They claim that there will be multiple spark sites which is misleading. In fact, this weekend on Spike TV's Power Block, the Horsepower folks made the mistake of saying that the plugs allowed for multiple sparks which is completely false as it implies that multiple sparks would be ignited at the same time. Since nothing else in the ignition system is changing, that will not happen. These plugs only offer up more surface area for the spark to jump to.

The theory behind them is that there is more area for wear to occur. When one area erodes away, the spark will move to another area. With a modern double platinum plug, you no longer have the fast erosion in the equation as you did with common nickle ground electrodes. These "gimic" plugs (as I call them) do not have any thing special for the ground electrodes. They just have more surface area to wear away. They will not outlast a double platinum or premium iridium plug (one with an iridium center electrode and a platinum ground electrode).

 

so im gona replace old plugs should i get some 3$ plugs or spend the 8$ and what kinda i looked on thread and u say a/c delco but what kind?

 

Pretty cool of you to tell it like it is even though they are one of your advertisers. Thanks! Regards, Eric

 

Oops... LOL

 

a/c delcos all the way

 

A/C Delco Double Platinum's in these trucks!

 

Bit of a thread highjack, as it's not worth starting a new thread.

Has anyone heard of indexing the spark plugs and if so, any real gains?

Oh, and I have only put AC Delcos in for the past 9 years and 183,000 miles.

 

There are many theories on indexing that are available for your reading pleasure through a quick google search for "spark plug indexing" or some variation there of. In the majority of the engines that I have rebuilt, I have checked plug orientation with the head off and found that most plug manufacturers and cylinder head manufacturers (GM, Dodge, & Ford engines w/ stock cylinder heads from my own experience) maintain pretty good thread starting point orientation resulting in a decent plug orientation.

The goal is to have the open portion of the plug pointing towards the center of the combustion chamber. The most gains would be seen if the plug were turned 180* from this orientation, but very minimal gains would be seen at various different orientations from this worst case scenario. Smoother acceleration and a minimal increase in power are the generally "observed". Some have estimated gains of 3-5% in economy from indexing the plugs which I would call a bit exaggerated.

 

I replaced my 5k mile NGK's with E3's. No major difference in mpg or the butt dyno. Swapped back to the NGK's while my truck has been apart as I fouled the E3's up pretty good when it wasn't starting. I may put them back in at a later date, or hold onto them for an emergency.

 

I have never heard/seen any verifiable economy gains from plug indexing

I have been using AC rapidfires and they work great, no fouling and no visible wear after 10k miles