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how long before spark plugs change?
#1
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From: Murrell's Inlet, SC
how long before spark plugs change?
whats the longest you guys have let your spark plugs stay in for?
i read somewhere i think that the plugs can be left in 100000+..... is that true?
i actually think mine are the originals and im coming up on 150,000 and the car idles fine and doesnt skip a beat as far as i can tell. I dont know though cause i bought the car used and the owner didnt know if they ahd been changed.
i read somewhere i think that the plugs can be left in 100000+..... is that true?
i actually think mine are the originals and im coming up on 150,000 and the car idles fine and doesnt skip a beat as far as i can tell. I dont know though cause i bought the car used and the owner didnt know if they ahd been changed.
#6
Personally I never liked the idea of leaving them in the head for 100K for fear of them seizing. At least pull them out every 25K or so to check gap and put a new coat of anti-seize in there. But otherwise, with a good running engine and tune, platinum plugs can last a long time.
FWIW I've run coppers on my LS1 for years. Mainly because I'm spraying, but consider that Cu is a superior conductor to Pt, not that one could feel a SOTP difference.
FWIW I've run coppers on my LS1 for years. Mainly because I'm spraying, but consider that Cu is a superior conductor to Pt, not that one could feel a SOTP difference.
#7
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From: Murrell's Inlet, SC
thats great!...now u got me freaked out about attempting to change my plugs in fear that it will break off in the head.
If i was to change them..what kind should i replace with and the gap?
im completely stock if that matters.
thanks
If i was to change them..what kind should i replace with and the gap?
im completely stock if that matters.
thanks
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#8
I pulled the stock plugs out of my mom's Z28 about 6 months ago. At that point, it had about 115k miles on it. Not a SINGLE issue pulling and replacing them.. well, except the sun burn lol.
How often do you want to change them? The ac delcos, or a platinum NGK make for a good replacement.. I run NGK TR6s in our cars, but since they are 17 dollars a set, i dont mind replacing them every 20-30k miles.
How often do you want to change them? The ac delcos, or a platinum NGK make for a good replacement.. I run NGK TR6s in our cars, but since they are 17 dollars a set, i dont mind replacing them every 20-30k miles.
#9
Champion platinum .060 or Bosch platinum .060 or spend the cash for Iridium My Moms first Northstar at 65000 seemed like it missed 1 or 2 times so I pulled and cleaned the Iridium plugs no issues ,,,,,,,her 2nd Northstar is at close to 70000 and it seemed as though gas mileage went down so I put new Iridium plugs in with no noticeable difference in mileage or power . I concluded that We were'nt driving on the freeway as much which changed the mileage , computer averages so much that changes are slow so that's why we thought something was wrong .
Last edited by chrisfrost; 04-10-2011 at 02:29 AM. Reason: add info
#10
yea plugs are a recommended change at 100k from factory, but in a high compression performance motor with a non-factory tune, plugs should be checked at least every 15k-20k, with new anti-seize every time.
#12
If it's been fine with the ones you have for so long, then why change for anything different. Just stay with the type you have.
(If it ain't broke, don't fix it).
Last edited by Sid447; 06-26-2011 at 09:20 AM. Reason: Clearer explanation!
#16
Yep - NGK makes no fewer than 5 plugs for your application depending on whether you want platinum, double platinum, iridium etc. Other manufacturers also offer multiple choices based on type of metal material. They will all work.
#19
All of the NGK listings I found indicated a gap of 0.040. Some of the other brands list 0.050 for some plugs and one even lists 0.060.
In actual practice any gap from 0.040 to 0.060 will work when new plugs are installed. Using a narrow gap makes the plug "easier" to fire and reduces the likelihood of misfire. It also increases the time between changes because gaps get larger with wear. On the otherhand, wider gaps make for a fatter spark and some argue result in more complete combustion. Take your pick.
In actual practice any gap from 0.040 to 0.060 will work when new plugs are installed. Using a narrow gap makes the plug "easier" to fire and reduces the likelihood of misfire. It also increases the time between changes because gaps get larger with wear. On the otherhand, wider gaps make for a fatter spark and some argue result in more complete combustion. Take your pick.