Spark plug change?

[57chevyragtop]

ogre 73, Thanks for the heads up on the plug wires, I would have gone with the AC Delco If I could purchase one wire, but dealer parts will only sell entire set to public. But will only replace a single wire inhouse repairs, might be a crappy dealer or all that way who knows. I went with top of the line from my auto supply and they will guarantee anything I buy from them so no worries. I am still curious why the change to iridium, only thing I come up with is plug life to increase what they can state as tune up interval time. I just don't see any evidence that they would produce a more efficient spark than Platinum but i am still researching this subject will post if I find anything interesting.

[ogre73]

Originally Posted by 57chevyragtop

ogre 73, Thanks for the heads up on the plug wires, I would have gone with the AC Delco If I could purchase one wire, but dealer parts will only sell entire set to public. But will only replace a single wire inhouse repairs, might be a crappy dealer or all that way who knows. I went with top of the line from my auto supply and they will guarantee anything I buy from them so no worries.

Just so people know, I have no delusions about ACDelco being the best out there; I'm sure they aren't when you come right down to the specs like resistance, interference, etc. What I DO think is that they are the plug and wireset that the car was engineered around. In this day of computers engineering things to such tight tolerances, and the computers in the cars looking for certain setups/values, I am from here on out unwilling to take the chance that I took with all of my previous cars and "upgrade" to a better set of plugs or wires. I am still convinced that the reason my wireset failed was because of the different properties of the platinum plugs with the delco wireset. 57, don't assume no worries; if all that failed was the plugs or wireset you would be fine, but if, like me, it leads to something else like the cat converter, it could cost.

Originally Posted by 57chevyragtop

I am still curious why the change to iridium, only thing I come up with is plug life to increase what they can state as tune up interval time. I just don't see any evidence that they would produce a more efficient spark than Platinum but i am still researching this subject will post if I find anything interesting.

For what it's worth, the NGK website (Oh yeah, the ACDelco plugs ARE NGK, by the way) says "The result are spark plugs that require less voltage to spark, burns fuel more efficiently, sparks at leaner air/fuel mixtures, and delivers higher horsepower and better gas mileage." http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/product...400&country=US
This site http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/t...park_plugs.htm gives a pretty good reason with physical properties.
Here, too: http://www.machv.com/denirsparplu.html. It looks like hardness and melting point are pretty key.

By the way, you can buy the plugs with the NGK name if you want, but then they are about 40% more expensive.
Jim

[victimizati0n]

Originally Posted by Mikey-Mike

I changed my wires & plugs in my 3.4 Impala. I was able to get the back plugs out no problemo & there was plenty of room to work back there I thought.

I used "Taylor Spiro Pro" wires from Summit Racing and Split Fire Platinum plugs.

Everything worked well but I will use "Bosh Platinum 4+ Gapless Spark Plugs" this yr., because they are the Ultimate.

good job.

splitfire plugs suck ass.

they are no different than normal plugs, the spark has to go to one of those prongs, and it usually chooses the same one (least resistance)

so acually, you are just getting a spark that is at an angle.

[MCO_Death]

Originally Posted by ogre73

Just so people know, I have no delusions about ACDelco being the best out there; I'm sure they aren't when you come right down to the specs like resistance, interference, etc. What I DO think is that they are the plug and wireset that the car was engineered around. In this day of computers engineering things to such tight tolerances, and the computers in the cars looking for certain setups/values, I am from here on out unwilling to take the chance that I took with all of my previous cars and "upgrade" to a better set of plugs or wires. I am still convinced that the reason my wireset failed was because of the different properties of the platinum plugs with the delco wireset. 57, don't assume no worries; if all that failed was the plugs or wireset you would be fine, but if, like me, it leads to something else like the cat converter, it could cost.



For what it's worth, the NGK website (Oh yeah, the ACDelco plugs ARE NGK, by the way) says "The result are spark plugs that require less voltage to spark, burns fuel more efficiently, sparks at leaner air/fuel mixtures, and delivers higher horsepower and better gas mileage." http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/product...400&country=US
This site http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/t...park_plugs.htm gives a pretty good reason with physical properties.
Here, too: http://www.machv.com/denirsparplu.html. It looks like hardness and melting point are pretty key.

By the way, you can buy the plugs with the NGK name if you want, but then they are about 40% more expensive.
Jim

Are there any conditions to look for to decide its time to change plugs? I have no clue when mine were last changed, but i've put nearly 25k miles on the car since I got it. Also are there any performance boosts to changing them?

[victimizati0n]

Originally Posted by MCO_Death

Are there any conditions to look for to decide its time to change plugs? I have no clue when mine were last changed, but i've put nearly 25k miles on the car since I got it. Also are there any performance boosts to changing them?

the plugs should last till about 125,000 miles, and maby even more.

cars today run so clean, you usually never have to change them.

my friend has a jeep with 215,000 miles with the origional plugs in it (he just got it)

[Dwain_Bennett]

On my 2000 LS with 3.8 I used a ratcheting, tie-down strap. Disconnect both dogbone mounts, hook the strap to the radiator support and the engine cover bracket. Pull the engine forward and you will have all the room required to change out the rear plugs. Now, for this tidbit of info...NEVER (and that means never) gap iridium or platinum spark plugs. The precious metal is too brittle. Gapping can create problems for that plug in the future. Also, since they are 100k sparkplugs go ahead and spend the bucks on a set of Delco wires. You cannot go wrong. Rarely will you get a set of plugwires to last 200k. Since you're there, just make it a one time thing.
Happy motoring.
Dwain

[montecarlossfan]

why cant you gap iridium or platinum plugs...i gap them all the time without problems...you just cant shove the gap tool in there hit the electrode,

[TeriLewis]

Im trying to change the Spark plugs in my 02 Impala 3.4 LS I cant seem to get ANY of the plugs off! I have wrenched and pulled and they wont budge... any suggestions?

Teri

[montecarlossfan]

Originally Posted by TeriLewis

Im trying to change the Spark plugs in my 02 Impala 3.4 LS I cant seem to get ANY of the plugs off! I have wrenched and pulled and they wont budge... any suggestions?

Teri

start the motor let it run for about 2-3 min... then spray each with wd 40 or similiar....try to take them off if they turn and then feel like they are stopping turn em back in then back it out again repeating until it is all the way out....