I was doing some shopping on the interwebs for sparkplugs, cause mine are about due for a change. The NGK Iridium, which is hands down the overwhlemingly preferred type to put in our cars on this forum, are $5/plug more than the NGK Gs.

I could save $30 by going with the Gs over the Iridiums. What's the difference? Am I saving 66% on the price to sacrifice 10% in performance? Cause that would seem like a win to me.

 

don't do it! I went with denso TT platinum and they died in 15k. Car started idling like shit and MPG when down the drain. The denso tt were 16 bucks for all 6 vs 40 at advance auto after coupons

 

I guess at least you're living up to your username


Sometimes when manufacturers have their automotive engineers go through rigorous R&D for a specific product, it's best to follow their advice. The "you get what you pay for" adage comes to mind. Is the $30 going to make or break you? Are you going to have dinner on the table because you saved that $30? You yourself stated that it's the overwhelmingly preferred type. There has to be a reason for that, right?

Do you put regular gasoline in your car even though it's recommended to pump premium? I'd agree that there are savings in certain aftermarket versus OEM items, but that $30 saved in spark plugs could and probably will cost you in the long run due to poor MPG. Is it worth it then?

 

LOL You would have a stroke if you find out our car comes OEM with the LASER PLATINUM which are a 13dll per plug, We use the IRIDIUM IX as an economy replacement which works wonders.

 

actually we use Iridium because its a BETTER material

recent advances in mining technology lowered its cost so its available to the public.
In decades past only race cars, piston engine airplanes and race boats used Iridium

iirc 99s even had them, then as a cost saving move at Honda (guessing) got a deal on Platinum from 00-03 (gen3 went Irid as stock)
I never heard the OE were the lazer plats (which refers only to how the electrode is welded on- with a laser) or seeing that marking when mine were changed long ago

So, as a better plug we use Irids, get the CORRECT Plats if you prefer
but in no circumstance should you DOWNGRADE to another cheaper plug

Just because it fits doesn't mean it correct for the job, see any bosch plug failure thread

Save 30 now and spend another 50 doing it right again in 6 months~ that sounds like cost savings!

 

dave- do we need to educate you on why 16-20$ worth of Seafoam before plug change is worth the investment?

 

Because you are just going to have to buy the proper ones again when your car starts to run poorly. It will cost you way more than just getting the right one the first time! Iridiums work great.

 

I'm about to change my plugs. I have the NGK Irridium IX plugs on hand for the change.

I was wondering about the pre-change seafoam-ing, should I run it through the tank only or the tank + vacuum line?

If vacuum line, which one services all heads ('03 TL-P)?

 

^^ The one in the TB, just behind the TPS.

 

master vac port at TB has a squeeze clamp on the hose
BUT
I suggest doing two times thru the gas tank- wont effect the plugs at all and cleans many more parts than the blast method- with its warmup and post drive useage of fuel- at todays proices, I prefer to let the system clean itself slowly over a few weeks/tanks and get every bit of the system from fuel sock to cat, without harming anything, no danger of fouling the spark plugs etc

just throw 1 can in 8 gallons, that's just under half tank and drive normally
Drives over 30 minutes at a time provide max effect
refill when low and add the 2nd can when just under half

dosage info: under 3/4 oz per gal fuel not effective, Dose over 2 oz per gal provides no additional effect over that stated 2 oz max

remember to clean the TB air plate too, separate job no matter how you do seafoam
lube the throttle springs and cables while you are in there!