Spark Plug Debate

I'm curious to know what kind of spark plugs everyone is running in their truck. I replaced mine over the summer with Bosch copper ones with the dual grounds and haven't had any trouble although it seems Bosch has a bad rap on these boards. I never could find any solid information on whether or not it was ok to go with a different kind of metal such as platinum or iridium. Fianlly does anyone know anything about the Pulstar plugs and what effect they would have on the 3.4L? They claim to increase gas mileage but it would be hard to recoup the $25 a plug price. Finally what are the good plug wire sets to go with? I also put in a Bosch premium wire set two days ago and noticed a improvement in how the engine sounded. Of course the wires I replaced were original and stamped 1998.

 

I've heard horror stories with the Bosch plugs about them breaking off inside... not good. Stick with Denso or NGK plugs and wires, you'll be happier for it in the long run. The Pulstar plugs are still too new to have any unbiased opinions, but for $25/plug, I'd spend that money on gas or other mods instead. You don't need iridium plugs unless you're boosted or too lazy to change your plugs every 30K miles.

 

I usually run standard NGK R plugs in my 4cyl's but got denso's in my 96..not bad but dont see where the extra $$ they cost is really going anywhere

 

I run the stock style NGK's with the daul ground electrode. I tried NGK Laser Iridiums and lost 3 mpg on my gas mileage...

I would like to replace my wires though. They have about 43,000 miles on them.

 

This may be a really dumb questions but y does toyota require that you run the dual ground electrode in the tacomas engine does it just give it a hotter spark or is there more to it then that?

 

The manual says its for performance but I've heard from a lot of people it doesn't matter.

 

I just bought a set of NGK platinum spark plugs and am wondering if they are the right plug...I was spooked a bit hy the comment on someone using NGK and losing MPG's. Anyhow, havn't put them in yet but am wondering if these will work...the auto zone guy said they would?
Part number:
BKR5EGP stock no. 7090

 

NGKs are factory standard so I imagine as long as you have the right gap, which should be around .44 you should be good.

 

yeah i use standard NGK I dont really buy into all that iridium or platnum crap...

 

The guy didn't really give me much of a choice, they where cheap enough...only three buck a peice or something...they have a really small spark plate so not sure about them and he suggested not adjusting them and said they where gapped right....hmmmmmm! We shall see, I was shocked to see that there was no rotor cap and cables and the funky configuration of the plugs, still pretty confident I can do it myself but dang, it as simple on the old 22r when you could see the plugs and pull a rotor cap. I looked in to the replacement cost for the plug wires on this 2.7L and they are 73 bucks a pop, I don't think I will be changing them anytime soon unless something happens....wtf? Newer vehicles and all their doodads.

 

I got Bosch premium wires from Autozone for about $50 for the 3.4 so you should be able to go cheaper. I recommend you use a piece of fuel line to screw in the plugs initially since the heads are aluminum and torquing them in wrong could break the threads.

 

thanks for the feul line tip, I almost forgot about it and then was fortunate enough to remember when I was buying some 303 at checkers today...first place in nm I have found that carries 303, my interior is screaming for it. Anyhow....I have a phobia of cross threading and having to helicoil things.......I think just about every spark plug hole in m old 22r had been helicoiled (or something along those lines)...whantwhantwhaaaaaaaa....yeah, no dad around to fix it this time.

 

I have only heard of the Pulstar plugs having an impact on highly tune TACOs. As far as single and double ground, yeah TOYOTA recommends to use the double ground, but they also say that changing the fuel filter is not necessary. I just changed my plugs at 75k to Denso Iridiums. They are single grounded, and I haven't had any issues.

 

The biggest benefit in the iridium and platinum is the durability. I know the iridiums are supposed to go 100k, but I'm not sure about the platinums, though they last longer than copper.
One excellent reason to change ALL plugs at or before 100k though is that if you have aluminum heads, the plugs are more likely to seize the threads if you go too long. It's a big problem in the 4.6 and 5.4 Fords right now (I sell auto parts, so I see a lot of it).
I agree with an earlier poster...no matter what kind you use, always use anti seize material on the threads. A little dab'll do ya'.
In aluminum heads it's safer too to torque the plugs rather than guessing about it. A heavy hand won't help the threads either.

 

ngk or denso.....iridium or not.....end of thread

 

Actually the stock Tacoma 3.4L uses 3 NGKs on one side and 3 Denso on the other. So I figure Toyota uses two different plugs for a reason so I just run the stock plugs.

 

I have always used wally word autolites $4.45 for 2 and the engine runs smooth you dont need a $10 droller plug to make a spark. I dont think the motor can tell that they are made in the USA.

 

Yeah I always wondered what the fancy bs was all about. It seems like spark would be sort of an "all or none" principle. I guess plug life would be the deciding factor.