Posts: 176
Joined: 2/23/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I was wondering what the best plug is to run in the 5.0's. I just got the car (an 88 GT) and I'm giving it a tune up. It has Autolites in it that are real nasty and I got some Bosch Platinum plugs and have heard good and bad about them. What do you guys use? Also, these platinums are shorter than the Autolites. Is it just the design or is it not right? Thanks.
Posts: 2199
Joined: 3/31/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I dunno, I've seen dyno's of gains messing with sparks on small blocks. Granted they were distrubuters and carbed (I've got DIS and injection, so no real gains for me).
In my world of the 1.9L LLO (Saturn 1.9L engine), wether you got a DOHC or SOHC, all you'll really get is a smoother idle.
This may change in bigger engines trying to ignite more stuff. Make it easier to run the spark, that's more juice to the combustion chamber, which is a hotter spark.
Posts: 282
Joined: 3/7/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I don;t know either Lloyd, maybe it's in my head, but the car seems so much more snappier with new plugs and wires. Maybe that goes along with the same mentality that gears add hp.
Posts: 43
Joined: 2/28/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I just ordered a set of Denso Iridium plugs for my 5.0. Everything I've read says they are the best. No gapping required. Just put them in. $12 bucks a piece hurts but running something from a meteorite in your engine is pretty cool. We'll see how they work.
Posts: 2199
Joined: 3/31/2003 From: United States Status: offline
While the iridium material itself has no claimed performance benefit, its incredible strength and high melting point (even higher than platinum) allows much smaller electrode design than what would be possible with conventional materials. This smaller electrode creates a more concentrated electric field that reduces the voltage requirement. On some performance motors, this can translate into easier starts and quicker acceleration.
Posts: 21
Joined: 3/29/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I run NGK on everything I own. They are great plugs. I have Taylor 409 wires and NGK cut back plugs in my Vette. They help idle, tuning, and gas mileage. They also help maintain spark at high RPM over 5K, but they do not add any SOTP or power.
I would not change them until your wires are worn and in need of repair. You cant go wrong with NGK.
Posts: 13
Joined: 4/8/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I Work and study plugs because I am a parts man, I also own a 5.0 And I run always, Motorcafts because you system is made to run with that plug. And if you want more boost, run the Platinum type Motorcraft. Never run Bosch Platinum plugs not in a FORD. Or esle it will run like sh*t. I know because I have to refund money every day because of that brand in Ford's.
Posts: 155
Joined: 4/8/2003 From: United States Status: offline
The Motorcraft's are a great plug for the price. I have had great results with them on a regular basis and under nitrous use. However the NGK's are proven to be a slight bit better in the HP department (like 1 to 2 hp's). Also, as the iridiums are the plug to put in if you can justify spending the $12 per plug for the increase in starting, high r's, and small gains in hp.
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Spark Plug Question- Nee - 
