NGK Plugs Suck - AC Delco Iridiums Solve all Problems!
08-11-2005, 05:57 AM
#22
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It seems like the NGKs work for 90% of the people out there, just my luck I am one of the 10% that have problems. I will be one of those few guys that recommend the Iridium plugs.
Well, at least if I keep the car mildly modified, the Iridiums should last me a LONG time.
Get this:
The cost to change my plugs and wires in LABOR alone was $270 because they had to do it twice.
Adding the cost of the first bad set of NGK plugs, MSD wires, new AC Delco Iridiums,
the Fuel filter, and oil change, the total was a whopping.....................
$575
The plugs and wires better last me 2-3 years!!!
Who am I kidding, the last time I had a Sports Car for over 2 years was.....
NEVER
Now time to do searches on Trns Mounts....
Howard
Well, at least if I keep the car mildly modified, the Iridiums should last me a LONG time.
Get this:
The cost to change my plugs and wires in LABOR alone was $270 because they had to do it twice.
Adding the cost of the first bad set of NGK plugs, MSD wires, new AC Delco Iridiums,
the Fuel filter, and oil change, the total was a whopping.....................
$575
The plugs and wires better last me 2-3 years!!!
Who am I kidding, the last time I had a Sports Car for over 2 years was.....
NEVER
Now time to do searches on Trns Mounts....
Howard
08-11-2005, 06:30 AM
#23
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$575 for plug swap, that is very reasonable
Seriously, everyone should do that on they own, it took me 3 hours for the first time (wires and plugs) and for that I also went and bougt the needed 3/8 swivel extention. All from above and no torn nuckles, small scrapes though.
Installuniversity has very good instructions for it, big thanks for them.
I was surprised how-wont say easy but close enough-it was.
I used also the NKG iridiums and MSD wires and they work OK for me
Seriously, everyone should do that on they own, it took me 3 hours for the first time (wires and plugs) and for that I also went and bougt the needed 3/8 swivel extention. All from above and no torn nuckles, small scrapes though.
Installuniversity has very good instructions for it, big thanks for them.
I was surprised how-wont say easy but close enough-it was.
I used also the NKG iridiums and MSD wires and they work OK for me
08-11-2005, 08:23 AM
#25
Get you a energy suspension poly. mount from Speed inc. i just got mine for $30 w/shipping. I also had the knockin noise but it was the drive shaft hitting the torque arm under acceleration. That was because the tranny mount was wore out & it was allowing the tranny & driveshaft to shift under acceleration. Get it fixed ASAP.
08-11-2005, 09:06 AM
#26
Originally Posted by yell03
It seems like the NGKs work for 90% of the people out there, just my luck I am one of the 10% that have problems. I will be one of those few guys that recommend the Iridium plugs.
Well, at least if I keep the car mildly modified, the Iridiums should last me a LONG time.
Get this:
The cost to change my plugs and wires in LABOR alone was $270 because they had to do it twice.
Adding the cost of the first bad set of NGK plugs, MSD wires, new AC Delco Iridiums,
the Fuel filter, and oil change, the total was a whopping.....................
$575
The plugs and wires better last me 2-3 years!!!
Who am I kidding, the last time I had a Sports Car for over 2 years was.....
NEVER
Now time to do searches on Trns Mounts....
Howard
Well, at least if I keep the car mildly modified, the Iridiums should last me a LONG time.
Get this:
The cost to change my plugs and wires in LABOR alone was $270 because they had to do it twice.
Adding the cost of the first bad set of NGK plugs, MSD wires, new AC Delco Iridiums,
the Fuel filter, and oil change, the total was a whopping.....................
$575
The plugs and wires better last me 2-3 years!!!
Who am I kidding, the last time I had a Sports Car for over 2 years was.....
NEVER
Now time to do searches on Trns Mounts....
Howard
I checked gap on all the plugs right out of the box and they were ALL at .055 gap. (that wasn't referring to you 
) For someone who knows what they are doing they can change the plugs in 30 minutes on these cars. I just don't even know what to say, I'm 
at 270 in labor for plugs. It leaves me speachless. Basically you just paid someone $450 labor to do 2 hours worth of work. 
I'd be very mad if I were you. I think I might need to switch professions. Nah, I could never screw someone over like that and be able to sleep.
08-11-2005, 10:33 AM
#27
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I got the cheapest plugs I could find, I think they were autolites. Gapped them correctly and they work fine. I'll be a cold day in hell before I pay those stupid prices for the Irridiums.
08-11-2005, 12:11 PM
#28
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I don't even pay that much for the Viper!!! 
I still think $270 for 4-5 hours work is not all that unfair.
It is just when you add everything up it is a small fortune.
But,
The car is running GREAT!
I had an 03 Cobra try to run me last night, I lowered the window and said..
