upgrading spark plugs

[bigneilsen]

the other day i went and got some new plugs and leads

Bosch IR Iridium Fusion Spark Plugs at BoschSparkPlugs.net

thats the link for the plugs, now i only just realised these arnt gonna be as easy to install as the standard ones. notice from the link they have the 4 prongs at the end instead of 1.

how am i suppose to measure the distance and set it? its suppose to be 1.5mm or something. has anyone else had this problem? will a normal spark plug tool work?

[bigneilsen]

after not finding one good thing on the internet about those plugs i just took them back and got NGK iridium plugs, 1 prong and preset in the factory. makes life alot easier haha

[UFO]

after not finding one good thing on the internet about those plugs i just took them back and got NGK iridium plugs, 1 prong and preset in the factory. makes life alot easier haha

I wanted to say this but you beat me to it!
Why stuff around with the other ones- it's not like they are going to give you any more power anyway. The replacement ones are perfectly fine. I go the Platinums, but that's because I prefer regular changes to new plugs instead of the idea of having Iridiums in there for 100,000km. Plus they are cheaper .

EDIT: NGK all the way btw. I know Bosch lineup is a little cheaper, but I've never had an issue on any of my cars with NGK. Hell, even the ride on and push mowers use them .

[bigneilsen]

yeah im not expecting a difference at all. if there is one ill be happy. i am changeing to 10mm leads aswell.

hows what the guy in the store said, i dont think what he was saying was true

cos there was normal NGK, NGK platinum and NGK iridium, i asked how come ird. was same price as plat.? shouldnt that mean that there just as good as each other and he said that my car cant use plat. plugs as it reacts different to the metal inside being titanium, then to be a smart arse i asked about the normal NGK and he said there made of alloy.

now i find it hard to believe that my car the most common thing on the planet the vt. cant spark a titanium or alloy plug?

and if anyone knows, whats the GM plugs made from then?

[UFO]

standard copper plugs as stock items I thought!
Standard NGK plugs are just copper tops. Fine in normal apps, but need regular swaps and spark quality may not be as good as the others... but do the job fine in most setups.

and what a load of horse kaka about different plugs for different engine blocks material used. The spark plug will make a spark in the chamber no problem regardless of what the chamber is made of! The only variation to this is when you start working on the block and changing compression etc. An Iridium plug will provide a better spark in worked blocks, better preventing against misfire etc. But thats got to do with pressures, not metals . My old turbo 4 banger ran much better with Iridium plugs. More aggressive tuning was capable on the dyno.

And good stuff about leads. Considering the importance of what spark plugs do, good quality leads is worth it in my opinion. Just dont get stung buying 'fully sick HKS will give 50hp' type leads . Sucker born every minute... it's like those grounding kits. Extra grounding cant hurt, but some of these kits look like spider man with massive 0ag wires going everywhere through the engine bay. Funny as .

[feistl]

There is virtually no difference between either of the plug types apart from life span. Many of the guys on LS1 are using the cheap copper plugs with 400kw+ engines. As long as you change them every so often the cheaper ones are fine.

[bigneilsen]

righto so the new plugs and leads are in. starts up fair bit quicker, smoother idle slightly better acceleration. so im happy

1 problem tho, one of the spark plug leads is very close to the header and im afraid that over time its going to melt the rubber. i might be concerened over nothing, what do you guys think? the pic isnt the best gauage but id say it sits about 1mm off it.

[edals]

Looks Like you need to push the boot in a bit more, looks like its out a bit to much

[UFO]

hmm.... thats a little close, but remember... that rubber compound is designed to handle a lot of heat. Dont you think that metal sleave it's plugged into is going to get a little hot ? And not forgeting the spark plug itself. It's at 'ground zero' for the cumbustion process. Can you imagine how much heat is coming up into that sleave?

Don't worry too much. As long as the yellow cable itself doesnt get too close, it'll be fine.

[bigneilsen]

yeah thats what i thought but i couldnt push the rubber part down the plug anymore, thats asfar as it goes, same with the rest of the plugs. its weird there a bit bigger than the stock ones.

i was thinking of cuttin a bit off the end so it would push down further down and it had a bigger gap from the headers.

yeah they would cop a bit of heat. guess ill just have to watch it

[edals]

yeah thats what i thought but i couldnt push the rubber part down the plug anymore, thats asfar as it goes, same with the rest of the plugs. its weird there a bit bigger than the stock ones.

i was thinking of cuttin a bit off the end so it would push down further down and it had a bigger gap from the headers.

yeah they would cop a bit of heat. guess ill just have to watch it

Dont cut anything, You will more then likely damage the lead. I would just leave it, and if it don't melt its all good. Just check it once a week along with everything else.

[bigneilsen]

another idea was to get that extractor heat wrap shit, cept the rubber would definatly be touching it.
so do you guys know if the wrap stuff gets hot?

[feistl]

Thats miles of clearance... you should see the issues with LS1 with some plugs... They are literally leaning against it. Should be fine... If your really worried a little heat tape should do the trick.

[azzfox]

I wouldnt worry about the lead. I once had a lead sitting against the header without realising and all it did was put a hairline crack in the silicone. So no it wont melt.

[Asa Spades]

Im due for a service soon and im looking at getting Iridium plugs but cant find them for sale online anywhere...
Also, can anyone recommend some quality leads to get?