Spark Plugs

[The Nak]

Sorry if this is covered elsewhere, but I didn't turn up any good info with a search. If there is a good thread out there I'm sure someone will piont it out mighty quick.

Anyway, what plugs are y'all running? I just got a set of OEM from CDan, but have been looking at the Iridiums also. I ended up ordering a set of NGK Iriduim IX's and was wondering if y'all have any thoughts, good or bad concerning the Iridiums or NGKs or anything else for that matter.

Opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Nak

 

[photogod]

Run OEM and be done with it. JMTC.

 

[cruiser88]

stick with dans

 

[Bear80]

I bought some A/C Delco Rapid Fires for the LC off ebay for pretty cheap. I first ran them when they came out in the late 90's in my 20r celica and noticed a defenant increase in throttle response. So after that I have run them in all my 'yotas, though I've never notice much differnce in the other engines such as the LC. But I think in the end I'll pony up for the Denso Ird. plugs to put in the LC.

 

[IdahoDoug]

An engine in such a low state of tune as the Cruiser Six won't see a benefit from the various trendy plugs. It's not a challenging combustion environment at all - low rpm, low compression, low specific output, etc. I'd stick with stock.

I've even heard of some ignition systems reacting poorly to these multi-electrode models due to the system interpreting the multiple sparks as a problem and going into default mode. YMMV.

DougM

 

[The Nak]

I replaced the plugs/wires/cap/rotor/PCV valve and fan clutch yesterday. I used the NGKs, I figured I'd give them a try, and if there were any issues I'd swap out to OEM. Everything went fine, runs like a top. I realize that I changed alot of things out at once so I won't say the plugs alone smoothed the idle or increased my mileage by 50 MPG, or any such thing. But my idle is much improved and throttle response seems better also. FWIW I belive the wires were original as they were marked 1996, whereas the new set was marked 2006. The rotor and points in the cap were obviously worn and slightly corroded. The plugs looked okay as far as color/deposits, but they were worn rather funny. It looks like the spark was traveling from the back of the electrode and thus they were worn with a slight curve front to back on the electrode.

Doug, I too would be leery of a multi electrode plug. Not that I'm any genius, they just seem like a gimmik to me. The NGKs aren't multi electrode, they just have an iriduim electrode in a very small diameter 0.6mm IIRC, the Denso Iridiuum has a 0.4mm.

As taken from NGKs website:

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/products/cars_trucks_suvs/iridiumix.asp?nav=11420&country=US


"Iridium IX Spark Plugs are the most technologically advanced high performance plugs available. Featuring a 0.6 mm iridium center electrode tip, they offer superior ignitability without sacrificing durability. The tapered ground electrode increases flame kernel expansion, while the superior heat range design is ideally suited to the demands of high performance environments. Specially designed to meet the needs of serious enthusiasts, Iridium IX Spark Plugs offer outstanding acceleration, high fuel efficiency and long life. When you demand the most from your engine, rely on the proven performance of NGK Iridium IX Spark Plugs."

Now, do I expect these plugs to turn my truck into a sports car getting econo box mileage? No. Would I like to think that they offer some benefit as stated in their little internet blurb? Sure, why not. Either way it won't hurt anything besides my wallet. Hopefully I'll be headed to a car show in Austin this weekend and I'll see what my mileage looks like. Of course it will be skewed because of the other maintaince I've done, but that's fine by me.

Cheers !

Nak

 

[Bear80]

I assume Doug, you are talking about the Split Fire plugs with a split ground electrode. The Rapid Fire plugs look exactly like the Denso Iridium plug minus the u-groved ground electrode and of course the iridium. So the only step up the Rapid Fire plugs give you over standard plugs is improvent in spark quenching which is why I run them.

 

[cruiserdan]

Gimicy plugs in a naturally aspirated 80 are not required. The only real benefit I see to platinum or iridium is an extended service interval.

In forced induction setups I see a benefit in running a colder platinum plug. have not looked for a colder iridium plug but if one exists that would also be a good choice.

 

[The Nak]

And the Shaman has spoken!

Thanks for the input Dan. If nothing else I won't have to worry about my plugs for awhile. Although, I didn't have any problems getting to any of them (read #6) some others have had.

Thanks to all...

Nak

As an aside, do I come off sounding like an ass? I feel that way sometimes, but have no intention to. Maybe I'm just paranoid...

 

[DTAYLOR]

One other point...

When we use factory specified parts, we have a plethera of RELIABLE information about what those parts will and will not do.

The farther we get away from spec, the more uncertainty and unknown we deal ourselves. I would guess that a majority of the "know how" and "how to" that this site provides comes a lot of guys knowing how the rig should behave in the first place.

