Stock plugs....
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Stock plugs....
Are the stock plugs better for our cars or no? I have heard that the stock ones are better because they were made specifically for our engines. Can someone clear this up please.
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i know that we have NGK's with 1 tip... i have to say yes, stock plugs are really good for our cars.
your mind may rest in peace now.
your mind may rest in peace now.
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Rep Power: 0 I recently changed to Bosch Platinum +4 plugs, and I noticed a HUGE benifit...they rock! Granted my stock plugs had like 55k miles, but still[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]
I didn't help in the designing of the engine so I can't state this with authority. But I would think that changing to +4 would be better due to a larger spark area therefore igniting more gas more efficiently and producing a more powerful and cleaner burn. Now all of that is in theory. You would think that if it really helped then the honda engineers would use +4 stock. But then Engineers are often told what they can use by the bean counters( this one I know first hand..we wanted to use brand A, but were told by accounting that we would be getting brand X instead.."make it work" we heard. So basically now I have givin no advice..and maybe even managed to confuse you more [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] . So here is what I plan on doing. Putting in the Bosh +4's and saving my stock plugs. If anything should happen to my engine(lord forbid)...I'll put the stock ones back in. We really should find a honda engineer and make him a member of this forum.
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Rep Power: 0 Electricity, by its nature, flows along the path of least resistance.
What does this mean exactly? It means that, generally speaking, multiple grounds such as the +4 and Zex plugs are useless.
Why? Simple.
A. terminal
B. ceramic insulation
C. center electrode
D. gap
E. ground electrode
Say this spark plug has multiple grounded electrodes, like a +4.
Now say, it is in an engine and is about to fire.
The spark energy flows down the center electrode, out into the gap and onto the closest (remember "path of least resistance"? ground.
This pattern will then repeat over and over for the entire life of the spark plug. That means the spark will hit the same ground EVERY time unless the grounding becomes damaged or so corroded its proximity to the center electrode is no longer enough to make it the least restrictive path for the electricity. In that case it will move onto one of the other grounds.
And that brings us to the only plus of having multiple grounded electrodes. Fact of the matter is though, unless you dont plan replacing your plugs between 100K mile intervals you will never need the extra grounds.
This is one of the reasons why cars advertise "no tune ups before the first 100K miles".
Personally, because I run nitrous, I change my plugs with every oil change.
The same goes for platinum and iridium plugs. These dont offer better performance. They just last longer. Another "100K mile tune up" deal. Under normal driving conditions the center electrode made out of these harder materials will, of course last longer. Because as we all know its so costly to change spark plugs at 60K miles, this is a must have, right? Pfff.
The ONLY reason why dealers recommend these plugs and why manufacturers put them in their cars is for that reasons and that reason alone.
Now, for high compression, turbo, and or N20 applications PLATNUM AND IRIDIUM plugs ARE NOT GOOD. The center electrodes will actually crap out much faster then your standard core electrodes under those conditions, especially N20 applications. Ive seen many a nitrous'd car running Denzos pop a plug. Trust me on this one.
And for the record ZEX SUCKS ***!!!! Yes, thats right. ESPECIALLY their spark plugs.
How do I know this?
I bought a set. Not only are they 2X as expensive as the NGKs I use now they crapped out on me not 2 days after i put them in!
Three sub 15 second runs on brand new Zex plugs (on just a 50 shot mind you) resulted in one SEVERLY melted #3 plug. And I mean SEVERLY. All 3 ground electrodes were carbon coated, the center electrode AND the protective ceramic coating were melted and vaporized completely through. Thankfully there was no engine damage, but thats not the point. For a full year after that I ran the EXACT SAME set up with my NGKs, and had NEVER had a problem. Not once. Whats that mean? Its obviously not a mechanical or installation problem with the nitrous or fuel injection, rather its solely the fault of the plug.
PIECE OF ****
Plus Zex plugs are made in France. That should tell you enough.
