The Autolite sparkplug thread.

[musclemerc]

OK, some of you know 4 member's got free Autolite XP104's from Motorking and at his request he wanted us to post our thought's on them. Well I got around to doing the install today along with a few extra parts and here's we go. At first look at the plug itself I thought man the electrode is awfully small, it's literall the thickness of grandma's sewing needles so how much spark could it possibly give over stock right. I checked the gap before the install and they were all within the factory range .052~.056 so that was'nt an issue, I also checked and double checked for crack's on the plug's themselves again no problem. So I get done with the work and go for the crank test and it took anout half the time it normally takes to fire, my idle was so smooth I actually had to turn off every inside acessory to hear the motor run. So I go for a ride and the throttle is definately showing to be more responsive, but the test is when I get to this intersection to cross onto a busy road and there's alot of on comming traffic. I'm thinking this is the perfect time to go WOT and see what she's got, so i'm off and the Merc moves like a bat outta hell, all I could do is grin, it responds like it never has it just kept pulling and pulling. I give these plugs two thumbs up they worked for me and will probably do the same for you. In closing I would like to thank Motorking for introducing me to these plugs and I will definately reuse them in the future. :burnout:

[Krytin]

I've been using the XP 103's for over three years now with excellent results!

[justbob]

I can't remember if they are XP's or not, but I recently used 103's gapped at .32 and rate them the same or better than motorcraft copper's.

[jdenning002]

How about for SC appliacations?

[justbob]

Thats what my 103's are for.

[Blackened300a]

I switched to the iridium autolite plugs recently and they do work great. The long term will tell the tale.

[Vortech347]

I love magical spark plugs.

[offroadking208]

i have some XP 103's waiting to go in right now. they've been in my trunk since MV7 when i got my tune.... :o just been too busy to get to them

[FordNut]

Jay sent me the XP103 plugs, which are 1 step colder than stock, since I'm blown.

First observations: They do not come pre-gapped to the tight SC gaps like most iridium plugs, and the box specifically states that they should be gapped to the specs for the application. When gapping them, it is really easy to measure the gap. The positive electrode is about the same as any plug, but the negative electrode has a little platinum nipple on it facing the positive electrode. Standard electrodes can be hard to measure if the negative electrode isn't perfectly perpendicular to the positive electrode. The little tip on the negative electrode should provide better control of where the spark actually occurs since it provides some focusing. There also should be less shrouding of the flame kernel due to the shape of the negative electrode, it is beveled at the tip instead of flat across the surface. One negative I noticed, maybe not that important but most high end plugs these days come with a protective sleeve slipped over the threads to prevent damage to the tip of the plug. I believe NGK uses cardboard while NipponDenso uses plastic. These plugs were just put in the box.

Today I swapped them out, nothing magical just a plug swap using the proper techniques. A little bit of thread lube, torque them to 10 ft-lb. Fired it up and it started right up, idled smooth. Just like before. Drove it in a variety of conditions, car ran fine. No missing or other problems. I didn't take it WOT, can't do that on the street. First impression is that they work as good as the NGK TR6IX plugs I took out. Maybe I can get it on a dyno soon and see if it lost any power, but it doesn't feel any different on the street.

[Big Black Beast]

I can't remember if they are XP's or not, but I recently used 103's gapped at .32 and rate them the same or better than motorcraft copper's.

Er, that seems like a smallish gap to me...

[FordNut]

Er, that seems like a smallish gap to me...

He's blown, it requires a smaller gap. I run a 0.025" gap.

[Kennyrauder]

I have a Reinhart install Vortech. I change the copper top Motorcraft Plugs every 10K miles. I would love to find a plug that would last longer.. ie. Iridium or Platinum.I worry about thread wear even at 12 PSI torque.Don't wanna strip a head !!!!!Mucho Grande Dollaros. Heck I ain't even Spanish!!!!

[Big Black Beast]

He's blown, it requires a smaller gap. I run a 0.025" gap.

Oops. Forgot. I was thinking NA.:o

[Bradley G]

especially when they cost ten times what they should.
I love magical spark plugs.

[Black_Kannin]

I'm sold on the XP'z but when I went toa given link I didn't see a price...How much we talking for a complete set?!?!

[cougar9150]

Iridium plugs will only last longer in a N/A applications from what a couple of tuners have told me.

For SC/Turbo/N2O cars you are better off sticking with Copper because you will still need to change out the Iridium plugs about every 10k.

[musclemerc]

I'm sold on the XP'z but when I went toa given link I didn't see a price...How much we talking for a complete set?!?!


RockAuto has them right now for $4.66 each with a $2.00 rebate on each limit 16 plugs per order for the rebate.
I just ordered a set for my 2007 F-150 SCREW

[FordNut]

...you will still need to change out the Iridium plugs about every 10k.

Not true... I ran a set for over 30k, they were fine when I took them out so I re-gapped them and stuck them in the wife's NA Marauder.

[Big Black Beast]

Not true... I ran a set for over 30k, they were fine when I took them out so I re-gapped them and stuck them in the wife's NA Marauder.

Lol! They're good enough for her anyway...:rolleyes:

[FordNut]

Lol! They're good enough for her anyway...:rolleyes:

Much better than the OEM ones which had well over 100k on them.

