New Spark Plugs

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Hey everyone,
I want to put new spark plugs in my Grand Am, I'm thinking Bosch Platinum +4 plugs, has anyone else put these in their ecotec yet? What are some advantages / disadvantages? And what is the gap size of the standard plugs?
Thanks,
-Rick

[tenspeed]

I haven't heard of anyone changing plugs on the 2.2 yet. How many miles on your plugs?

[XtremeGrandAm]

Originally posted by tenspeed
I haven't heard of anyone changing plugs on the 2.2 yet. How many miles on your plugs? most people wont because they are good for 100,000 miles now

[tenspeed]

You might get some info over on the j-body board. The 2.2L has been in those cars longer.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Originally posted by XtremeGrandAm
most people wont because they are good for 100,000 miles now

Eh, I only have 14k miles on them, but I'm looking for a cheap way to give this engine a little more life. I'm not crazy about CAI's or WAI's, and I don't have the cash for any major mods like a larger throttle body, turbo, or a posi front. So, yea, whats the gap size on the ecotec?
-Rick

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by XtremeGrandAm
most people wont because they are good for 100,000 miles now

... as far as I am concerned, when a car manufacturer says this they are "full of it" ... I just changed the spark plugs on my Blazer (different engine I know but the principle is the same) and the platinum factory plugs were 0.020 over and were simply worn out at only 67,000 KMs (41,500 miles) ... I installed brand new Irridiums from NGK and it works literally 150% better with more power and better fuel mileage, it was simply amazing how much difference it made ... as far as my Grand Am is concerned, I installed the Irridiums at 'roughly' 30,000 KMs (18,500 miles) and even though the original plugs were not really all that bad, once again a difference was noticed ... I guess my point is this, a car's computer can accomodate for a BUNCH of slightly malfunctioning components; however; you will get nothing above and beyond 'standard' engine performance and in most cases you will probably find a decrease even though you may not notice it as much as you would without a computer controlled vehicle.

[XtremeGrandAm]

.04 is the proper gap

As far as the 100,000 miles goes. Thats like dictating how many miles you put on a tire. My car almost has 30,000 miles and as far as the engine I think it runs better than it did when I purchased it new.But everyone has their own experiences and opinions on some things. But it doesnt hurt anything by putting in new better plugs. I was just saying thats why a lot of people dont know its because they arent doing it

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Originally posted by XtremeGrandAm
.04 is the proper gap

As far as the 100,000 miles goes. Thats like dictating how many miles you put on a tire. My car almost has 30,000 miles and as far as the engine I think it runs better than it did when I purchased it new.But everyone has their own experiences and opinions on some things. But it doesnt hurt anything by putting in new better plugs. I was just saying thats why a lot of people dont know its because they arent doing it

Yea, I figured as much... My ecotec just seems sluggish at times, like it is definately not as quick off the line as it was when I first bought it. And even when I first bought it, I started looking for quicker acceleration. New spark plugs, although probally not needed, if it helps the acceleration and gas mileage, then I'll be happy. But now I'm seeing a lot of thrash being said about the Bosch +4 Plantiums, and a lot of people go with the NGK Iradiums, which one would be the better choice?
-Rick

[ironray75]

Well if you decide to put the +4's in, let me know how they are. I had them in my GAGT and despite what everyone else says, I did notice a difference in gas milleage. A little more pep if you will.

[XtremeGrandAm]

Originally posted by xxkewlguyxx
Yea, I figured as much... My ecotec just seems sluggish at times, like it is definately not as quick off the line as it was when I first bought it. And even when I first bought it, I started looking for quicker acceleration. New spark plugs, although probally not needed, if it helps the acceleration and gas mileage, then I'll be happy. But now I'm seeing a lot of thrash being said about the Bosch +4 Plantiums, and a lot of people go with the NGK Iradiums, which one would be the better choice?
-Rick
Everyone always has a different opinion on spark plugs. I would go with which ever ones you like best if they dont turn out to work the way you want them just change them. I used Bosch +4 platniums in my older 92 saturn that had a oil burning problem and it seemed to improve the problem. So thats my experience but I havent used them in a more modern engine

