I just bought an '86 GT, v6 engine and everything. I am very happy with it. I had someone replace the TPS, clean the intake and throttle body. I got ripped off on it since I am not familiar with the car yet. They mentioned I should also change my plugs and wires. I usually use Bosch Platinums in my other car. What should I use in the Fiero, I would like to use the best, but I rem reading somwhere someone was disappointed with the Bosch Platinum 4+ --- Symptoms of my car now - runs great but the exhust smells like gas and is kind of smokey... I assume good wires and plugs will solve the unburned gas smell. Otherwise I love the webboard and the car!!!
So what is the best plug to put in these? Is stock better or are the modern plugs better?
------------------ ______ |aguiler \/
IP: Logged
10:30 PM
PFF
System Bot
FieroJoe Member
Posts: 2314 From: Southfield, MI Registered: Nov 2000
Ask VinneyWolf... He know excatly what all the plugs are good for.
Seriously, For what it's worth, A plug is a plug. I have heard NGKs, Splitfires, Bosch, but run the 99 cent a piece AC Delcos and haven't had a problem.
Speaking physics the juice is gonna arc where there is the least resistance meaning you could have 1000000 tippped plugs but only one's gonna arc.
IP: Logged
10:47 PM
rodmcneill Member
Posts: 1616 From: Indiana USA Registered: Oct 2000
I have been running splitfires in my 350 it increased the hp some also. but they are very exspenive.
------------------ “I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope”.
IP: Logged
11:31 PM
stimpy Member
Posts: 8197 From: Salinas, CA Registered: Jan 2000
My dog was just starting to relax a little, too. Anyhow, I now ave 10,000 miles on a set of Bosch Platinums, and they are working just fine. I doubt that they enhance performance tremendously, but I do like the maintenance schedule on them. As far as BP's being a "horror story", I've only heard negative anecdotes regarding their use on DIS Dukes. You should not have problems on your 6 with them.
IP: Logged
11:43 PM
Mar 16th, 2001
Fierowrecker Member
Posts: 1858 From: Lowell, MI. USA Registered: Mar 2001
I just bought an '86 GT, v6 engine and everything. I am very happy with it. I had someone replace the TPS, clean the intake and throttle body. I got ripped off on it since I am not familiar with the car yet. They mentioned I should also change my plugs and wires. I usually use Bosch Platinums in my other car. What should I use in the Fiero, I would like to use the best, but I rem reading somwhere someone was disappointed with the Bosch Platinum 4+ --- Symptoms of my car now - runs great but the exhust smells like gas and is kind of smokey... I assume good wires and plugs will solve the unburned gas smell. Otherwise I love the webboard and the car!!!
So what is the best plug to put in these? Is stock better or are the modern plugs better?
A plug is a plug is a plug... Some designs are nicer, as they last longer, while others just cost more... I use Rapid fire plugs, but I have tried others... You (or your engine!) may prefer another plug... But as long as a strong spark is being delivered at the right time, the engine doesn't care if it is a 50 cent plug or a $100 plug... Fouling (heat range) and electrode wear affect a plug the most... As to your gas smell, the TBI could be a culprit...
IP: Logged
12:02 AM
Tigger Member
Posts: 4368 From: Flint, MI USA Registered: Sep 2000
I use Bosch Platnums in my 86 SE with a V-6. It has been proven that Bosch Platnums are a bad idea in the 87/88 2.5L I4's due to the DIS ignition system. You can basically put in any brand of plug you want. I think the platnums are better than regular plugs for the V-6. I have not tried Split-Fires or the Bosch Platnum + 4'S.
IP: Logged
12:14 AM
DRH Member
Posts: 2683 From: Onalaska, WI, USA Registered: Dec 1999
If you pay someone to do it... or REALLY hate doing it yourself... get the 4 or 5 dollar Platinums. I really doubt they will fire any better than NEW plain ones. They will most likely last quite a bit longer though. The only problem I've heard with these is with the distributor-less Fiero 4 cyl... Shouldn't be a problem on your V6.
If you change them yourself and kinda enjoy doing it with a couple of beers... Use the 99 cent AC-Delco and change them a little more often.
If you haven't figured it out yet... Asking this question to a bunch of gearheads is about like asking which brand of beer is best!
