Funny - i've got Bosch platinum (regular, not the 4-way or whatever ones) in my 88 SSE and no problems at all... What do the Bosch plugs tend to do?

Bosch plugs are strange because it seems they make the 4 electrodes as a desperate attempt to make sure at least ONE of them fires.

Anyway back to the topic, as long as you stick with copper you should be fine. NGK is decent, and Denso is the best from what I hear most people suggest. As for my Zex kit, I've been planning to get NX jets for while but the whole changing jobs is messing up my money situation.

I just took a look at denso'* web page. This isn't a slam against their spark plugs at all just somewhat of a funny observation. Read that twice before continuing.

I'm thinking the engines they used for the dyno haven't had their plugs changed in many many miles. Then switching to NEW Densos pulls that power back. Look at how the "before" dyno looks, all lopey and with substantial curves in the power during acceleration. This is especially true with the 1999 Jeep and Civic. Its like the weight loss commercials you see on tv where they have them stick their stomach out just a little more durrng the "before" picture. I could do the reverse if I let a set of Densos run in the car for 9000mi then replace them with a cheap set of Champions and point out the horsepower gains. Thats any spark plug manufacturers slogan, "Restore lost horsepower!". RESTORE horsepower, not actually GAIN horsepower. Also, according to them it takes less voltage to create a spark, well no kidding. They use a different material and smaller electrode. Which brings me to the second point. Try this experiment I read. Take a lighter to the tip of a hanger and let it sit. Gets hot but not red right? Now do the same thing to a paper clip. It'll start glowing red before too long. With that in mind in high horsepower applications, how would you like a glowing red "ultra fine 0.4mm diameter electrode" in your engine? To me that is humor and I find it funny to look at and think about. Again its not a slam on their plug, just their marketing of it. For all intents and purposes I'm sure their plug new for new is better than plenty of plugs out there. But to use what apear to be fouled plugs against a fresh set of Densos just to point out how theirs is superior looks like a despirate act to me. If I'm wrong then I'm wrong but before pointing it out laugh along with me

Lets play right or wrong:

We all know that electricity takes the path of least resistance and will "measure" that resistance all the way down to the fraction. Now, would having splitfire spark plugs really make a difference because the electricity would pick only the one that was closest to the electrode and had the least resistance in it. It would end up only going to that one and leaving the others for decoration. Right or wrong?

lol

You paste this question in a way that gives the reader the assumption that you are correct in assuming the plugs have enough of a fault to cause this issue and that we already know the mathematical formula to calculate the resistance required for such an endeavor. Or assume we should take your word for it. Either way it’* a great question but the wording has an assumption of knowledge.

I would say a split fire would have so many variables that it would really require much more than a black or white beginning to a inquiry to its true merits.


My hypothesis based on some assumed knowledge is that it has a somewhat equal separation with a margin of error of up to 30%.

Ty

Yeah its so much more fun when you lead them one direction when everything else points another. For years you've heard how good splitfire works and now it almost makes sense to look the other direction. Makes it more of a difficult question.

:?: :?:

So you feel splitfire is a good plug??

I have used splitfire and it was not eventful but really the question about the traveling of the spark seems a little way out there for the average guy. The next problem is to produce a proper scientific study of a products merit. This would be even further out there considering all the factors.

To give a "simple" answer based entirely on a guess and assuming all your information is correct I would say the spark probably uses both maybe even alternately depending on many different variables.

So wrong it does not favor one pole entirely.

Once again not pure science but the "longer" pole closer by a fraction I assume would wear down then they would be even then they would wear evenly. Or maybe not. Just a guess.

I think splitfire would have your answer.

Ty

I've seen High-speed video of the Splitfire and NGK V-power firing. They do alternate back and forth, so you end up with 2 spark paths alternately during the spark cycle. The design of the NGK is supposed to mean they last longer than the 'split tail' of the splitfire. Manufacturing tolerances and gapping would naturally be better on the NGK if you really think about it.

Not sure about failures of Bosch plugs in the 87-91'*, but we have a theory that they fail prematurely due to the unnaturally high heat in the 3800. Same thing with Bosch O2 sensors. Most of our cars eat them up way too fast, my own included.