• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech

Bosch Plugs

  • Thread starter Thread starter JamesBaumann
  • Start date Start date Jan 3, 2004

JamesBaumann

Member
Nov 26, 2003
624
0
16
Vancouver Island
Jan 3, 2004
#1
  • Jan 3, 2004
  • #1
I am putting a new Bosch ignition in my Mustang this weekend ( Cap & Rotor, Ignition Wires, Coil Wire, Spark Plugs ). I was looking for some recommendations on which spark plugs. I know it won't make too much difference in responsiveness, but every bit helps. Should I go with the standard Bosch Platinum plugs or the 2 prong or the 4 prong plugs? The 4 prong plugs are considerably more expensive (about $10 each in Canadian $$$) but if they increase performance at all then I am willing to pay that. Any help would be appreciated.
 

Jquintel

Member
Jun 8, 2003
194
0
16
Fort Wayne, IN
Jan 3, 2004
#2
  • Jan 3, 2004
  • #2
JamesBaumann said:
I am putting a new Bosch ignition in my Mustang this weekend ( Cap & Rotor, Ignition Wires, Coil Wire, Spark Plugs ). I was looking for some recommendations on which spark plugs. I know it won't make too much difference in responsiveness, but every bit helps. Should I go with the standard Bosch Platinum plugs or the 2 prong or the 4 prong plugs? The 4 prong plugs are considerably more expensive (about $10 each in Canadian $$$) but if they increase performance at all then I am willing to pay that. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
From what i've heard from when i was doing a tune-up, id stick with the motorcraft ones. bosch are sposed to be crap, well thats just what i've heard
 

CruzNlife1

Founding Member
Feb 17, 2002
1,419
0
0
West Palm Beach
Jan 3, 2004
#3
  • Jan 3, 2004
  • #3
just go get some autolites or some motorcraft plugs (Their the same plug)
No platinum, nothing, just a standard plug....
 

Dr_EluSivE

Founding Member
Apr 24, 2002
2,155
0
56
Central Illinois
Jan 3, 2004
#4
  • Jan 3, 2004
  • #4
the advantage of platinums is that the last longer, and burn hotter (and cleaner) For a turbo motor they burn to hot and you want to run standard copper plugs. But for N/A just run whatever you want. My car has had bosch platinums in it since i got it and it runs just fine. I cant vouch for the +2 or +4's though. i would just get standards.

Dr.
 

Lx89Stang05

Founding Member
Oct 18, 2002
1,005
0
0
S.E. Mass
Jan 3, 2004
#5
  • Jan 3, 2004
  • #5
arnt autolites made by ford??? thats what im running on the 2.3 T seem to be good. i was thinking of upgranding the whole ignition system.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,170
17,870
224
Massachusetts
Jan 3, 2004
#6
  • Jan 3, 2004
  • #6
For an N/A car you want copper plugs. Ideally you want the stock motorcraft/autolite plugs. These are the plugs the ignition was designed around and they work best.

Platnium plugs were only developed for long time intervals between replacement. That's why cars like caddys and lincolns came out with them in their cars so they can boast about a 100K mile tune up (trust me, it's all over the owners literature from my '93 Lincoln) There is no other benefit of platnium. It will not make more power.

The 2 and 4 prong plugs are even more of a waste of money. Electricity takes the path of least resisitance. That means it will only use ONE strap every time it fires...usually the same one. So the other straps will just sit there and shield the air/fuel mixture from the spark.

When you get into Boosted or Nitrous cars, then you can look into expensive iridium plugs.
 

nomuffler

Member
Aug 20, 2003
330
0
16
Awash in a sea of decedant luxury and meaningless
Jan 3, 2004
#7
  • Jan 3, 2004
  • #7
http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=3832&highlight=bosch+platinum

I'd get motorcraft
 

JamesBaumann

Member
Nov 26, 2003
624
0
16
Vancouver Island
Jan 3, 2004
#8
  • Jan 3, 2004
  • #8
I will go to my local ford dealer and look at picking up some motorcraft plugs. How do you guys feel about NGK Iridium plugs? Will they give me any type of ignition boost?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,170
17,870
224
Massachusetts
Jan 3, 2004
#9
  • Jan 3, 2004
  • #9
JamesBaumann said:
How do you guys feel about NGK Iridium plugs? Will they give me any type of ignition boost?
Click to expand...