IP: Logged
12:19 AM
PFF
System Bot
LuckyTheyWereEverMade Member
Posts: 207 From: San Jose, CA, USA Registered: Dec 2000
Platinum 4 plus plugs did not work well in my 84 sc Fiero. They worked well for a few days, but eventually the car misfired at idle.
I installed Autolites. They are working perfectly after 3,000 miles of driving. It's not much, but much better than my experience with splitfires or bosch platinum.
Save money, use Autolite or AC Delco plugs.
IP: Logged
04:31 AM
hugh Member
Posts: 5563 From: Clementon,NJ,USA Registered: Jun 2000
I had Bosch Platinum plugs in my wife's GN a few years ago.It would pop when I would hit the throttle hard,but would accelerate ok if it were gradual.I thought it might be valves or dirty injectors.Removed the Bosch and installed AC plugs and it ran like a champ,no more popping.The only thing I can come up with is the plugs would misfire and cause the oxygen sensor to tell the computer to lean out the mixture.
IP: Logged
07:22 AM
kslish Member
Posts: 1479 From: Womelsdorf, PA Registered: Apr 2000
My Fieros seem to be happiest with AC Delco plugs.
My Oldsmobile and my Fieros all have Rapidfires in them.
I prefer the AC Rapidfires over the basic plugs primarily because the threaded housing is nickel coated so they won't rust in place and be a pain in the butt to break loose when you go to replace them in 30,000 miles. (Important on the firewall side plugs on a Fiero V6).
That and I feel they Rapidfires make the idle a little smoother and the engine seems to start quicker, but everything else is pretty much the same. Don't expect a miricle from just a spark plug.
I've delt with loads of cars with faulty ignitions... ignition problems and jst plain poorly running. I had ACs in my SE when i bought it and changed to NGK -UR5- i went through nitrous bottle after nitrous bottle.. and never once had a problem... i picked up my GT, drove it 600miles an then swaped ina set of the same NGKs and it's running like a top. if you get a plug with more than one electrode your sheilding the spark from the combustion chamber and it'll cause more problem than it'll help HP. a single electrode is what you'll want.. Split-fire plugs don't work.. they were taken to court by the government for false advertising. http://www.miata.net/garage/splitftc.html
IP: Logged
08:14 AM
Cozmo Member
Posts: 421 From: Ybor City, FL Registered: Feb 2001
Ummm... buy six new plugs, each a different brand. Install a different-brand plug in each cylinder of your engine . Then, after that, play "Survivor" -the first plug that fouls, gets replaced, and marked off your "most-favored plugs" list. When you're down to one, "survivor" brand of plug, you'll know which is best...
...we'll finally have "the answer!!!"
...and the youngest of us Forum members will be at least 125 years old
Or, do what I do - just use AC's
IP: Logged
03:09 PM
stimpy Member
Posts: 8197 From: Salinas, CA Registered: Jan 2000
ya this has been beaten to TOTAL death. I use regular Bosch Platinum (not 4s) in everything, my Fiero, My van, my boat, my airplane and everything else that needs a spark plug. Ive never had a single problem ever. My lincoln would go a 100,000 miles on one set. I do put a fresh set in Fiero every spring just because I run the heck out of it.
------------------
IP: Logged
05:03 PM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
I tried the split fires in my race boat with a chevy 454, didnt work worth a darn at all. Like someone else said, the spark will only use the one point with least resistance till it fouls or burns up, then, if another one hasnt fouled from non use it will fire. So basicly ANY multi tip plug is worthless.
quote
Originally posted by 1FST2M6: I've delt with loads of cars with faulty ignitions... ignition problems and jst plain poorly running. I had ACs in my SE when i bought it and changed to NGK -UR5- i went through nitrous bottle after nitrous bottle.. and never once had a problem... i picked up my GT, drove it 600miles an then swaped ina set of the same NGKs and it's running like a top. if you get a plug with more than one electrode your sheilding the spark from the combustion chamber and it'll cause more problem than it'll help HP. a single electrode is what you'll want.. Split-fire plugs don't work.. they were taken to court by the government for false advertising. http://www.miata.net/garage/splitftc.html
IP: Logged
05:10 PM
stsmithgt Member
Posts: 1351 From: Fair Oaks, CA Registered: Aug 99
You should read the thread that Stimpy refers to above but skip to the second page, thats where it really gets good! I had never read this all the way through, I almost died laughing!
