I found an ebay auction for cheap http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...816384&r=0&t=0

And as a bonus to me, the guy is local so I can even pick them up! My question is, are rapidfires any good? At this price, should I get a set (or two.. or three..) or just stick to regular AC Delcos, or maybe another brand is better than either of them?

 

Rapidfires,splitfires,or any of those fancy designer,fasion plate,hi dollar plugs are expensive trash made so you will spend three or four times as much for something that dosen't work any better than the standard spark plug my choice is autolite or ac standard spark plugs

 

Waste of money, you still only get 1 spark. I just use other brands, not really set on just one. I usually get platinum, they last longer.

 

Do NOT get rapidfires. I had mine in for less than a year, and they had re-gapped themselves significantly. There are several more here in the Phoenix F Body Assosciation (PFBA) that have had the same thing happen to them. I have had the Platinum +4s running for more than a year and have had no trouble whatsoever from them. I realize these are exceptionally expensive plugs, but I felt the car was worth them.

 

In my opinion, anyone who says all spark plugs are the same has probably never used rapid fires. I like them, but being worth the extra cost is something you have to decide yourself. They are quite expensive. If this guy is offering a good price and they're not already fouled, I say go for it. I will agree that some of those high dollar plugs are crap though. *cough* splitfire *cough*

 

Regular AC Delco's worked just as well for me. I trimmed the ground back half way and I get great spark.

 

Well, I think I screwed up the link, but the auction number is 599816384. He's selling them for $1.25 each.. Seems like a great deal, if they're any better at all then regular plugs.

 

Well in my chevy truck I tried rapid fires and didnt like them. Missed all the time and just didnt run well. But I have a hot ignition(mallory dis, msd6a, jacobs ultra coil). Some of the info that came with the rapidfires said they should only be used with stock igntions. I took this set out and put in my chevelle with stock points, they seem to work just fine there.

Myself, I usually run autolites, or a/c delco depending on whats available. Havent had a problem with either. I tried splitfires once too, they did seem to help(idles smoother, SOP felt slightly better) but didnt seem to me to be worth the extra money.

 

Tried'em, didn't notice any difference in performance or MPG's over the regular AC's or Bosch Platniums, or whatever else I tried...all performed the same, IMO.

I just use regular AC's now.

 

Take it from a guy that used to sell auto parts, in terms of all out performance, no "gimmic" plug is worth the increase in price. If you are interested in a plug that will last longer than a standard copper, try a platinum tipped ( Bosch, Autolite, AC Delco, even NGK). If you are after performance, just go with a standard AC Delco or try NGK. I have a ZZ-4 motor in my '84 Camaro, and it loves the NGK's. Some people will say that NGK is for Foreign cars only, but that is ridiculous! In fact, if you want a good deal on a plug that is not a standard design, try the NGK U-Groove. Any good counterperson could find these plugs which have a slight groove on the outer electrode. The price is right too, I got mine fro$1.49 each. If you go to the track and push your car to its limits, you will probably foul or burn your plugs faster than a stock everyday driver. Therefore, a regular fresh set of copper plugs will perform best.

I recently went to the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. I was in the pits and saw the Oakley funny car driven by Scotty Cannon being torn down. I asked a mechanic if I could have a couple of plugs from a previous pass. He said sure and handed me three Champion spark plugs, and they were a standard coppper tipped plug.

 

Ok, you guys talked me out of buying "trick" sparkplugs. I'll probably go with good old ACs or maybe the Bosch platinum. I'm curious about the above comment though.. What does cutting back the ground accomplish? Wouldn't this increase the tendency to misfire, since you're moving the electrode surface away from the ground?