Mechanic wants to put Bosch XR4CS Plugs in my 328

the XR4CS plugs were in my rebuilt 328 motor that i got from TRutlands in October--after 200 miles I replaced them with 8EIX and the car ran A LOT better.
But if it makes your mechanic happier--change them afterward yourself--its only about 65.00

 

Shouldn't be a problem using the Bosch XR4CS (it's one of the options listed in the 328 OM), but it's just a "standard" plug ($2.19 each retail from www.clubplug.net -- what's your Shop's price?).

I think too many people have reported good results with the NGK EVX and EIX plugs in 328 and TR (which also specs that same Bosch plug in the OM) to believe your mechanic's opinion (and I can't recall a single "bad" report) -- more likely an inventory problem he's trying to reduce

 

$10.85 each -- GRRRRRRR!

But I should correct a mis-statement in my previous post -- it's the NGK equivalent (DR7EA) to the Bosch XR4CS that's $2.19 each. Still, IMO $10.85 each for a standard electrode plug is getting unreasonable (i.e., even if no one along the supply chain is marking it up unfairly then the supply chain is just too long for that brand and I'd go to a different brand).

 

The Bosch XR4CS is a silver electrode plug. They are more expensive than your typical standard electrode plugs. The silver electrode plugs were standard equipement on various BMW's. $10 is not outrageous for these plugs, the BMW shop I used to work at would charge $18 for an XR4CS, and that was back in the '80s

Brian

 

I have 2 full sets that I will GIVE away ( Bosch)

 

Motob and/or Charles -- Can you confirm the center electrode diameter for the XR4CS? Is it 2mm or something smaller? Would you have a jpeg of the business end? TIA

 

Michael,
who knows...but everyone seems to be having excellent luck with the NGK's.....I would be inclined to stick with what works. I'm using the EVX and will switch to the EIX next go around.

 

Not that I am in any way suggesting one plug over the other, but most spark plugs are just improvements made over time of the original plugs made in the late 1890's.

You may have read the following privious, but it may give some information that you may present to the mechanic and see if the use of the other plug can be justified.

http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/technical/iridium_spark_plugs.htm

Hope this helps rather than confuses ...

Best wishes

 

Steve I'll try to measure one tomorrow--i have a lightly used set here (500 miles) and a new unused set in my new replacement motor that came in today. I will be taking them out and installing the iridiums in it. will post info late tonight or tomorrow

 

Mike:

I don't see any reason that the newer plug may not be used in your car as long as the length of the threads are the same and the heat range is the same.

The primary advantage of the iridium plug is less resistance within the plug and reduction of the electrode wear or increase in the number of cycles the plug will withstand without having to be replaced - whichever way one wishes to say it. The makers claim less taxing of the electronic ignition due to less resistance among other things: I don't doubt them.

The iridium plugs are being seen to have more and more applications as the primary audience when introduced were high rev motorcycles. Today there are cross references to a great number of automotive applications.

If you have a question in your mind go with the Bosch ... you seem to have the maintenance of your car in mind and will probably change the plugs again well within the life cycle of the Bosch plugs. Peace of mind is worth a ton of money.

There are not any engines that require the new plugs to my knowledge. The plugs are being used as OEM parts on some motorcycles and in several makes of automobile, but none of those products exclusively require the iridium plug.

There really is no "new" technology about what this "new" plug does it still does the same thing that the first spark plugs did. The "new" in this instance is the method of manufacture of the plug and the metal used in the electrode.
Remember when the Platinum plugs were new ... not all that long ago.

Plug technology moves more to the beat of the engine and ignition than the other way around.

Breif history: The electronic ignition in a road car began at Marelli in 1967 or there abouts in a effort to counter the fouling problem experienced by the engine in the new Dino 2000 (Fiat). The engine in the Dino was designed by Fiat/Ferrari directly from an engine originally designed for racing. The new variation of this "racing" engine was placed in a road car with a conventional ignition and very cold plugs. It fouled the plugs with extraordinary speed when used as a "grocery getter." Actually, the car had to be driven like it was a race car to keep the plugs clean for any period of time.

The electronic ignition (transistorized at the time) was the answer to the fouling problem by generating gobs of volts to fire the plug. Problem with this type of ignition? It ate the plugs away at an accelerated rate. As the electronic ignition was further developed, the plugs had to get better. Then came the turbo engines which placed more stress on the poor spark plug. The change in the plugs was primarily in the metals used in the electrodes. The plug manufacturers used chrome alloys, silver, gold, platinum and sundry other metals in an effort to reduce the resistance through the plug and increase the longevity of the electrodes. So here we are, the newest metal in this race towards perfection is iridium.

Best wishes

 

Steve, Mike--this is a 500 mile used plug--the electrode is .055" diam

 

Thanks very much Charles -- sort of in-between the 2.0 mm standard and the 1.0 mm (low-end exotic) Palladium (but at $10.85 each, I'd still say the EVX or the EIX are the better value --JMO).

 

Not true! Corvettes had electronic ignition as an option before 1965. I've got one of these early units kicking around my garage somewhere, as I bought it decades ago to put on my 1972 Corvette.

 

Check out the following link:

http://www.magnetimarelli.com/history/1960.htm

shows a picture at the top left hand of the page ... scroll down to 1968 for additional information.


What is the name on your unit and the model number? I would be interested in knowing what it is just for my own education. The only electronic device that I am aware that was being tested in 1965 was a CDI on a motorcycle.

I know that there were some tests of various electronic units for differing applications, but I have never heard of an electronic ignition as early as yours available as an option through GM.

Addendum to post:

Found the following that does show "transistor ignition system" as an option at $73.75! Interesting ... may not help Mike, but it may be interesting to find out the history of this unit.

http://www.netvettes.com/1965.html

Hot dang, ain't the web wonderful! Just found a site with the history of the ignition you describe ... I'm older than salt, but still learn something new every day ...

http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/article1.htm

Thanks,
Best wishes

 

FWIW, I installed the DR8EIX's in my 85 Tr this past Sat replacing XR4CS's and they made a HUGE difference. Very nice plug. $8.25 a pop from my local Allied. Best hundred bucks I've spent on the car.

Kenny K.

 

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I have a few boxes of the XR4CS new (they also fit a BMW E30 M3)....they are $6.50ea.

 

Mike--let me know which way you go--The irridiums are going in my 328. I should have a full set of brand new xr4's in my new 328 motor that I just got in (will pull them today) and i'll send them to you for 20.00.