Spark plug question

[96Toyo_Gracia]

The last two sets of sparks plugs that I've changed I've put Denso Iridiums in both times. Its about that time again and I was changing my oil today when I happened to notice a convenient little note under the hood "use platinum twin ground tip plugs, change every 60k, blah blah blah" I thought about it and the iridiums that I used are single tip.

Heres the question, do single tips vs double tips, or even iridium vs platinum for that matter, make a difference at all or is it just some hype over nothing? I also wonder if anyone thinks brand makes that much of a difference.

-Rob

[bigbird]

welcome to TN.

as far as i know iridium is better and teh dual tip is supposed to give a better spark but it all depends, often times the spark just archs to one tip and not both the way its designed. but this is what ive herd from others.

[wtftoy]

I read somewhere on here that there are no iridium double tips so you're fine with that. I changed my old platinums with ngk iridium single tip and the cars been awesome. And yes brand makes a different, always go with ngk or denso.
iridium > platinum.

[Hajoca]

If you have the distributor less ignition that has one coil for 2 plugs, then the plugs fire twice as many times, once to ignite the mixture before power stroke, and once during an exhaust stroke. The dual tip is to extend the life of the plug to obtain 100,000 km or so. (60,000 mi)

The single tip plug is what I use on my I4 because they are easy to change and inexpensive. I am on my 3rd set of NGK v groove plugs which last for about 35-40,ooo kms (25,000mi).

Later engines for gen 4.5 MZ V6's and then Gen 5 (AZ engine) and on use 'coil on plug' or one coil per plug and is fired only once for power stoke.

[nikita]

At least the Gen 4 V-6 engine does not use the "waste spark" type of ignition, as there is one coil per plug. My 2005 Tundra came with 120,000 mile iridium plugs, so I would imagine that iridiums would be good for that long in a Camry as well. Copper core, platinum, multiple ground electrode and now iridium tipped plugs are all just evolutionary improvements to extend "tuneup" intervals. They do not in any significant way increase power or economy compared to brand new old tech plugs, but last many times longer. Coil over plug got rid of the high voltage wires, distributor cap and rotor, all of which used to deteriorate over time as well.

Performance and economy increases came mostly from super accurate computer control of timing vs the old distributor with sloppy gears and bushings, mechanical flyweights and vacuum servo.

[mmathur98]

Have you guys heard of these new types of spark plugs? Or has anyone tried them?

http://www.pulstarplug.com/

They are supposed to be better than iridiums. But I am a big skeptic.

[jsl222]

^ I saw an ad in some magazine(SCC IIRC) and it increased 11hp over the iridiums on a 350z. I highly doubt that they're a lot better than regular platinums or iridiums though

[nuchieboy]

$25 a plug is crazy!

[ArtCel]

Shoot! I'm no car expert but $25 plugs are worth the money if you can gain 11 hp. That's a simple, very easy mod to gaining 11hp. I find it hard to believe though. If what they claim is true, I wonder what it does on 1mzfe.

[95PimpingCamry]

I highly doubt that you will gain any horse power from a spark plug. The only thing that a good spark plug can do is restore factory power, and maybe last a little longer.