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Alright, I finally installed the Bosch +4's yesterday.... I didn't drive it too much, only took it around my neighborhood, but yea, there's definately a difference. My hesitation problem is 99.9% gone, and I was able to hit 40 - 50 MPH while only hitting the gas 1/2 way quicker AND at a lower RPM. I got a lot of driving to do today, and I know I'll hit full throttle a few times, so I'll post again later and let you all know how that goes.
-Rick

BTW, the stock plugs.. I put just under 15k miles on them, and they look like they were in there longer. When I get the chance I'll take pic's of them.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

wow, didnt think it was 2 years ago that i installed the bosch's. Well, 43K miles later, and they're almost shot now. And tomorrow, I'll be putting in my Iridiums. Pepboys / Autozone carries them, but are order-only and $12 - $13 each. I just picked these up off of sparkplugs.com for just under $7 ea. For anyone looking for them, part # LTR5IX-11, stock # 4344.

[TheTrader]

Originally posted by RickHigginsHtbr
wow, didnt think it was 2 years ago that i installed the bosch's. Well, 43K miles later, and they're almost shot now. And tomorrow, I'll be putting in my Iridiums. Pepboys / Autozone carries them, but are order-only and $12 - $13 each. I just picked these up off of sparkplugs.com for just under $7 ea. For anyone looking for them, part # LTR5IX-11, stock # 4344.

so, that part number is for a Ecotec plug?? when I do a vehicle search the only plug it tells me is available for my engine is:

NGK Double Platinum 2467 PTR5A-13 0.050 $8.95

??

I wana upgrade my plugs as well, since my car was a lease return before I got it, I am sure that it still has the stock plugs in it...... and I too want to help out my fuel milage & performance a bit :) I wish I knew about this "sparkplugs.com" place before I bought plugs from the dealer for my girlfriends 2200 cavalier... friggen 73 bucks !!!

[RickHigginsHtbr]

yep, those would be the right ones. I'm still confused by what the actual proper gap is for our cars though. The NGK's are gapped around.... 42 - 43, when i heard the gap for the ecotec was as high as 60? i took them out, regapped them at 54, but havent had time to put them back in yet.

[tenspeed]

www.rockauto.com shows the gap to be either .043 or .050 depending on the maker.

They have the NGK Iridium

NGK Part # 4344
{.050 gap} {Iridium IX Plug #LTR5IX11}
**Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 2 business days**
**Sold in packs of 4** $7.28

[TheTrader]

Originally posted by tenspeed
www.rockauto.com shows the gap to be either .043 or .050 depending on the maker.

They have the NGK Iridium

NGK Part # 4344
{.050 gap} {Iridium IX Plug #LTR5IX11}
**Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 2 business days**
**Sold in packs of 4** $7.28

that price cant be for a whole 4 pack is it ???

[tenspeed]

It would be $29 for four. That's the single plug price.

[BledRedGaSe]

I installed ngk iradiums about 2 weeks ago and I noticed a huge difference. Much smoother and starts easier. I have heard bad things about platinums so I stayed away from them and I am very satisfied with the iradiums. My car had 80,000 and I don't care what the factory says if U wait 100,000 miles to change your plugs your car will hate you with a passion for such neglect. If U notice a difference then that shows you that your car needed the plugs. My budy has an 03 Cobra SVT with 20,000 miles on it and he netted 7hp on the dyno with new spark plugs and thats at 20K miles! Plugs are a cheap and easy way to mantian the peak performance of your engine.

[TheTrader]

Originally posted by BledRedGaSe
I installed ngk iradiums about 2 weeks ago and I noticed a huge difference. Much smoother and starts easier. I have heard bad things about platinums so I stayed away from them and I am very satisfied with the iradiums. My car had 80,000 and I don't care what the factory says if U wait 100,000 miles to change your plugs your car will hate you with a passion for such neglect. If U notice a difference then that shows you that your car needed the plugs. My budy has an 03 Cobra SVT with 20,000 miles on it and he netted 7hp on the dyno with new spark plugs and thats at 20K miles! Plugs are a cheap and easy way to mantian the peak performance of your engine.

Whats the part number of the plugs you used?? I wana get the same ones... but at Canadian Tire they dont have a NGK iradiums plug listed for the Ecotec motor....

[RickHigginsHtbr]

the only company that lists the NGK's for the ecotec are NGK themselves, for whatever reason no one else recognizes them to work for the ecotec, but they do. Iridium IX Plug #LTR5IX11

[TheTrader]

Originally posted by RickHigginsHtbr
the only company that lists the NGK's for the ecotec are NGK themselves, for whatever reason no one else recognizes them to work for the ecotec, but they do. Iridium IX Plug #LTR5IX11

hmmmm... maby I am crazy, but I cant seem to find these listed for the Ecotec on the NGK site, and when I asked for this part number at the parts store, and looked for myself, they have part numbers that look somewhat similar, but nothing that starts with LTR......

the only thing that comes up for the L61 Ecotec on the site is this:

http://www.ngk.com/results_app.asp?AAIA=1431634

[RickHigginsHtbr]

search on ngksparkplugs.com , the real ngk website... although i did order mine from that site. the model # is correct.

[tenspeed]

www.rockauto.com shows 11 different plugs for the ecotec. Here's the scoop on the NGK's...

NGK Part # 4344
{.050 gap} {Iridium IX Plug #LTR5IX11}
**Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 2 business days**
**Sold in packs of 4** $7.28 (each)

[MIKEINMIAMI]

DUDE, YOU WONT REALLY NOTICE THE DIFFERANCE WITH DIFFERENT PLUGS UNLESS YOURS ARE ALREADY FOULED...I GOT AN ECOTEC WITH SOME WORK DONE TOO IT AND I CHECK MY PLUGS AND THEY ARE STILL IN GREAT SHAPE (50,000 MILES). IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THEM THOUGH I'D RECOMMEND USING DIRECT FACTORY REPLACEMENT PLUGS BECAUSE THESE ECO'S ARE VERY TOUCHY AS FAR AS MODS GO. BUT IT'S UP TOO YOU MAN...CHECK OUT ECOTECPOWER.COM THEY HAVE TONS OF THREADS ON SPARK PLUGS.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

mines been very receptive to mods, nothing major yet, but was never negitive with them...

[hereandthere]

So tell me, what's the big difference in installing these NGK plugs as compared to just installing new factory (AC Delco I think) plugs?

[TheTrader]

just swapped my original GM plugs with 80,000km on them for some new NGK's from RockAuto.... and I must say, the car seems to run much smoother, didnt notice any power or throttle response differences, but then again I only drove around the block to make sure it worked well :P

but yea... my old ones definately needed to be replaced... they smelled of gas, over gaped, and dirty..... just plain ole worn out... there was nothing odd about them, I have seen burnt & fouled plugs, these were normal, just worn out!

Hoping for a slight difference in Fuel Milage... but lord knows!

-Daniel

[BledRedGaSe]

Just go to napa. That's where I got mine. I even got a discount cause my buddy with the svt works their. I only paid $6 something a plug. My car runs much smoother. It's like people that put that oil that's supposed to last 15,000 miles in their cars. I'm sorry but if U do that U'r stupid. No, plugs won't do much for making U'r car faster but they will prolong the life of the engine and make it run smoother. Unless U'r other plugs are really f#$ked up U won't notice much of a difference. Just a smoother idle and it should start easier. 1-2 hp on the ecotec's at most. 1-2 hp is not a noticable difference. It's like a drop in filter. Yes it makes a difference but not really noticable. Don't expect huge gains from something that only cost U $20-$30. Performace cost money. U gotta pay to play.

[BledRedGaSe]

I'll try to find the part # tomorro for U.

[GaOwner2004]

what are the best spark plugs that i could put in my 2004 Pontiac Grand Am V4 2.2L

[TheTrader]

Originally posted by GaOwner2004
what are the best spark plugs that i could put in my 2004 Pontiac Grand Am V4 2.2L

V4??? lol... depends what you want to spend, many people will respond that you dont need to spend the money on the NGK spark plugs that the stock replacements will be perfect, and in reality, they probally will be, but many people also like the NGK Irrediums... like me, I find the car runs much smoother with these plugs, however thats in comparison to old worn stock plugs... so a delco replacement may be just as good... just dont go cheap....