Installed Bosch Platinum +4 Spark Plugs today......
04-20-2002, 10:13 AM
#1
Installed Bosch Platinum +4 Spark Plugs today......
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/plugs.jpg"></center><p>
They're being hailed as a giant leap forward in spark plug technology (Popular Mechanics magazine and others) so I figured what the hey. The new Bosch plug is on the left in the pic, the old plug on the right. All you pretty-boys save me the cracks about needing a manicure =P
According to Bosch, they are guaranteed to yield quicker starts, smoother idle, smoother acceleration, and more power.
Do they work? Yes....ok, sortof...
Quicker starts? Didn't notice any difference. Although supposedly it's more noticable in cold weather (about 70 degrees F today).
ADDENDUM: yes, the starts ARE quicker and smoother when the car is cold!!! I was in VT last night, and by bizarre chance it dropped to below freezing overnight. I started the car up at 8:00 this morning (still real chilly) and it started up faster and smoother than it normally does when it's cold. =)
Idle? Definitely smoother. Quieter, less vibration, tach needle absolutely does not move. Not that the idle was rough by any means before, but now it's certainly smoother. Acceration is also smoother and quieter. Less vibrations. Overall the engine has a smoother sounding and feeling tone. Quite satisfying, actually.
True, I might be noticing a difference simply because they're new plugs. But the old plugs really don't look that bad, and besides I don't ever remember the car being quite this smooth.
Does the car have more power? Not that I can tell. If it does it's a minute difference. No, I don't think they made the car faster.
Worth it? Yes. I would recommend it to all you 2.8'ers out there. Not a big deal, but a cheap mod, easy to install, what the hey.
WARNING: These are NOT for a turbo!!!! The higher temps in a turbo's cylinders can cause one of the platinum tips to burn through and fall into the cylinder. You don't wanna think about what happens next *shudder*.
They're being hailed as a giant leap forward in spark plug technology (Popular Mechanics magazine and others) so I figured what the hey. The new Bosch plug is on the left in the pic, the old plug on the right. All you pretty-boys save me the cracks about needing a manicure =P
According to Bosch, they are guaranteed to yield quicker starts, smoother idle, smoother acceleration, and more power.
Do they work? Yes....ok, sortof...
Quicker starts? Didn't notice any difference. Although supposedly it's more noticable in cold weather (about 70 degrees F today).
ADDENDUM: yes, the starts ARE quicker and smoother when the car is cold!!! I was in VT last night, and by bizarre chance it dropped to below freezing overnight. I started the car up at 8:00 this morning (still real chilly) and it started up faster and smoother than it normally does when it's cold. =)
Idle? Definitely smoother. Quieter, less vibration, tach needle absolutely does not move. Not that the idle was rough by any means before, but now it's certainly smoother. Acceration is also smoother and quieter. Less vibrations. Overall the engine has a smoother sounding and feeling tone. Quite satisfying, actually.
True, I might be noticing a difference simply because they're new plugs. But the old plugs really don't look that bad, and besides I don't ever remember the car being quite this smooth.
Does the car have more power? Not that I can tell. If it does it's a minute difference. No, I don't think they made the car faster.
Worth it? Yes. I would recommend it to all you 2.8'ers out there. Not a big deal, but a cheap mod, easy to install, what the hey.
WARNING: These are NOT for a turbo!!!! The higher temps in a turbo's cylinders can cause one of the platinum tips to burn through and fall into the cylinder. You don't wanna think about what happens next *shudder*.
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04-20-2002, 11:37 AM
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I had my tips burn off in my boostd 3.8v6
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/29363/plugs.jpg"></center><p>Bosch single tip platinums. I was runnin 11-12 psi. Stock was 6-7. The car ran ok with a slightly rough idle for about 2 months before i changed them and still had plenty of power. 3 or the 6 plugs were jacked. Everyone was amazed it actually ran. I switched to a lower temp NGK after that and it was all good. Luckily no damage was done. It was a 97 supercharged Grand Prix.