Performance Plugs and Wires??

[jack1.1]

See my other posts!

I repeat: don't buy Bosch platinums!

It cost me a $1800 rebuild as the ceramic from the plug and the electrode fell into the cylinder of my 2.8 liter Jimmy S-15.

Learn from my mistake, stay with the Stock Autolite replacements.


Also I tried splitfire and saw no difference.

You have to use platinum tips on the late model ex. Mine is a 5.0, I paid $4.20 for the autolites and they work well. Don't risk your investment!


Jack

 

[Rider]

wires...

I have Aurora wires in my 99 X (locally made here in Abbotsford , BC Canada) and found they worked great even improved my mileage 2 or 3 mpg. They weren't ultra expensive about $80 (can). Next time the truck goes in new plugs are in order and we'll see if that makes any difference.
Thanks to all for the info on the humming noise from my IAC, it was replaced under warranty and the noise has dissappeared. The dealer hadn't heard of this but said they would try it and then could suggest this to other X owners.

Thanks again

 

[98EBinMO]

Plugs and Wires...

I'm glad someone started this thread...

I have a 98 E.B.- I bought it with 120,000 (in excellent shape) but the original owner had never changed the plugs or fuel filter!!! Anyway, I went to AZ, they had the Motorcraft Plats in stock for $3.99- I bought a set and swapped them when I replaced the shocks...

Anyway, I didn't notice a difference, but I do have the original wires- I priced them at O'Reilly's, they wanted $75!!! I thought that was high, but they are genuine Motorcraft, and have a lifetime warranty!!!

I am also looking at Taylor and Jacobs wires...

I was a parts junky at O'Really's (haha) for 5 yrs. and sold a lot of Bosch Plats- I saw about a 50/50 split on those who loved and hated them- mostly those who liked them ran them in 4 bangers and small 6's.....

Just my $.02

Lata,

 

[Stomper]

Hey CobraXP, you get those iridium plugs in yet? How do they rate vs Motorcraft and Bosch?

If you guys had to decide would you go with Jacobs or Taylor wires? I believe both are good names and they can be bought at either performanceproducts.com or truckperformance.com

Does anyone know anything about 'cold plugs?' I know that some of the nitrous mfg's market plugs that dissipate heat better for boosted applications.

 

[CobraXP]

I have not gotten the NGK's in yet. They will probably go in somewhere around October when I get the X to SLC...

I am curious to what they will do also...

 

[JOHN V.]

High Performance Plug Wires For V6 SOHC & OHV

Just wanted to let everyone know that I now have the new JBA Plug Wires for the V6 Explorers at Explorer Express. Introductory deal $59.95! These are brand new & not on our web site yet.

I agree about the spark plugs, go with the original Motorcraft.

 

[JOHN V.]

JBA Power Cables-High Performance Spark Plug Wires

-Custom Tailored for Ford V6 OHV & SOHC
-100% Silicone Jackets
-Ultra Low Resistance
-Wire Wound Mag Conductors

 

[TracerBullett]

Spark Plugs and spark plug wires will NOT increase performance. These are just method by which the spark is delivered to the cylinder and no performance can truly be gained. If by swapping plugs and/or wires you notice a major change in how your vehicle runs it is because you had a problem with the old equipment and what has happened is that performance you had lost from the fouled equipment has been restored. You will not get a hp or torque gain from using one plug over another. The best you can hope for is a strong, efficient spark to ignite you misture. Get good low resistance wires and stock plugs and you will be golden.

Cold plugs help eliminate pinging resulting from the plug overheating and pre-igniting the air/fuel mixture.

 

[sunbum]

Interesting... I guess I'll be swapping out my Bosch Plats. Wish I had seen this before I bought them, but maybe I can still save my engine. Wiring looked like a real pain, but my wires should be fine... at least the plugs are an easy replace.
Thanks for the tip.

 

[ipozestu]

I wouldn't say that one's person experience. With a Bosch plug is enough to justify you trashing your +4's. Many things could have gone wrong. I have run the +4's for a couple of years now swaped them out for the Motorcrafts. And went back top the +4's. Everytime I replace my +4's they are super clean very little fouling. I have been very happy with them.

