Crazy 454 Spark Plug SHOOTOUT!

[savatreatabvr]

What are the best spark plugs to use in a mid 70's 454? I've heard the cheap ones are just about as good as the expensive ones? What I want to know is how good is a set of $103.92 spark plugs? Especially when I know a set of $15.92 will work fine!
Is it really worth spending the extra $88.00?

Prices are for a set of 8 spark plugs:

Autolite® XP Xtreme Performance Iridium Spark Plug - $55.92

NGK Iridium IX Spark Plug - $56.72

Autolite® Double Platinum Spark Plug - $39.92

ACDelco Professional Platinum Spark Plug - $47.92

NGK G-Power Platinum Spark Plug - $24.72

Autolite® Platinum Spark Plug - $23.92

ACDelco Rapidfire Platinum Spark Plug - $39.92

Champion Platinum Power Spark Plug - $27.92

Motorcraft Spark Plug - $23.92

Autolite® Copper Core Spark Plug - $16.72

Bosch Super Plus Copper Spark Plug - $15.92

NGK V-Power Copper Spark Plug - $19.92

Champion Copper Plus Spark Plug - $15.92

ACCEL Accel Spark Plug - $31.99

ACCEL Accel U-Groove Spark Plug - $37.98

E3 Spark Plugs Diamond Fire Spark Plug - $47.92

Pulstar P-Series Platinum Spark Plug - $79.92

Pulstar I-Series Iridium Spark Plug - $103.92

[gchemist]

NGK V power. I use them in all my vehicles.

[tylervalo]

I've always liked NGK's
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[SSC's76]

well I use the cheap autolite copper plugs in mine works great. I


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[INSIDIOUS '86]

Use a copper plug. They conduct the charge and in theory will make more power. This iridium and platinum crap came about when cars with multiple coils came about. All because people these days don't maintain crap on thier cars. So those voodoo plugs will last and last and multiple coil pack cars can deal with the extra resistance. Btw did you know the oil change interval for bmws is once a year!?
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[Axle]

Regular AC Delco plugs.

Alex.

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by Axle

Regular AC Delco plugs.

Alex.

I second this. They worked fine for 40 years for a lot of people.

[Pyrotechnic]

I run the NGK racing non resistor plugs. Had good luck with the NGK V-power as well. At about $2 to $2.50 a plug that's fine with me. Don't spend more than about $20 for a set of plugs.

[chebyshortbox65]

Keep it all delco
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[S10Fan]

Autolite 26 in all my Chevy's, no issues at all.

[71maligreen]

ngk or delco either one works for me

[jrblanke]

I use AC Delco simply because it is what I have always used on Chevys. I use NGK on my toyota.

[JCampbell]

AC Delco. Keep it in the family.

[Your41Plague12]

I will say, however, I will never run another Champion spark plug in anything I own. I had one separate while driving. The metal part that is threaded into the head separated from the ceramic while driving, which made a loud BANG and split my shock boot. I had to limp it home on 7 cylinders.

[Malo83]

AC RAPIDFIRES in my truck

[Firebirdjones]

Good ole fassioned copper core plugs are the best thing out there.

I've shy'd away from ACdelco the last few years. Since they've been playing games with part numbers and heat ranges it turned me off. There are certain plugs now in ACdelco where specific heat ranges are no longer offered,,,they just sell HOT!! and that's it.

I taylor the heat range to the combo, and generally prefer a very cool plug for a few reasons.

After alot of experimenting I've really found the Autolites to work the best (specifically the AR series) which is a copper core race plug that has a shorter ground strap to promote better flame travel.

I've always cut the ground straps back on my ACdelcos for years, but Autolite has saved me the trouble Not to mention they offer the heat ranges I'm looking for unlike ACdelco.

[savatreatabvr]

Cut the grounding straps? Can you explain in more detail or show a pic of what you're talking about?

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Good ole fassioned copper core plugs are the best thing out there.

I've shy'd away from ACdelco the last few years. Since they've been playing games with part numbers and heat ranges it turned me off. There are certain plugs now in ACdelco where specific heat ranges are no longer offered,,,they just sell HOT!! and that's it.

I taylor the heat range to the combo, and generally prefer a very cool plug for a few reasons.

