Spark Plug opinions

KJLoKi · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:39 am **Posts:** 51

Pretty basic and I'm sure it has been addressed a "few" times, but what are ya'll running on?

-Lance

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:52 pm

I recently change my factory ones to bosch platinums. I wanted to get the platimum +2/+4 but they were expensive. if you have the cash i recomend those.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:11 pm

I ran Bosch +4s for 5000 miles before swapping them back for the factory NGKs. The +4s really bit the big one. Terrible performance and mileage by comparison.

KJLoKi · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:39 am **Posts:** 51

I'm thinking of getting the Bosch Platinum +2 but right now I'm just looking to see what others have and how they're doing w/ them. So the +4 sucked for ya? I may have to revamp my ideas a bit. Thanks for the posts guys... anyone else out there?
-Lance

4wdParakeet · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:49 pm

Hey just to add my two cent's. I've worked in a Mopar shop for the last 6 years and I've seen more problems with non mopar plugs than mopar plugs. And all the tech's that I have talked to about this say stick with Motorcraft for Fords, Bosch for GM, and NKG(I think mopar just switched to these) for Mopar. Well that's my opinion and remember, Opinions are like a$$h0les everybody has one and nobody wants to hear it.

Parakeet

Troysterr · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:12 pm

FWIW, I take an automotive mechanics class from a very experienced, talented mechanic, and he recommends NKG above anything else, including their platinum plugs.

I just had mine swapped out last year, but the next time I replace them I'll probably go with NKG G-Power Platinums from RockAuto ($18.24 for 2 packs of 4, plus about $7 shipping).

You may find this useful: http://www.youngs.org/kjparts/default.asp?category=21

1calkid · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:41 am

Believe it or not, when I replaced my plugs, they had Motorcraft in as the stock plug. So I replaced them with the Motorcraft Platinum. Haven't had any issues with them and recently checked them because I was having a little problem with the engine when starting it, it will idle very low and take a bit to start. I inspected and verified the plug gap and reused them. Cleaned out my throttle body and haven't had any other problems.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:23 am

NGK's are one of the best made plugs on the market and perform great in many applications. They are used by many manufacturers and racing teams. They are OEM for Jeeps. They are affordable. Use NGK.

KJLoKi · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:39 am **Posts:** 51

Hey thanks for the input guys, I'm going w/ the NGK G-Powers. More than affordable and it (NGK) seems to be the common consensus.
Appreciate it!
-Lance

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:18 am

yall will probably find that that a regular copper plug like NGK or whatever will ALWAYS give you the best performance. You will have to change them or clean and regap often.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Just the stock OEM NGKs worked for me. Changed them out at around 28k and they where very worn. Any preformance or MPG difference? I think maybe a tad but probably just the placebo effect.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:24 am

4wdParakeet wrote:

Hey just to add my two cent's. I've worked in a Mopar shop for the last 6 years and I've seen more problems with non mopar plugs than mopar plugs. And all the tech's that I have talked to about this say stick with Motorcraft for Fords, Bosch for GM, and NKG(I think mopar just switched to these) for Mopar.

Parakeet

I dont know about that...i changed mine to the bosch platinum and it increased my mileage about 4 mpg!! :-)r

SethX9 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:29 am

FOUR MPG?!!? That sounds crazy. Why wouldn't DC have tested and shipped with those plugs so that they could tout better mileage? I'm not questioning the veracity of the claim; it just sounds really remarkable.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:08 pm

jeepkj02 wrote:

4wdParakeet wrote:

Hey just to add my two cent's. I've worked in a Mopar shop for the last 6 years and I've seen more problems with non mopar plugs than mopar plugs. And all the tech's that I have talked to about this say stick with Motorcraft for Fords, Bosch for GM, and NKG(I think mopar just switched to these) for Mopar.

Parakeet

I dont know about that...i changed mine to the bosch platinum and it increased my mileage about 4 mpg!! :-)r

PitViper · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:36 pm

I installed denso iridiums. I get an extra 1mpg with them and just a tad more power by the feel of it. I could tell the diffrence pulling my 18.5ft bay boat for sure.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:01 pm

Fresh plugs will almost always improve mileage and power, regardless of brand if they are a top notch brand.

That said, NGK, Denso, Bosch are some of the top quality brands out there. They have been proven to use some of the best materials and manufacturing processes in the industry. Switching to Platinum will really only Maybe get you more miles between plug changes, not necessarily get better MPG or power as Platinum is not as good a conductor as Copper. They are mainly used to extend service of the plugs in OEM apps.
Blah blah blah.....

I don't know crap, but I do know people that do know what I am talking about. HehEhe

acbafam · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:57 pm

this is true... also check out this tech tip from another site:
" I have heard that platinum plugs aren't very good for performance...how is this so?

All things being equal, a more powerful spark will create higher cylinder pressure which will create more power. The power of a spark is determined by its voltage (more voltage = more powerful spark).

Aside from variables such as cylinder pressure and A/F ratio, the amount of voltage required to jump across the gap of a given type of spark plug is determined by the plug gap. A smaller plug gap requires less voltage to jump across the gap and a larger plug gap requires more voltage to jump across the gap.

There is a way to reduce the amount of voltage required to jump across the gap of a plug. By increasing the number of sharp edges that the spark can jump from and to (as in SplitFire and Torquemaster plugs) or by using an electrode material that is a more efficient conductor than the standard steel material (like platinum) you can decrease the amount of voltage required to "jump the gap". The only problem is that these "specialty" plugs will produce a less powerful spark than a standard plug will at the same gap. This means that, as long as your ignition system can provide enough voltage to jump the gap on the spark plug all of the time, with these "specialty" plugs installed in your car your engine will produce less power than it will with standard spark plugs. The only way you can regain the power lost with these "specialty" plugs is to open their gap out farther (a wider gap requires more voltage to jump the gap).

I've seen a number of cases where people have installed SplitFire, Torquemaster or platinum plugs in their car in the place of standard spark plugs and have complained of reduced power. In all of these cases the specialty plugs were installed using the plug gap specified for the car's original standard plugs (with the exception of the Torquemaster, whose gap is not adjustable). The reduced spark power due to the reduced voltage requirement of these plugs was the culprit. "

read more at:
http://www.se-r.net/engine/platinum_copper_ngk.html

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:41 pm

BTW, Splitfire and other "Special" plugs use the cheapest materials and crappy manf. processes to maximize profit not quality or perfomance.
Save your money and buy fresh OEM plugs, NGK, and change them around every 20-30k. Spend some quality time w/ your KJ. :wink:

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2005 12:11 am

OK, so i'n just coming accross this thread, from what i've read it appears that NKG's are the way to go, however i'm still up in the air whether i want to go with the platinums or iridiums. Does anyone know what the gap on the stock plugs is and what gap i should run on either the platinum or iridium plugs? Thanks

-Savage-

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2005 12:28 am

Ive always noticed if you take a really good bathroom break before going somewhere i get around 10extra hp and 2mpg!! :wink:

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