delco for GM and Motorcraft for Ford. From that time forward, I go straight to the dealer for my plugs to always get the OEM's. Seven vehicles later I have never had a problem with that.

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97 F150, XLT, Flare-side, ext. cab, Pacific Green, 4.6L Triton V8.

 

Are the split fires any good? they claim more power and better gas mileage.

 

I've heard a lot of good things about the BOSH Platinum +4. I was thinking of replacing the plugs so that I can get better mileage. I was wondering if anyone of you have replace the plugs yourself? I've heard that trying to get to the last sparkplug is nearly impossible specially if you don't have a garage full of tools. Is this true?

 

The +4s are a waste of money. I installed them in a 4L ranger and beyond starting faster, no more power and a little worse milage.

When I removed the plugs after 15K, 4 of the 6 plugs you could see where they were firing on one electrode ONLY. The 5th was 3 electrodes and only 1 plug actually used all 4 electrodes. Waste of money personally.

With any aftermarket ignition, they recommend using copper plugs and change them every 5K. This is the best way to do it. Also cheap at under $1 per plug.

[This message has been edited by Matt90GT (edited 08-19-2000).]

 

The Bosch 4+ plugs are a big waste of money. They do nothing of benefit to justify the high dollar they cost.

After all, no matter how many dielectrodes a plug has, it can still only fire on one electrode, so having four will not mean it fires on all four at the same time. It doesn't do a thing for indexing or other myths either.

The best plugs to use if you want better performance and fuel economy is a non-platinum, copper core replacement plug. Platinum is a very poor conductor of electricity, especially in comparison of copper plugs. The manufacturers use the platinums because they last longer, not because they are better conducting plugs. Just the opposite.

With copper core plugs, you will have to replace every 35-40k miles, unlike the platinums that still "fire" at supposedly 100k miles, but just because they still fire at 100k miles doesn't mean your truck will run worth a crap. Even with the platinum plugs, I would still change around 50-60k miles.

A good copper core plug make I would recommend is a Motorcraft copper core replacement plug or Autolite copper core plugs. Stay away from NGK or Bosch, etc. They are great for imports in which they are intended, but don't work well in the domestic trucks.

 

I remember reading something and also being told NOT to use the SplitFire plugs. I heard they can be very harmfull to your engine.

I too will probably use the Motorcraft plug.



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Rand

98 Ford Expedition 4X4 XLT
5.4, 3.73s, 17" wheels,
Homemade 3" "COLD" Air-Box
mod, SuperChip, Amsoil
everywhere but tranny, Perma-
Cool combo 6 pass trans/oil
cooler (FQR 5.4 @ 50K)