YACT: Spark Plugs

[RU482]

I've got a 99 Camry 2.2 4cyl. It's got about 89,000 miles, so I figure it's due for new plugs and wires (they're original).

How do you set the gap on spark plugs? I'm assuming something has to be done to them, will an auto parts store do it for you?
Also, do I need any kind of special thread prep for the plugs? (anti seize compound??)

Are "SplitFire" plugs a scam? With 4 plugs to change, it's a pretty minimal investment. Just curious if there really is any benefit, or if it's a marketing ploy. What's better?
Anything to consider when buying spark plug wires?

thanks

 

[FrustratedUser]

Just tap them lightly to reduce clearance if needed. If the gap is too big the car will run bad, not as bad as having ads on the left but still noticable.

 

[Insane3D]

I like the Bosch Platnium Plus 4's. I stay away from Splitfire's as I have heard too many horror stories of electrode's breakin off in the motor.

 

[Mill]

Just get the stock plugs and buy a gapping tool(like 20 cents). It very easy to gap them so no problems there. Install can be a bitch on some cars(LS1).

 

[FrustratedUser]

ACDelco works OK.

 

[RU482]

I was thinking about the Split Fire plugs...seriously, does it really split the spark. Hell no, the spark is just going to go the the electrode that is microscopically closer. I was more curious to hear if they were actually worth a sh!t, figuring they probably were a scam.

Looks like it should be any easy job...I can't believe how much room there is under the hood with this little motor in there!! Now I just need to slap a turbo on it :beer:

The transmission is only about the size of a cube case of pop! what a repairable joy after having a big V-6's shoehorned into domestic cars. You damn near had to pull the motor just to change the battery in my Olds Intrigue

 

[goodoptics]

Are they platinum spark plugs? Anyways, when it comes to tune-up parts, I'd recommend dealer parts. I believe plugs are come pregapped if they are platinum. I could be wrong though. Anti-seize compound is recommended.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: goodoptics
Are they platinum spark plugs? Anyways, when it comes to tune-up parts, I'd recommend dealer parts. I believe plugs are come pregapped if they are platinum. I could be wrong though. Anti-seize compound is recommended.

You are right. They last 3 times as long but cost 6 times mpre = go cheap

 

[Ns1]

the plugs for my car cost me 60 bucks =(


for 4

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
the plugs for my car cost me 60 bucks =(


for 4

You got hosed then. Unless your car uses some sort of non-standard size.

ZV

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
the plugs for my car cost me 60 bucks =(


for 4

You got hosed then. Unless your car uses some sort of non-standard size.

ZV

that's about how much iridium plugs are

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
the plugs for my car cost me 60 bucks =(


for 4

You got hosed then. Unless your car uses some sort of non-standard size.

ZV

that's about how much iridium plugs are

I forgot to mention racing plugs. For a street car though, there's no reason to get anything more than a BOSCH Platinum +4 which can be had for about $5 each where I life. Even +4 plugs are overkill, I just use the basic BOSCH copper plugs.

ZV

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I forgot to mention racing plugs. For a street car though, there's no reason to get anything more than a BOSCH Platinum +4 which can be had for about $5 each where I life. Even +4 plugs are overkill, I just use the basic BOSCH copper plugs.
ZV

Sorry bro, my car came from the factory with iridium plugs. It says in the manual, replace with only iridium plugs.

 

[goodoptics]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I forgot to mention racing plugs. For a street car though, there's no reason to get anything more than a BOSCH Platinum +4 which can be had for about $5 each where I life. Even +4 plugs are overkill, I just use the basic BOSCH copper plugs.
ZV

Sorry bro, my car came from the factory with iridium plugs. It says in the manual, replace with only iridium plugs.

May I know what kind of a car you have?

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: goodoptics

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I forgot to mention racing plugs. For a street car though, there's no reason to get anything more than a BOSCH Platinum +4 which can be had for about $5 each where I life. Even +4 plugs are overkill, I just use the basic BOSCH copper plugs.
ZV

Sorry bro, my car came from the factory with iridium plugs. It says in the manual, replace with only iridium plugs.

May I know what kind of a car you have?

Just a corolla.

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: goodoptics
Are they platinum spark plugs? Anyways, when it comes to tune-up parts, I'd recommend dealer parts. I believe plugs are come pregapped if they are platinum. I could be wrong though. Anti-seize compound is recommended.

You are right. They last 3 times as long but cost 6 times mpre = go cheap

Well, the only non-standard spark plugs that might be worth anything are the iridiums... and even then, the premium on those are so high that I'd just rather get plain ol' OE coppers. Bosch states that you don't use platinum plugs in any turbocharged or supercharged engines because the electrodes may literally melt off. :Q

All those fancypants plugs don't do squat... they'll mebbe last longer but unless you have a car where changing plugs is a major bitch (I have transverse I4 so it's cake) go with the cheap OE coppers... they're usually either NGKs or Champions usually. Splitfires and multi-electrode plugs don't do squat either. ~$2/plug means I change with every other oil change. I know some people making well over 500whp and they use standard copper single electrode NGKs. Just a colder range plug... that's all... same $2-3/plug.

