[Marked]

2006 GV
Had its major 100 thou service. Mechanic asked if I wanted platinum plugs. He said they only need changing every 100 thou or so.
They are a bugger to change, with the 'coil' like ignition, almost like a diesel, on the new GVs.

Turns out the previous owner (one owner from new) had already has non platinum put in. At $20 a plug, I said put the platinum ones in.

anyone know what the real performance difference is? apart from longevity. It does seem to be running better, but then imagination and the fact it has just had a major service may explain that.

[shlonga86]

I had a set in my calais and never had an issue with them. In saying that, i could tell the difference either haha.

From what i've read they are designed more for high performance, high-boost engines (turbo/supercharged) engines I dont think they would be worth the money in a GV.

In saying that, im not mechanic or have any real knowledge on the subject

[Marked]

The 2006 zooks came out with them...

[BlueSuzy]

The cheaper plugs are best, but iridium/platinum are mainly for longer service intervals, hard to get to places etc.

Mitsubishi's v6 used to have half and half!

My wife 05 rolla has them also from new. Too many covers and shit

[Reubs]

I've run double platinum plugs in a G16 with no noticeable difference to performance or economy. I doubt a set would last 100,000km in that (G16) engine. Half that amount maybe...

I now run standard plugs and change them at every oil change. I don't ever have to worry about them 'cuase they are always fresh.

[Scrawny]

Platinum plugs are only for longevity. When it can take 4+ hours to change them it gets costly changing them every 20,000. You won't/shouldn't notice any performance gains

[bigdogdazza]

Reubs wrote:

I've run double platinum plugs in a G16 with no noticeable difference to performance or economy. I doubt a set would last 100,000km in that (G16) engine. Half that amount maybe...

I now run standard plugs and change them at every oil change. I don't ever have to worry about them 'cuase they are always fresh.

Change plugs EVERY oil change? Wow I think that may be some overkill? I used to change platinum plug every race meet but that's in a 2 stroke race engine that can foul a plug in a heartbeat if not careful with throttle control, but in a car.....I had platinum plugs in my rx3 13b bridgy turbo and didn't change plugs until changed seals.
Just whack a set of plugs in and when they die.....if you still own the car... Replace them.

[TheOtherLeft]

Platinum plugs are mainly for engines like Subaru boxer engines which are costly due to disassembly.

[Daves4wd]

Just something I've heard is if your engine wasent designed to come out with them it'll do damage ie it'll get a hard carbon build up around the bottom of the plug and when you remove them it'll strip the thread on the spark plug hole and then you need either retap the head or get a new very costly and if it didn't come out with them don't put them in its what I've been told so it could or couldn't be true but just a heads up

[TZAR]

Daves4wd wrote:

Just something I've heard is if your engine wasent designed to come out with them it'll do damage ie it'll get a hard carbon build up around the bottom of the plug and when you remove them it'll strip the thread on the spark plug hole and then you need either retap the head or get a new very costly and if it didn't come out with them don't put them in its what I've been told so it could or couldn't be true but just a heads up

Thats why you run ultimate fuel and flog the fuckin bejebus out of the engine for a few hundred K's before you change them. Thats the best way to decarbon a motor.

[BlueSuzy]

TheOtherLeft wrote:

Platinum plugs are mainly for engines like Subaru boxer engines which are costly due to disassembly.

What? Subaru's aren't that hard to get too.

[TheOtherLeft]

BlueSuzy wrote:

TheOtherLeft wrote:

Platinum plugs are mainly for engines like Subaru boxer engines which are costly due to disassembly.

What? Subaru's aren't that hard to get too.

Compared to other 4 cyl engines (like a J20A) they are.

[BlueSuzy]

J20 Unbolt a coilpack...get to sparkplug.. Pretty hard. Much like G baleno's..


They are for the engines with large covers and cast manifolds in the way.

I have used platinums in all my cars. Never had a problem.

[Reubs]

bigdogdazza wrote:

Reubs wrote:

I've run double platinum plugs in a G16 with no noticeable difference to performance or economy. I doubt a set would last 100,000km in that (G16) engine. Half that amount maybe...

I now run standard plugs and change them at every oil change. I don't ever have to worry about them 'cuase they are always fresh.

Change plugs EVERY oil change? Wow I think that may be some overkill? I used to change platinum plug every race meet but that's in a 2 stroke race engine that can foul a plug in a heartbeat if not careful with throttle control, but in a car.....I had platinum plugs in my rx3 13b bridgy turbo and didn't change plugs until changed seals.
Just whack a set of plugs in and when they die.....if you still own the car... Replace them.

I use regular plugs so there is no guess-work as to if they are fouling or when they might be due for replacement.

According to the Sierra FSM, regular spark plugs (NGK BP5ES) should be replaced every 10,000km. I do a 6-7000km oil change interval - therefore I may as well spend 5 minutes changing the plugs at every service!

On my carby Sierras the plugs always look dirty when changed. On my EFI Vitara the plugs still look good so maybe in that instance a Platinum plug is more suitable.

[JrZook]

Reubs wrote:

bigdogdazza wrote:

Reubs wrote:

I've run double platinum plugs in a G16 with no noticeable difference to performance or economy. I doubt a set would last 100,000km in that (G16) engine. Half that amount maybe...

I now run standard plugs and change them at every oil change. I don't ever have to worry about them 'cuase they are always fresh.

Change plugs EVERY oil change? Wow I think that may be some overkill? I used to change platinum plug every race meet but that's in a 2 stroke race engine that can foul a plug in a heartbeat if not careful with throttle control, but in a car.....I had platinum plugs in my rx3 13b bridgy turbo and didn't change plugs until changed seals.
Just whack a set of plugs in and when they die.....if you still own the car... Replace them.

