Spark Plugs
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Amateur
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 32
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From: PA
Spark Plugs
What type and brand spark pugs work best in my 2001 360 gas engine?
I see many products but I would like to increase my gas mileage a little with a good tune up. I have 56,000 on the engine and it runs fine but I used to get 12MPG, now I am lucky to get 10MPG, I know the ethanol fuel additive does not help.
Bill
I see many products but I would like to increase my gas mileage a little with a good tune up. I have 56,000 on the engine and it runs fine but I used to get 12MPG, now I am lucky to get 10MPG, I know the ethanol fuel additive does not help.
Bill
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 10
From: Gainesville, Ga.
^^ LOL.
autolite 3923 copper is a good (and cheap) plug. 3923 is one heat range cooler than stock 3924 and resists pinging just a little.
some believe the oem platinum plugs are more prone to ping.
others swear the champion plug is better.
i think anything that's cheap and doesn't ping is fine and i think all the expensive tricky shaped plugs are a big waste of money.
autolite 3923 copper is a good (and cheap) plug. 3923 is one heat range cooler than stock 3924 and resists pinging just a little.
some believe the oem platinum plugs are more prone to ping.
others swear the champion plug is better.
i think anything that's cheap and doesn't ping is fine and i think all the expensive tricky shaped plugs are a big waste of money.
Champion
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 2
From: Ft Campbell, KY/TN
Depends on what youa re willing to spend. I know of someone on THIS forum that bought the pulstar plugs (about 14 dollars each) and he said they worked AMAZING. He was wary of the advertisements and bought a set of copper NGKs. The people at pulstar said he could return them in 30 days. He put in the pusltar plugs and noticed much better power. THen he came back, let the engine cool a bit and put the NGK plugs in. He said it was a NIGHT AND DAY difference.
I would not recommend the pulstar plugs on a STOCK motor. If you have a TUNE, and some other bolt ons (TB, cloth filter, headers, maybe UD pulley), then it would be worthwhile. I believe he was also running Magnecor wires. Those wires cost 158 for a set. So you will be spending around 250 for the wires and plugs. But those wires will last a lifetime.
If you are spending cash on spark plugs, it means you have already spent cash on other things. Because the gain because of spark plugs will be minimal even with mods. SO, after you spend money on a SCT, 1.7 rockers, new y-pipe, throttle body, headers, then this would be a good mod. I will be getting them pretty soon after this coming winter. There is not too much I can do right now with my truck that does not involve too much work (cam).
My list (in order) would be these mods:
1. Plenum plate kit, with 180* thermostat, cap, rotor, plugs, wires: 150 from hughes for the plate kit, and about 75 bucks for the cap/rotor/wires from summit. Get champion plugs at any autozone, oreilleys, etc.
2. SCT tune from hemifever: 265
3. 1.7 roller rockers: 365 from hi-potek
http://stores.hi-potek.com/-strse-13...tio/Detail.bok
off-road y pipe from jegs: 125 dollars
4. Derale tranny pan: Keeps your tranny very cool. I have one:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-14210/
Might also want to get a tranny temp gauge. This pan has a bung for a tranny gauge PLUS a drain plug. Sometimes my tranny stays too cool, especially in winter. I also have the factory tranny cooler.
4. JBA ceramic coated Headers: I have owned edelbrock and JBAs (both ceramic). Get the JBAs and order the edelbrock gaskets from autozone for 23 bucks. The edelbrock gaskets are much better/beefier. i had leaks with the gaskets they gave.
5. UD pulley/Electric fans: If you are going to do the UD pulley, do it when you get electric fans. If you tow, get a good fan setup. Bad thing: good fan setups go for about 600 that can pull enough air.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...item27bcbb7eb5
JasonW bought the shroud from these guys for 200 dollars and put in his own system (fans/controller). You might save 150 max by doing that.
OR you can get a flex a lite black magic with controller for about 270:
http://moesperformance.com/index.php...r_of_uploads=0
I know people with that and they tow. But I would spend the cash and get the dual fan setup. That is why that is the LAST upgrade to do. You will probably be happy with performance once you do the first 3 or 4 upgrades and not want to delve further into the wallet. I want to do it to make my truck "complete".
MAYBE I will get new heads down the road. Edelbrock aluminum performers. But That is a lot of cash. Plus i would need to get different roller rockers (I believe). So it is up in the air. I would probably do an UPGRADE if the heads ever crack.
Which leads me to the "GOLDEN RULE" for most parts, if it breaks, get the UPGRADE part, not just a replacement. Most of the time, the upgrade is not much more than the stock replacement. Sometimes cheaper.
I would not recommend the pulstar plugs on a STOCK motor. If you have a TUNE, and some other bolt ons (TB, cloth filter, headers, maybe UD pulley), then it would be worthwhile. I believe he was also running Magnecor wires. Those wires cost 158 for a set. So you will be spending around 250 for the wires and plugs. But those wires will last a lifetime.
If you are spending cash on spark plugs, it means you have already spent cash on other things. Because the gain because of spark plugs will be minimal even with mods. SO, after you spend money on a SCT, 1.7 rockers, new y-pipe, throttle body, headers, then this would be a good mod. I will be getting them pretty soon after this coming winter. There is not too much I can do right now with my truck that does not involve too much work (cam).
My list (in order) would be these mods:
1. Plenum plate kit, with 180* thermostat, cap, rotor, plugs, wires: 150 from hughes for the plate kit, and about 75 bucks for the cap/rotor/wires from summit. Get champion plugs at any autozone, oreilleys, etc.
2. SCT tune from hemifever: 265
3. 1.7 roller rockers: 365 from hi-potek
http://stores.hi-potek.com/-strse-13...tio/Detail.bok
off-road y pipe from jegs: 125 dollars
4. Derale tranny pan: Keeps your tranny very cool. I have one:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-14210/
Might also want to get a tranny temp gauge. This pan has a bung for a tranny gauge PLUS a drain plug. Sometimes my tranny stays too cool, especially in winter. I also have the factory tranny cooler.
4. JBA ceramic coated Headers: I have owned edelbrock and JBAs (both ceramic). Get the JBAs and order the edelbrock gaskets from autozone for 23 bucks. The edelbrock gaskets are much better/beefier. i had leaks with the gaskets they gave.
5. UD pulley/Electric fans: If you are going to do the UD pulley, do it when you get electric fans. If you tow, get a good fan setup. Bad thing: good fan setups go for about 600 that can pull enough air.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...item27bcbb7eb5
JasonW bought the shroud from these guys for 200 dollars and put in his own system (fans/controller). You might save 150 max by doing that.
OR you can get a flex a lite black magic with controller for about 270:
http://moesperformance.com/index.php...r_of_uploads=0
I know people with that and they tow. But I would spend the cash and get the dual fan setup. That is why that is the LAST upgrade to do. You will probably be happy with performance once you do the first 3 or 4 upgrades and not want to delve further into the wallet. I want to do it to make my truck "complete".
MAYBE I will get new heads down the road. Edelbrock aluminum performers. But That is a lot of cash. Plus i would need to get different roller rockers (I believe). So it is up in the air. I would probably do an UPGRADE if the heads ever crack.
Which leads me to the "GOLDEN RULE" for most parts, if it breaks, get the UPGRADE part, not just a replacement. Most of the time, the upgrade is not much more than the stock replacement. Sometimes cheaper.
Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,831
Likes: 1
From: Miami, Fl
Whatever brand you go with stick to the cheap copper plugs they may not last 100,000 miles but they work best in our trucks and are also easy on the wallet.
I prefer the autolites(3923) but others like the champions
I prefer the autolites(3923) but others like the champions