While I have seen a high degree of top notch engineering and increased performance from some truly talented minds on this site, most of us relish the every day drivability of the Land Cruiser even if we take a detour through the lake, river, or over a mountain.

Bottom line: Stick with the factory plugs and engine guts.

Then go out and design a great bumper, spare tire carrier, set of drawers, or strap on a blower or turbo.

Later,

Dan

 

[IdahoDoug]

Nak,

I am personally unaware of anyone here on the list referring to you as the southbound end of a northbound horse. This is not to say that someone out there somewhere might choose that particular adjective to describe you, it's just that you have not yet sunk to that level here in Mud.

Love and kisses,
DougM

 

[The Nak]

Thanks for the warm fuzzies there Doug. I guess I just read through my posts and think I come off sounding (how am I making sounds over the interweb anyway) a bit like a jerk sometimes. You can always just give me some time to rub you the wrong way, though I am not what you'd call a frequent poster. Oh well, thanks for the affirmation, I will sleep well tonight.

DTAYLOR (Dan), you make a valid point. Although I feel like as long as I'm sticking a quality, name brand part in place of a factory one I should be good. I actually discussed this with CDan for a minute when I called with my parts list regarding the fan clutch. I asked his opinion on the "heavy duty" Hayden that so many seem to be talking about. His reply was (paraphrasing here) "stick with OEM." it seems like there are a few people here that don't care for the new blue base clutch, but that's what I got. Also, if iridium plugs were readily available and not so expensive, would Mr. T have spec'ed them back in '97? Possibly. It seems several new cars are coming with them OEM today, so I'm not too worried about using them in an older vehicle. Will they be a wonder drug for my truck? Probably not. Do I think they will have any ill affect whatsoever? No.

Also, after looking at the old plugs they seem to have worn funny, to my untrained eye anyway. It looks like the spark was traveling from the back side of the electrode to the radius of the ground. The electrode on the plugs looked to me to go from flat at the front and round out down the backside, possibly resulting in some quenching of the spark. One benefit I see with the iridum is that the electrode is such a small diameter that there is a very small point for the spark to jump, thus keeping the spark out and clear of the ground. Of course I'm no scientist, (and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night either) so it's just my opinion/observation.

In the end I guess I need to just say thanks to everyone for their opinion, which is what I asked for. Although I did ask a little too late since I changed the plugs within hours of posting. If I see any magical benefit I will certainly let everyone know, but for now it looks like I will just not have to worry about changing my plugs for a while longer than with OEM. Now how long do you think that should be...

Nak

 

[locrwln1]

Just to complete the information on this topic...Where did you get the iridium plugs and how much did they cost?

Jack

 

[The Nak]

Purchased from here:

http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_app.asp?productTypeID=1&AAIA=1276703

Prices are on the page, I got the NGK IX Iridium. The Denso iridium would have been nice, but way too spendy for me.

Nak

 

[MTBGUY]

Purchased from here:

http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_app.asp?productTypeID=1&AAIA=1276703

Prices are on the page, I got the NGK IX Iridium. The Denso iridium would have been nice, but way too spendy for me.

Nak

Hey Nak- whats the word on the new plugs? I bought the same ones from these guys yesterday- will put them in next week.

I'm also not expecting anything dramatic, just won't have to do much maintenance on them for a very long time with iridium.

I just wish they weren't so darn expensive...

 

[extremetoy1]

I like them, not that i noticed any diference but new technology is the way to go

 

[L8Shift]

I run NGK plugs and wires, since the plugs aren't that difficult to get to, I run the medium (v or g) grade plugs. I wouldn't have a problem running the Toyota plugs.

 

[The Nak]

Hey Nak- whats the word on the new plugs? I bought the same ones from these guys yesterday- will put them in next week.

I'm also not expecting anything dramatic, just won't have to do much maintenance on them for a very long time with iridium.

I just wish they weren't so darn expensive...

Been running great. Just got back from Austin yesterday, ran nearly the same route as when I picked it up a few months ago. With all of the maintenance I did on it, it ran fabulous, and got a couple MPG better than when I ran the same route before. Also the idle is much improved, throttle response is better and power seems to be up a hair. Of course YMMV, and I did do a lot of other stuff at the same time as the plugs. They are pretty expensive compared to the Toyota plugs, but I'm still happy I got them. I will pull one after a few thousand miles to see what they look like, but don't expect to have any issues.

Nak

Just for fun, here are a couple of the more crazy pictures from the car show in Austin. Was anyone else there? Not quite in line with what this board is into, me either, but fun to get away for a couple of days to see what people with too much money do with it. There were some pretty nice vehicles there but I just thought these were crazy.

The H2 has 30' wheels, and the Olds has 26"