Only an aftermarket ignition will give you a "boost".

Are you N/A or turbo?
 

JamesBaumann

Member
Nov 26, 2003
624
0
16
Vancouver Island
Jan 4, 2004
#10
  • Jan 4, 2004
  • #10
I am N/A, and what do you mean by an 'aftermarket ignition'? I was kind of under the impression that this was an aftermarket ignition.
 

CruzNlife1

Founding Member
Feb 17, 2002
1,419
0
0
West Palm Beach
Jan 4, 2004
#11
  • Jan 4, 2004
  • #11
actually with other factors the same, an upgraded ignition won't do a damn thing for power.... And you are just using tune up parts, Aftermarket ignitions, are like, ignition controllers (MSD 6A Etc.) Distributors, Coils, etc....
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,170
17,870
224
Massachusetts
Jan 4, 2004
#12
  • Jan 4, 2004
  • #12
JamesBaumann said:
I am N/A, and what do you mean by an 'aftermarket ignition'? I was kind of under the impression that this was an aftermarket ignition.
Click to expand...

You just swapped to better tune up parts. You are still running stock ignition controller and coil which puts out the juice.

Stick with copper motorcraft/autolite plugs. They really are the best to use
 

Keasbey

Member
Jun 12, 2003
915
0
16
Montreal
Jan 4, 2004
#13
  • Jan 4, 2004
  • #13
Jquintel said:
From what i've heard from when i was doing a tune-up, id stick with the motorcraft ones. bosch are sposed to be crap, well thats just what i've heard
Click to expand...

In 3 words Bosh PLATINUM SUCKS!
 

JamesBaumann

Member
Nov 26, 2003
624
0
16
Vancouver Island
Jan 4, 2004
#14
  • Jan 4, 2004
  • #14
Mustang5L5 said:
You just swapped to better tune up parts. You are still running stock ignition controller and coil which puts out the juice.

Stick with copper motorcraft/autolite plugs. They really are the best to use
Click to expand...

So, you are telling me that in order to get any type of power or responsiveness boost from my ignition, I would need to change my ignition controller and my coil?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,170
17,870
224
Massachusetts
Jan 4, 2004
#15
  • Jan 4, 2004
  • #15
On a stock 2.3L N/A, you wouldn't notice anything anyway.

At this time your money would be better spent on other mods.

Hell, i still run factory ignition on my 5.0
 

89lx2.3

Founding Member
Oct 9, 2000
316
0
16
Hagerstown, MD
Jan 4, 2004
#16
  • Jan 4, 2004
  • #16
Mustang5L5 said:
Hell, i still run factory ignition on my 5.0
Click to expand...

And according to an article/website I found a while back so does the guy with the merkur that holds landspeed records. They are really good ignitions and unless you need something like a rev limiter or two step Ive heard its best to keep it stock.

and yes bosch does suck. i tried the +4s when they first came out and both my car and my friends car (93 MR2) ran like crap with em. we both switched back after only a few days. stick with the autolites or motorcraft (plus theyre cheaper anyway!) and a stock ignition... save your money for something that will make a difference.
 

Jquintel

Member
Jun 8, 2003
194
0
16
Fort Wayne, IN
Jan 4, 2004
#17
  • Jan 4, 2004
  • #17
Keasbey said:
In 3 words Bosh PLATINUM SUCKS!
Click to expand...
Yeh, when i did my tune up, i just used motorcraft
 

Keasbey

Member
Jun 12, 2003
915
0
16
Montreal
Jan 4, 2004
#18
  • Jan 4, 2004
  • #18
Jquintel said:
Yeh, when i did my tune up, i just used motorcraft
Click to expand...

Excellent choice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

1
Electrical Headlight harness trouble
  • 1985fox
  • Apr 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
191
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 17, 2026
AeroCoupe
96 GT 4.6 w/ dirty spark plug well
  • Mustang Momma
  • Apr 7, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
103
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 9, 2026
LILCBRA
Who the hell puts the wrong spark plugs in a 3.8L?
  • snowstang
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
376
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 3, 2026
LILCBRA
F
1986 mustang no start
  • foxyjamss221
  • Oct 11, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
295
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 13, 2025
foxyjamss221
F
S
Fox '87 GT can't get to stay running
  • spilly
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
26
Views
570
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 25, 2026
CAMTWO1070
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?