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Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: quicksilver on November 15, 2007, 12:32:07 AM

Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: quicksilver on November 15, 2007, 12:32:07 AM
i need new spark plugs so my father said he would buy me new ones. so i was just wondering what the best type was. :hick:
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: SR71TC on November 15, 2007, 01:42:10 AM
Autolites
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: Carpimp1987 on November 15, 2007, 01:50:13 AM
NGKs
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: P71 on November 15, 2007, 10:10:35 AM
NGK's.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: SLEEPER T-BIRD 87 on November 15, 2007, 10:31:01 AM
NGK here
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: Innes on November 15, 2007, 10:54:48 AM
Just stay away from champions. 
Ford motorcraft are also good.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: blu84302 on November 15, 2007, 11:21:28 AM
autolite
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 15, 2007, 01:33:09 PM
Quote from: Innes;187780
Just stay away from champions. 
Ford motorcraft are also good.


Quote from: blu84302;187788
autolite


Both are the same plug ;)
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: daboss351 on November 15, 2007, 05:34:30 PM
NGK!!!!
dont bother with the 4 pr0ng and platnium ones. Some times they do more harm then good. Burn the piston tops all to hell.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: JeremyB on November 15, 2007, 06:08:43 PM
Quote from: thunderjet302;187798
Both are the same plug ;)


From what I have read on the internets, Autolite manufactures the Motorcraft plug to Motorcraft specifications. These specifications are different than the Autolites and thus they are two different plugs.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: 5.0willgo on November 15, 2007, 06:11:02 PM
Standard copper plugs are the best.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: quicksilver on November 15, 2007, 07:55:49 PM
where can i buy NGK's at? what is the number for the type of spark plug i need?
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: 32VFoxBird on November 15, 2007, 08:19:26 PM
TR55-1 O'Reilly's should carry them
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: quicksilver on November 15, 2007, 08:47:55 PM
ok, thank you. how much do they run?
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: 32VFoxBird on November 15, 2007, 08:51:36 PM
around $1.89/ea
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: quicksilver on November 15, 2007, 09:26:01 PM
ok, thanks for your help!
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: P71 on November 15, 2007, 09:35:02 PM
From what I know by ordering parts... Autolite and Motorcraft are not only one and the same, but the specs are identical too. Only difference is the box and part #...


Federal-Mogul = Champion (Yes, Federal-Mogul OWNS Fel-Pro, the gaskets are also one and the same)
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 15, 2007, 09:46:39 PM
Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;187917
From what I know by ordering parts... Autolite and Motorcraft are not only one and the same, but the specs are identical too. Only difference is the box and part #...


I though so ;)
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: screaming306 on November 15, 2007, 09:50:20 PM
hey after you put about 50 miles on it . driving hard and normal. let the car cool down then remove the spark plugs , keeping them in order to each cyl, see how they are burning. or fowling. 50 miles should be enough to see.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: JeremyB on November 15, 2007, 10:13:48 PM
Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;187917
From what I know by ordering parts... Autolite and Motorcraft are not only one and the same, but the specs are identical too. Only difference is the box and part #...
Anecdotal information that suggests they aren't the same. [Post #24 (http://"http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/568708-are-autolite-sparkplugs-the-same-as-motorcraft-2.html")]

Do you have any information that leads you to believe they're the identical?
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: P71 on November 15, 2007, 10:16:54 PM
When I place my Motorcraft orders from Ford, it comes from Autolite. Yes, filters too. They've had the exclusive contract for a few years now...

(Autolite makes Motorcraft plugs, plug wires, and Fram makes the air and oil filters, Fram and Autolite are both owned by Honeywell who also owns Prestone and Bendix)

As for the identical part, we've run the cross-over part #'s through the heat-range meter and the old eye-ball test. They are identical except for the part # on the side on at least 12 different ones. I would place a very safe bet that they are all identical.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: JeremyB on November 15, 2007, 10:20:01 PM
Autolite manufactures the Motorcraft spark plugs. However, that does not mean they are one in the same. They could have different specifications.

Saying they are the same is conjecture.
Saying they are different is also conjecture.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: P71 on November 15, 2007, 11:05:06 PM
The 12+ part #s I've tested on a heat range measurer were identical. When I order in bulk (no boxes) I have to specify which brand I want on the plug. Honeywell admits to making them both on the same machines at the same time. It all points to identical from my point-of-view...

It's all pointless anyways though as NEITHER brand has a very good reputation where performance and/or durability is concerned (yes, I know Autolite makes the Top Fuel/Funny Car plugs, which have jack squat to do with real car plugs).
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: JeremyB on November 15, 2007, 11:12:47 PM
Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;187968
Honeywell admits to making them both on the same machines at the same time. It all points to identical from my point-of-view...

Where do they admit to that?
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: P71 on November 15, 2007, 11:21:08 PM
E-mail Honeywell, they will tell you straight out. Check out some trade publications as well. They tout meeting Ford's stringent engineering standards with no changes to their designs.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: daminc on November 16, 2007, 07:36:52 AM
I remember a while back (about 15 years ago) when autolite plugs were hit and miss. I think it was autolite
for every set i would buy, at least 1 plug was bad out of the package.
or damaged when shipped to the store.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: ipsd on November 16, 2007, 08:12:55 AM
I tell you to go at it in this order
NGK
autolite
motorcraft
A/c

I wouldn't even try a champion or a Bosch. I have my reasons.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: JeremyB on November 16, 2007, 02:46:00 PM
Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;187979
E-mail Honeywell, they will tell you straight out.

