308 guys: buy Iridium plugs! | Page 2 | FerrariChat

308 guys: buy Iridium plugs!

Discussion in '308/328' started by Birdman, Aug 16, 2010.

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  1. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    Apr 26, 2006
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    David Feinberg
    Mike,

    I've been using Iridium plugs in (my own and client) Ferrari's for about 7-8 years, with 100% success. Both the FI and carb cars idle better cold and are noticeably smoother. With roughly 200+ cars serviced, all running Iridiums, I've never had a complaint. Plug life is greatly extended, particularly on the carb cars, as a fouled plug is nearly impossible.

    David
     
    f355spider likes this.
  2. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Feb 24, 2006
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    Sounds good David, I'm still going to replace mine with Iridium as I really must experience this on my own, I just hope it will give me a positive results. Thanks.

    Mike
     
  3. hanknum

    hanknum Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Santa Barbara
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    Henry
    NGK. I can't remember the heat range right now. Call me if you want me to check tomorrow.

    Henry
     
  4. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Are the NGK Iridium pregap or does it need to be adjusted to spec?
     
  5. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    More or less...typically I find them pre-gapped at .025-.028" which is fine, as is. If you want to re-gap them, just be extremely careful not to exert and side pressure on the center wire electrode. Once they're "bent", the plug is a throwaway....as the tip can break off.
     
  6. vetroresina

    vetroresina Karting

    Dec 20, 2005
    174
    Netherlands & Germany
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    Marcel
    Birdman,
    I've build in the same ignition as you have. I'm just curious at the point of the vast improvement you've allready gained with the system. For me the starting sequence is allready more than ok. Nick S. advised a cooler sparkplug ( in his case the Chamion Gold ...) wich should be sufficient to do the job. What's your further motivation to take his path. Pleas let me know.

    best regards,
    Marcel
     
  7. Mr. Nice Guy

    Mr. Nice Guy Formula Junior

    Apr 11, 2007
    301
    Southern NH
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    Eric
    Based on David's (FastRadio) advice, I put in the plugs - what a difference it made! Much smoother, easier starting, and feels better all the way around!! Thanks David!!
     
  8. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I have them in mine
     
  9. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I have them in mine
     
  10. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    #35 ClydeM, Aug 22, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    You sure about the part #? When I key in for an '83 308 I get
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  11. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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  12. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    I just changed the plugs last year in my 77. I had and still use NGK 5's because I do a lot of local driving 30-40MPH stuff conducive to a hotter plug type. The previous plugs were installed when I did the Pertronix conversion so they were in for 9 years or around 25,000 miles. When I pulled these plugs they looked very good and maybe a shade darker then a normal plug. The car still runs great even at 70mph on the expressways.I guess I don't see from the above posts a overwhelming benefit to go to a higher price plug. Just my 2 cents.
     
  13. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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  14. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #39 Steve Magnusson, Aug 22, 2010
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2010
    Interesting...my guess would be that the G-power plug that JCW is bringing up for BPR7EIX is OK on the electrode/thread end as a substitute, but, where the wire attaches at the top, it has a fixed "conventional" shaped male connector (not a removable one that can expose the threaded post needed by F).

    Lately, I've found the best price on NGK Iridiums at Advance Auto Parts ($6.99 each):

    http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Spark-Plug-NGK_18090167-P_960_R%7CGRPTUNEAMS_542769420___

    but www.clubplug.net or www.sparkplugs.com might also be able to supply at a fairly reasonable price ($7.83 each).
     
  15. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    #40 miketuason, Aug 23, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Ok I just bought a set of NGK Iridium P/N 4055= BPR7EIX for my 84QV and installed it.
    I do have to adjust the gap to .026 in. OM says between .024 - .027 in.
    Out of the box it measure .030 Car starts almost one click and idle lots smoother now.
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  16. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    Yep...and some folks think I make this stuff up. Go figure!
     
  17. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
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    I am always extremely skeptical of all claims that a different spark plug or any such simple change will make a noticeable difference, but I definitely noticed! I don't think you are going to go any faster or make more HP, but they sure are sweet with cold starts!
     
  18. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    It has been a while since I owned my 78 308GTS, but it was my recollection that most of the "experts" recommended to always use an NGK 6 or even 5 heat range with the carb cars. Generally use the coldest possible that avoids fouling, so start with a 6, but go to a 5 if required. Mike, you might have had better luck using a BPR6EIX.

    Mike, I have also heard rumors (not sure if true) that the standard ignition carb cars tend to foul less when running on standard copper core NGK's, versus the iridium or platninum ones.
     
