new sparkplugs..necessary??Debate with self

My Silverdildo has 109k on it,so I figgered I d put a new set o`plugs in it.
I priced the stock AC`s,which were almost 8 bucks each,compared to Bosch Platinums,which were a buckninteyfive. A no brainer there.:icon16:

Looking at the stock plugs,they sure seemed in good shape,tho the gap was I m guessing .090 instead of the correct(I believe) .060. Also,there was a deposit on the little curved piece of metal that the spark snaps to,right where the spark would hit it.

Years ago(w ere talking a couple decades here) it was commonplace to remove and clean and gap the plugs. Nowdays,it seems nobody does this anymore.Just toss em and buy new. But,of course,if you get 109K out of a set of plugs instead of 25k,I guess one can afford to just toss em out.

But.. 8 bucks a plug for AC`s being the going rate,does anyone clean plugs anymore?? I m guessing if one is gonna go thru the trouble of getting those plugwires unsnapped from the plugs,might as well install new ones. I m lucky to have any skin left on any knuckles. I finally resorted to a good pair of ol` fashioned pliers to reef those suckers off.

Anyway..I kept the AC`s just for the fish, maybe I ll use em to throw at the chipmunks around the yard.

signed..

AbsoultleycluelesswhyIpostedthis-brad:lol:

The last time I think I cleaned and gapped plugs was when I was 17, I had and 83 Buick T-Type. All cars after that including my truck I have just removed and replaced. I have been using the Bosch +4's for a few years, The first car I used them in was a 92 Camaro w/305. I recently did a tune up on the truck just to keep it running perfect and to try and stay ahead in fuel efficency. I would have to say with the newer designs of spark plugs also has to do with people not cleaning and gapping, newer plugs usually come pre-gapped to make it easy on everyone I guess.

I have not heard good things about Bosch plugs....
I'm thinking about some AC Delco iridiums...or NGK TR55's

I have not heard good things about Bosch plugs....
I'm thinking about some AC Delco iridiums...or NGK TR55's


When I changed mine out a few months ago I was told by more than one parts store and mechanic "whatever you do don't put bosch plugs in a chevy motor". I guess they are great plugs for imports but on our fine chevys they tend to cause some problems sometimes. I went with the AC Delco iridiums at $7.25/ea after reading a message sent out by chevy along with the part number. They come pre-gapped and I was told no matter what DO NOT bend or pry on the iridium tips. If you check the gap and find that it's wrong just take it back to the store for a new one.

No brainer..hugh? 109K for plugs at abou $60 a set for what was made for the vehicle. This one I'd have to agree with on staying with OEM. Those plugs work well and last a long time for a reason. I had Bosch on my '93, V6 and it failed smog. It passed with flying colors after I put stock plugs back in.

NGK TR55.....best plugs I've ever used and you can get a set for under $10. Don't let the price fool you. This is the plug to run. Right now I'm running the TR60s because they are a colder firing plug and I'm on the spray.

Only suckers pay GM list, GMPD.com has 'em for $4.90 a pop. You may also find good prices at an AC Delco dealer rather than a GM dealer

www.gmpartsdirect.com

12571164 is the p/n I used, from my '04 owner's manual, for small block V8s

On a side note, GM list for a quart of M1 is around $8.30. Again, only suckers pay GM list!

I would stay with ACD plugs personally.

I'll worry about it about 60,000 miles from now (I plan to change them early)!!!

Change spark plugs? You mean you guys actually change them? :cwm27:

To be honest, I can't tell you the last time I actually changed a full set, other than way back when the old cars would wear the old plugs out.

Don't get me wrong, I should do it on the suggested schedule. It really is probably a good idea. It's just that when I have pulled a few of them for inspection, they never looked bad enough to do anything with them and the gaps were good. 'course I don't put a ton of miles on my vehicles. I sold my '95 last year at 118k with the original plugs in it. I check mileage always and know how many miles I can get out of a tankful. If milage never falters, and it runs the same as ever, I don't spend the money.*

However, during the days at the dealership, I also saw many instances where a poor running customer's vehicle came down to cases where they have used Bosch platinum plugs in their vehicles thinking they were doing a good thing. A fresh set of AC's got them going again.


*The views stated above are not necesarilly those of the majority of sane people.

I personally plan at 90,000 to take the truck to a good reputable GM friendly mechanic, have it tuned and throughally checked out. That way, I should have a good second 90,000 miles which at that point I'll do it again. To me it'll be worth it!!!

I take all of mine out every time I get back from the track(never can be too cautious).

I guess time will tell. If I need to get a set of the expensive AC`s, I will. If the Platinums dont work out,it ll be a reletively cheap lesson:smile:

SlowProcess: will those NGK TR55`s work in a 5.3L?

