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Topic: What spark plugs do you recommend? (Read 1869 times) previous topic - next topic

What spark plugs do you recommend?

Im planning on putting new spark plugs on my bird. Is there ones I should stay away from? ones your recommend? It's an 88 5.0. Thanks

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #1 –
General consensus over observation of message boards throughout the years is as follows:

2.3L turbo-4: Motorcraft, Motorcraft, Motorcraft
3.8L V6: Motorcraft, Splitfire (2-way at least, mixed on 4-way)
5.0L V8: Motorcraft, Bosch Platinum, Autolite

You can see the pattern...generally people seem to be very happy with the regular ol' Motorcraft plugs. I have been using Bosch Platinums (not the +2 or +4's) for years with very good results. They clean up well, at least. Note that the above info is for a general tune-up of a motor with the stock ignition system. Once you get into changing the rest of the ignition system, more elaborate plugs (like NGK's, for example) are the norm.

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #2 –
Are Autolite and Motorcraft plugs the same? Shawn has said they are. A quick Google and Corral search leads to differing opinions.

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #3 –
Motorcraft and Autolite are indeed the same, i forgot the source, but it was a rather well knowledged guy i nthe turbo fords was telling me how Autolite made the plugs for Ford, or something along those lines

basically, what i tell everyone, use the autolites that are called for per car, if your car is mostly stock, or even decently modded, generally, the plugs that the factory calls for works best, untill you get into major mods, where you use your spark plugs for tuning and whatnot
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #4 –
What about accel plugs? bad, good? decent?

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #5 –
honestly dude, stick with autolite plugs, theyre cheap, easy to get, and work great

for plug wires, on a 5.0, run anything you want really, as long as theyre good quality
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Tbird232ci
honestly dude, stick with autolite plugs, theyre cheap, easy to get, and work great

for plug wires, on a 5.0, run anything you want really, as long as theyre good quality


What would be an example of some good wires to use?

Which autolites though? the standard, plantinum or double platinum?

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #7 –
standard autolites im guessing

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #8 –
Wasn't Autolite once a Ford brand, before Motorcraft?

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #9 –
I normally use autolite platinums. I have a set of Taylor wires I am using right now, nice wires!

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #10 –
use the standard

im running standard autolites in my turbo coupe with no problems, and i ran standard plugs in my old turbo dodge, if turbo cars work well with standard autolites, your 5.0's will too

platinum plugs dont offer much more than "longevity", if your plugs die quickly, theres more problems than just the plugs, theres some other issues

as for plug wires, Taylors are great, as are just about any aftermarket wire, many people love to Motorsport wires
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #11 –
Bosch Platinums and taylor wires, works great
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #12 –
To play Devil's advocate I have a set of 1 1/2 year old Champions in my Bird... AND

It just ran the quickest time ever, beating a over 3 year old record that was set on a brand new set(maybe 125 miles) of Autolites. Also it bested the old mark while auto shifting and running a full length belt. It will run a little quicker manual shifting and bypassing the P/S pump. I'm guessing it would have done just as well on Autolites or Motorcrafts though, as we had some seriously high barometric pressure when I made that run.

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #13 –
Mmm, I think I wanna get some Taylor wires for my '85 when the time comes.  It still rocks some pretty crusty Motorcraft's.

Re: What spark plugs do you recommend?

Reply #14 –
what was the run? get into 11s yet?

Quote from: TurboCoupe50
To play Devil's advocate I have a set of 1 1/2 year old Champions in my Bird... AND

It just ran the quickest time ever, beating a over 3 year old record that was set on a brand new set(maybe 125 miles) of Autolites. Also it bested the old mark while auto shifting and running a full length belt. It will run a little quicker manual shifting and bypassing the P/S pump. I'm guessing it would have done just as well on Autolites or Motorcrafts though, as we had some seriously high barometric pressure when I made that run.