What are the best spark plugs to buy for a 1996 Classic?
I want to increase my mileage

and performance chips? what is the best one to get?


Thanks!

I'm interest in this also. Would like to know if anyone has used the E3 spark plugs?

Performance chips do absolutely nothing on this engine.

As for plugs, any XJ below 1999 will run best on the factory Champion Copper plugs - RC12LYC, 0.035 Gap - good for your wallet too.

Bosch Plugs, especially the E3 ones do not do well in this engine

Chips are an expensive paper weight and def champion coppers. Its not a picky motor. I just paid 7$ for em and they work fine

That's great to know. I have been really thinking about trying them. I will save the money for something else.

Honestly for doing a tune up every 50k miles (and that's early)...extra cash for plugs really isn't a big deal. I put e3 plugs in my 99 Cherokee and it drives like a champ.

Exactly what you read here. Dukie has it right. There is no shortcut to good mileage.

Skip the chip and use Champion coppers for your 96 4.0 engine. Stay away from Bosch and E3 plugs; they will not help you, and in certain situations (not all) can actually misfire.

Be sure all tuneup parts are fresh. Plugs, wires, cap and rotor with brass contacts (not aluminum).

Use a bottle of quality fuel system cleaner every once in a great while to help optimize the spray patterns of the fuel injectors. BG44K and Techron are my favorites here.

Most xjs will get somewhere between 15-21 mpg, depending on engine efficiency, how you drive it, outside temperature, etc.

E3 are gimmicks. Put what the factory reccommends, champion coppers. Ive changed 3 sets of "expensive" plugs that havent lasted 20,000 miles before they started misfiring.

X2 on our engines OEM is best lol.

Also chips and upgraded plugs work with newer cars and tunner cars or ricers

/thread.

Dukie,

are the Champion RC12ECC ok to use too?

jbossnack,

I hope Dukie does not mind me answering for him. The best thing to do is to look under your hood and see what the sticker says to use. The sticker is above your brake booster. The RC12ECC are the correct plugs to use if you are running a 99 with an inline 6. The 2000's and up use an NGK Plug.

All xj run better with champion plugs not just 1999 and earlier,but NKG plugs work too.

I know it's academic at this point, but there is no "chip" in 96+ of any make, OBDII tuning requires a tuner. This is just an FYI for those that don't know.

I guess I was not understood well enough. Put what the sticker under your hood on the firewall above your brake booster says to run and you will be good to go. Unless you have a different motor in your vehicle than was installed in the factory. In such case, find out what the manufacturer of said engine recommends.