its all hype. The only time they're worth the extra money is if you have more than 14:1 compression, run a blower or turbo with more than 10 psi, or run lots of nitrous, and in the last 2 cases, chances are the plugs aren't going to last long anyway. I just use the cheapie motorcraft plugs, no problems at all! In fact, the factory motorcraft plugs were worth .2 compared to Bosch Platinum plugs of the same heat range. Go figure.
Platinum plugs run hotter in their respective heat ranges than copper plugs. This is usually a bad thing unless the motor is designed to handle the extra hot spark. Other than that they last longer. As mavman noted, Bosch plugs are crap. The iridium plugs are mostly designed for nitrous applications where too hot of a plug or too large of a gap can melt the plug. Iridium can handle the extra heat from nitrous. Never replace 'em again, but not worth $12 each, IMHO. I prefer Autolite copper plugs. Motorcraft, Champion, ACDelco, NGK are all good plugs. You can't go wrong with copper!
SPLITFIRE??? Does anyone use Splitfire plugs and have they improved performance and quarter mile times ???
Splitfires are decent, but i wouldn't pay $4 each for them. I have been told they are just an autolite plug with a "V" electrode. I never noticed a difference on them. In reality i don't think a plug can make a huge difference, nor can an ignition system--run a decent plug and an electronic ignition and you've about topped the system out. Spend your money on a good distributor since you can play more with timing on an aftermarket distributor--which will make more difference than a set of plugs or an aftermarket ignition.
What would bee a good aftermarket distributor? Does “Brand” make a difference in overall performance? …and…what price range am I looking at?
I don't think there's a whole lot of difference between them all. I like Mallory, but MSD and all those are probably just as good. Also, forgot to mention that an aftermarket coil is a good investment (stock coils can't handle many RPMs). The MSD boxes are nice, and i run one because i have a cam with lots of overlap, but unless you have a nasty cam in it the stock ignition is just fine and you won't notice a difference except for the $200 in weight you just lost.
I have had the opportunity to test the double platinum plugs ( autolite DP NO BOSCH )...test vehicle was a 99 toyota minivan v-6 with a DIS ignition system..double plats on one bank center paltinum electroded plugs on the other...original gap .044"..85000 mile later single platinum electrode worn to .070" Double platinum electrodes gap wear .047" these things will last 100,000 miles with virtually NO electrode wear...now I cant wait to test iridum..I believe these will be lifetime on wear IFn BOTH electrodes are iridium
now I am referring to autolite double platinum spark plugs ( center platinum and ground electrode platinum) bosch double platinum plugs mean they have 2 ground electrodes--NOT platinum ground electrodes..I hope that I am being clear here
Yes, platinum plugs last longer. Double or triple platinum plugs are usually good for 100k miles (usually changed around 80 or 90 tho). It's usually not a good idea to stick platinum plugs in a motor that was designed for copper because they run so much hotter. I have heard stories of burnt seats and valves as a result. Doesn't mean that you can't, or that you'll have the same problems, but personally i'd rather just run copper and avoid the possibility all together. I don't know what kind of heat range the iridium plugs come in, but i can't afford the price tag of $12 a piece to find out!
