toxictv

I am going to be replacing my spark plugs, wires, and a few other ignition system items soon.

I did a search and found that a lot of people recommend going back with OEM plugs and wires..But I also found a thread claiming that TorqueMaster plugs provide a noticable difference over stock plugs, and that Vitek wires are better.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...lug-wires.html

This was in '04. I'm wondering if anyone can provide an update on how the Vitek wires and TM plugs are doing.

Thanks!

Thermactor

iTrader: (1)

People use the stock ignition cables and brand of plugs (maybe a heat range cooler) for highly boosted applications. If they have success with the system under much more stress than unmodified, why bother with the gimmicks? Aftermarket gimmick miracle wires and plugs don't help in our application.

I have never seen any quantifiable difference made by "upgrading" to miracle plugs or wires.

If you have too much money to spend, spend the extra on the basics: coolant temp sensor, clean the throttle body and MAF (95+, don't touch the 90-94 maf), a fuel filter, maybe a fuel system cleanser. That'll make a difference, unlike the miracle plugs that They Don't Want You To Know About (tm)

acidfire52

+1
You will see very little difference with "better" aftermarket plugs and wires. They just cannot effect the system that much.
Toyota designed the entire car, cannot go wrong with OEM.

Thermactor

iTrader: (1)

Denso and NGK Iridium plugs are outstanding and of the highest quality - and since they're OEM for newer Toyotas, would work wonders in our cars. I run them in all of my cars

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

NGK iridium plugs and NGK wires for my car.

steveski

True I went with Denso Iridium to replace platinum with OEM wires. At first I thought there was a difference but is was in my head for sure.

I saw the TorqueMaster but didn't want to swap.

Thermactor

iTrader: (1)

Here's a sweet review of the PulStar plugs:
http://www.carbibles.com/productreviews_pulstar.html

I suspect that the TM(bater) plugs are just as awesome

steveski

Didn't see that article before

toxictv

Thanks for the info folks. Anyone have the denso/ngk part numbers for a '91?

I'm fully capable of looking it up, but I like to double check that I'm getting the right stuff.

19psi

if you want the most power and mileage, get a copper plug. that's right, copper, not platinum, iridium or any other kind of unobtanium, but plain old copper.
i'll explain why if anyone is interested.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

explain (im gonna guess copper is one of the best conductors)!!!! when did u get rid of ur old 1LS?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

copper is a much better conductor than iridium or platinum, but conversely, doesnt last as long.

19psi

over a year ago.... I still miss that one though.
indeed. Copper makes a better spark because it conducts current better due to lower resistance. the drawback is that each time it sparks, a tiny bit of copper is lost; this is why iridium or plat last's longer, they are harder metals, so they lose less material with each spark event..
they were originally designed due to the difficult access on modern cars; the mfrs needed a plug to last as long as possible so that customers wouldn't be paying 4 hours labor or more just to do a tune up because of having to remove intake plenums. (think ES300/RX300).

ck90211

Just bought a 95 w/150K miles. Previous owner changed to NGK plugs about 5K miles ago, but did not change wires, coils & distributor caps (those were done at 90K when his parents still had the car). Should I change those things at 150K (60K from last change), and what improvements might I get? The engine still runs pretty smooth but since I am new to LS my smooth is probably laughable to long-term owners. Thanks.

19psi

depends on what kind of shape they're in. coils you don't have to change until they're dead.
wires should be changed if they're cracked or brittle.
caps should be changed if the contacts are worn.