Oh, and what do I reccomend for Nitrous and turbo applications? NGK-BKR7E (8E's for apps that call for 2 steps colder over stock) thats what. 2 bcuks each (high end) and are t3h b3st.
What does this mean exactly? It means that, generally speaking, multiple grounds such as the +4 and Zex plugs are useless.
Why? Simple.
A. terminal
B. ceramic insulation
C. center electrode
D. gap
E. ground electrode
Say this spark plug has multiple grounded electrodes, like a +4.
Now say, it is in an engine and is about to fire.
The spark energy flows down the center electrode, out into the gap and onto the closest (remember "path of least resistance"? ground.
This pattern will then repeat over and over for the entire life of the spark plug. That means the spark will hit the same ground EVERY time unless the grounding becomes damaged or so corroded its proximity to the center electrode is no longer enough to make it the least restrictive path for the electricity. In that case it will move onto one of the other grounds.
And that brings us to the only plus of having multiple grounded electrodes. Fact of the matter is though, unless you dont plan replacing your plugs between 100K mile intervals you will never need the extra grounds.
This is one of the reasons why cars advertise "no tune ups before the first 100K miles".
Personally, because I run nitrous, I change my plugs with every oil change.
The same goes for platinum and iridium plugs. These dont offer better performance. They just last longer. Another "100K mile tune up" deal. Under normal driving conditions the center electrode made out of these harder materials will, of course last longer. Because as we all know its so costly to change spark plugs at 60K miles, this is a must have, right? Pfff.
The ONLY reason why dealers recommend these plugs and why manufacturers put them in their cars is for that reasons and that reason alone.
Now, for high compression, turbo, and or N20 applications PLATNUM AND IRIDIUM plugs ARE NOT GOOD. The center electrodes will actually crap out much faster then your standard core electrodes under those conditions, especially N20 applications. Ive seen many a nitrous'd car running Denzos pop a plug. Trust me on this one.
And for the record ZEX SUCKS ***!!!! Yes, thats right. ESPECIALLY their spark plugs.
How do I know this?
I bought a set. Not only are they 2X as expensive as the NGKs I use now they crapped out on me not 2 days after i put them in!
Three sub 15 second runs on brand new Zex plugs (on just a 50 shot mind you) resulted in one SEVERLY melted #3 plug. And I mean SEVERLY. All 3 ground electrodes were carbon coated, the center electrode AND the protective ceramic coating were melted and vaporized completely through. Thankfully there was no engine damage, but thats not the point. For a full year after that I ran the EXACT SAME set up with my NGKs, and had NEVER had a problem. Not once. Whats that mean? Its obviously not a mechanical or installation problem with the nitrous or fuel injection, rather its solely the fault of the plug.
PIECE OF ****
Plus Zex plugs are made in France. That should tell you enough.
Oh, and what do I reccomend for Nitrous and turbo applications? NGK-BKR7E (8E's for apps that call for 2 steps colder over stock) thats what. 2 bcuks each (high end) and are t3h b3st.
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[hr]Originally posted by: slikor
I recently changed to Bosch Platinum +4 plugs, and I noticed a HUGE benifit...they rock! Granted my stock plugs had like 55k miles, but still[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG][hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: slikor
I recently changed to Bosch Platinum +4 plugs, and I noticed a HUGE benifit...they rock! Granted my stock plugs had like 55k miles, but still[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG][hr]
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[hr]Originally posted by: HondaGuru
Electricity, by its nature, flows along the path of least resistance.
What does this mean exactly? It means that, generally speaking, multiple grounds such as the +4 and Zex plugs are useless.
Why? Simple.
A. terminal
B. ceramic insulation
C. center electrode
D. gap
E. ground electrode
Say this spark plug has multiple grounded electrodes, like a +4.
Now say, it is in an engine and is about to fire.
The spark energy flows down the center electrode, out into the gap and onto the closest (remember "path of least resistance"? ground.
This pattern will then repeat over and over for the entire life of the spark plug. That means the spark will hit the same ground EVERY time unless the grounding becomes damaged or so corroded its proximity to the center electrode is no longer enough to make it the least restrictive path for the electricity. In that case it will move onto one of the other grounds.
