ok i did a search on what spark plugs to run in my truck and found nothing. i have a stock engine but i have it lifted. so i want something that is better then stock plugs or does it even matter? I dont know what these 5.7 like. So any help will be greatful. Thanks all
I use NGK plugs, I like the copper ones better than the others. copper is a much better electrical conductor than platinum or iridium, and should make a stronger spark from less resistance to the conduction pathways. however it is a softer metal and therefore the plugs will not last as long as the platium or iridiums. so if you do plug changes at regular intervals and keep up on your maintenance, then go with a stock style copper plug, if you plan on just throwing some plugs in and letting 'em go for a long period of time, then you may want to look into the platinums. I don't like iridium at all, the one time I tired them they degraded the idle quality a good amount but that may just be my setup. (ever wonder why you don't see iridium or platinum wiring? other than pure cost of the materials, its because true copper is the $hit at electrical conduction. really only silver (Ag) is better)
here is some cool visual from MIT that ranks the periodic elements according to electrical conductivity:
http://web.mit.edu/course/3/3.091/www3/pt/pert7.html
a bigger # means its a better electrical conductor. Cu is copper and is the second highest at 60.7, Ir (iridium) is 21.3, and Pt (Platinum) is pretty low at 9.4...(lots of other cool data on that site too like elemental thermal conductivity, etc...science is fun)
in fact here is a simmialr chart ranking the density of the elements at 300K, in this graph you can see Ir and Pt are very high, this is why they have a longer life as a spark plug.
http://web.mit.edu/course/3/3.091/www3/pt/pert6.html
okay. so as far as brand, I only use NGK which is basically the same as AC Delco. I really wouldn't recommend using anything else, though others may be fine, I have had the best success with NGK's. I ran TR55's when my truck was N/A, and I currently run TR6's with boost.
whatever you do, DO NOT get those stupid 2/3/4/25 multiple electrode design plugs, like the Bosch +4 or whatever they call it. its simply a marketing ploy to get your money. electricity can and will only travel the path of least resistance, it cannot simultaneously arc to 4 separate electrodes as their product art suggests and will not do any such thing. not only that, but all those extra electrodes actually shield the spark from the air/fuel mixture somewhat, which will result in a less efficient ignition IMO.
check out Bosch's marketing department at work trying to get your money with science fiction:
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you really won't get any performance gain from changing your spark plugs unless your current ones have problems. the best thing you can do for your vehicle is regular and routine maintenance, which includes checking, and replacing the plugs as needed.