I called up Autolite (1.800.890.2075) and talked to a technical support agent. He stated they were "the same except for the ink on the porcelain".
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: shorangerbird on November 16, 2007, 03:14:19 PM
Quote from: JeremyB;188071
  He stated they were "the same except for the ink on the porcelain".


-i would say it to if you'd buy my plugs.  Honeywell may well be one of the Motorcraft suppiers, but saying they are "the same", is like saying an apple is the same as an orange......does anyone think Ford Motor Co. would let someone use their design and engineering specs for a product and let it be sold for LESS at the corner Wal-mart???  also there is the issue of propriatary rights on those things.  anyone that ever owned a SHO could spin yarns all day over spark plugs that were claimed to be the same as a Motorcraft plug for those engines.  as before, a manufacturer may be a "contractual suppiler" for Motorcraft, but that has no bearing upon the construction of the part....
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: JeremyB on November 16, 2007, 03:20:28 PM
Quote from: shorangerbird;188079
-i would say it to if you'd buy my plugs. 

Having a company falsely represent your product as equal to another is grounds for a lawsuit. I doubt that they'd put their contract in peril to do so.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: P71 on November 16, 2007, 03:22:52 PM
Except Autolite makes 100% of Motorcraft plugs...

And yes, they do sell them for less. The higher price of Motorcraft is just for the "name". This is why it's not "advertised" outside of trade publications and vendors.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: shorangerbird on November 16, 2007, 04:13:50 PM
Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;188081
Except Autolite makes 100% of Motorcraft plugs....


as stated by whom???  i have testament that China Spark Plug Manufacturer  has a contract with Ford to make Motorcraft plugs also....AND without any specs or performance proof to back it up,  you'll have a hard time convinceing me otherwise.  i've been doing Ford parts for over 15 years and just like "my car is faster than yours", until you show me proof, its hearsay....  PLEASE SEE THREAD IN GENERAL 'BIRD/COUGAR FORUM......
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 16, 2007, 05:40:25 PM
I dunno I put Autolites in or Motorcrafts and the car runs exactly the same :hick:
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: quicksilver on November 16, 2007, 06:12:10 PM
um i have a question. 32VFOXBIRD told me that NGK's TR55-1 fits my head, but the only ones i can find are the TR55IX iranium that cost $6 a plug. will these work?
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: P71 on November 17, 2007, 01:29:51 AM
Order the standard TR55-1's. The platinums will fail quickly under any sort of out-of-tune from the motor.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: quicksilver on November 17, 2007, 04:23:48 PM
where else can i buy those at?
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: P71 on November 17, 2007, 05:36:31 PM
NAPA, CSK, Schuck's, AutoZone, CarQuest, Baxter's, etc.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: Sick88Tbird on November 17, 2007, 05:56:52 PM
NGK's may be great in the 2.3's, but I've tried them in both SO and HO 5.0's and strongly dislike them...I run autolite 25's in HO applications and they are the best I've tried yet...In the summer months (above 60*), you can run autolite AR133's and you'll feel a seat of the pants difference in an HO....not to mention you can order them from Advance Auto for like $21 for a set of 8.  There is a reason my old 'Bird ran 14.30's with a stone stock HO, speed density ECU, and an AOD into a 20+ mph headwind.  My trap speed on those runs were showing that I had the power to run faster too.

For the track, I wouldn't run anything other than AR133's or modified Autolite 24's.  Some guys have claimed 20hp improvements on an engine dyno with the AR133's, I can't vouch for the accuracy of that, but you can definitely feel it.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: daboss351 on November 17, 2007, 06:43:57 PM
my 5.0 HO runs so much better now that I got the ford racing wires, and NGK's as told to by aero. It smoothed out the idle, throttle response increased, and thats with a low fuel pressure because of leaky fuel lines.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: P71 on November 17, 2007, 08:40:07 PM
NGK's, period.

Glad you like them boss ;)
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: grutinator on November 18, 2007, 12:02:55 AM
Quote from: daboss351;188281
my 5.0 HO runs so much better now that I got the ford racing wires, and NGK's as told to by aero. It smoothed out the idle, throttle response increased, and thats with a low fuel pressure because of leaky fuel lines.


if you have old py plugs and wires on there and do a tune-up, regardless of brand, it will smooth out the idle and run better. NAPA, motorcraft, ngk, whatever it is, it will work better then worn out ones.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: Carpimp1987 on November 18, 2007, 02:34:53 AM
i got Bosch right now but i am switch to NGK TR6s to go with my Supercharger. if you lived anywhere close to me you can have my Bosch spark plugs for FREE they work ok but got i think around 9,000 miles on them.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: quicksilver on November 18, 2007, 09:08:56 PM
Boss, did you get the 9mm blue ford racing spark plug wires?
ok, thanks for the info!
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: daboss351 on November 18, 2007, 09:29:16 PM
Yep I sure did! Awesome product, perfect fit, all the connections came pre greased, no little packet of grease. Well worth it! They look good too.
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/boss3512/updatedengine.jpg)
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: Carpimp1987 on November 18, 2007, 09:31:54 PM
The 9mm plug wires are not bad for the price and work well.
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: quicksilver on November 18, 2007, 10:30:13 PM
they do look nice! im going to buy a pair from jegs for 39.99 to go with my plugs!
Title: what spark plugs should i get?
Post by: Carpimp1987 on November 19, 2007, 02:57:05 AM
Not bad i think i paided $50 but they where allready in town so i did not have to wait on them.

honestly i want red STEEDA wires for the hell of it just to try something else  and 2 change the color of wires.