platinum tipped spark plugs

volfan · February 23, 2005

i have 99 4.8 i was thinking of doing a semi tuneup and repacing the plugs it only has 67k on it so i dont know if i should wait a while or not .should i repace the plug wires and plugs together or wait awile on the wires?whats a typical price for doing one or both?

budhayes3 · February 24, 2005

You could remove the plugs and inspect them...personally, I'd replace them, but I'm nutty about my maintenance. As far as the wires go, judgement call again...they're probably fine, but they are almost 6 years old. If you're going with OEM stuff, check out GM Parts Direct.com. I also found a website that I think was called sparkplug.com that had plugs dirt cheap. If you want to upgrade, maybe you could try some NGK or Delco Iridiums. I have Denso Iridiums in mine, and I think they're the best, but they're pricey. As far as wires go, the factory stuff is more than adequate, yet, I went with MSD just because I've had some good experience with their stuff in the past.

mcreyaufmiller · February 24, 2005

agreed. I went with Bosch platnium and MSD wires. Love mine.

99Silver6.0 · February 24, 2005

NGK TR55. Dont waste your money on platinums.

larry derouin · February 24, 2005

I just put Autolite 605's in my 5.7L. And at $1.28 it's a STEAL compared to $6.00 for the factory AC-DELCO's. Bosch platinum's were $3. Last time I used platinum's in anything was in my 95 ASTRO and ended up pulling them back out after 3 weeks because of missing. THEY were gap checked TWICE prior to installation.

This 99 'burb is the easiest small block I've owned short of the '63 Impala I had in High School (30 years ago) to change plugs in. I'll use the standard plugs and worry about platinum on my wife's bracelet and earrings.

REALLY it's all a matter of choice and how much of a cheapskate you are.

99Silver6.0 · February 25, 2005

I just put Autolite 605's in my 5.7L. And at $1.28 it's a STEAL compared to $6.00 for the factory AC-DELCO's. Bosch platinum's were $3. Last time I used platinum's in anything was in my 95 ASTRO and ended up pulling them back out after 3 weeks because of missing. THEY were gap checked TWICE prior to installation.

This 99 'burb is the easiest small block I've owned short of the '63 Impala I had in High School (30 years ago) to change plugs in. I'll use the standard plugs and worry about platinum on my wife's bracelet and earrings.

REALLY it's all a matter of choice and how much of a cheapskate you are.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

NGK's arent cheap plugs. They pefrorm their intended purpose without platinum tips!!

volfan · February 25, 2005

whats the deal about the platinum tipped plugs anyway?are they supposed to be hotter and last longer before you have to change them?if i go with a non platium the i assume i cannot go 67 more thousand before my next change right?

ridnlow · February 25, 2005

NGK TR55. Dont waste your money on platinums.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

mcreyaufmiller · February 26, 2005

My understanding is that they are platnium tipped so they stay cleaner longer. This is why they can say 100k tune-ups.

budhayes3 · February 26, 2005

Platinum is a harder metal that is still very conductive, it won't wear away as quickly as copper. Iridium is even harder and lasts longer than platinum. All of these plugs will work, some will just last longer than others, also maintain their gap longer...helping to decrease incomplete combustion and carbon build up. I read some tests somewhere (can't remember exactly) where they ran a couple of engines with different plugs for 20,000 miles or something like that, and the harder metal plugs had the least amount of carbon deposits while the the copper ones had the most.

volfan · February 26, 2005

ok so how much more expensive are the iridiums than platinums?btw what brand came stock in my 99 4.8?

budhayes3 · February 26, 2005

ok so how much more expensive are the iridiums than platinums?btw what brand came stock in my 99 4.8?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Denso Iridiums that I use are pretty expensive, about $12 a plug. You can probably find the AC Delco Iridiums cheaper at GMPartsDirect.com or sparkplugs.com. Your truck came with platinums from the factory, probably AC Delco.