Spark Plugs?

[indiangangster1]

i have an '02 grand am gt. i think it's about time for me to change my spark plugs. the last time i changed them, the guy at checkers told me to go w/ regular "autolite" that that would be the best for my car. i thought about the bosch4 platinum's, but he told me those were for import cars. what do you peeps suggest?thanx.

[99GrandAMSE]

I would either run the factory AC Platimuns or NGK Irridiums

[30thAnnGAGT]

Direct Factory replacement or Copper Tipped:cool2:

[sunrunner_pei]

See this post halfway down the page... :) http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12936

[p8ntman442]

doh

[Puckman27]

go w/ the bosch +4's. i donno what the hell that guy was thinking, but they aren't made just for imports. i just put them on my car, theres not a huge difference, but i've had no problems.

i've heard autolites are P.O.S.'s too

also, why are you changing the plugs on an '02 already?!?!?!

[indiangangster1]

well i fell it's about time cuz when i start up my car, sometimes it takes like three tries. aren't we supposed to change our sparkplgugs like every six months?

[Puckman27]

no, i've never heard that. spark plugs can go to 100,000 miles (according to the manual) if you wanted them to. i just changed mine @ 75,000 miles and the original plugs were replaced w/ new ones.

i'd get the car checked if you're having problems like that. it might be somthing else besides the plugs.

also have you looked at the plugs?? if they're dirty or what not there might be a bigger problem.

[93GASE3300]

The best thing to do is to replace the plugs with the oem AC Delco platinum plugs because they were designed for your car. If you decide to go aftermarket thats your decision but they will not last as long whether they are NGK or Bosch+4

[Old Guy]

Originally posted by Puckman27
go w/ the bosch +4's. i donno what the hell that guy was thinking, but they aren't made just for imports. i just put them on my car, theres not a huge difference, but i've had no problems.

i've heard autolites are P.O.S.'s too

also, why are you changing the plugs on an '02 already?!?!?!

Do not put +4's in a 3400!!! You'll get misfires as is stated in the thread Shawn referred you to. Just go with A/C Delco replacements.

As far as changing plugs in an '02......I changed mine after 15K miles. The factory gaps were all over the place. Here's the thread that shows their condition.

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9899&highlight=plug+gaps

[ssvejiita]

well i guess im a fool for some reason i thought the +4's were worth the 5finger discount but after reading this post i might have to go back and return them....
ok so im assuming some one here has bound to have changed their own spark plugs....i have a 99 se
i havnt been able to find the gm repair manual for my car yet but can ne one tell me how difficult and maybe how much time is needed to actually do the work?????????

[mikem220153]

The OLD GUY is right. The Bosch +4's don't work well in the 3400. They work fine in the 3100's. Stick with the factory plugs.

[bigberm]

I had a lot of misfires with stock plugs and wires.I want to upgrade to something better.Are the AC Delco platiums the best for the 3400 and what about plug wires.I need to fix this problem,pls help,thks

[01PONYKILLER]

Bosch 4 are great plugs but you have to keep in mind that if you run high perfomance plugs to a stock car that has no other mods of course you are going to have problems. if you have high performance mods done to your engine and you run stock plugs you are not getting the correct amount of spark needed to sustain proper performance out of your engine. I have to change plugs frequently because i race my ga. but you do have to keep in mind Bosch plugs will foul out after 12 passes down the 1/4 mile track. they are easily fouled out by bad gas and they also glaze very quickly.these plugs are not made for everyday driving.also if you run high performance plugs you schould also run hp wires also. what good is hp plugs if you are running stock wires. I suggest taylor 8.5mm wires. you can get them cut for your car but you have to call taylor only plus they are $85.00:cool:

[LoneRangers15]

When I had my plugs changed the guy said in his experience Champion plugs should not be used in GM engines. He showed me one of my plugs and it looked like hell. He replaced them with regular AC Delco plugs that were actually cheaper than the Champion. Just a heads up for the people with older engines.

[speedtuner]

I HAVE REPAIRED MANY GM CARS AT THE DEALER BY TAKING THE CHAMPIONS OUT SOMEONE ELSE HAD INSTALLED ,COMPLAINTS FROM POOR STARTING TO MISS FIRE UNDER LOAD. YOU ARE RIGHT CHAMPIONS ARE FOR MOPARS AND BRIGGS & STRATTONS! AS FOR
AC DELCO DUAL TIP PLATINUMS, OFTEN WE FIND ONE OF THE TIPS IS MISSING AFTER 50,00- 60,000 MILES. WE INSTALL PLAIN
AUTO LIGHTS OF THE CORRECT HEAT RANGE, HAD VERY GOOD LUCK.:beer:

[ssvejiita]

yea rite well if ne one wants the +4's for their 3100 i have them brand new in boxes willin to get rid of em real cheap

[RedHot97GAGT]

Do not use the +4's even in a 3100. I had no problems idled great but was told a tune up was due. Put the +4's in and nothing but problems. Idle is bad poor pick up. i'm returning them tomorrow!

[Moofert]

Originally posted by ssvejiita
well i guess im a fool for some reason i thought the +4's were worth the 5finger discount but after reading this post i might have to go back and return them....
ok so im assuming some one here has bound to have changed their own spark plugs....i have a 99 se
i havnt been able to find the gm repair manual for my car yet but can ne one tell me how difficult and maybe how much time is needed to actually do the work?????????

It's really easy man. You just gotta make sure you put the right wire back on the right plug. Just use some white out and makr the caps 1, 2, 3... and so on, and do that on the other end to.

It took me a little over an hour, because the other 3 plugs are in the back of engine, and it was a bit tricky. (Was my first time). Also, make sure you use the right ratchet bit, there is one specifically made for spark plugs, witha rubber gasket in the end so as not to damage the plug. And when taking it out, don't force it toooooo hard. You shouldn't encounter a problem getting them out, but I have a friend that broke off a plug in a 95 escort. Good luck trying to get that out. Mind you, it was a 95...

Lastly, when removing the wires, be careful, because some times they are hesitant to come off, and if you pull to hard, or it is on there too hard, then you will break the wire inside, and you then have to replace it. Which I think they only come as a set. Around $80?!

My parts cost me $140 from GM for the stock Delco plugs and wires.

[Themeneea]

i heard the reason 4+ suck is becuase the spark is blocked

[RedHot97GAGT]

Update: I put the oem AC Delco plugs in and the car runs great again. btw I now hate Bosch.