Spark Plugs & Wiring, Whats the best brand for performance? Options

[king_wsk]

I just found out that I need new spark plugs and wiring. Whats the best brand of each? The mechanic who told me that I need the plugs says to get the "laser" style... what does that mean?

Also, what about the Botch Platinum 4? Are 4 prongs better than 1? 2?

Thanks.

[darksecret]

I use Bosch wires and Autolite plugs, they do the job. I wouldn't worry much on performance since it won't make much difference at all.

[Kwanza26]

I use Bosch wires and Autolite plugs, they do the job. I wouldn't worry much on performance since it won't make much difference at all.
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Autolite... you're joking right... <=/

Japanese brands for Japanese cars... but for the most part, don't look at spark plugs and wires as performance modifications. They don't "add" or "increase" power with most moderately modded engines... they'll only ensure your engine is in peak condition. OEM wires and NGK or Denso plugs for most Japanese cars is my reccomendation. Also, don't be suckered in to pay 10.00+ a plug for iridiums. It's mostly a gimmick, since the only major advantage of the iridium plug is longevity. The increased efficiency of the iridum plugs are meaningless for stockish-moderately modded engines.

[Mr_E]

It's mostly a gimmick, since the only major advantage of the iridium plug is longevity.  The increased efficiency of the iridum plugs are meaningless for stockish-moderately modded engines.
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Iridium plugs *are* stock for a 3rd gen GTE......

[Kwanza26]

It's mostly a gimmick, since the only major advantage of the iridium plug is longevity.  The increased efficiency of the iridum plugs are meaningless for stockish-moderately modded engines.
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Iridium plugs *are* stock for a 3rd gen GTE......


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Yeah... but your engine is high performance from the factory and is designed to use such plugs (that's not saying the engine wouldn't run the same with different plugs, cause the engine most likely will run fine). I'm saying, for us unfortunate ones in the US (with 5SFE's and 7AFEs) spending 30-40 dollars on spark plugs in hopes of netting some horsepower is silly, since peak performance is already reached with basic replacements. Spark plugs aren't gonna increase the engine's ability to make power beyond factory specs... they only ensure optimal performance. People have all sorts of opinions on spark plugs, but all in all, they deliver spark. Different types of metals and such only affect the longevity and voltage and such... cause if you think about it, any spark plug that claims to have a "stronger spark" or "hotter spark" are only trying to sell a gimmick cause if you care to know, spark plugs have heat ranges and engines work their best only in specific ranges. All iridium plugs are is spark plugs with a very small iridium electrode that requires less voltage to spark and have a longer lifespan. They don't neccesarily deliver a hotter spark or anything like that, since engines require a specific heat range (in fact, hotter spark is actually not good for higher temp combustion). The only time spark plug upgrades can net some increase in power, is when your old plugs are very worn, or when your engine is heavily modified... mainly the combustion temps are much higher than stock (high compression engine or big boost).

As for autolite plugs, well, I consider them generic plugs with universal designs. They are good value plugs, but they do tend to fault sooner in Japanese engines than in domestic engines. Could be a variety of things, but from my experience, I wouldn't use American plugs in a Japanese engine. If you ask mechanics what they would use, most would tend to agree to keep things to factory specs...