'89 Caprice - Bosch Platinum+4 plugs, wires

[tmatta]

Anyone have comments on Bosch Platinum+4 (no gap) spark plugs?

Bosch Spark Plug Wire Set?

Thought I'd try them out in my '89 Caprice 305.....

[CD Smalley]

Not much point to them. I've tried most of the gadget type plugs in my cars over the years. Only once have I seen any gain in mileage or hp as suggested. A set of Splitfires gained me 2 mpg city and highway in my 91 p/u over a set of new AC plugs. Nothing else made a difference.

I'd save your money and buy the recommended AC plugs.

[PeteA216]

I wish they still made A/C Delco Rapid Fire plugs.... they gave me a huge improvement in how the engine ran.

The Bosch Platinum +4 don't really make a difference unless you put a higher voltage coil in the car. Rememeber, you have the same voltage going through your plug, but it splits off 4 times with the platinum 4's, so each spark is 4 times as weak.

[tmatta]

Originally Posted by PeteA216

The Bosch Platinum +4 don't really make a difference unless you put a higher voltage coil in the car.....

Upgrading the coil make it worth it, or should I still stick to standard stuff?

[Incitatus]

Originally Posted by CD Smalley

I'd save your money and buy the recommended AC plugs.

Great advice.
I was a big Bosch fan for many years and I've come to realize nothing beats simplicity.
See if you can use the ones for a '96... they're double platinums.

[PeteA216]

I'd just stick to standard stuff, but if you wanna go with the extra money, get the bosch plugs with a higher voltage coil, and it should give you improved gas mileage, a little bit more power at higher RPMs (barely noticable) and a smoother idle.

[tmatta]

Thanks for the advice, guys.

I'll think the options over. I want to do what is best for maintaining (perhaps improving!) my Caprice. Just short of 150,000 miles, you know - want to keep it running as long as I can!

Besides plugs/wires/coil/etc., any ideas come to mind for improvements?

Tom

[PeteA216]

K&N Air Filter, gut you're catylitic converter, a Tornado intake unit (Goes in the air filter chamber, improves HP and gas mileage), and you could block the vacume hose going to your EGR valve.

[tmatta]

Originally Posted by PeteA216

...a Tornado intake unit (Goes in the air filter chamber, improves HP and gas mileage)....

This always struck me as "too good to be true" - but you have used it with good results?

[vette_7t9]

those tornados and such are complete waste of money. It makes no sense, just swirls the air around and causes restriction in the intake tract. An area you can improve by causing swirl of the air is in the port going into the combustion chamber, and i doubt the tornado will fit there =P.