Spark Plugs

[Cruiser]

I've seen various posting touting the pro's and cons of Splitfire and Bosch plat plugs. What are the benefits if any as opposed to OEM? Already have the K&N filter mod, as well as the cat-back exhaust mod. Do plugs really matter??? Or are we just pouring money down the toilet?

92 Sport

 

[S.Matsushige]

Cruiser-Besides the advantage that Travis has mentioned, the Bosch will take more to foul than the Splitfires. My fuel pressure regulator had gone bad. The Ford tech said that I was running so rich that my plugs probably needs to be replaced. After changing the regulator, I pulled the plugs to see how bad they were. They were a little black, so I just cleaned them off a little and reinstalled them. After about six hundred miles, I pulled the plugs again and they looked fine. I still have them in and wouldn't hesitate purchasing another set of Bosch Platinum+4s if I needed to.

 

[01EB5.0]

If your gonna do plugs...I'd go with the Bosch Plus 4's. They are a lot better then Splitfire because they actually have 4 different places for the spark to travel from. The split fire has one that is cut on the end so there is 2. I have the Bosch and there great!

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TravisN1@AOL.COM
1995 XLT 4x4

 

[davidh]

Having used both the Splitfire & Bosch Plat+4, I can say there is a minimal difference in performance over the OEM. The major factor is that both plugs can be run 2 or 3 times as long as OEM without change-out. Therefore, not only is there some cost savings but on my Six the back plugs are a pain to get at via the wheelwell.....

 

[Trckmagik]

I have the Bosch in one of my 92's and Splitfire's in the other 92. I personally like the Splitfires better. Ever since installing the Bosch I get a lifter type noise and have no clue what causes this. I noticed more performance out of both plugs when I intsalled Splitfire plug wires with the plugs. Sometimes you just have to try both of them to get your correct answer which is what I had to do.

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Brian Green
92 2wd Explorer w/
6 inch Suspension lift
92 2wd Ranger w/
5.5 inch suspension lift

 

[slow-demon]

I have a question? Why does having four electrodes better than having just one. Isn't having one "big" spark better than having four seperate smaller sparks. The ignition coil is still putting out the same voltage spark. I'd rather have a single electrode spark plug. Isn't having a four electrode spark plug going to cause some air turbulence in the combustion chamber. I know of a racing trick in which they index the "single electrode" spark plug so that the electrode doesn't interfere with the "swirling" effect of the air in the combustion chamber. They actually sell shims for the spark plug so you can index them properly. On the Bosch 4's, it has four ground electrodes, isn't the electrodes going to be blocking the actual spark in the combustion chamber. I'd rather just have a single electrode spark plug. I think the four electrode spark plug is just another gimmick to sell spark plugs.

 

[Cruiser]

Wow......now i'm really confused.....can anyone point to any hard evidence?? or reports?


92 E Sport

 

[Garrett]

I do road racing with another car of mine, and with my engine I've tried a bunch of things, and what I've found out and what others have too, is that the most important thing is the temperature range of the plug, and the gap. The other fancy plugs cost a whole lot, but don't do much of anything with regards to power gains. Having the right type of plug with the right gap makes the biggest difference.

The platinum plugs last a lot longer, and that's about all that makes them better as far as what my friends and I have discovered in tuning our engines. I agree that the fancy plugs are a gimmick to sell plugs for more!

Now, this info I've found out with regards to my 911 engines, but I think it holds true for my Navajo as well. Look at all of the big racing groups and their cars - they've got platinum plugs - not the fancy ones. That's gotta' mean something!

I hope this helps a bit. It's just my insight on the plug subject from what I've noticed.

 

[Tony91Sport]

I would go for the Bosch, from what i understand, mine have a lifetime warrnty. Seems like enough performance and bang for the buck to get as many plugs as i want, for the one time low price of 46 a cylinder.

Tony 91 Sport

 

[Gigantor]

How much do those Bosch Plat+4 cost?
That might just be the deciding factor.

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Nick
'93 XLT 4 Door 4x4

 

[01EB5.0]

I could get "specs" on the bosch plugs if you guys want it. Just post and let me know if you want me to dig it up.


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TravisN1@AOL.COM
1995 XLT 4x4

 

[Tourture]

If I remember, the bosh plugs cost approx 6 dollars per at Strauss Auto....

Eric

 

[CBoug76]

Just Called AutoZone...
the Bosch Platium 4+ Plugs are $6.00 Each.

AJ91SPORT Forgot to hold down the "Shift" key when he typed in the Price for the plugs.

For $36.00 im gonna try them, it Can't hurt anytyhing.



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Chris
CBoug76@yahoo.com
1997 Explorer Sport (Stock)http://members.aol.com/CBOUG/explorer1.jpg

 

[Blaine Cooper]

Hey yo Garrett. Since you brought up the topic of the right gap... just what is the right gap? On my 93 it says, I think, .052 - .056. I was thinking that I read somewhere that a .065 gap was better. I believe I read that the Champion Truck Plugs calls for a gap of .065 on the Explorer.

 

[Garrett]

Hi Blaine,
I believe the manual says .054" is the gap for the stock heat range of plugs - 42C I think on the early trucks (93 and before). If the Champion Plugs suggest a different range, use theirs. That's my suggestion as long as it's working correctly! Hope that helps a bit.