What spark plugs has everyone used in their vortec motor? I have a 2002 4.3 xtreme blazer and want to do the plugs soon since it now has 64,000 miles... Normally in every GM i`ve owned its been nuttin but AC Delco plugs.. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

 

I recommend staying with the AC/Delco Double Platinums.

 

Either stick with AC Delco or go with NGK Iridiums. I have ran both. The Delcos will run about $6 a piece and the NGK will run about $7 a piece. Iriduim is a harder metal than Platinum, and will end up lasting longer. You won't feel a difference in them, but the Iridiums burn slightly hotter. They both are self cleaning, so should last between 75k and 100k miles.

 

Please be aware that an iridium center electrode with nickel ground electrode, such as the cheaper iridium plugs have, will not outlast a double platinum plug. The nickel ground electrode will erode faster than a platinum tipped ground electrode in a double platinum plug.

So my recommendations would be AC Delco Double Platinum and if you can find them, a premium Iridium plug with a platinum ground electrode.

 

check mate

 

the NGK Iridiums do have a platinum ground electrode.

 

I am runnin bosch double platinums, and they work pretty good.

 

I only used AC Delcos in mine and never had any issues. In fact, they lasted a lot longer than I expected.

 

That all depends on which NGK Iridium plugs you are talking about. The NGK Iridium IX plugs (TR55IX - $7.32 on ngk.com) do not have a platinum tipped ground. The NGK Iridium IR plugs (IZTR5B11 - $8.95 on ngk.com) do have the platinum tipped ground. I will be installing the NGK Iridium IR plugs in my Rainier when the time comes. The benefits of Iridium do not come from the material being more erosion resistant than platinum because these plugs still use a platinum tipped ground. The benefit is from the fine wire design which isn't possible with platinum center electrodes. With a fine wire center electrode, the spark is much more consistent which equals greater efficiency. Is it that much better to warrant almost double the price... Well, I can't answer that. I've never used them, yet.

I learned a long time ago to never use anything bosch made on my vehicles or any of the vehicles I service for friends/family... Well, except for their wiper blades that is... If you've had good luck with them, good for you, but I have had such miserable luck with just about anything they make ignition/sensor wise that I will never recommend or use their products. I have found their quality control severely lacking.

 

my vote goes delco, expensive, but very much worth it. I payed $10 each.