I don't wish to *spark* a debate but have a question...

I have the following boat and motor...

1991 Stratos 275 Pro Rated for 150hp

1991 Evinrude Intruder

model #: VE150GLEIS
Serial # G O2617071

My question is I need to put new sparkplugs in the motor but i'm getting some conflicting information on what to put back in the boat. Currently the former owner had put NGK's in the motor but I spoke to the dealer and they are saying I should be using champion plugs in the motor the QL77JC4 champion...Just wondering if they are correct or if there is any reason I should still be running NGK'S...and wondering if using NGK's could have caused any problems with the motor...sorry if this info is covered somewhere else but just want as much info on this as I can get...just wanna put what's right back in Thanks guys!

OMC recommends Champion plugs in that motor.

Andy Greene

nothing but champions in an omc,[brp]

Refer to the official factory sparkplug chart on our main page. Don't go by other charts, out of date manuals, or listen to uninformed parts people.

The chart will tell you what plug to use and the correct gap.

Q plugs stand for suppressor plugs. Reason being, for the Radio freq interference of electronics. Ngk and others are only resistor plugs, will and can give erratic spark crossover especially on 60 degre blocks. most of these engines had solid core wires and work best with q plugs. So, yes only these plug for john/ evin. i had a champion rep at a trade show tell me the meaning of NGK; no good kind! AC stands for ;almost champion. i use them all according to what the engine manuf. states in books and bulletins.

Yes it is true that OMC and Bomb have always recommended Champion Plugs. And On My DI motor I have been told that using other than Champion could cause all kinds of issues. OK on the DI and Etec I can buy that.

However, I guess after all these years it will be OK to let the cat out of the bag. Many years ago, a very prominent OMC Tech at their headquarters told me off the record that the NGK would perform much better in my engine. We were talking about the old surface gap plugs which went into a 150XP. After that, I never ran anything other than the NGK and it made a world of difference in how the engine ran for the better.

Champions are not that great of plugs. And the companies (OMC & BOMB) recommendation to use them is based more on politics not necessary performance.

My only point is, on some of the older engines there can be a benefit to running other than a champion. Just depends on what engine you have and what type of plug it takes.

svfetter, what differance in performance did you really see? Did the motor start better or was running better? I have a GT150 and would give these plugs a try if they really helped out. !!!

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by svfetter &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Yes it is true that OMC and Bomb have always recommended Champion Plugs. And On My DI motor I have been told that using other than Champion could cause all kinds of issues. OK on the DI and Etec I can buy that.

However, I guess after all these years it will be OK to let the cat out of the bag. Many years ago, a very prominent OMC Tech at their headquarters told me off the record that the NGK would perform much better in my engine. We were talking about the old surface gap plugs which went into a 150XP. After that, I never ran anything other than the NGK and it made a world of difference in how the engine ran for the better.

Champions are not that great of plugs. And the companies (OMC & BOMB) recommendation to use them is based more on politics not necessary performance.

My only point is, on some of the older engines there can be a benefit to running other than a champion. Just depends on what engine you have and what type of plug it takes.

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Wow that is a pretty broad statement! There were a few select years when the XP/GT's came out that they wanted a surface gap plug and in years past it was a great guffaw with us mods on the plugs to use. NGK's were never in the mix. Collective hands on expierience of the Mods here is close to 160 years. A Ul16V vs a NGK plug in a 1985 motor may be a moot point but..I have seen personally a set of NGK's try and spin a motor backwards. Once OMC went to the T pack power pack on the X-flows Champ QL77JC4's are the proper plug to run in that motor.
With the big block loopers 3.0 V-6 200 and up QL78YC are the proper plug to run in that motor a Ql82yc is a good alternative if you idle a lot as it is a higher heat range plug.

ChamipoNman, In my 1985 GT150 I have been using the surface gap plugs as that is what was in it when I got it and also in the owners manuel these are listed as the ones to use but the QLs are the optional. Am I missing something or is this not right.

