Put new plugs in today!

5.3LSilverado01 · July 18, 2002

I went and bought 8 Bosch Plat. Plus 4's today and put them in. They were a snap to put in, but the rear passenger plug was kinda tricky. Barley got my wrench in there, loosened the plug, and couldn't get the wrench out. It was the shortest extension i had, so I used a 3/8" cv joint and that worked good.

Anyway, theres a BIG inprovment! Not that the old plugs were or are bad, these are just much better. The biggest inprovment is in the top end, 3500rpm on up. The truck is easy to launch, but at about 3500, its starts to break loose and i'll leave visible rubber on the ground. I love it! I know theres alot of you guys with alot faster trucks than me, but then you'll know the feeling and excitement with every better part you put on, and the truck buries you even further into the seat. Just 1 step further to my goal of my seat back breaking during a go fast test!!! j/k.

And on the free-way, its got so much more torque to cruise with (mainly comparing it to stock, but the plugs help out alot). Uh, meaning even less throtle to chug up a steep hill in 4th at any speed i want.

I've put these in both of my trucks, (1st truck was a 98 4-banger S10), and i absolutely love them. They come pre-gaped too.

SnakeEyeSS · July 18, 2002

No, offense, but this is the first time I've heard this. A spark plug causing seat of the pants improvement? Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but to get a gain as big as you claim, sounds like you may have been running 7 cylinders before the switch.

ummm, well, I think this is what they call physicologial power gain. you are HOPING SO MUCH for a power gain, you THINK you have one.

Of course, maybe its just I've never heard of this and I'm wrong.

5.3LSilverado01 · July 18, 2002

Nope, no less than 8 firing cyd's for my truck. I'm not crazy either , theres a very noticable difference. Gas milage improved a little too. The faster the motor turns, the less energy that gets to the plug, and nearing readline, factory ingition systems can miss a fire here and there. I guess these plugs are more efficient, also the design of the plug promotes better and faster burns.

8 of them will set you back about $40-45. I think its well worth it.

SilveradoWV · July 18, 2002

I had them in my '95 K1500 and could tell a little difference, they also last a very long time too!!!!!!

MarkD · July 18, 2002

I too, find it hard to believe. Not to say that your experience is not true. It may have put your truck "in the zone".

I have tried dozens of types of plugs over the years and while some ran smoother, none made a noticeable power difference.(other than psycological)

racer0175 · July 18, 2002

well my factory plugs are junk so maybe i'll try them. i changed plugs on my 97 venture when i did an intake manifold job and the van ran way better with new plugs. they are supposed to last for 100000, thats bs. imo

i just had a plug foul out on my 99 silverado. stills runs funny when its cold...maybe i will change all the plugs...i only have 38000 though.....

Dihappy · July 19, 2002

Congrats, but it sure does go against what most every performance forum ive read has said, "Stay away from Platinum Plugs!"

Casper5.3 · July 19, 2002

I hope that you had better luck that I have had personally and a good friend has had. I put some in my wifes 99 camry. After about 7k miles she started getting a check engine light on a stumble when starting up. It would even come on while driving. The light would stay on for a few days and it would reset. After checking a few things and running a total fuel system clean(like the one that they do at the dealers) it still had the problem. I changed the plat. 4's out and I've never had the problem again. I had a friend that put them in his 95 chevy w/350 and after about 5000 miles he started having intermittent starting problems. He asked around and a mechanic told him to change the plugs b/c that was a common problem with them. He did and it never happend again. They do give the impression that there is more spunk but it will not last. I'm running some ngk tr55's and I change them once a year $1 vs $6. I like them a lot and I've gotten it down to where it only takes me about 30min to change them.

Sorry so long I just thought that I would share my experiences with the plugs.

LarryC

Tucson_02Silverado · July 19, 2002

I've tried the P4's in my 83 Caprice Wagon with a 355. Usually I run the AC/Delco Rapid Fires. After putting in the P4's, the throttle response just didn't seem to be there. After 5K miles I switched back to the Rapid Fires and have been satified completely since. As for the P4's, they didn't show any wear so I just gave them away to a friend of a friend wanting them for his 9C1 (Police Caprice).

I have yet to check if the Rapid Fires are available for the "LS1" truck engines, but if they are I'll be going for them.

I personally don't believe that plugs and wires last 100K miles and maintain peak performance and MPG. I myself will continue changing plugs at 25-30K and wires at 50-60K

5.3LSilverado01 · July 19, 2002

Dang, sorry to hear some of you had problems withe these plugs. I've put them in 3 different cars now (my old 98 s10 4cyd, my truck now, and my freinds 1988 Izusu Tropper II), and we've had nothing but OUTSTANDING performance from these plugs. Had them in the S10 for 30K, and with a 4cyd in it, I pretty much had to always shift at 6000... Anyway, the plugs were just as good as new after 30K.

It says better MPG and HP Guarranty, or money back (not a quote, my own words, but its something like that) right on the box.

We've got more power, better milage, and a smoother running motor on all 3 of these cars. The only thing that sucks is changin plugs on a typical Texas summer day. I'm Canadian too, spent 8 years there (age4-12), so to me, its that much hotter!!!

Tucson_02Silverado · July 19, 2002

5.3LSilverado01,

If you are experiencing nothing but good from the P4's, don't let any of us with less than lack luster experience deter you from continured use. If you find something that works, stick with it.

My experience was with a Quadrajet engine. Never tried them on my 88 Pontiac GTA L98 (sniff sniff, really miss that car) which was a TPI 350 (Tune Port Injection). Perhaps the plugs work best with "Dry Injection" (TPI, MPFI, etc). The truck is still just a hair under 1K, so it'll be a while till I look at plugs again.

ClipperSkipper · July 22, 2002

The original Bosch platinum didn't hold up

as well as other platinums, hopefully the P4's are an improvement. I bought the AC/ Delco replacement, 41-974

platinums. Run great in the Northstar so what the ####.

I try to keep my GM's GM.

Have a great one

SilveradoWV · July 22, 2002

My 02 came with NGK plugs, I dont know if they are just standard plugs or what, I think they are supposed to last like 100,000 miles or something! :ehh: :ehh: Thats pretty far away from GM IMO!