Performance, Brainstorming & Tuning Talk about modifications, or anything else associated with performance enhancements. Have a new idea for performance/reliability? Post it here. No idea is stupid! (please use Detailing and Appearance for cosmetic ideas)

Questions about Spark Plugs, Plug wires, & Ignition Coil

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-14-2011, 10:32 PM
  #1  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
porksoda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Clovis NM
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
porksoda is on a distinguished road
Question Questions about Spark Plugs, Plug wires, & Ignition Coil

Well I am wondering what spark plugs and spark plug wires do you all suggest?
(Brand? Style?(copper, platinum, iridium) Gapping?)

I always here about cars running better on certain plugs.

Also while I am here what ignition coil do you all suggest too?
Mine is the big brick style I think its called a Magnovox coil?
Is there a way to covert it the 3 separate coils?

Well thanks for help help!

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Old 09-15-2011, 05:25 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
Posts like a Supercharger
 
rustyroger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Margate, UK
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
rustyroger is on a distinguished road
Default

No particular brand preference but be sure whatever you get meets or exceeds oem standards.

Which model/engine do you have?.

Roger.
Old 09-15-2011, 06:51 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
jwfirebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: western,ny state
Posts: 9,616
Received 579 Likes on 497 Posts
jwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond repute
Default

it says l27 in his sig, thats the na s1 3800. you want at least platinum on a NA engine dont get crappy wires either they dont like that. i was running delphi wires for a while but the dont last anymore like most things it seems. personally i think its worth the money for msd wires and E3 plugs. not so much for the power but the smooth idle and its lasted alot longer than anything else ive tried.
Old 09-17-2011, 01:28 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
 
SignOfZeta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New Milford, CT
Posts: 2,284
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
SignOfZeta has a spectacular aura aboutSignOfZeta has a spectacular aura about
Default

Originally Posted by porksoda
Well I am wondering what spark plugs and spark plug wires do you all suggest?
The can of worms is officially open!

In all seriousness, most 3800'* shipped with iridium plugs from the factory. For stock performance (and up to 100,000 miles between changes), go with iridiums. Copper plugs are fine and cheaper, but they have about one-third of the shelf life due to the relative softness of the metal. Platinums also work, if you're not 'charged.

Only those people with modified engines need to worry about what material and heat range of plug to buy. Case in point, I ran copper plugs for a while and noticed no difference whatsoever. Having fresh wires and good coils matters more.

Just avoid Bosch plugs; they wear out very quickly in a waste-spark setup like ours, a design issue that Bosch themselves has noted.
Old 09-20-2011, 07:16 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
espee1989's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York City
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
espee1989 is on a distinguished road
Default

Autozone has a deal on autolite sparkplugs. 3 bucks each and a rebate of 1.25 for each...
Old 09-20-2011, 07:28 PM
  #6  
-- SITE DONATOR --
True Car Nut
 
ymmot04's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,638
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
ymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of light
Default

The first thing I do in all my NA 3800'* is slap in a new set of AC Delco iridium'* with a set of Bosch wires that have the life time warranty and write that off my maintenance check list for good.

A lot of us boosted guys run Autolite copper plugs. Cheap, dependable, and with many temperature variances for the different boost levels we run.
Old 09-20-2011, 09:17 PM
  #7  
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
 
Danthurs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 24 Posts
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default

I change my plugs every year, so I run autolite coppers. Menards sells them for about $2.50 a pair. Can't beat the price. OEM life time plug wires and your set there. Stock OEM coils. There is no better coil, only worse coils. My engine is far from stock, and even though I have MSD coils in the picture, I removed them and went back to stock coils.
Old 09-20-2011, 09:21 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
espee1989's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York City
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
espee1989 is on a distinguished road
Default

My wires are worn out... and they are Delphi (I assume what GM used as stock at the time of my cars manufacture)
Old 09-21-2011, 06:43 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
jwfirebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: western,ny state
Posts: 9,616
Received 579 Likes on 497 Posts
jwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond repute
Default

delphi that you get from the parts store arent the same anymore. got those for the bonnie, the originals lasted 100k, the part store ones lasted 30k
Old 09-21-2011, 11:39 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
espee1989's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York City
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
espee1989 is on a distinguished road
Default

Heres a pic of mine. Getting new ones in by the end of the week...

Attached Thumbnails Questions about Spark Plugs, Plug wires, & Ignition Coil-img20110921090513.th.jpg  


Quick Reply: Questions about Spark Plugs, Plug wires, & Ignition Coil



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:36 AM.