[Mr. Moto]

So I go for a ride and the throttle is definately showing to be more responsive

I installed the XP104's from Motorking and I thought it was just me with the car being more responsive. But now that I see you have had the same results I can honestly say I noticed a big improvement in the responce after the install of the plugs.


my idle was so smooth I actually had to turn off every inside acessory to hear the motor run

I still have a rough idle but that is another issue all together. The rough idle was there before the plug install. I am going to have a motorvac done in the next week or two. If the motorvac doesn't help the idle I will be replacing the IAC.

[cougar9150]

...you will still need to change out the Iridium plugs about every 10k.



Not true... I ran a set for over 30k, they were fine when I took them out so I re-gapped them and stuck them in the wife's NA Marauder.


I stand corrected, it's not from my personal experience just what I was told by a couple reputable tuners. Will have to wait for the Eaton to find out first hand.

[shannon corkill]

I installed the plugs today after I checked the gaps, several were a little off. It was easy to change the plugs and the car started up quickly. The throttle response is noticeably improved while parked. Due to wx here, I was not able to drive it around. I can tell you that was a big improvement in the idle and start up. Thank you for the plugs! I can't wait for the rain and snow to go away to I can try out the plugs on the road.

[musclemerc]

Glad you had a good experience with these plugs in your MM too!

[GreekGod]

I was told to always use copper plugs in a supercharged application.

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[SmokdMercRauder]

Im goin to install my eaton in the next few weeks, would you guys recommend these over the motorcraft awsf-22c...

[musclemerc]

Maybe Fordnut can chime in with an answer since he's the only one running them with a SC. BTW when you gonna get done already SmokdMercRauder?

[SmokdMercRauder]

I know i'm slacking..I had a few projects I had to get in and out before mine. While I was doing those, I bought a bassani x pipe which took some time to locate, i'm going to do the exhaust this week. Mainly the headers and x pipe then take it to mandrel bent solutions to get some 2.5 stainless tailpipes made up and x-pipe extended/installed.. I'm probably going to put slowmaster 44's on the car...lol..Then back to the shop for the eaton install...I hope to have it all done by mid april...Right around track time...

[musclemerc]

Send me some pics when the work is done. That this should be a beast!

[SmokdMercRauder]

No prob. I noticed theres a, supercharged sparkplug thread aswell..

[FordNut]

Maybe Fordnut can chime in with an answer since he's the only one running them with a SC. BTW when you gonna get done already SmokdMercRauder?

xp103 are working fine for me.

[shannon corkill]

I finally drove the Marauder after putting in the new plugs, what a huge improvement in the seat of the pants sensory. Reminds me how the car felt when I drove it off the dealer lot in 2002..Can't wait to have the time and money to put a blower and full exhaust now. In the mean time I will do a cold air and tune next. ..I am going to have Dennis do the work when I have the money...I have to get body work and new paint done to my A-100 first. Oh well I put the Marauder back in storage until wx improves. Thanks again MOTORKING!!!:banana2::banana2:

[justbob]

Im goin to install my eaton in the next few weeks, would you guys recommend these over the motorcraft awsf-22c...
I couldn't tell all that much of a difference. They work just as well or better for half the cost of the now part number SP 505 ford copper.

[CBT]

I put xp 104's in Thursday night, cannot tell a difference. I also put on a sandblasted clean spare upper intake. So, "new" upper intake, newplugs, no difference.

[Go2GuyFL]

Put XP104s in both cars ... Reinhart retuned each to richen up as they were running too lean when replacing stock. They seem to run smoother, quieter, and lightning quick response when popping the pedal. Thanks for the great recommendation, y'all!!!

P.S. You can see vids and chart here ... http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=61423

:burn:

[musclemerc]

Looks like they have been a good choice for plugs. Glad to hear they worked well for your MM's.

[motorking]

I was told to always use copper plugs in a supercharged application.

============================== =====
Old school thinking, you can use Autolite XP Iridium with boost or NOS. Much better spark at lower required voltage!

[musclemerc]

Glad to see you chime in. I hope all is well Motorking.

[fastblackmerc]

Finally got around to installing the Autolite XP-103's that Jay, aka Motorking, sent me. They replaced TR6 V-Power plugs. Did the usual torque, antisieze, dielectric grease, etc. Did find one of the wires to a coil had a bare spot, so some electrical tape was in order. Also installed new coil cover gaskets, a clean airfilter for the JLT and washed the Outerwears filter sock.

Will take it for a test run shortly and report back


Thanks Jay for the plugs!! :beer::beer::beer::beer:

[fastblackmerc]

Well just got back from a test drive.

Can't say there is any difference with these plugs as opposed to the TR6 V-Powers I removed. Does idle a little smoother though. Needed to change the plugs anyway.

BTW... it is nice to hear the "click" when reinstalling the coils, knowing there is good contact between the plugs and coils via the GMS connectors.

[Motorhead350]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I second all of that.

[FordNut]

I'm still running the XP103 plugs. Just took them to 7000 rpm, 751 hp, 17 lb boost. No signs of breaking up, missing, or any other issues.

[musclemerc]

My XP-104's are still going STRONG too, they have proven to be a reliable plug in my MM

I could only wish to know what 7000rpm feels like in a MM... WOW!

[blazen71]

I just priced out a set of (8) XP 104's on RockAuto.com. Shipped price is $41.40 and Autolite has a $2 per plug mail in rebate for a grand total of $25.40.