And that brings us to the only plus of having multiple grounded electrodes. Fact of the matter is though, unless you dont plan replacing your plugs between 100K mile intervals you will never need the extra grounds.
This is one of the reasons why cars advertise "no tune ups before the first 100K miles".
Personally, because I run nitrous, I change my plugs with every oil change.
The same goes for platinum and iridium plugs. These dont offer better performance. They just last longer. Another "100K mile tune up" deal. Under normal driving conditions the center electrode made out of these harder materials will, of course last longer. Because as we all know its so costly to change spark plugs at 60K miles, this is a must have, right? Pfff.
The ONLY reason why dealers recommend these plugs and why manufacturers put them in their cars is for that reasons and that reason alone.
Now, for high compression, turbo, and or N20 applications PLATNUM AND IRIDIUM plugs ARE NOT GOOD. The center electrodes will actually crap out much faster then your standard core electrodes under those conditions, especially N20 applications. Ive seen many a nitrous'd car running Denzos pop a plug. Trust me on this one.
And for the record ZEX SUCKS ***!!!! Yes, thats right. ESPECIALLY their spark plugs.
How do I know this?
I bought a set. Not only are they 2X as expensive as the NGKs I use now they crapped out on me not 2 days after i put them in!
Three sub 15 second runs on brand new Zex plugs (on just a 50 shot mind you) resulted in one SEVERLY melted #3 plug. And I mean SEVERLY. All 3 ground electrodes were carbon coated, the center electrode AND the protective ceramic coating were melted and vaporized completely through. Thankfully there was no engine damage, but thats not the point. For a full year after that I ran the EXACT SAME set up with my NGKs, and had NEVER had a problem. Not once. Whats that mean? Its obviously not a mechanical or installation problem with the nitrous or fuel injection, rather its solely the fault of the plug.
PIECE OF ****
Plus Zex plugs are made in France. That should tell you enough.
Oh, and what do I reccomend for Nitrous and turbo applications? NGK-BKR7E (8E's for apps that call for 2 steps colder over stock) thats what. 2 bcuks each (high end) and are t3h b3st.[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: HondaGuru
Electricity, by its nature, flows along the path of least resistance.
What does this mean exactly? It means that, generally speaking, multiple grounds such as the +4 and Zex plugs are useless.
Why? Simple.
A. terminal
B. ceramic insulation
C. center electrode
D. gap
E. ground electrode
Say this spark plug has multiple grounded electrodes, like a +4.
Now say, it is in an engine and is about to fire.
The spark energy flows down the center electrode, out into the gap and onto the closest (remember "path of least resistance"? ground.
This pattern will then repeat over and over for the entire life of the spark plug. That means the spark will hit the same ground EVERY time unless the grounding becomes damaged or so corroded its proximity to the center electrode is no longer enough to make it the least restrictive path for the electricity. In that case it will move onto one of the other grounds.
And that brings us to the only plus of having multiple grounded electrodes. Fact of the matter is though, unless you dont plan replacing your plugs between 100K mile intervals you will never need the extra grounds.
This is one of the reasons why cars advertise "no tune ups before the first 100K miles".
Personally, because I run nitrous, I change my plugs with every oil change.
The same goes for platinum and iridium plugs. These dont offer better performance. They just last longer. Another "100K mile tune up" deal. Under normal driving conditions the center electrode made out of these harder materials will, of course last longer. Because as we all know its so costly to change spark plugs at 60K miles, this is a must have, right? Pfff.
The ONLY reason why dealers recommend these plugs and why manufacturers put them in their cars is for that reasons and that reason alone.
Now, for high compression, turbo, and or N20 applications PLATNUM AND IRIDIUM plugs ARE NOT GOOD. The center electrodes will actually crap out much faster then your standard core electrodes under those conditions, especially N20 applications. Ive seen many a nitrous'd car running Denzos pop a plug. Trust me on this one.
