What type of spark plug do you use?

[1JZGTE]

After reading the FAQ and speaking to Brian (TDR), I ordered myself some NGK BKR7E copper plugs. I found this place to offer the best prices, be it compared against eBay or Unipart, around £1.71 per plug + a little for postage.

 

http://www.mister-solutions.co.uk/index.asp?function=SEARCH

 

Speak to Jane if you want some plugs

 

Now, although I have gone for copper plugs, I am curious to see what other members use. There is a poll above, so give it a click

 

Edited April 28, 2009 by 1JZGTE (see edit history)

[ClaireRZ-S]

iridium ftw

[1JZGTE]

copper ftw

 

corrected for accuracy :D

[Matt H]

From what i've heard there's pros and cons of each type.

[ClaireRZ-S]

corrected for accuracy :D

 

ha ya fecker everyone can see my original post anyway

[1JZGTE]

From what i've heard there's pros and cons of each type.

 

yep, the FAQ thread is very good on this. i am trying copper since my OEM plugs were denso iridiums if i recall correctly, so will see what happens with a copper plug and smaller gap of 0.8mm.

 

ha ya fecker everyone can see my original post anyway

 

don't know what you're on about

[bigbloodyturbo]

Coppers here.

[1JZGTE]

Will be interesting to see what the big power boys run ie. 450bhp+

[Matt H]

Coppers here.

 

Sh!t, really, cover for me mate why i dump the stash!!

[Matt H]

Will be interesting to see what the big power boys run ie. 450bhp+

 

Well I've just turned into a big boy.. but i don't know what plugs i've got in as yet

[Mcgoo]

I have always used copper until last week when I thought I'd try Denso IK22s.

My initial thought was it was running smoother when cold, but I can't say I've noticed much else. Time will tell.

[Matt H]

I think the general compromise it performance versus life.

 

In which case then go for the performance every time over the relatively small cost of plug replacements

[michel lane]

coppers are great for around 1000 miles , i use them on the cars for tuning and change them for iridiums. I dont recommend denso as the ceramic explodes when you have det . the ngk are far better. £60 for 6 ngk heat range 8

[1JZGTE]

coppers are great for around 1000 miles , i use them on the cars for tuning and change them for iridiums. I dont recommend denso as the ceramic explodes when you have det . the ngk are far better. £60 for 6 ngk heat range 8

 

interesting - on my soarer 1jz-gte, if i am not mistaken, denso's are standard. i have bought some copper NGK's, will see how i get on, although would 1,000 miles in between changes be necessary for a very mildly tuned car, michael?

 

 

I think the general compromise it performance versus life.

 

its the performance bit that confuses me.

 

i keep reading three scenarios.

 

1. in terms of bhp gain, iridiums are better than copper plugs, yet any gain will be quite small eg. 2bhp on a very mildly tuned car

 

2. there isn't really much in it, in terms of BHP gain - this is what NGK UK said when i spoke to them yesterday

 

3. there is a massive difference between copper and iridium...somebody put up a dyno graph showing an increase of something ridiculous like 20bhp on a turbo'd golf pushing something like 400 bhp

 

i am guessing #3 is total testicles, and it is in between #1 and #2

 

opinions on the above?

 

Edited April 28, 2009 by 1JZGTE (see edit history)

[Matt H]

There you go then mate; NGK Iridium

 

I'll click the vote button now!

[Matt H]

interesting - on my soarer 1jz-gte, if i am not mistaken, denso's are standard. i have bought some copper NGK's, will see how i get on, although would 1,000 miles in between changes be necessary for a very mildly tuned car, michael?

 

I suppose on a standard engine, then the standard option would be fine, but when you start tweaking things then everything has be tweaked in harmony including the plugs.

 

its the performance bit that confuses me.

 

i keep reading three scenarios.

 

1. in terms of bhp gain, iridiums are better than copper plugs, yet any gain will be quite small eg. 2bhp on a very mildly tuned car

 

2. there isn't really much in it, in terms of BHP gain - this is what NGK UK said when i spoke to them yesterday

 

3. there is a massive difference between copper and iridium...somebody put up a dyno graph showing an increase of something ridiculous like 20bhp on a turbo'd golf pushing something like 400 bhp

 

i am guessing #3 is total testicles, and it is in between #1 and #2

 

opinions on the above?

 

 

I'm no pro but i'm pretty sure a spark plug isnt going to do what 3. suggests! unless you started off with something totally wrong!

[1JZGTE]

I'm no pro but i'm pretty sure a spark plug isnt going to do what 3. suggests! unless you started off with something totally wrong!

 

i am in agreement with your goodself

 

have any tests been done by members on a dyno showing bhp increase / decrease by changing plugs?

 

[bigbloodyturbo]

i am in agreement with your goodself

 

have any tests been done by members on a dyno showing bhp increase / decrease by changing plugs?

 

 

 

Thats the problem, they're are not too many of these back to back dyno tests around. Most you see are biased one way or the other and this is one of the reasons I'm still skeptical of iridiums as far as them 'making power'.

 

Copper conducts better than iridium but irdium plugs allow the use of a finer electrode which will make a spark propagate easier in difficult conditions (high comp). I'd think it would depend on the application as to whether they'd be better (noticably) than coppers.

[Matt H]

have any tests been done by members on a dyno showing bhp increase / decrease by changing plugs?

 

 

I doubt it mate, would firstly be a bit pointless, but the kinda of BHP differences that there "might" bit from changing plugs couldn't be proven as the difference isn't enough to be conclusive. 2bhp difference on a dyno can occur easily accross two runs on the same set up.

[supragold]

NGK R7434-8 here.

[magictorch]

Just put BKR8EIX's in my BPU+ car

Recommended by Ryan;)

[Steve]

Using coppers here (T67 single)

[Homer]

Iridiums are a waste of money, to date I have never heard a good reason for fitting them. They last only fractionally longer than NGK coppers, but cost 4-5 times as much. There's no performance benefit either.

 

Can anyone explain in technical terms why iridiums are worthwhile? They appear to have more negatives than positives in terms of performance and "should the worse happen"

[johnny g]

IK24s here...

[johnny g]

i keep reading three scenarios.

 

1. in terms of bhp gain, iridiums are better than copper plugs, yet any gain will be quite small eg. 2bhp on a very mildly tuned car

 

2. there isn't really much in it, in terms of BHP gain - this is what NGK UK said when i spoke to them yesterday

 

3. there is a massive difference between copper and iridium...somebody put up a dyno graph showing an increase of something ridiculous like 20bhp on a turbo'd golf pushing something like 400 bhp

 

i am guessing #3 is total testicles, and it is in between #1 and #2

 

I think the only way #3 would work is if the tuning was happening during the test and plug set 1 was only allowing xx psi of boost, so they replaced them with a smaller gap and mapped in more boost.

 

On the same map, back to back, 20bhp gain is a joke.