 

[bluestream]

I have a 13 year old Explorer with 220,000 Km's and the original wires. (original fuel filter too!) They still work fine, as I have good power and fuel economy. If you spray (mist) some water on the wires with the engine running at night, and you see arcing, your wires are in need of replacement. If not, your good to go. Custom or racing wires look nice, but won't add any performance or fuel economy.

 

[exteo]

Ford does rec. changing the plugs every 100,000 km and yes I would change the wires at 50,000 km but just make sure that at 50k you pull the spark plugs out and clean the threads of carbon and put some never sieze on them other wise at 100k you are going to have a hell of a time getting them out of the heads. Just a tip

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Originally posted by TracerBullett
Spark Plugs and spark plug wires will NOT increase performance. These are just method by which the spark is delivered to the cylinder and no performance can truly be gained. If by swapping plugs and/or wires you notice a major change in how your vehicle runs it is because you had a problem with the old equipment and what has happened is that performance you had lost from the fouled equipment has been restored. You will not get a hp or torque gain from using one plug over another. The best you can hope for is a strong, efficient spark to ignite you misture. Get good low resistance wires and stock plugs and you will be golden.

This is all very true for normal street driving however there is a valid case to be made for buying premium plugs and wires. This is especially true for the plugs on a vehicle with an engine compartment as cramped as the Explorer.


As a side note, I am not a fan of platinum plugs and I believe that the automaker's recommended intervals are WAY too long even for platinum plugs.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon
. This is especially true for the plugs on a vehicle with an engine compartment as cramped as the Explorer.

Please explain.

 

[bluestream]

Ford recomends changing plugs every 60,000 Kms for stadndard plugs in my 91. I just changed mine with 50,000 kms and there were still like new. I put new ones in because of the small cost of the plugs. On my 2000 XLT Ford recomends changing the platinum plugs at 160,000 Kms. I also just changed those plugs at 105,000 Kms, but the plugs were in excellent condition and could have been used for much longer. I changed them anyway because I had already gone to the trouble of taking the old ones out. How long they last will depend on what type of use the vehicle is getting. Highway use means the plugs last longer. The schedules Ford use are very conservative, as they know most people will go over them. They don't want a bunch of vehicle out there polluting the air, and wasting gas.

I think 50,000 Kms is way to soon to change plug wires. But if it makes you feel better, go ahead, that all that counts. The wires uses fro OEM are way better quality and will last much longer that what was used 25 years ago. It all comes back to emmisions and fuel economy.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Originally posted by aldive
Please explain.

The premium quality plugs and wires last longer so they need to be changed less frequently.

 

[Bwana Bob]

Changing plugs

I don't find the plugs that hard to change on my 92 4.0.
I just use a universal joint and a long extension on the socket wrench. The only hard ones are the center and rear on the passenger side, especially the rear one. Sometimes I drop the plug and it falls into a gap between the body and the frame. It takes about 1/2 hour to retrieve.

I tried NGK V power plugs, but the V lectrode was too soft and wore down, increasing the gap and causing engine knock. I went back to Autolite plugs.

I don't change them at a fixed interval. When I'm doing other maintenance, pull a couple of plugs and inspect them. If the electrodes look worn or if there are any obvious problems, I replace them all.


Bwana Bob

 

[bluestream]

Yes, each time I change the plugs it gets easier. For the #3 plug, I break it loose with a wratchet, then get under the truck, and reach my hand up and unscrew the plug by hand. To install, I start the plug with some rubber tubing, then get under the truck and screw it in by hand, then tighten with a ratchet from above. It is a lot faster than trying to install the plug with a ratched one click at a time, and saves having to take the wheel off

 

[beast]

I recently changed my plugs/wires at 125k with splitfire plugs/wires. I have been very happy with them, although they really don't increase performance much, but it does run more smoothly. Probably just restoring my lost performance.

 

[Stomper]

Where's the best place to buy NGK plugs?