i need advise in spark plugs

[jospgut]

hey, i have a question to the pros lol, im changing my sparkplugs wires and probably the ignition coil, i dont know which kind to choose, aftermarket, OEM, or in the dealership, which kind is the best for my 97 LGT, i want a better ignition.

[d1giPhux]

What are you going for? Performance.. or long lasting plugs? If you want long lasting, go with the NGK Platinum plugs, if you want performance, go with NGK V-Power Plugs. The V-powers are better because they are copper as opposed to platinum. However, they do wear out quicker.. if you can call 30k + miles quick. Not to mention they are WAY cheaper then the NGK platinums. The V-Powers are what I run.. along with many other people on these boards.

btw: NGK plugs you can get at most any auto store and are probably the best brand to run with. Not to mention, if you get plugs at the stealership its going to cost you an arm and a leg for something that shouldnt be much more then $2/each. Platinums will run you more of course.

[rougeben83]

If youre going to spend the $$ anyway, I would go straight to iridiums, I've seen/read many people having issues with rough idling with platinums (though they were mostly of the bosch multi-tipped variety). Copper is fine too, actually if you don't mind doing the job yourself it's probably a better value. I...never noticed any difference when I changed the plug wires to "competition" 8mm wires. Can't really go wrong with the stock coilpack either.

[d1giPhux]

yeah.. just so you know, i've never ran the platinums either. I run the coppers.. they are great! and cheap!

[jospgut]

wow many options, i rather try performance, but if i change the wires, do i have to change the spark plugs too? cause i changed them not to long ago

[legacy98gt]

i was wondering wat the difference between copper and platnum, so copper is better? i always thought it was the opposite, and wats the difference between normal plugs and the 2 prong plus? i thought it was so you get more spark

[mike-tracy]

i was wondering wat the difference between copper and platnum, so copper is better? i always thought it was the opposite, and wats the difference between normal plugs and the 2 prong plus? i thought it was so you get more spark

Guess you didn't read the discussion from Wednesday about sparkplugs?

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16924 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16924)

Also, 2 prong means you can't adjust the gap (well, you're not supposed to - they're pregapped) - which is bad if you're tuning your car that way.


And to this comment:
wow many options, i rather try performance, but if i change the wires, do i have to change the spark plugs too? cause i changed them not to long ago

You get the wires that match your car (the coil, oem or compatible spark plugs). If you go really crazy and get an MSD ignition system (or other custom job) then you would have to worry about wires fitting, otherwise you don't. If you recently replaced your wires, then you should be fine for a few years.

[impreza_GC8]

Moved this topic to the N/A forum.

I see no reason why OEM replacement wires and a coilpack wouldn't be just fine in your application. I'm turbo'ed and I still use an OEM coilpack. I do run Iridium plugs. If you choose to get those know that you are not supposed to gap them like you would copper plugs because you can damage the electrode in the process.

[lord flashheart]

Stay away from platinum. If this was me I would go to the dealer to make sure I had the correct plugs. Sure any of the plugs that the local auto parts store gives you will work but that doesn't mean they are right for your car for example autolites plugs will work but thay are more than likely the wrong heat range besides each year fuji heavy spends millions researching the best plugs for that engine by calculAting all kinds of crazy factors. So in my opinion dealer plugs %100.

[95USsubaru]

ive had platinum NGK for the last year now. regular stock wires. no problems.

+1 for NGK platinum or hell, for that matter, anything NGK

[jospgut]

i just bought the original wires, i pay $64, and everywere was 60, so i went to the subaru dealership. im going to get the spark plugs next mont

[rougeben83]

The dealer plugs are just repacked NGK's or Champions coppers, I would still double check the gap on the plug regardless of whichever you get, you just never know. NGK sells your size/thread etc. in different heat ranges, the stock heat range is a "7" its in the part no. of each plug they sell, a "6" is a colder plug, and an "8" is a hotter plug for example. Just get the stock heat range, OEM replacement plug wires if you haven't gotten it done for a few years and replace the coilpack if its broken. I don't really think there's much to gain from changing out the parts of the ignition system unless you go completely custom.

I got my bosch plug wires for $30 shipped a few years ago. Install was not any different from the OEM subaru part. At the end of the day theyre all 7mm copper wires with a nonconductive sheath. I went to the even more expensive 8mm "comp" Magnecor plug wires after that and noticed no difference in performance. Though if you like red wires instead of boring ol' black then I guess theres the difference then...

[lord flashheart]

Bosch makes great plugs in my opinion NGKs are good. But anything is butter than autolite. I think it's safe to say spark plugs are like anything else you usually get what you pay for.

[2000gtb]

I can get you Denso iridiums cheaper than most people, just let me know what temp... I put IKH16 in my 00 outback NA.. its a step hotter than stock.. it works well

[anothernord]

Moved this topic to the N/A forum.

I see no reason why OEM replacement wires and a coilpack wouldn't be just fine in your application. I'm turbo'ed and I still use an OEM coilpack. I do run Iridium plugs. If you choose to get those know that you are not supposed to gap them like you would copper plugs because you can damage the electrode in the process.

Are you using the stock heat range as well? What gap?

[wrxya33]

I can get you Denso iridiums cheaper than most people, just let me know what temp... I put IKH16 in my 00 outback NA.. its a step hotter than stock.. it works well

So in my wrx i went one step colder so the spark would'nt blow out from higher boost. So if thats the case with turbo cars Why do you get hotter plugs in N/A motors?

[anothernord]

I can get you Denso iridiums cheaper than most people, just let me know what temp... I put IKH16 in my 00 outback NA.. its a step hotter than stock.. it works well

So in my wrx i went one step colder so the spark would'nt blow out from higher boost. So if thats the case with turbo cars Why do you get hotter plugs in N/A motors?

You can, but only up to the point where you get knock. I would definately have an EGT gauge with hotter plugs.

[98quicksilverGT]

Autolite plugs are ford plugs anyway. There the same as motorcraft. I have Bosch platinum +4's. No issues at all.

[ouch1011]

I've seen so many problems with Bosch plugs, and so has every other mechanic I've worked with. I have fixed so many cars that had misfire issues by replacing their brand new Bosch plugs with a different brand.

We use Autolite at work, with the exception of some that use specialty plugs (like Toyotas). They aren't my preference, but I've had very few issues with them. I use NGK plugs personally, and I've had no problems with them.

The difference between platinums and copper plugs is just the material on the electrode and the ground strap. Platinum doesn't erode as quickly from all the sparks, so they last longer. Personally, unless the car came with platinum plugs, I don't use them.

[d1giPhux]

^ yeah.. i would stay away from the bosch as well.. i've known quite a few people with different cars who have got misfire problems after installing them. Not sure why that seems to happen so much with bosch.. but it does.

Like i said.. go with the NGK V-Power copper plugs and you will be VERY happy.

[jospgut]

so i think i payed double buying the OEM wires, i always thought that OEM parts last you long...
ill try those NGK v-power, i was researching and everybody says that,

[lord flashheart]

Autolite plugs are ford plugs anyway. There the same as motorcraft. I have Bosch platinum +4's. No issues at all.
well put. Autolites really shouldn't be used in anything but fords
I work at a local repair shop and we never put in autolites


Ive never herd any mechanic recommend autolites. But what ever floats your boat.
Personally I would never put autolites in my car.

[02_Legacy]

My 2 cents

The service manual for my car (BE) says to use CHAMPION brand part number RC10YC4 or alternativly NGK part number BKR5E-11 or BKR6E-11