  19. alhbln

    alhbln Formula 3
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    Mar 4, 2008
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    Fine tip plugs such as NGK Iridium, Palladium or Platinum have much less fouling as standard spark plugs, as the fine tip considerably lowers the breakthrough voltage to initiate a spark. This is the main reason why they work wonders with inductive ignitions (points, transistor ignitions), which have a lower discharge voltage and slower voltage build up and discharge time than CDI (capacitive) ignitions such as the Dinoplex, MSD 6A or Crane Hi-6.

    Fine tip plugs are not necessary with CDI ignitions, the higher discharge voltage with such systems is quite sufficient to create a spark virtually every time, and the build up and discharge time is a fraction of that of an inductive ignition.
    Also, high energy CDI's such as the MSD 6A tend to eat up the fine tip and lower the life time of a fine tip plug considerably. For a CDI ignition, NGK BP or BPR plugs are an excellent choice.

    Using fine tip plugs with a points/coil setup is a hard to beat option to enhance the combustion process, and helps considerably with cold and hot starting the engine. I have installed a lot of fine tip plugs in Ferraris, Maseratis and Alfas with inductive ignition setups over the years and am very happy with the results.

    If you encounter fouling with fine tip plugs, your fuel air mixture might be way too rich or the ignition advance is too retarded to complete the burn phase.

    Best,
    Adrian
     
  20. aenglish87

    aenglish87 Rookie

    Jun 10, 2014
    43
    Tampa, FL
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    Alex
    I see this thread hasn't had anymore activity since 2010. I'm wondering if there is any more consensus of opinion on this topic of best spark plugs for 308s.

    My newly purchased 84 308 QV had a compression test done as part of the PPI and I asked them to go ahead and put fresh plugs in it while they were doing it and the Ferrari shop in Arizona where the PPI was done put in NGK BP8ES plugs.

    I had not done any research on plugs prior to this and had just assumed there was a universal preference or "correct" plug to use and of course since then I have read via various threads that is not the case and there are a variety of plug specs and opinions and preferences on each of them. It also seems like BP8ES is one of the least used and talked about options (from 5s to 8s and Iridiums) so I am now thinking its even more odd that a 30+ year Ferrari specialists so highly reccomends BP8ESs.
    Is anyone else running BP8ESs? Pros? Cons? What is the 2014 consensus (if there is one) on what the best plugs to run in a 308 QV car?

    Note: The seller noted to me that the car seemed to have "just a touch less pep" when he picked it up from the PPI after the plugs were changed. He kept the plugs that were removed and told me this morning that they were NGK BPR7EIX Iridiums. So it seems that the Ferrari shop actually downgraded the plug quality when asked to put " go ahead and put fresh new plugs in when performing the compression test while you are in there."

    Any feedback is appreciated
     
  21. alhbln

    alhbln Formula 3
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    BP ES and BPR (Resistor) ES plugs are very good standard spark plugs which work for a lot of applications, but from my experience EVX and EIX spark plugs will always work better with points or transistor (inductive) ignition setup for the reasons posted above, so would always recommend using EVX or EIX plugs instead of ES plugs.

    EVX/EIX plugs can be used in a one or two steps lower temperature grade (e.g. 7EIX instead of 8ES).
     
  22. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    I thought NGK numbers were hotter in descending order, the opposite of Champion??

    My BP5ES are a hotter plug than a 6, 7 or 8..

    So, if they put 8s in they went colder, which would be good for Track Use, but 7s would be better around town.

    The 1976 jack bag had a cold Champion number, and a hot Champion number, for this reason.
     
  23. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

    Nov 25, 2010
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    Where is Birdman?
     
  24. alhbln

    alhbln Formula 3
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    Correct, the lower the heath value, the hotter the plug. With lower temperature grade i meant an application where less heat is generated, sorry for the confusion.
    7 is fine for city and country, 8 is rarely needed except for track use or very spirited driving, just as you said.
     
  25. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,212
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    Martin N.
    #50 Martin308GTB, Sep 2, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2014
    Hello from Germany,

    since I don't just own my 308 GTB, but also a classic Alfa Romeo, I'm on alfabb.com from time to time.
    After reading all of your comments on these EIX-plugs I seriously considered trying them as well.
    But after reading this post on alfabb, I have changed my mind.
    Post #5:
    Plug question - Alfa Romeo Bulletin Board & Forums

    O,k it was not an EIX, but an EV-plug, but it makes me concerned about such fine tips.

    I'll stick with NGK BP7ES or Bosch W6DC.

    Regards

    Martin
     

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