"High Performance" Spark Plugs

[Gromulin]

I'm talking about the Platinum tipped, or the multi-electrode types you see advertised for high performance car engines. Seems a marine power plant is asked to be "high performance" much more often than a car.

Is there a marine equivalent to these fancy-schmancy plugs? If so, are there any benefits?

I'll be doing a complete go-over this winter since I don't know the maintenance history, and am prepared to change plugs / wires / coil / cap / belts as needed, so was just wondering if "aftermarket" ignition upgrades (including wires and coil too, I guess) were even worth looking into.

Thanks.

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: "High Performance" Spark Plugs

When I looked up plugs on NGKs site they listed regular, V power, and iridium plugs.

Dunno if it would make a difference. My Cadillac comes stock with iridium plugs. They're supposed to not have to be changed until 100K miles.

 

[Bondo]

Re: "High Performance" Spark Plugs

Ayuh,.... "High Performance" Spark Plugs are a total Waste of Money.....

 

[45Auto]

Re: "High Performance" Spark Plugs

Depends on your engine and how much you like changing plugs. A modern fuel injected engine with good plugs and a coil on each cylinder will go a LONG time before you have to fool with them. The factory iridium plugs in my boat lasted 7 years. I changed them when I got a very slight miss at low speeds, but they still looked brand new. They're not real easy to get to, so I figured putting iridium's back in and going for another 7 years was a good idea!

On my carbed engines, I use regular plugs and change them every year with the distributor cap and rotor.

Performance-wise, as Bond-o says, you're wasting your money. Only benefit will possibly be length of time between changes.

 

[Aloysius]

Re: "High Performance" Spark Plugs

The factory uses those fancy plugs because they have to meet Federal emissions guidelines for a long time with no maintenance.

Yes sir, a set of splitfires, a tornado in yer intake, some snake oil in your gasoline..bet that engine will make 100% more power.

Save your money! spend it on non-ethanol gasoline.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: "High Performance" Spark Plugs

Thanks all. That's what I thought. My plugs are easy to get to, so I don't mind changing them every year / couple years.

Besides, the way this damned EPA ban on lead fishing tackle is going, I may need all the sinkers I can get.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: "High Performance" Spark Plugs

I agree with the other posters. The only thing that really makes the Platinum and Iridium plugs good is their longevity. Platinum and Iridium are harder metals with higher melting points than copper, there fore they last longer than copper core plugs. In reality Copper is one of the most conductive metals short of silver, so copper yields the best conductive performance when it comes to plugs.

 

[robjen1019]

Re: "High Performance" Spark Plugs

Ive never seen an improvement with high end sparkplugs. Now if you want easier starting and low idle you might want to try a msd multispark box. It starts alot easier and idles smoother. I don't think it does anything to the top end. Nice thing is that you can move it from boat to boat. This is the second boat Ive used it in.