Suggestions on Plugs for street use

I'm new to the site (joined a few days ago) and I was plannin on switching out spark plugs in the coming weeks and was just wondering what the general consensus was on plugs for daily driver/street use? right now I'm running some Bosch Plat. +4, but I've heard from a couple of my buds that they are running some NGK's, however I think those might be more suited for turbo 4's and the like. Any help would be appreciated

Based on outstanding performance I can't recommend any particular brand or type of spark plug. However, I have heard of more complaints with platinum plugs than with the ones with the standard electrodes. On my 4.0L Jeep I used Champion truck plugs gapped 2k over with satisfactory results. I also tried platinum plugs on a GM 350 and the results were disastrous.

The manufacturers normally recommend replacement with the same type as those originally equipped.

All I can say is to continue checking around and don't believe that more expensive plugs are better. Be sure the new plugs are gapped correctly and use a little anti seize compound on the threads.

Enjoy and welcome aboard!

I read a book by a engineer. He had no dealings with plug companies. He says he tested lots of plugs and he claims Autolite plugs are the best bar none.........I have used them with good results. But hey who am I?....... :D

This subject has been discussed on this forum in the past. Some of the more knowledgeable members expressed their opinions and results. Use the search feature to read up on the issue.

I'm usually 180 degrees off (no pun intended :mrgreen: ) when it comes to these plug discussion threads. Most of the people say Autolights (oughtta light, but they don't) are the way to go, and Champion too. Then saying that the Bosch Platinums are junk.
Now, I'm just the opposite. I've had lousy luck and results in the past with Autolights, Champions, and motocrafts. NGK's are for motorcycles and imports! :P For my CHEVYS, I use, and have had great results with Bosch Supers, Bosch Platinums (with the ONE electrode, 4 electrodes is just a gimmic), and good ole AC Delco! The Bosch Platinums in my 350 have been in there for 4 years of abusive driving, and havn't fualtered yet!

yea I've been running my bosch plat.s for a few years with no problems, they will eventually have to be replaced here in a few weeks, but I was just lookin around to see if spending the extra $$ was worth it in the cost vs. performance area. I've really only used bosch plat's since I got the car in '98. No problems ever, which is nice.

And as noobish as this sounds, when it comes to gapping the plugs, when do you know you need to and how do you go about doing such?

And yes it's nice to find a board with all El Caminos fans, thanks :D

1986 El Camino SS w/ Choo Choo Customs option
305ci
96K Miles :)

Gap the plugs when you fist install them. Under normal driving conditions, you shouldn't have to worry about gap for 40,000-50,000 miles. By then, as cheap as plugs are, you could just replace them anyway.

For cheap plugs that are good.
Look no further than Autolite's.

For a good plug that costs a bit more money, I love NGK V-Power's.
I don't care where they were made, I care about results.

I have only tried one platinum plug.It was several years ago.At the time a friend and I were racing his 454 69 Camaro.This was not something that got too much low rpm use.We are talking continuous weekend blasts down the strip, launching at 4200rpm and shifting at 6500rpm.
It ran 10.60's.
I installed Bosch Platinums on his request.He raced it, while I wrenched on it.
I had always ran NGK V-Power's in my stuff because they worked well for me.I also installed them in his engine because they were easy to read for ignition timing, fuel mixture, and they lasted.
After I found the center electrode misteriously disappearing on the Bosch Platinums I decided to never touch another Platinum plug.
It could have been an early design problem, but whatever, that was enough for me.It was not just one plug that it happened to.

For skeptics...No the timing wasn't overly advanced (12initial-35 total) and no the carb wasn't lean :P

These days for our racing stuff we either run NGK V-Power's or Autolite AR series.

Always remember a few things...
The plug is only as good as the selection, the condition the ignition is in, the engines internal condition, and the installing mechanic.

When comparing a set of plugs in a manufacturers catalog to another brand the heat range is not exactly the same.One may cover a broader range than the other.A little experiamenting may have to be done, one range hotter, or one range colder.

Keep it in mind that no plug is going to be any good if it is;
too cold
to hot
wrong length
or has a broken insulator

Inspect the plugs for a broken insulator/ceramic before you leave the store.Packages can be dropped. Always check the gap for this reason also.
It is also fairly easy to break an insulator/ceramic in a tight engine compartment because of tight angles and the use of sockets.
I always try to install the plugs with a wrench for this reason.
If you find a plug with a black line on the insulator/ceramic it is bad.If it is out of the box or out of your engine, if it has the line, it is bad.

P.S.
keep away from the fancy shancy crap out there like the Split Fires, multi headed crap, and Champion for that matter.

There is a lot of gimmickry out there regarding sparkplugs. In my opinion as long as the heat range and lenght are correct and you have a good high performance ignition system a good old plain single electrode copper core plug is your best bet.

I've just barred the doors, locked down the hurricane shutters, and chained my Pit Bull to the front porch post, wait, ok my pants are rideing high and my belts on tight, so here goes.....

I've only built 2 motors in my life, my first was a 350 4 bolt main, I installed splitfire plugs in it, Ihad to search high and low for them back
before they hit any auto part stores, I still remember who sold them Woody's A/C the first distributer in SoCal, I got 180,000 trouble free miles from that motor is was installed in my carpet cleaning van, it pulled a one ton carpet cleaning machine and about 900 lbs of support equipt everyday, night, and weekend, even hauled that stuff up some of the steepest driveways around. That motor lasted longer than my first ten year marriage.

My second motor is a 454, yea yea yea, splitfires again I've had great luck with them. and to be fair I tried AC, Champion, Bosch, Accel, but after every try I went back to Splitfires I kept the same number from the first but can't get them any more. Bums that my reward for loyaty. The owner at Woody's dialed me in right on the first time, but every time I went to purchace at retail stores they always recommended the wrong heat range or something, I think Splitfire or retail goofed up their charts.
Hold on I think someone's trying to break in the back door, woah I gots to go now...
where did in put Mr. Slugger......... 8)

Consider Champion Truck Plugs or those recommended as OE replacement by GM.

Be sure to set the gap and alignment of the ground electrode.

It might also be a good time to replace the plug wires.

NGKs ALWAYS for my Nissans. AC Delcos for my Chevys.

I got a 330hp/400# crate motor in and the only thing it recomended was the good ole ACDelco. I might switch it up for giggles. but If it is just for "street" use I wouldnt go too far into looking for hp increases in your spark plugs. just go grab some autolites if you like king of the hill, some NGK's if you think you drive a honda. or some bosch plat's if you have nothing else to spend your money on. haha j/k good luck!
-Luke