Platinium spark plugs???

[duke]

I'm thinking about changing the spark plugs for my '95 Geo Prizm myself, but I have some questions regarding platinium spark plugs. Are they really better than an "ordinary" plug? I've been eyeing the Bosch Platinium +4 plugs which doesn't require any gap adjustments. What are the benifits to platinium and, more specifically, the four ground electrode design of the Bosch Platinium +4? Do you think it's worth the extra money for platinium plugs? Are there any other spark plugs anyone can recommend for my car? Also, while on the topic, should I also change the spark plug wires? If so, any wire set recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[scorp00]

ordinary plugs will get the job done, but if you buy performance spark plugs you'll feel a few extra horse's. The Bosch Platinum +4's are the newest and greatest thing out. Just depends on if you want the extra performance.

 

[GasX]

You will not see much benefit from "better" plugs. Wires can help but not much, especially on your car...

 

[geno]

We're talking about a *GEO* here??? You won't see much of a difference at all, save yourself the money and buy standard plugs.

 

[duke]

...can help but not much, especially on your car...


Thanks alot!!!


Anyone else? What I'm looking for is if these "better" plugs will, in general, increase fuel efficiency and/or performance.

 

[duke]

We're talking about a *GEO* here???

Alright...you snobs. What if we changed the vehicle to a 1995 Toyota Corolla. Better?

 

[desertdweller]

<< ...can help but not much, especially on your car...


Thanks alot!!!


Anyone else? What I'm looking for is if these &quot;better&quot; plugs will, in general, increase fuel efficiency and/or performance. >>




Putting platnum plugs in an engine not designed for them can cause
running problems. If it isn't designed for it, you're wasting your
money.


DD

 

[HKSturboKID]

I'll stick with the AC/Delco plugs. Those are the standard for the Geo. As long as you do ur regular tune up and oil change, everything should be fine. Y waste money on platinum plugs when ur regular plugs are doing fine. Another thing is you can only have one. Performance or Fuel efficency. More Performance More GAS.

 

[geno]

<< Alright...you snobs. What if we changed the vehicle to a 1995 Toyota Corolla. Better? >>


Sorry - didn't mean to come across that way - but there's nothing &quot;performance&quot; about that engine, I'm sure you can agree. I had the same decision to make with my first car, and I came to the conclusion that there wasn't much to gain with all the extra money I'd spend on the plugs, it was a base line - 93 horse Dodge Shadow Sorry if I came across *snobby*

 

[Emulex]

those +4 plugs, they supposively last longer. You know that spark can only jump from the path of least resistance right? You only get 1 spark, to one electrode , it doesn't matter if its +4 +8 +20 electrodes.

However, when one electrode wears out, the spark will be nature move to the next electrode (path of least resistance).

Hence the +4 plugs should last a little bit longer than the cheap single electrode ones.

Otherwise, dude, 95 prizm, give it up it ain't going to go any faster!

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Do NOT use platinum plugs where they were not intended, they will not help and in some cases they will hurt performance. A friend of mine had a hopped up 377 El Camino, he loaned it to a friend who did the favor of replacing the standard autolite plugs w/ some platinum plugs, it started to run rough. Also, if the ignition is not intended for those plugs you can destroy plug wires. I've gone through a few sets of wires myself, interesting to watch your plug wires glow in the dark like argon lights when the engine is running

(and yes, I do mean argon, argon is the blue color, neon is red)

 

[duke]

Alright! Quit knocking my ride. I'm not expecting to get an M3 experience from this upgrade, but c'mon not even a little difference? What about better more complete burns and the like? And not another word about my GEO!

 

[geno]

No one's knocking it - we're just telling you it won't really do the engine any good. Invest the money you spend in a new set of wires or something if you're that worried about your ignition system

 

[Pepsi90919]

<< What if we changed the vehicle to a 1995 Toyota Corolla >>


Aren't they the same car?

 

[BreakApart]

For the GEO in question, get some NGKs or low cost platinum plugs. The real benefit to platinum plugs is they last longer. When an engine fires the spark doesn't just touch the electrode it actually SLAMS into it, thus wearing it out over time. When using platinum plugs the harder platinum material can withstand more damage before wear occurs.

The entire fuel enconomy claims are kinda misleading. Your spark plug wires have a greater impact on fuel economy than your spark plugs. The cheaper/worn out your wires are the more they degrade the electrical/spark ability. Less spark energy, less fuel economy...

Before computers, mechanics was my passion.

 

[BP]

^^Yup,they do last longer.I've had a set of Bosch platinum's in my car for 70k mi. After 50k I checked them,they just looked dirty, so I cleaned them off,regapped and put em back in.No problems at all. I'd pay 2$ a plug again for a new set if they do go out.

 

[mrchan]

i heard iridium plugs were supposed to be good, anyone got any info on them?

 

[duke]

Iridium plugs? What are those? BTW, are there any other good online vendors for car parts like carparts.com?

 

[amdforlife]

you should get platinum spark plugs if you're juvenile, or any other cash money rapper.

 

[JohnnyKnoxville]

As a fellow Geo owner I would say use whatever plugs and wires that came as original equipment

 

[Viperoni]

Copper plugs are supposed to be better conductors and *therefore* give better performance.
Dunno if it's true, some ppl swear by them.

 

[Emulex]

well if your running stock (no power adder) you'll really see no benefits from any spark plug except the length of which it lasts..

if you have a turbo/blower then platinum is a no-no. You'll foul them out too easily when you run rich... Besides if you are running a power adder you can afford to replace the plugs ALOT (read less than year) more often.

 

[LAUST]

In most newer economy cars they do help.. a 95 geo should have had platnum in it already. I had Platnum in my truck but had to pull em when I put in the blower. The spark is too fine and gets blown out before it can ignite the fuel. Got me some good ol Autolite Copper Cores.

If you didnt' have em before and your car is stock just replace em with the same core and heatrange in a Autolite. NGK makes some good one's too.

 

[Pacfanweb]

As long as the plug you use is the right heat range for YOUR car, it doesn't make any difference. Platinums supposedly last longer, but I've seen regular copper plugs run 75-100k miles also.
You will pick up exactly 0 horsepower by changing to a different brand of plug, provided your car is in good running condition to start with.