After alot of experimenting I've really found the Autolites to work the best (specifically the AR series) which is a copper core race plug that has a shorter ground strap to promote better flame travel.

I've always cut the ground straps back on my ACdelcos for years, but Autolite has saved me the trouble Not to mention they offer the heat ranges I'm looking for unlike ACdelco.

[Firebirdjones]

I can take a pic in the morning, I have some cut on the shelf. But I'll try to explain.

The ground strap I'm guessing you know is the top piece that comes off the side of the plug that you actually bend to gap the plug...

They usually hang well over the electrode (where you gap the plug), past the electrode actually. What racers have done for years is cut that strap back so that 1/2 of that electrode is exposed, not completely, just slightly. You can still get a feeler gauge in there and gap it.

This allows the spark an easier path of travel for better flame prognation rather than being muffled (so to speak) by the ground strap covering so much of the electrode. If I'm not mistaken I believe this trick was founded/practiced by Smokey Yunick. He played around alot with gaps and other things.

Autolite has been making plugs like this since as far back as I can remember, called the "AR" plug, just put that in front of the number you want and you get the short ground strap. Otherwise they are your standard copper plug, cheap to buy, about $3 each.

Or take the time and make your own, a simple dremel to cut, and I file the edges to round them off slightly, gap and it's ready to go.

[kenbob87]

i always use delco plugs

[savatreatabvr]

I've never heard of that or seen that but it makes sense and is a good idea! I think I'll give it a try! Thank you for sharing that Firebirdjones!

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

I can take a pic in the morning, I have some cut on the shelf. But I'll try to explain.

The ground strap I'm guessing you know is the top piece that comes off the side of the plug that you actually bend to gap the plug...

They usually hang well over the electrode (where you gap the plug), past the electrode actually. What racers have done for years is cut that strap back so that 1/2 of that electrode is exposed, not completely, just slightly. You can still get a feeler gauge in there and gap it.

This allows the spark an easier path of travel for better flame prognation rather than being muffled (so to speak) by the ground strap covering so much of the electrode. If I'm not mistaken I believe this trick was founded/practiced by Smokey Yunick. He played around alot with gaps and other things.

Autolite has been making plugs like this since as far back as I can remember, called the "AR" plug, just put that in front of the number you want and you get the short ground strap. Otherwise they are your standard copper plug, cheap to buy, about $3 each.

Or take the time and make your own, a simple dremel to cut, and I file the edges to round them off slightly, gap and it's ready to go.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Ahh the good ole smokey yunick. I would love to go back and time and meet that sneaky ole bast@rd. if you guys are up for some reading and ideas just look him up
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[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by savatreatabvr

I've never heard of that or seen that but it makes sense and is a good idea! I think I'll give it a try! Thank you for sharing that Firebirdjones!

Here you go as promised. Modified on the left, stock on the right.



Looking at the unmodified plug on the right, that ground strap doesn't hang over too much. I've had some plugs where that ground strap hangs over alot. They aren't very consistent sometimes.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Ahh the good ole smokey yunick. I would love to go back and time and meet that sneaky ole bast@rd. if you guys are up for some reading and ideas just look him up
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He was one smart fella.

Another little plug tidbit that he discovered was that opening up plug gaps do nothing for performance and only succeeded in making the ignition system work harder, even on high capacity multi spark systems. Keep the gaps tight so the coil (or coils) don't have to work so hard. It's been played with many times on the dyno too.

[savatreatabvr]

Unbelievable! It's things like this that make me feel so stupid, lol, because tips like the ones Firebirdjones posted are so obvious! Thanks again for your time and info Firebirdjones, it's much appreciated!!!

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

He was one smart fella.

Another little plug tidbit that he discovered was that opening up plug gaps do nothing for performance and only succeeded in making the ignition system work harder, even on high capacity multi spark systems. Keep the gaps tight so the coil (or coils) don't have to work so hard. It's been played with many times on the dyno too.

[SSC's76]

yup a good gap is 35 on a sbc. my dad use to try and teach me these little tricks when he was alive kinda feel bad I dident pay to much attention to it at the time. a shorter stronger spark works much better even with a high output coil and you can hear the difference in how and engine idles alot smoother


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