Spark Plugs

[GreenMachine]

I was wondering what plug you guys perfer. I have been running Motorcraft SP 500 but i found out today those are fairly cold plugs. The medium heat is SP486 i believe. I havnt checked on high heat plugs. Trying to decide if i should switch over and wondering how much it would effect mileage.
Thanks!!

 

[nitrofan1]

The plug's heat range is not how hot the plug burns the fuel. It's how fast the plug's ceramic with get rid of the heat generated from the plug's firing. To get a better burn higher heat range plugs will help some but to get the maximum out of the combustion stroke get a higher voltage coil. Accel makes the perfect one and is part #140036 for 96 & newer 4.0L's. You can usually get them cheaper than a stock coil on eBay. I got one last month and it works great.

If you want the best plug try the NGK irridium. It has the best electrode I've seen in 24 years of Auto Parts experience.

Hope this helps!

 

[beaujt]

i don't suppose ya know if a guy can get a hold of a higer voltage coil for a 93 4.0L?

 

[GreenMachine]

Here is the Accel link looks like the 93 would be 140035

http://www.accel-ignition.com/pdf/CoilsFord.pdf

How does heat range effect power and mileage?
How did that coil effect power and mileage?

 

[GreenMachine]

And did you go with Accel wires too or did you stay stock?

 

[nitrofan1]

The higher the voltage, the hotter the spark. A stock voltage coil is good but when the coil get's years of use it's just not getting the job done. It may still be in spec but if it doesn't deliver a hot enough spark it won't burn fuel as efficiently. The Accel coil is 20% stronger than the OE coil and a hellava lot more powerful than say a 10 year old coil.

As for wires I chose MSD 31119's. The have almost no resistance and are 8mm + in size. It's always better to get the least resistance wires. That way the spark won't degrade as it travels to the plug. Plus the MSD 31119 are pre-cut with OE boots. A lot of wires are close to OE fit but why spend $$$ on almost?

 

[Horsepen]

New Plugs for me

I don't want to hijack the OP's thread, but I just replaced the s-plugs in my
'02 4.0 SOHC Ranger. Pass. side accessed via the fender well as usual. Just want to see if anyone wants to comment on the following. With 83K miles, (bought the truck used) I took out Motorcraft OEM plugs and here's the rub. They were perfect in appearance, but all were gapped at between .070 and
.075 and one had a loose ceramic insulator. I put in new Autolites gapped to .055 and used anti-seize on the threads. Truck ran well before, but it runs great now, with a smoother idle, better acceleration and what seems like better mileage. Any comments are welcome on the loose insulator thing. Thanks.

 

[pishamus]

If you haven't spent your money yet, check out something brand new (Nov 08), from Granatelli Motor Sports. They have a new coil pack for Rangers up thru 09. It is their ProSeries coil, putting out 60k (Accel is nowhere close). Additionally, they have sets of their new MPG wires, at zero (yes, zero) ohms, and NO RFI. I'm not where I can give you the part numbers, but call their toll-free number. Both coil and wires cost me $170 plus $14 shipping. Their patiented RFI system is remarkable. I'll be installing them this coming weekend, baring rain, with Bosch's IR Fusion plugs, p/n 4505.

 

[daniel3507]

If you haven't spent your money yet, check out something brand new (Nov 08), from Granatelli Motor Sports. They have a new coil pack for Rangers up thru 09. It is their ProSeries coil, putting out 60k (Accel is nowhere close). Additionally, they have sets of their new MPG wires, at zero (yes, zero) ohms, and NO RFI. I'm not where I can give you the part numbers, but call their toll-free number. Both coil and wires cost me $170 plus $14 shipping. Their patiented RFI system is remarkable. I'll be installing them this coming weekend, baring rain, with Bosch's IR Fusion plugs, p/n 4505.

let us know how you like them when they are installed. im wanting to replace my coil pack.

 

[daniel3507]

gave them a call and it turns out the coil pack is for 2005 and up but they do have the wires that run $75

 

[pishamus]

Then try a site called "performance distributors" for their Screamin' Demon Coil. It is rated at 45k, and is available back to '90 models. However, their wires are only as good as everyone else's HIPO wires - except Granatelli's. The p/n for the Screamin' Demon Coil is 31738, models '90 thru '01. Their MSRP is $89.

 

[shadetree]

On a stock engine, use the plugs and coils that came with the engines. They are perfectly more than adequate for the rpm the engine will be running. Same for plugs. Hotter spark and different plugs will do very little, in most cases, nothing for performance or mileage.shady

 

[pishamus]

Basically, I agree with Shadetree, on a stock engine. For myself, I have a storage room full of parts that will be going on this summer, so an upgrade makes sense for me. Also, if an individual is faced with replacing his stock coil/wires anyway, spending a few extra dollars isn't a bad thing - especially if other parts might be added in the future.