Do the spark plugs need to be changed every 50 or 100k miles (for factory installed plugs). Also, are the new MSD and Accel CoP's worth it?

 

New coils arent worth it. Might as well change the plugs every 50k if not earlier. Its only, what, $20 for new plugs?

 

Like Dan said. If you can't change them yourself, I would just leave them in as it is not worth the risk or the cost.

 

For spark plugs, what is the plug # for Champions? Also, for the Motorcraft full thread pieces? I would prefer the Champion plugs since to get them, I only have to drive 5 minutes vs. 20 minutes.

 

The only Champion plug worth a **** has been discontinued; I wouldn't put a Champion in my lawnmower. You can use NGK or Autolite, I'd go with a copper core one heat range colder than stock if it's NA. An Autolite 103 is cheap and would be just fine.

 

well, I disagree. I use Champions in my Mustang and my Sea Pro boat wth an Evinrude 115hp and I've never had ANY issues. Champion make more plugs in different tips, heat ranges and grn electrodes than anyone wth maybe the exception of maybe NGK

now in Motorcraft, most of the 1/2 thread plugs("AW") series have been replaced by the full thread AG series plugs. stock in copper is a AGSF-32C and one heat range down is a AGSF-22C then thers the AWSFA-12C which is 2 steps down from stock but is ONLY a 1/2 thread plug

now in Champion its 401/RS12YC for a stock heat range and a 304/RS9YC is 1 step colder

 

Thanks for the numbers. Would you recommend the 1 heat range lower or should I stay at the same? My only real mod is a set of LT's.

 

I'd go 1 step down from stock

 

I just changed my stock plugs at 65K due to heavy misfires at WOT... do it earlier than I did. I'd say at or before 50K.

As for coils... people keep asking this. Our coils are more than sufficient for just about any street oriented application and most amateur racing. Unless you're running insane boost, leave the stockers in. No sense in replacing the stuff Ford did right the first time just for an upgrade that's not much of a real upgrade.

</my $.02>

 

yup, X's 2
100% right

 

Once last thing, is there any real advantage to run Copper over Platinum? Also, what the #'s for both plugs w/ the Platinum tips?

 

plats are for longivity use, not for performance. now if you want plats in Motorcraft, just drop the "C" at the end and add a "P"

 

And Copper plugs need to be changed every 15,000 miles right?

 

platinum cost 2-20 times as much as copper and don't perform better.

 

Use copper.

 

I am going to throw another angle at this......

If you are a beginner, changing plugs can add risk of having problems. There is more then one post floating around from people who have blown a plug out and stripped the threads because of a plug too tight or too loose. $2.00 plug becomes a big, fat headache.

There is something to the quote "If it ain't broken, don't fix it."

 

I've heard the horror stories, which is why I'm going to invest in a SK torque wrench. Still, can someone tell me the changing interval for Copper plugs?

 

I've seen copper plugs go 20k+ wthout issues.
hell, I just did plugs and wires in my 1996 F150 5.0 yesterday and its been 30k since the last set of plugs and the old plugs gap was only @.060 instead of .050 so in 30k thats only @.010 of gap erosion, thats not to bad.

 

I am looking to replace my plugs in my fairly stock 2000 GT. What plugs should I use that will be the best?

 

you gotta try the search function... we JUST covered this topic.

Autolite 103's. Thank you, drive through.

 

Look down a few posts below for mine titled Spark Plug/Coil Question.

 

NGK TR55's are stock heat rang and a good plug for stock or bolt on cars not running power adders.

 

Motorcraft AGSF-32C's which are a copper core and of the stock heat range or, if you "beat-on-it" try Motorcraft AGSF-22C's which are also a copper core and 1 heat range down from stock

 

If the car just has bolt ons, then you need stock Motorcraft plugs. They will work the best. If you just want something other than stock, go with NGK but you wont feel a difference. Stay at the stock heat range unless you add n20 or boost.

 

Thats why I put this write up together, http://www.dndgarage.net/sparkpluginstall.htm

 

Seriously, search first. Im merging the two threads.

 

Listen to Randy dude. I have a motor running a blistering 11:8-1 compression and Randy has been great in plug recommendations. I use either the Autolite 103's or the 12C's like suggested. I currently am trying a set of ACCEL U-groove P0514 which are I believe 2 steps colder. I require these colder plugs due to the higer compression. Plus copper is a better electrical conducter than platinum. It is basic conductivity principles. As for the coil packs, I have the ACCEL 42,000 volt and didn't notice crap with a difference in them. I have my stock ones in now and the ACCELS on standby in case of a problem.

 

I bought some Autolite Platinum plugs tonight from Wallyworld. This post talks about 103's. On my plugs I dont see 103. On the plug is a 5224, are these just cheapos? I used the suggested plug according to the book.

 

Randy,

I just found motorcraft part# AGSF32FM in my garage. I looked at their website and found that these are for 96-98 GT's and Cobras. Will it cause any problems to put these in an 03 GT with bolt-ons?

 

Autolite 103's are not platiunum plugs, they are copper. So, if you bought plats, there are definately NOT 103's. What you have is probably just an OEM type plug. As long as the book is right, they should be fine.