I use regular plugs so there is no guess-work as to if they are fouling or when they might be due for replacement.

According to the Sierra FSM, regular spark plugs (NGK BP5ES) should be replaced every 10,000km. I do a 6-7000km oil change interval - therefore I may as well spend 5 minutes changing the plugs at every service!

On my carby Sierras the plugs always look dirty when changed. On my EFI Vitara the plugs still look good so maybe in that instance a Platinum plug is more suitable.

How much difference do you notice by changing your 6-7k old plugs to newies?

[BlueSuzy]

Got to love how they are made http://curezone.com/forums/am.asp?i=1063782

[Jester]

TheOtherLeft wrote:

BlueSuzy wrote:

TheOtherLeft wrote:

Platinum plugs are mainly for engines like Subaru boxer engines which are costly due to disassembly.

What? Subaru's aren't that hard to get too.

Compared to other 4 cyl engines (like a J20A) they are.

the sohc heads easy to change, use standard, dohc platinum

[Reubs]

JrZook wrote:

How much difference do you notice by changing your 6-7k old plugs to newies?

None - as to be expected.

[ROAR99]

TZAR wrote:

Daves4wd wrote:

Just something I've heard is if your engine wasent designed to come out with them it'll do damage ie it'll get a hard carbon build up around the bottom of the plug and when you remove them it'll strip the thread on the spark plug hole and then you need either retap the head or get a new very costly and if it didn't come out with them don't put them in its what I've been told so it could or couldn't be true but just a heads up

Thats why you run ultimate fuel and flog the fuckin bejebus out of the engine for a few hundred K's before you change them. Thats the best way to decarbon a motor.

i ran a(no money spared) rebuilt, worked g13ba in the sierra for a while.. with splitfire plugs, put " iridium platinum" plugs in and they were fould up in
only 1 month of use...i ran that engine at 8000rpm on a daily basis and they still fould up... (not worth the money in my opiniun, but just my 2c worth)

[Reubs]

ROAR99 wrote:

TZAR wrote:

Daves4wd wrote:

Just something I've heard is if your engine wasent designed to come out with them it'll do damage ie it'll get a hard carbon build up around the bottom of the plug and when you remove them it'll strip the thread on the spark plug hole and then you need either retap the head or get a new very costly and if it didn't come out with them don't put them in its what I've been told so it could or couldn't be true but just a heads up

Thats why you run ultimate fuel and flog the fuckin bejebus out of the engine for a few hundred K's before you change them. Thats the best way to decarbon a motor.

i ran a(no money spared) rebuilt, worked g13ba in the sierra for a while.. with splitfire plugs, put " iridium platinum" plugs in and they were fould up in
only 1 month of use...i ran that engine at 8000rpm on a daily basis and they still fould up... (not worth the money in my opiniun, but just my 2c worth)

They were probably too cool for your 'worked' engine. I'm pretty sure the bosch double platinum plug listing for a G13b is the same for a G16a even though the regular plug listing for those engines are a different heat range. Doesn't help that a lot of Sierras spend a lot of their time in the bush idling (especially with reduction gears) either...

[JrZook]

ROAR99 wrote:

TZAR wrote:

Daves4wd wrote:

Just something I've heard is if your engine wasent designed to come out with them it'll do damage ie it'll get a hard carbon build up around the bottom of the plug and when you remove them it'll strip the thread on the spark plug hole and then you need either retap the head or get a new very costly and if it didn't come out with them don't put them in its what I've been told so it could or couldn't be true but just a heads up

Thats why you run ultimate fuel and flog the fuckin bejebus out of the engine for a few hundred K's before you change them. Thats the best way to decarbon a motor.

i ran a(no money spared) rebuilt, worked g13ba in the sierra for a while.. with splitfire plugs, put " iridium platinum" plugs in and they were fould up in
only 1 month of use...i ran that engine at 8000rpm on a daily basis and they still fould up... (not worth the money in my opiniun, but just my 2c worth)

Define your interpretation of "fouled up"

[JrZook]

Reubs wrote:

JrZook wrote:

How much difference do you notice by changing your 6-7k old plugs to newies?

None - as to be expected.

Spend money, notice no difference = money well spent

[SierraDan]

BlueSuzy wrote:

The cheaper plugs are best, but iridium/platinum are mainly for longer service intervals, hard to get to places etc.

Mitsubishi's v6 used to have half and half!

My wife 05 rolla has them also from new. Too many covers and shit

Hmm.. So should get 3 standard and 3 platinum plugs for my Fagna?
I don't really wanna pull the intake off too often haha.

[Jester]

SierraDan wrote:

BlueSuzy wrote:

The cheaper plugs are best, but iridium/platinum are mainly for longer service intervals, hard to get to places etc.

Mitsubishi's v6 used to have half and half!

My wife 05 rolla has them also from new. Too many covers and shit

Hmm.. So should get 3 standard and 3 platinum plugs for my Fagna?
I don't really wanna pull the intake off too often haha.

yep thats what the magnas have done for ages, standard in the front plats in the back

[Zook_Fan]

JrZook wrote:

Reubs wrote:

JrZook wrote:

How much difference do you notice by changing your 6-7k old plugs to newies?

None - as to be expected.

Spend money, notice no difference = money well spent

Preventative maintenance. You're not suppose to notice the difference you are suppose to notice the lack of failure/loss of performance which I'm sure he does. Sounds like a good idea really.