Author Topic: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp  (Read 6539 times)

marriest

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  • 1969 Camaro Pace Car, 396 cu / 325 hp, #matching
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Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« on: March 05, 2020, 04:08:31 PM »
What kind of plugs should be in a 1969 Camaro BB Pace Car RS/SS 396/325 Hp. It has AC Delco R43 xls in it but the Owners manual says R43 N.
What is recommended?
Terry
Terry

bertfam

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2020, 04:36:10 PM »
Terry, I moved your thread to Maintenance, but if you have a "show car", then you'll need to spend the big bucks on the ORIGINIAL "GREEN RING" R43N PLUGS. If not, then I like Autolite and AC Delco. I stay away from Champion since they just don't last.

Ed

marriest

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2020, 05:40:34 PM »
What is the difference btw  R 43N & R 43 xls
Terry

bertfam

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2020, 05:46:07 PM »
I don't believe there's any difference performance wise. The XLS is just the latest version that's being sold. More info on Delco numbering system HERE.

Ed

Mike S

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2020, 06:03:44 PM »
The XLS allows the gap to reach a little further into the chamber. I run those mainly.

Mike
67 04B LOS SS/RS L35 Hardtop - Original w/UOIT
67 05B NOR SS/RS L35 Convertible - Restored

adjudimo

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2020, 12:28:40 PM »
The XLS is what I use to run in a 396/325. And I agree with Ed. Stay away from the Champion's.

1stgen68

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2020, 02:40:46 PM »
I run R44XL's in my 396 gapped at .40

ko-lek-tor

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2020, 01:05:32 PM »
Little off topic. I have heard the best plug is NGK. I can’t seem to find a number to cross over though?
Bentley to friends :1969 SS/RS 396 owned 79
1969 SS 350 (sold)
1969 D.H.COPO replica 4spd. owned since 85
1967 302 4 spd 5.13

169INDY

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2020, 06:15:24 PM »
396/325 68
NGK Stock No. 2635
G R 4
Jim
68 SS/RS L35 Th-400 LOS
69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

ko-lek-tor

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2020, 10:53:28 AM »
396/325 68
NGK Stock No. 2635
G R 4
Thanks!
Bentley to friends :1969 SS/RS 396 owned 79
1969 SS 350 (sold)
1969 D.H.COPO replica 4spd. owned since 85
1967 302 4 spd 5.13

Charley PHX

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2022, 08:07:15 PM »
Couldn't find the chart linked in #3 above (2020 post)... So I went looking for the document & found it (I think?)...

Updated link (AC/Delco numbering system):  https://assets.sparkplugs.com/lc/ac%20numbering%20system.jpg 

The host site appears to be kind-of a "Spark Plug University" of sorts... Connoisseurs can just go plumb crazy at:  https://www.sparkplugs.com/

Here's another link to multi-manufacturer data:   https://www.sparkplugs.com/learning-center/5-charts-tools

I'll open a new thread with this reference info. under a more general subject heading. ( http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=20356.0 )
Moderators, pls. edit subject title and/or move as deemed appropriate?

ENJOY...

'67 04D (LOS) L-35/M20 Convertible (owned since 1975) - Restored 2013-2022 (Bow Tie 981/1000 GOLD July 2023)
'67 06D (LOS) L-78 Coupe (body) (1979 barn find) - Traded 2018 to my car builder!

HOGDADDY

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Re: Spark plugs for 396 / 325 hp
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2022, 11:24:47 PM »
I have been running Champion plugs (RC-12YC) in my Edelbrock RPM heads per their recommendation for years and never had any problems.
They are 1/4 " shorter for header clearance also.

I just replaced a set and probably wasted my money. The plugs looked ok. They were pretty old.