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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: chrisfranklin on March 20, 2006, 12:08:13 AM
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Have been messing around with increasing the Gap on my plugs. And, yeah, I was running the Splitfire Platinum 2 plugs with the smaller electrode.
:oops: :lol:
I experiemented with Gap from .35-.55 (set from factory at .35 and shouldn't be adjusted, so they say). And I did seem to findthat the Platinum plugs could be gapped higher than their preset and the engine seemed to run better. Only thing was I ended up accidently damaging one of the plugs when reinstalling (badly cracked the ceramic-type material around the electrode). So I had to get another one. Go to my local auto parts store and they have practically every variety of plug listed, but only about 5 or so varieties available, none of the Split Plat 2s.
So I figured it was a good time to check out some other plugs, non-platinum, non-Splitfire. Ended up going with the 99 cent Bosch copper core plugs. The store had the 4 prong, $6 Bosch plugs but I had already tried those a couple of years ago and they were of dubious value, at least that I kind tell.
Anyway, the word going around here about Platinum plugs (let alone Splitfire platinums) not working great in Jeeps might have some merit it to it. After a couple of days, the cheap Bosch copper cored plugs I installed seem to have changed the general throttle response and torque on my YJ4 for the better, at least between about 800-3000 rpms which is where I do most of my driving. And, I gapped them out to .55 since I am running a hotter coil.
Since I bought the hotter coil a few years ago, I have only been using "trick" plugs, ie. Spitfire, Splitfire 2, Bosch 4. I believe that all of these except for the regular Splitfires are Platinum electrode types. Platinum has superior wear characteristics to Copper, but it is about half as a good as an electrical conductor.
Anyway, Jeep seems to be working great (enough so that, with 29" tires, I am not really thinking about messing with any other power upgrades). Locker is a different story though. In sum, I am probably sticking with the copper core plugs, unless Iridium or Silver-cores turn out to be a true new "magic bullet."
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so your synapsis is what.....the"trick plugs are worth the cash" dont mind me Ive been drinking..but are they
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Nahh, I am saying that the cheaper coppercore standard plugs actually seemed to run better than the trick platinums I have been using did. Because I have a hotter coil I have these plugs gapped to .55 ok and everything seems to work well.
Only thing is that you will have to change these plugs every 15-30k miles or so because there are no special metal coating to let changes go upwards of every 100,000 miles.
And, you may find the new Iridium long-life plug or Nology Silver-core plugs are the best around (or not) in terms of wear and performance. But, right now, I am back to good-old copper
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Only thing is that you will have to change these plugs every 15-30k miles or so because there are no special metal coating to let changes go upwards of every 100,000 miles.
I agree, the cheap copper plugs are supposed to have the best conductivity, but they do wear out really quick compared to the platinums and iridiums. I have no problem changing them every 10-15k so I just use the cheap ones and they run great :wink: I do have Taylor spiral pro wires and a copper contacted rotor and cap though 8)