Bosch Super 4 spark plugs- what do u think

[skelz]

Noticed a fair bit of media around the "New" Bosch super 4 plugs Are they worth the extra money- I am, driving a crown 81- 5me

[Vios-GT_07]

it's been proven that a single head spark plug is "superior' to the multi headed ones like splitfire and bosch super4... i can't find that article anymore but it could be NGK's marketing gimmick..

one thing i noticed about the super4 is they tend to wear out faster than NGKs.. in terms of power well it's all minimal.. it's just spark plugs!

[30psi 4agte]

I feel it is just a bit of a gimic.Dont get me wrong as it may provide some benefits but i have never been a fan of bosch plugs ( thats just me though.) just a steel single electrode NGK are the go for me .

in everyday use platinum or these super 4 may be of advantage but for all out performance steel plugs are proven to be the best !

[bansheebuzz]

NGK all the way

[Andrew162]

it's been proven that a single head spark plug is "superior' to the multi headed ones like splitfire and bosch super4... i can't find that article anymore but it could be NGK's marketing gimmick..

one thing i noticed about the super4 is they tend to wear out faster than NGKs.. in terms of power well it's all minimal.. it's just spark plugs!

How about the newer vehicles, for example, like the 1998+ RAV4's which were coilpack ignition and required a MINIMUM of a twin-ground electrode?

Indeed, for everyday usage, these Super 4 plugs are superior, and in my last ride (the RAV) they lasted 80,000km and barely showed signs of wear, and I hammered the 3S-FE a lot of the time. For a performance-modified engine, obviously you'd use platinum plugs (or iriduim) with a colder heat range like 8 or something. And for decent plugs like these, you'll be paying at least $20 per plug....

If you're just gonna use them for everyday bopping around (based on previous experiences) I'd recommend them even if they cost a bit more. I noticed mine were promoting fuel efficiency as well.. sometimes ~600km per tank (on a fulltime 4WD).

[Adsport]

been using them with ongoing success in n/a and s/c motors for years

[feral4mr2]

i found the super 4's to be absolutely useless with the gze. less power and poor fuel economy. i asked a 'speed' shop in brisbane about it at the time and they told me the super 4's where only 1/2 decent in na engines and did not recomend them with forced induction.

[mtp_69_i]

NGK has a far better reputation than Bosch and is the recommended brand for toyota along with Denso.

[BigBadBenny]

skelz,
you would be wasting your money on super 4's in your 5-me, just stick to the standard NGK, Denso's, AC Delco's, what ever does it for you plug. My personal preference is platniums or iridium's in high performance motors, any thing else your just wasting money.
Regards
Benny

[Vios-GT_07]

super4s in D16 powered civics seemed to be alright but in a very short while like 10,000 kms or less and with a bit of a thrash around, the plugs would come out sooted and a spark test showed it has very little spark on it... and that can't be good coz we could tell when it's gone when the car starts popping during engine-braking...

the NGKs fared better and if the shitty Honda prefers NGKs single head, i figure Toyota will one up and make love to it...

from what i remember the super4s are just a replacement plug, not platinium or long-lasting.. they just cost a bit more than standard plugs but aren't meant to be used for long??

[BigBadBenny]

Your bang on it Vios, the super 4's are not a platinium or long-lasting plug, the Logic behind the design does make sence but the evidence of a better spark is not there, and they are certainly not worth the price tag.
Benny

[oldcorollas]

spark plugs require spark to keep the electrodes clean.
if you are only getting spark on each electrode once every 4 spark eveants (assuming even distribution), then 3 times, you have crap build up on each electrode before it fires next.

the 4 ground electrodes give more options for the spark to go to.. but the spark will ALWAYS go via the easiest path.

if all 4 electrodes are not kept clean, then one by one, they will stop getting spark, until there is only one electrode getting spark, and the others are just sitting there getting dirty and OBSTRUCTING the movement of the initial flame ball to the rest of the mixture....

that make sense?

spark plugs just need to ignite the mixture. proper racing plugs (surface discharge type?) have no obstruction to the flame propogation.
platinum and iridium plugs have less obstruction as the centre electrode tips are small, allowing better access to the mixture.
normal plugs are a bit worse, having a fat centre electrode.
2, 3 and 4 ground electrodes kinda.. well.. get in the way....

[Andrew162]

2, 3 and 4 ground electrodes kinda.. well.. get in the way....

Well if that's the case, why does Denso bring out a twin-ground electrode for certain engines/ignition systems? Or was the above meant in the context of racing only?

[BigBadBenny]

Q8. Why do some spark plugs have multiple ground electrodes?

A8. This is an attempt by the manufacturers to increase the service life of the spark plug. The ground electrodes can wear down rapidly in some engines. Tiny particles of metal are removed from the ground electrode each time the plug fires hence they gradually wear away. There is a misconception that a multi ground plug will produce mutiple sparks - this is not true, only the nearest electrode to the centre (i.e. currenty the longest) will spark, as that becomes worn, another electrode will become the longest and replace it as the sparking electrode.

Q9. Do my multi ground electrode plugs outperform single ground plugs?

A9. In most cases, no. The additional electrodes disturb the flow of gases around the spark plug tip and performance may even be reduced. In addition, for high performance applications the additional metal within the combustion chamber will retain more heat and may be more prone to detonation/pre ignition.



thanks to http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/t...m#multi_ground



Benny

[sebatron]

pure rice.
know how many metals outperform copper in conductivity? not many.
know how many race teams worldwide use anything other than normal copper plugs? probably every single one that isn't sponsored by a spark plug company, and a few extra.

something "trivial" - current will always flow down the path of least resistance.
how that relates? 99 times out of 100, multi electrode plugs will only use 1 electrode at a time. and that 1 time in 100 it uses more, the spark will be weaker.