Iridium IX Plug #TR55IX

joe383 · #1 05-31-2008, 04:43 PM

Anyone using this plug in their Intrigue. I am due for a sparkplug change and was thinking of this type.

Has anyone heard if they are good or are they like the bosch plugs

....not recommended.

I have a shade over 100,000 miles on the car now.

BNaylor · #2 06-01-2008, 09:36 AM

It would help to post what year Intrigue you have or engine.

Nothing wrong with NGK spark plugs. If you have a '98 or '99 with the Series II 3800 engine the NGK TR55IX Iridium plugs work like a champ. Also, the AC Delco 41-101 Iridiums which are now the recommended replacement plugs for the OE AC Delco double platinum plugs are made by NGK for GM.

If you have the 3.5L engine it is a different issue.

joe383 · #3 06-01-2008, 07:40 PM

Sorry, I have a 2002 Intrigue with the 3.5...awsome engine.

From the tone of your posting it does not sound like these Iridium plugs are not a good choice either.

I have a new set of NGK TR55GP in the garage that I bought earlier last week. However, upon doing some reading on this forum they(TR55GP) are not the same as the sparkplugs I have in the car now(AC Delco/NGK). I went to return the to get the proper AC Delco/NGK but Canadian Tire does not stock them

. I do not think that the TR55GP plugs will last 100K so I don't want to put them in.

Thanks for the reply.....Joe

BNaylor · #4 06-01-2008, 10:30 PM

The OE spark plug if you still have the original ones for your engine are supposed to be the AC Delco 41-980 which is a double platinum gapped at .050". Also, the alternate plug that the 3.5L was delivered with are the NGK PTR5C-13 double platinum.

According to my documentation the NGK TR55IX Iridium can be used in your engine to include the TR55GP which is a single platinum, the TR55 V power (copper core), and PTR5C-13 which is a double platinum (<--OE match of the Delco 41-980). The double platinums and iridium are typically 100K mile/160K km plugs.

However, after checking the specs of the AC Delco 41-980 plugs versus for example the NGK TR55IX the Delco 41-980 would be the equivalent of one range colder or the TR55IX would be one range hotter than stock.

What I do know is the TR55IX works fine in the 3800 engine but not sure about the 3.5L. Lets see what members that have the 3.5L say.

harmankardon35 · #5 06-01-2008, 11:50 PM

FIY i have been using bosch plugs in my 3800 for over a year, no issues as of yet....I had a set of ngk's back then but I quickly tossed them out when 2 of them cracked on installation (ceramic portion cracked under normal torque

)

LittleHoov · #6 06-02-2008, 01:45 AM

Ive got a 3.5 and Im running regular TR55 copper plugs, not sure of the exact part number, but I havent had any issues that seem to be related to spark plugs.

My average gas mileage seems to have slumped off a little, but I blame that on the great state of Missouri, who as of 1/1/08 mandates 10% ethanol in every grade of gasoline.

harmankardon35 · #7 06-02-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleHoov

Ive got a 3.5 and Im running regular TR55 copper plugs, not sure of the exact part number, but I havent had any issues that seem to be related to spark plugs.

My average gas mileage seems to have slumped off a little, but I blame that on the great state of Missouri, who as of 1/1/08 mandates 10% ethanol in every grade of gasoline.

ugh they did that up here in ontario here a few years back...instantly noticed lower MPG.

joe383 · #8 06-04-2008, 04:23 AM

Thanks for the replys and info.

I thought I read something in the Intrigue sevice manual stateing using the same heat range plug in the 3.5, it's 4AM in the morn so I am not 100% sure about that, however nothing I remember about using a hotter plug was NOT mentioned. I'm almost tempted to try the iridium plugs just to see what results I get as far as driveability and mileage.

Latelty, I also have been using 10% ethonal fuel here in Ontario,and noticed a drop in fuel mileage. Last week I took a 6 hour trip using ethonal fuel in one direction and 'regular fuel' in the other. Well, on the way back using (esso) reg gas my mileage was up significantly. So much so that I think I am not going to usr 'green' gas anymore.(sorry to all the corn farmers out there). My commute is 80kms one way to work and I need all the mileage I can get out of a litre of fuel.

Again, thanks for your help.

Joe

LittleHoov · #9 06-04-2008, 01:39 PM

Yeah its nice if you have the option, I experimented with the 89 octane that was 10% ethanol for the same price of 87 regular that a lot of stores including the station I work at used to do. Even though the octane rating was higher I noticed slightly less performance and a decline in gas mileage.

It never made any sense to me until I started seeing feedback that E85 vehicles get horrible gas mileage, and even though its cheaper it didnt offset the total cost compared to regular gas. Then I started seeing things like ethanol doesnt burn as efficiently as gasoline and theres less energy, etc. Turned me into a hater. Not too mention its one of the things that made grocery prices shoot through the roof.

joe383 · #10 06-07-2008, 04:54 AM

Well. I traded in the TR55GPs for the Iridium TR55IXs yesterday. I was lucky, the iridium plugs were on sale. They were 16.00 for two, $4.00 off each set. I am on vacation this week and will put them in and wiil watch my gas mileage.

Again thanks for the info.

harmankardon35 · #11 06-10-2008, 08:59 PM

I wonder if using 'premium' fuel in a 3800 would be more cost effective in the long run. I always opt for the 87 because these days even that is 1.30/litre (it was 87 cents/litre a year ago!)...i had a friend who used to take pure acetone from his work in big buckets and put a cup of that in with every tank...he swore it increased his fuel economy...but at the time gas was reasonably priced so i didnt really care. I do now

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD