Are these healthy looking Spark Plugs?

miniator

Just back from a rolling road with disappointing results, decided to investigate, pulled the plugs out and was greeted with these

Bought some new ones, PTR5A-10, and the difference in the car is noticeable. Quieter, more responsive and feels quicker, more "get up and go".

JohnnyN

The best plugs for these engines are genuine items from VX. I've tried a few different types including iridium plugs most recently and I come back to GM plugs everytime. Those don't look too bad. Definately not running rich although the gaps look a little large?

herb-16v

yer same here had few diff plugs and found the gm are best for the car

JohnnyN

What were the results from the RR?

miniator

well I'm not going to go out to buy more plugs, these new NGK's will do until the next time.

Got a measly 141bhp

JohnnyN

What engine/exhaust mods have you carried out?

herb-16v

£2.93 each off ebay item number 260787311835

miniator

JohnnyN said:
What engine/exhaust mods have you carried out?

Enlarged cold air feed, derestricted airbox, K&N panel filter, air box drilled on wing side only, FPR vac pipe moved to intake manifold, cam cover breather pipe removed from intake pipe (venting through a small k&n), pre and main cat removed, middle box removed, Irmscher double D back box.

miniator

herb-16v said:
£2.93 each off ebay item number 260787311835

Whats the advantage to running the triple electrode other than a longer service life?

Matt

miniator said:
Whats the advantage to running the triple electrode other than a longer service life?

They are the recommended GM plugs. Even on the VXRs people fit iridium plugs and end up going back to the GM standard plugs.

miniator

Matt said:
They are the recommended GM plugs. Even on the VXRs people fit iridium plugs and end up going back to the GM standard plugs.

But why lol? What makes them so special!?

MikeS

not bad result for 10 yr old car

JohnnyN

I take it that you still have the precat in place and the standard cat too? If so the results aren't far off considering the engine is 145bhp from new. When I first started modifying my engine years ago, I went to my first RR day with a Superchips remap, K&N Panel filter, 3 pipe mod and it came in at 155bhp from what I can remember.

As said, those plugs do look a little tired and most probably are the issue.

MikeS

yeh but johnny your car was prob less than half this car's age and had owners that thrashed it
the ngk platinums do give a more even idle imo

JohnnyN

It would have only have been a couple of years old and no more than 20k on the clock at that time.

MikeS

dont forget your remap too 🙂

JohnnyN

That's the point I was making in a round the houses way. I had the remap along with that same sort of mods and it wasn't much over standard.

😉

miniator

No no, there's no cats and no middle box - completely straight through with just the irmy back box. O and the airbox has been derestricted!

She's actually 12 years old with 95k showing on the clocks. Been out again, have to say, the car does feel quite different. There's another rolling road at the same place in September, I'll probably take it back up and see how she does

MikeS

so jealous of your alloys btw

miniator

MikeS said:
so jealous of your alloys btw

Lol thanks bud, all show and no go ha!