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I have the original plugs in my 1997 A4 coupe with 26,500 miles. It has always been garage kept. I have no problems but thought I would replace them because of the tips sometimes coming off,I have heard. A friend of mine said to get the NGK T-55. Is this a good plug. I have Borla Stingers, X-pipe, K&N Filter, Hypertec Programed.
Posts: 496 | From: Bartlett, Tennessee | Registered: Jul 2005
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I just went through a similar problem with my '01. I have just over 20k miles and the car ran perfectly on the original plugs and wires. Sometimes it's not so much the mileage as it is age. I too wanted to "upgrade" the plugs and wires. It turned out that the wires were brittle, so I told Chevy go ahead and change the wires and plugs. The mechanic said he wouldn't recommend "upgrading" the wires and plugs because these are what the engineers designed the car to run best on. It does run real well.
-------------------- 2001 Corvette Convertable, Navy Blue Metalic, Grey Interior, White Top, Automatic, Z51, Performance Axle Ratio 3:15, Borla X Pipe, Borla Quad 4" Stingers, K & N, and all the bells and whistles. Posts: 466 | From: South Florida | Registered: Jan 2007
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NGK makes a quality spark plug. I put a set in my 98 SVT Cobra after I supercharged it. No complaints, no issues. I've read a few other posts and some people recommend iridium plugs. My advice would be to look up the NGK plug that is the "OEM equivalent" and go with that, or perhaps one step up. In other words, with your mods, you want to stick with the OEM heat range. If you start stepping-up your mods, you'll have to re-evaluate the type of plug you use. Good luck...hope this helps.
-------------------- 99 Torch Red C5 6M Targa top. "I'm the type of guy that would wear flip-flops in the winter..." Posts: 27 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2008
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There is alot to be said for NGK plugs but all things depend upon your interest. If you do not mind changing the plugs frequently 20-30k miles ngk is fine. If you want a plug that was designed for ther engine and its operations and do not want to change plugs frequently then the ac/delco plug is the way to go. The factory plugs need to be changed because of the pucks falling off the end. C4C5 a world renowned corvette tech advocates for the ac plug. He has seen thousands of ls1 engines and I have seen mine so I listen to c4c5 he says ac delco and I forget the specific designation but someone younger will remember and pipe up. Best of Luck Posts: 2878 | From: Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2001
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NGK TR-55s are commonly used. Either the copper (changed every year or two) or the newer Iridium (which last a long time). The Delco Iridiums are also a good choice.
Problem with the original platinums, as I understand it, wasn't that the pucks were falling off, rather they were being worn off by the newer gasoline we have to use (which is largely responsible for the gas gauge issues as well).
Posts: 4497 | From: Long Island, NY | Registered: Nov 2000
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I think i will go with the AC Delco Iridium plugs. And if my plug wires are flexable and look ok, I will not change them. I was wanting to know what to set the gap at? I heard in one post that if the gap is not set right,out of the box,don't set the gap because it can damage the plug. Take plugs back for new ones. Anybody know if this is true.
Posts: 496 | From: Bartlett, Tennessee | Registered: Jul 2005
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That is my understanding the gap is preset and even checking fouls the iridium coating. Made for the engine and will last..
Posts: 2878 | From: Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2001
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I'd plan on changing the wires. Chances are a couple will break while you're doing the job.
Posts: 4497 | From: Long Island, NY | Registered: Nov 2000
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I have to agree with Bruce, plus, replacing the wires is a good practice when giving a car a tune-up. You never know how brittle the wires may already be, plus you want to make sure that you get a full spark out of each plug (I hope that I am not insulting anyone's intelligence here). Forgive my ignorance, but can someone explain the advantages of an iridium plug vs. a platinum plug. I don't have any experience using iridium plugs, and I don't know of anyone else that does. This seems like an appropriate place to ask the question...thanks.
-------------------- 99 Torch Red C5 6M Targa top. "I'm the type of guy that would wear flip-flops in the winter..." Posts: 27 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2008
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quote: Iridium is a precious, silver-white metal and one of the densest materials found on earth. The natural properties of Iridium offered NGK the opportunity to create one of the world's finest spark plugs. The result are spark plugs that require less voltage to spark, burns fuel more efficiently, sparks at leaner air/fuel mixtures, and delivers higher horsepower and better gas mileage.
Posts: 4497 | From: Long Island, NY | Registered: Nov 2000
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Sunchaser73, what type of supercharger do you have? Any other mods? I was thinking of changing plugs and wires as well, wasn't sure what to go with.
-------------------- http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2324894 Sg 2004 C5 A4 Silver 462 RWHP Magnuson Supercharger Motor Sport Image Hi-Rise Hood Borla Quad Stingers Volant Cold Air Induction Baer Eradispeed+ Drilled/Slotted Dynatech Long Tube Headers Hi-Flow Cats Z06 Calipers Posts: 164 | From: Surprise, Az | Registered: Oct 2004
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SgKk - the supercharger in question is a Kenne Bell Twin Screw, which resides on top of the 32-valve V8 found in a 98 SVT Cobra. My C5 has a 6.0 liter block...everything has been built from the intake manifold down to the oil pan(by the previous owner, I must add). CAI, full length exhaust - long tube headers with 1.75" primary tubes, Random Tech 100 cell cats, Borla Stinger cat-back (dual oval tips). It has been lowered, has Z06 rims, BFG-KDWs, Z06 calipers, Z06 sway bars, built (beefed-up) tranny, short-shifter, JL Audio speakers, Alpine head unit...I think that's everything. As I said, the car was heavily-modified when I bought it, putting down 490 rwhp and 464 lb-ft of torque...all motor! When I dropped the blower on my Cobra, I went with NGK plugs and LiveWire wires and Screamin' Demon coils. After a little looking, they do make LiveWires for our cars, but that appears to be it. Check out www.performancedistributors.com for more info. Hope this helps.
-------------------- 99 Torch Red C5 6M Targa top. "I'm the type of guy that would wear flip-flops in the winter..." Posts: 27 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2008
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Also, a lot of guys on here are recommending the AC/Delco iridiums. Having little experience with Vettes, I would go with what these guys are saying. In fact, that's probably the route I am going to go when it is time to replace my plugs (which is coming soon).
-------------------- 99 Torch Red C5 6M Targa top. "I'm the type of guy that would wear flip-flops in the winter..." Posts: 27 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2008
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