I recently replaced my plugs too... I asked a lot of people weather to go w/the bosch or the ac delco's ...it was unanimously advised that i stick w/the delcos... everyone i asked said nothing but bad things about the bosches. So i got the delcos and they are working just great. I changed at 99k.

I'll worry about it about 60,000 miles from now (I plan to change them early)!!!

The Haynes manual says to change the plugs at 30,000 miles. I am now at 33127, and I just changed mine to the iridiums. The old ones did look a little cruddy when I pulled them out.

Your owner's manual says its only necessary every 100k as preventative maintenance =). As was stated above, you can really go as long as you're comfortable so long as your gas mileage doesn't suffer and it don't start running like shit!

Over the summer I worked at a Chevy dealer as a mechanics assistant, we got a 1990 Corvette ZR1 one day for various things, including a set of plugs. The mechanic removed six bosch plugs. From the 5.7 liter V8. The 15 year old car still had the factory original AC Delco plugs in the rearmost two cylinders because they were a little harder to get at =).

But then, that car only had about 40k on it.

I am going on 70,000 on my 2001 and I am going to change them because I dont like leaving the plugs in my aluminum heads. I plan on using good old a/c delcos.
P.S. you never gap a platinum plug

I just put new ACDelcos in my '02 5.3 w/53K. Noticed a definite improvement in throttle response. Seems to accelerate better but haven't noticed any better fuel mileage. I'm getting 17.8 highway with the A/C on.

BTW- the plugs were around $6 ea. at O'Reilly.

well i do believe that im convinced to change out the plugs on my truck once again, I will try the delco's and get rid of the Bosch. And do ya'll suggest using the Iridium or Platinum. How much is the cost difference. And thanks for helping me to correct my deficiency.

I guess time will tell. If I need to get a set of the expensive AC`s, I will. If the Platinums dont work out,it ll be a reletively cheap lesson:smile:

SlowProcess: will those NGK TR55`s work in a 5.3L?

Absolutely!!! I think you will be very happy with them, and what's not to like about that price. :naughty:

And do ya'll suggest using the Iridium or Platinum. How much is the cost difference.

I believe ACDelco only makes the Iridium for our trucks. Thats all they listed for the truck at O'Reilly, anyways.

I just changed mine today and I used ngk TR55's....i also replaced my wires with some new ACDelco's as well....the old plugs and wires had 109k and still looked pretty good.....and I second the fact that Bosch sucks in chevy motors......use thir o2 sensors but never plugs or wires....

here's an article relating to horsepower and mpg increase fixes for the TBI trucks. I posted it here because it makes reference to AC Delco spark plugs being superior to others as per the performance shops testing. Higher quality = higher price

http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/tenarticle.asp?aid=1324&sid=1

NGK TR55.....best plugs I've ever used and you can get a set for under $10. Don't let the price fool you. This is the plug to run. Right now I'm running the TR60s because they are a colder firing plug and I'm on the spray.


HOPEFULLY THEY ARE NOT BOGUS OR COUNTERFIET PARTS FROM ASIA

here's an article relating to horsepower and mpg increase fixes for the TBI trucks. I posted it here because it makes reference to AC Delco spark plugs being superior to others as per the performance shops testing. Higher quality = higher price

Interseting article. The kicker was the advertisement for the "Supercharge your Chevy for $69" ad for the Turbonator...LOL Somewhere on that page has got to be a conflict of interest!!!
:sadwavey:

ive used bosche plugs in probably 4 different vehicles now and havent had any trouble yet. i put em in my 76 that runs amazingly smooth for a 30 year old truck with original internals. ive had them in my 01 now for just about 10k miles i think. it also passed inspection. exactly what kinda bad things have u heard about them? not to say the NGKs arent better. i was always a little partial to them myself, especially for the price.

i thought the same thing as the guys above and wanted to replace my plugs after 100,000 miles. I posted the same question and stopped myself from getting the bosch and i did get the ac delco irridiums. i thought that i was feeling a bad plug shake every now and then, so i did change them and after that i did not notice of feel any difference in performance or gas mileage, but i guess that they had to be replaced at some time. i guess that since i am on 114,000 miles and still never replaced my front brakes yet, Replacing the plugs was one thing that i could do....oh yeah 99 silverado 4X4 ext LT......
List of parts replaced:
1 ujoint, rear parking brake pads, 8 spark plugs, 4 tires to Michelin LTX.

not bad for 114,000 miles...

Have any of you guys heard anything about those new E3 spark plugs, i saw an ad for them in hot rod magazine. Heres the site www.e3sparkplugs.com let me know what you guys think, because im thinking of trying a set.