And for the record ZEX SUCKS ***!!!! Yes, thats right. ESPECIALLY their spark plugs.
How do I know this?
I bought a set. Not only are they 2X as expensive as the NGKs I use now they crapped out on me not 2 days after i put them in!
Three sub 15 second runs on brand new Zex plugs (on just a 50 shot mind you) resulted in one SEVERLY melted #3 plug. And I mean SEVERLY. All 3 ground electrodes were carbon coated, the center electrode AND the protective ceramic coating were melted and vaporized completely through. Thankfully there was no engine damage, but thats not the point. For a full year after that I ran the EXACT SAME set up with my NGKs, and had NEVER had a problem. Not once. Whats that mean? Its obviously not a mechanical or installation problem with the nitrous or fuel injection, rather its solely the fault of the plug.
PIECE OF ****
Plus Zex plugs are made in France. That should tell you enough.
Oh, and what do I reccomend for Nitrous and turbo applications? NGK-BKR7E (8E's for apps that call for 2 steps colder over stock) thats what. 2 bcuks each (high end) and are t3h b3st.[hr]
Ok...I'm gonna ask something,....Why would they make plugs w/ multiple grounds if there's nothing better about them? also, if the grounds are the exact same distance away from the center then the spark traveling will spread to each ground...correct? It also burns more gas without letting as much excess escape as with single plugs. i don't mean to sound like an @$$. I was just wondering cause that's what i was told and it made sense to me.
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[hr]Originally posted by: DjKrazie
Why would they make them?? Two answers:
1- Marketing! ...If you were stupid, which would you buy...the one they say has more prongs so it makes more spark, increases performance and gas mileage or the stock 99 cent OEM plug that is really just as good? Just ask the guys at Slik50, they made millions from a product that is no better for your engine than a good synthetic oil.
It's all about marketing.
2-Longevity. If it is actually a good product, (Bosch is) the only benefit of four prongs is that it will last longer, as stated in HondaGuru's response.
[hr]Originally posted by: DjKrazie
Quote
[hr][i]
Ok...I'm gonna ask something,....Why would they make plugs w/ multiple grounds if there's nothing better about them? also, if the grounds are the exact same distance away from the center then the spark traveling will spread to each ground...correct? It also burns more gas without letting as much excess escape as with single plugs. i don't mean to sound like an @$$. I was just wondering cause that's what i was told and it made sense to me.[hr]
[hr][i]
Ok...I'm gonna ask something,....Why would they make plugs w/ multiple grounds if there's nothing better about them? also, if the grounds are the exact same distance away from the center then the spark traveling will spread to each ground...correct? It also burns more gas without letting as much excess escape as with single plugs. i don't mean to sound like an @$$. I was just wondering cause that's what i was told and it made sense to me.[hr]
1- Marketing! ...If you were stupid, which would you buy...the one they say has more prongs so it makes more spark, increases performance and gas mileage or the stock 99 cent OEM plug that is really just as good? Just ask the guys at Slik50, they made millions from a product that is no better for your engine than a good synthetic oil.
It's all about marketing.
2-Longevity. If it is actually a good product, (Bosch is) the only benefit of four prongs is that it will last longer, as stated in HondaGuru's response.
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From: San Diego, California, USA, Northern Hemisphere, Earth, Sol System, Spiral arm of the Milkey Way
Rep Power: 0 yup, someone needs to read before asking [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]
BTW, you can NEVER get all the electrodes "exactly" the same length apart. What? Do you think they have NASA (ok bad example) officials measuring the distance to the exact micrometer?
BTW, you can NEVER get all the electrodes "exactly" the same length apart. What? Do you think they have NASA (ok bad example) officials measuring the distance to the exact micrometer?
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From: San Diego, California, USA, Northern Hemisphere, Earth, Sol System, Spiral arm of the Milkey Way
Rep Power: 0 ALSO, either the spark capacity is enough to completly ignight the A/F mix or its not. Splitting the same voltage isnt going to do jack squat.
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