"You know who I am don't you???"
Must people know me by my Viper as moderator of a Cobra based website.
I stayed next to them in 1st at like 20mph, but....
They turned off, I was ready to see what this thing has.
I'll check in to the Poly mount, thanks all,
Howard
I still think $270 for 4-5 hours work is not all that unfair.
It is just when you add everything up it is a small fortune.
But,
The car is running GREAT!
I had an 03 Cobra try to run me last night, I lowered the window and said..
"You know who I am don't you???"
Must people know me by my Viper as moderator of a Cobra based website.
I stayed next to them in 1st at like 20mph, but....
They turned off, I was ready to see what this thing has.
I'll check in to the Poly mount, thanks all,
Howard
08-11-2005, 12:31 PM
#29
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They should have checked to see if the barrels on the end of the plug where the wire goes was tight. Last year I put a set of Tr55's in and the car would miss like crazy. I pulled the plugs and noticed that the barrels were all loose. I tightened them down with a set of pliers and it ran like a champ.
08-11-2005, 01:47 PM
#32
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Wilwaxu -
The plug wires were all on well, that was my 1st thought. Then I figured it might have been a poorly gapped plug, but I think 2001Pewter is on the right track or it was a cracked plug.
2001pewter -
I think that is probably what happened.
After many years of experience I have finally figured out that if a car is pretty close to stock (mildly modified) it is best to stick with stock plugs or factory recommendations.
On my 03 Cobra, everyone was switching plugs, I did my 2.8 pulley, cai, catback, and tune all running the stock plugs with stock gap and my car NEVER had any issues that others would run in to. Also, my car ran just as hard or harder than others with the same mods. Car made 450rwhp.
Just my opinion, but lots of experience behind it.
The important thing is the car is running great.
Little tick coming from under the hood (header gasket or AIR tube gasket), but it ain't hurting performance any so I'm not gonna play with it.
Howard
The plug wires were all on well, that was my 1st thought. Then I figured it might have been a poorly gapped plug, but I think 2001Pewter is on the right track or it was a cracked plug.
2001pewter -
I think that is probably what happened.
After many years of experience I have finally figured out that if a car is pretty close to stock (mildly modified) it is best to stick with stock plugs or factory recommendations.
On my 03 Cobra, everyone was switching plugs, I did my 2.8 pulley, cai, catback, and tune all running the stock plugs with stock gap and my car NEVER had any issues that others would run in to. Also, my car ran just as hard or harder than others with the same mods. Car made 450rwhp.
Just my opinion, but lots of experience behind it.
The important thing is the car is running great.
Little tick coming from under the hood (header gasket or AIR tube gasket), but it ain't hurting performance any so I'm not gonna play with it.
Howard
08-11-2005, 02:16 PM
#34
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Now the car is perfect, no hesitation, stumbling, or anything, I am sure it is one of those other 2 things. Most likely the header gaskets.
Howard
Howard
08-11-2005, 11:41 PM
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NGK's are a great plug. More than likely the installer smashed a gap or two or cracked one of the insulators and it was shorting. Highly unlikely there was actually anything wrong with those plugs. Sorry man...that sucks about the money. But as you said atleast its running well now. 
08-12-2005, 12:50 AM
#39
Originally Posted by 98A4LS1
No problems here with AC Delco iridiums gapped at 0.042.
As for the Pontiac dealer that says NGK are junk needs to look at their AC Delco's closer. It says right on the plug made in USA with Japanese parts, and some even have NGK and NGK numbers on them. I worked as a GM tech for 3 years and will probably do so in the future (right now working at a chrysler dealer as a tech but want out of there) and I replaced enough plugs in 5.3s and ls1's to know who makes the plugs and plenty of tricks to do the job faster. For them to say NGK's are junk and to get some AC Delcos is like having a chevy throw a rod and someone saying chevy's are junk buy a GMC next time. That being said you'll like the Iridiums much better for the fact that they'll last 100,000 miles and are really alot better than the copper design of the tr55's in performance and durability both but they do cost alot more up front.
Last edited by Cody Brooks; 08-12-2005 at 12:57 AM.
08-12-2005, 05:59 AM
#40
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I misquoted:
The dealer said the regular NGK TR55s are not great for our cars and that the Iridium plugs were the way to go.
I don't think he was directly bashing NGK, just didn't like non-iridium in our cars.
I just think it was either a damaged or faulty plug.
With the difficult plug changing process in these cars, I'm happy to have a plug that lasts a LONG time.
Howard
The dealer said the regular NGK TR55s are not great for our cars and that the Iridium plugs were the way to go.
I don't think he was directly bashing NGK, just didn't like non-iridium in our cars.
I just think it was either a damaged or faulty plug.
With the difficult plug changing process in these cars, I'm happy to have a plug that lasts a LONG time.
Howard