I called GM today to see about a tsb on my car and when I was talking to them I asked them how much they would charge to change spark plugs in my 98 Z28. I don't want to chance doing it myself. When I said I would bring my own NGK plugs he said he wouldn't put those in his lawnmower they suck for our V8 cars. He suggested going back with the platinums like the ones that came in it. He also said autolites would be good in the Ls1 cars. I don't want to go back with stock because I want to be able to tell if they changed them. If I go with a different kind thats in there now I'll have all new brand (NGK, Autolites) come out and if there is still a stock one I'll know they didn't do all 8. What do you guys suggest I do they want $179 to do change. He also said NGKs loose about 5 or 6 HP on the dyno. This guy that said that use to be a mechanic for the Gm dealer and I raced a car he built it was a bad *** 78 Z28. He know a lot but is he right about this.

 

I guess I need to take the NGK plugs out of my car and put some stockers back in! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Seriously, what you're hearing is one man's opinion. If you want to put an NGK plug in the car, then by all means do it. NGK's seem to be the plug of choice around here (TR5, TR55, TR6 being the most popular).

I personally run NGK TR6's gapped @ .045 in my car.

 

A guy at a parts house said I should try some of those Iridium spark plugs because he heard of a mustang that dynoed 50 horsepower more with them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> I just stuck with the NGK's like I have been using for the last 4 years or so. The stock plugs tips are real bad about coming off. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

Les

 

Sometimes you get what you paid for...NGK...mostly copper which bites!...they are cheaper and you have to swap em out sooner!...what's the point...try platinum plugs like bosch+4!!!...I have them and damn!!!...good response..smooth idle and all around better everything!!!!...try them you won't regret it!!

 

My car came with NGK TR5's in it! lol I noticed that when I did my first plug change last weekend, I was like whoa. TR6's gapped @ 35 = more fun <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jpz28:
<strong>Sometimes you get what you paid for...NGK...mostly copper which bites!...they are cheaper and you have to swap em out sooner!...what's the point...try platinum plugs like bosch+4!!!...I have them and damn!!!...good response..smooth idle and all around better everything!!!!...try them you won't regret it!!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ya, try hitting your stock platinum plugs with a 150 shot of the dope and see how long they last.

Go with TR55's or TR6's. I've had both now. I was concerned just as you were. They're great.

 

I changed to Bosch Plus 4 this past weekend (my knuckles are bare) and I cannot believe the difference! They make the car much nicer to driver and more responsive - easily faster. The old ACDelco looked terrible and were gapped .053-.055 wrong! the manual states they should be .060.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Puck Head:
<strong>I changed to Bosch Plus 4 this past weekend (my knuckles are bare) and I cannot believe the difference! They make the car much nicer to driver and more responsive - easily faster. The old ACDelco looked terrible and were gapped .053-.055 wrong! the manual states they should be .060.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">pssst.. it's just in your mind <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

If you want to pay someone to change your plugs (which ever ones you choose), then pay me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> I'll do it for half of what the dealership wants. And I'll change all 8.

Jay

 

How often should they be changed?

 

Hey Pal, It is not 'in my head' as you dismiss. I drive an hour to work each way and the difference is awesome. Don't be a cynic and rain on my parade.

 

Hey Puck Head, try hitting the submit button only once. You can also go back and delete mutiple posts. I'll take car of them for you this time. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Platinum is a VERY poor conductor of electricity compared to copper. Sure, platinum plugs last longer (assuming the platinum pucks don't fall off which is most likely going to happen eventually) but from a performance standpoint they are in fact inferior to copper plugs.

NGK makes fine plugs. GM even installed them from the factory in some LS1s (bet your dimwitted dealer mechanic didn't know that.) If anything they should make MORE power on the dyno than the performance inferior platinum plugs.

If I were going to use a platinum plug (I care about performance far more than longevity, so I wouldn't) it WOULD NOT be anything with pucks.

I think this guy may have wanted to charge you $179 (that's SOME KIND of ridiculous price, btw) for doing nothing.

<small>[ November 19, 2002, 07:19 PM: Message edited by: Colonel ]</small>

 

<img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" /> Dang, skit em!!!!!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

NGK

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Colonel:
<strong>
Platinum is a VERY poor conductor of electricity compared to copper. Sure, platinum plugs last longer (assuming the platinum pucks don't fall off which is most likely going to happen eventually) but from a performance standpoint they are in fact inferior to copper plugs.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I totally agree. Copper is a much better conductor of electricity. Platinum was supposed to be designed for longevity and dont last worth a poop with N2O. I'll never understand why GM claims to have 100,000 mile plugs, coolant and trans fluid. Then they turn around and tell us "the techs" to help "inform" the customer of their scheduled mainenance. Guess whats on the maintenance schedule? Yup, tune ups including plugs, coolant flushed, and transmission flushed. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

ZR2877, call back to get a quote on all copper plugs you were no doubt quoted for platinum plugs with are about 3 times the price of copper delco units. I just gravitate to delco copper plugs due to the easy access of getting them at work. I also use Delco copper plugs in my 4 cyl Ranger.

Here is a note if you decide to change plugs yourself. Don't remove the plugs with the cylinder heads still warm if you can help it. You have a better chance of distorting the threads or pulling them clean out the head if you do. Always use antiseize when you install. Good luck!!

Jay

<small>[ November 21, 2002, 12:03 AM: Message edited by: JAY4SPEED ]</small>

 

"Always use antiseize when you install."

Listen to Jay on this one. Using anti-seize is VERY important with aluminum heads.

 

Anyone ever own a volkswagon?

 

I seriously doubt it. What few females we have on this site drive REAL cars. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

I tried iridiums on my blown '96 Mustang Cobra and actuall lost 23RWHP with back to back runs, from NGK's. They did a article in FFMM's on them here in Las Vegas at Silverstate Motorsport and never made any increase either, but they published that they did. Mike Arnett, the owner, ran the dyno and tried to talk me out of them. But I was too stuborn. Total waste or $$$'s.

 

Guys, sorry about the repeated post-I was at work and the computer has sticky keys. Regarding the plugs though, I have to say that I am very pleased with the Plus 4 plugs. I have used a plethora of plugs in the past and these are easily the best. (Note that I have not used NGK.) While platinum may not have the conductivity advantages of copper you are failing to realize that the distance of conduction is how far? Hmmm. Also you are presuming that the Bosch plugs are designed like the ACDelco in that the platinum pieces are stuck on when they are not. Platinum also reaches its operating temperature more quickly - BY FAR than copper and cleans itself more effectively. Finally, the design of these plugs is really quite clever ensuring that the flame has optimumal exposure in the combustion chamber. I can really feel it all over the rpm band especially above 4500.