Oh, and fancypants spark plug wires like those stupid Nology wires with the extra crap in it... yet another worthless product. Increases horsepower? Naw... just your BS factor... the only stuff that might be worth it if you're running really powerful spark from a DIS2 or something like that are more heavily insulated stuffs that are silicone instead of standard rubber. Silicone will last longer and hold up better in extreme temps.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I forgot to mention racing plugs. For a street car though, there's no reason to get anything more than a BOSCH Platinum +4 which can be had for about $5 each where I life. Even +4 plugs are overkill, I just use the basic BOSCH copper plugs.
ZV

Sorry bro, my car came from the factory with iridium plugs. It says in the manual, replace with only iridium plugs.

You've got to be kidding me. There's no way in hell I'd pay $60+ for four plugs that, according to Denso's specs, need to be replaced every 30,000 miles (Denso's 0.4mm version, the 0.7mm is spec-ed at 120,000 miles). Heck, copper plugs last 20,000 miles. A good set of platinums will go over 100,000 miles. There is no way that the increase in price is on par with the increase in performance. What car and what engine says only iridium plugs? Barring something with huge amounts of boost I can't see any reason that they would specify iridium plugs aside from a contract with the plug manufacturer.

ZV

EDIT: A friggin Carolla? You could use copper plugs in that no problem. Toyota just has a contract with Denso. Same way that Porsche used to recommend "Only Castrol Oil".

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
You've got to be kidding me. There's no way in hell I'd pay $60+ for four plugs that, according to Denso's specs, need to be replaced every 30,000 miles (Denso's 0.4mm version, the 0.7mm is spec-ed at 120,000 miles). Heck, copper plugs last 20,000 miles. A good set of platinums will go over 100,000 miles. There is no way that the increase in price is on par with the increase in performance. What car and what engine says only iridium plugs? Barring something with huge amounts of boost I can't see any reason that they would specify iridium plugs aside from a contract with the plug manufacturer.

ZV

EDIT: A friggin Carolla? You could use copper plugs in that no problem. Toyota just has a contract with Denso. Same way that Porsche used to recommend "Only Castrol Oil".

You need to stop being such an asshole in car threads.

I'm sorry you're wrong

The plugs last 120K miles according to the manual. That's partly why they cost so much. 2000 and later corollas/prizms come from the factory with iridium plugs. The motor is the 1zzfe, which is also found in the celica/matrix/vibe/mr2 spyder. The motor is fairly high tech for a standard motor, it has variable valve timing, direct ignition, 10:1 comp ratio on piss 87 oct gas, up to 7K rpm redline on some variants.

Since the manual specifies either denso or ngk iridium plugs, it probably isn't a contract but part of the design. On toyota boards, people who try plat plugs over stock iridiums get poor results such as rough/inconsistent idle. The technology in even modern compact cars is changing fairly rapidly and so of course the needs will also change.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
the plugs for my car cost me 60 bucks =(


for 4

You got hosed then. Unless your car uses some sort of non-standard size.

ZV

actually they're ngk platinum plugs, 14 and change a piece + tax

 

[BillGates]

I am getting iridium plugs for my bike .... only 2 plugs required

 

[BillGates]

I am getting iridium plugs for my bike .... only 2 plugs required

 

[goodoptics]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
the plugs for my car cost me 60 bucks =(


for 4

You got hosed then. Unless your car uses some sort of non-standard size.

ZV

actually they're ngk platinum plugs, 14 and change a piece + tax

That sounds about right.

 

[Imported]

I got NGK plugs.. cheap and work well.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: OS

I'm sorry you're wrong

From my post: "replaced every 30,000 miles (Denso's 0.4mm version, the 0.7mm is spec-ed at 120,000 miles). "

As for the problems experienced with Paltinum plugs: Did those people gap the plugs properly? Which platinum plugs were they using? How did the reach on the platinum plugs compare to the reach of the iridium plugs? BOSCH +4 plugs have been known to ground on the cylinder head of some engines because the reach is different from the stock plugs. The only things I can think of that would affect plug choice are the ignition system and the compression. Compression dictates the heat range. Ignition system dictates the gap and material. If the ignition system isn't passing as much current then I can see potential for "required" iridium plugs. Personally though, I will be dead before I buy a car that needs $15+ spark plugs. Friggin' computerized doo-dads in modern cars.

ZV

 

[geno]

not as bad as having ads on the left but still noticable.

Bahahaha