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.

[lagos]

the best plugs and wires for a toyota are oem

[playr158]

NGK iridium is the best plug to get
or denso iridium

and a set of wires xact/bosch
sumthing OEM spec

[DeW_H0e_GT]

i've used ngk platinum spark plugs and ngk sprk plugs..they work great...got a greater gas mileage than i did with thebosch platinum plugs the previous owner installed...

go with oem...NGK that is...

[Mr_E]

NGK iridium is the best plug to get
or denso iridium

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It's what I run. And works well.

[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.

[presure2]

guys i keep saying it, THERE IS A REASON THE MR2 GUYS SWEAR BY OEM IGNITION COMPONENTS UP TO AND OVER 400WHP

[BLADDER_MASTER]

guys i keep saying it, THERE IS A REASON THE MR2 GUYS SWEAR BY OEM IGNITION COMPONENTS UP TO AND OVER 400WHP
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They'll start listening when their engines screw up.

+1 for OEM parts.

This post has been edited by BLADDER_MASTER: Jun 3, 2005 - 6:12 AM

[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.
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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.
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Yeah Autolites, nothing wrong with them, of course they aren't "japanese" nor is the motor in an Eclipse GS/RS but that doesn't make the car any less japanese oh well i've been running them on a nitrous powered Chevelle for years and never had a problem with them and my Celica isn't stock but it's not a built monster either so why should it matter. It doeasn't matter if it is Toyota or Chevy the plugs come out with the same socket.

[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......

[Negative]

What most of these people are trying to tell you is that Denso Plugs and Wires are best for your car. NGK is made by Denso so these are perfect too. The old TRD plugs were just Denso/NGK Irridiums and they do make a difference over the platinums. Regardless of what some of these people may say they do work slightly better than stock which would be the Platinums.
That being said you can get Iridiums for waaaay less than the $12+ that most places will try to get from you. O'reilley's - if they have them in your area - has them for $6.95 a peice. Since you don't seem to know much about your car - you will need 4 plus the NGK spark plug wire set. Also since no one else has mentioned it yet you should do the distributer cap and rotor at the same time or you will be accomplishing very little. Go to the dealership for these. Don't use aftermarket cause they will not work as well.
I change these parts at a minimum of 6 months and my car runs like a champ. It starts to miss a little after too much longer than that.
All told - if you shop around - you should be able to get all of the above for $75 or so.

[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...

[TRD-ST204]

Does anyone know anything about the spark plug wires from Nology? Do they add HP or help in any way, or are they just a gimmick too.

[darksecret]

As stated before on a low power car don't expect any gains from a set of plugs and wires, now add a couple grand in mods and you'll see one but on a 130 hp car the most you'll experience is a smoother running engine.

[dan4]

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.

you are joking! My plugs were gapped .01mm out on my gt four and the car lurched here there and every where. Doubt id get to the end of my street on cheap plugs. I stick by Denso iridium/platinum

[darksecret]

You also have a GT-Four we're talking about a USDM GT, I wouldn't use anything less than iridium on a car that is supposed to run on premium. Autolites work just fine they are the only plugs that have been used on this car since the factory ones were replaced and my car is running just fine, now if I break 200 hp I might bump it up right now i'm at 128 whp and happy.

[dan4]

fair enough jst not a great deal of difference in price btw platinum and iridium plugs in UK

[Negative]

fair enough jst not a great deal of difference in price btw platinum and iridium plugs in UK
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Nor here if you shop around. Bottom line: Use denso/NGK PLatinums or if you have the cash use Iridiums.
Don't forget the NGK wires and an OEM distributer cap and rotor and your good to go. I also like to clean my cone type airfilter (or if stock - replace the paper filter - BTW - I have a TRD drop in barely used I'll sell you for $25 if you want it.) at the same time. A fuel filter wouldn't hurt either and hell you just tuned up your car like a pro.
Approx. 2 Hours labor for all of the above BTW.
Hope this helped.

[TRD-ST204]

Funny thing happened to me today when I went into the Toyota dealer to buy some spark plugs. I asked the guy for platium ones, so he goes and gets them. He said they where about five dollars a piece; I get them and go home. At my house I checked the plugs again, and I realized they where iridiums and not platium. Then I took a look at the receipt, and saw that I was charged for the price of platiums and not iridiums. So I got iridiums for the price of platiums.