CHAMPION FOR LIFE 150 1988 JHONSON GT STILL RUNNING STRONG

The old NGK vs Champion, I thought we had put that to rest. Before Champion came out with the copper core plugs, I did see some improvement, with how long it took the surface gap plug to foul out, using the NGK's with copper core. I even tried them myself, as I did a lot of ideling around with my paper graph. I found the improvement to be minimal. like maybe a couple of hours longer. I could foul a set of plugs in less than a day. This was before VRO, with a 200 cross flow. I solved all of my problems with a set of Champion L77JC4's, yes I know not recommended by OMC, I ran 235's, a 2.6 and several XP150's all with L77JC4 or with VRO the QL77JC4's. All my friends ran these plugs I used these plugs in all my cross flow tune up's and never had one single problem. My motors all ran milled heads and leaned out till the plugs burned a light brown and were run ball's out at tournaments. The early 1991 Intruders came out with QL77JC4's. I just couldn't stay out of this sparkeling conversation.

Good morning Jerry, What octane fuel did you run in your engines, 87 or 93?

Regards,

91 octane, it was the highest around here. I ran the top end timing at 30 degree's. I stayed out of the electric fuel pump conversation. I had to run one with the 235's and the 2.6, the two factory pumps wouldn't keep up. I ran a 1983 235S and the 2.6 6800 RPM when I needed to race someone. The only power head I ever blew up was my 1983 235D, I had a prop rehubbed and it spun the hub and over revved, pulled the top ring off one piston. Please understand that I had no brains back then (and maybe not now either) just an old drag racer turned fisherman.

Lets not get folks started on the hop up craze as we don't do that here. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif There are other web sites for that like Scream and Fly. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

I agree Championman, this is not the place for that and I'm sorry. I know that you are a by the book mech. as you should be. I really was to, like we learned in school. Again I apologize, just an old fool that can't shut up. Jerry

No not that Jerry, doing mods is above a lot of peoples skill sets and if done wrong can ruin a block with just .005" too much off with a die grinder. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif . I've done my share too but only on my motors. It does take away from reliability with each modification you make. It's all good. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Thank you. I'll go eat my Cherrios now. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif

To Championman and Ranger 85

Championman, I would certainly not want to debate your knowledge on these engines. I can only relay my past experience. The Recommendation I received from the OMC Tech was completely true and for me it was a good one.

I owned a 1985 XP150 from 85 to 02. I loved that engine. Still running great when I traded it. I hated the champion plugs. I used the boat quite a bit back in those days and could not even get the champions to last a season. UL77V I believe. Ran nothing but Evinrude XP Oil thru VRO. Used Good Gas. Carbon Buildup was terrible on the plugs even with use of OMC Fuel Additives. After Just a few hours of use engine would miss and sputter at idle. A run at WOT would help for a while but the champion plugs were garbage. Switched to the equivalent NGK upon advise from OMC and it was like a different engine. Idle was smooth and consistant. Throttle response was much more crisp. Plugs would last a season and then some with no fall off in performance. In fact, I got 100 to 200 more RPM on top end with the NGK over the Champion.

Again, Just stating my experience. I run the Recommended Champion plug in my 225 HO. They do not impress me for a platinum plug. Not much else out there that is compatible. I am quite surprised how quickly the gap opens up on them during normal use. However, I am aware that these DI engines do create somewhat of a demanding environment for a plug. At present I am very happy with the overall performance of my engine so I have no desire to change.

By the way - The Mods here are great, and my posting and sharing of experience is in no way ment to be a challenge or questioning of their knowledge. I have learned much from you championman myself. All of you do a great job on this forum. !!!

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Modified by svfetter at 12:53 PM 7/2/2010




Modified by svfetter at 9:15 AM 7/6/2010

I have always liked NGK and still think they are a superior plug to champion... However, all plugs don't cross over exactly and it has been my experiance that OMC motors like the champion and foul the NGKs so my advice would be go with the Champion plug for your best results. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by svfetter &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I run the Recommended Champion plug in my 225 HO. They do not impress me for a platinum plug. I am quite surprised how quickly the gap opens up on them during normal use. However, I am aware that these DI engines do create somewhat of a demanding environment for a plug.
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If your motor has short plug life, the factory approved the use of Champion iridium E-TEC plugs for your engine several years ago. They last a lot longer and are listed in the factory spark plug chart as an option. You can view it here on the forum's main page.

Thanks for all the info everyone many interesting points! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif