someotherguy
Even more awesome in person
All true. Except for there's no independent parts stores left, at least around here. I used to shop at them, until they went away. So that ain't my fault! LOL.. once it became nothing but chain operations with crappy service and high prices, that drives the migration to the online market.
$45.81 for 8 CR43TS locally, vs. $26.30 from Rock with the fastest of the 3 shipping options ($23.06 for slowest) and that's before the discount code applied - essentially you could just average it out at about $25. Other than the hassle of returning any damaged/defective parts, there's not much argument for spending almost double just to do business with the local example of a chain location. I get it that the money stays in the community to some degree, because it pays the salary of employees that live in my area, but if the employees are on the whole unhelpful jerks, no wonder the money has gone elsewhere. I have very few good options around here for what you'd call customer service and I live in a huge city with lots of choices! It's sad. Now, how we got there is a subject of much debate, but me spending $45.81 for $25 worth of spark plugs ain't gonna rectify that situation.
The double platinum ACDelcos recommended for my 2006 6.0 have that tiny electrode, and while I wouldn't compare a coil pak ignition to the old HEI in my TBI 7.4, in the particular application they've done just fine. It was way past 100K when I got around to doing the plugs on that truck, and the ones that came out actually looked just fine but I figured it was time to replace. I'd feel a little funny running plugs like that in an "old" HEI for sure. The ACDelco platinums that I chose for the TBI have a normal size/shape electrode, same basic appearance as the CR43TS as you can see in the side by side pic.
I haven't seen problems with regular flavor plugs that have the smooth insulators, but I don't doubt your experience. The E3 plugs are gimmicks of the worst kind and I wouldn't be surprised one bit that someone could have bad results from them.
I'd say the reach on those looks a bit much for any TBI small or big block! What engine are they supposed to be for? Regardless, I wouldn't run them in anything. IMO another gimmick plug and years ago when they came out, the TBI guys tried the +4 plugs and had lots of misfires. Not sure if anyone ever figured out the actual cause, but I'd guess maybe the factory gap was too much for HEI. A CR43TS comes in with .044 preset gap; I don't see the +4's anymore (guessing the gave up on them?) but a regular Bosch plug listed for a TBI 5.7 advertises a preset gap of .054; seems excessive.
Hey! Now that ain't friendly!
Richard
