OEM Platinum plugs for 3.8

I have a 1999 3.8 that has the "100,000" mile platinum plugs. I was at the Dealer parts dept the other day and got a price of $10 each. Ouch!!

What brand/number is the OEM plug? "Shirley" they can be purchased for less than $10 a pop.

I have seen advertisements for Bosch and Autolite platinums. Are these as good as the OEM plugs?

As hard as these suckers are to change, I want to get the best/right plugs.

Thanks

Champion(sp) runs grat in their. Say away from the split fire and 4 prongs sparkplugs, they do not work well. If you were around in the 60s they tried to sell them then and they did not sell, and now they are trying it agine. like i said champion is a good plug for oe.Bosh does work well also but go with the platnum. they work great also.Thats my 2-3 cents.lol

champion# RN14+PMP5 these come original in these engines

Any brand name platinum spark plug will do just fine, but make sure you get the correct temperature rating for your engine.

Will any good platinum plug last 100,000 miles as the OEM's are supposed to?

This is the quote from the Bosch website


Q. How often do I need to change my plugs?



A. As a rule, Bosch recommends that you follow the replacement interval listed in your vehicle owners manual, however we highly recommend that you inspect (read) your spark plugs annually and replace as required, to insure optimum engine performance.











Q. Do Bosch Spark Plugs meet original equipment requirements?



A. Yes! Bosch Spark Plugs meet or exceed warranty requirements of all vehicle and engine manufacturers, and when properly installed in accordance with the recommended application, will not adversely affect the emission control system of any vehicle.

I picked up the Champion RN14PMP5 (also known as Champion 7031) plugs at O'reilley's, $3.99 each.

Now all I have to do is install them!!!

you did the right thing by buying the original type

I would change the wires too at the same time, especially if they are original. The easiest way to change rear plugs is from under the van.

Changed the plugs (didn't change wires, but probably should have) yesterday afternoon. It took me almost 3 hours start to finish, counting beer breaks. I removed the ignition coil pack, alternator bracket and the alternator on the passenger side. That allowed easy access to the far passenger side plug.

I removed the throttle body on the driver's side. That exposed that plug.

The middle plug required me to use both hands "wrapped" around the intake manifold. It was sorta like I was hugging the entire engine!!

I was quite a task for someone with big hands and fat arms!!!. I have about 50 cuts on my hands and arms.

I did clean the throttle body while it was off. I wish I had had a PCV valve at the time. It would have been real easy to change. I tried to remove the intake manifold but it would not lift up high enough to clear the mounting studs. You don't need to remove or loosen it anyway, at least not on my 1999 3.8.

Not too hard of a job, it just takes some time and effort (and some bandaids).