After it's all said and done,witch is the best spark plug for our cars?

 

The stock one

 

im going to say NGK but fsttyms' answer makes alot of sense

 

well being that the stock plugs are NGK i guess that works out eh?

i put the NGK iridium IX like many people on here a while back.. not a single issue..

 

stock was NGK Platinum- advances in mining made Iridium more available for mass use
It gives a little better all around than platinum- gen3 comes stock with Iridium

SO - NGK Iridium IX are used by many here 7 bucks each at parts stores

Usual reminder- seafoam the intake and gas a week before new plugs so they have a clean home to operate at 100%

 

I'm having the valves adjusted so everything will be cleaned before it's put back together.Might just add one in the tank.Gonna go with NGK Iridium IX.

 

adjusting the valves= do a seafoam gas and intake cleaning BEFORE valve adjustment
Crud is on the edges of the valves and will change its reading due to sealing
Clean them and it will set perfect
New plugs appreciate clean piston tops

Give it to the tech well cleaned and ready for new parts- get the most for your money

 

What about the laser iridium plugs? Don't really hear too much bout those? Is that because they're too expensive and ppl dont wanna buy them or are they inferior to the IX plugs?

 

I vote for NGK Iridium IX plugs.

 

^But on what grounds are you votin for IX? I'm just tryin to know why the lasers don't get any love...

 

The helms book says

For J32A1 Engine (non type-s)
NGK PZFR5F-11
Denso PKJ16CR-L11

For J32A2 Engine (type-s)
NGK PZFR6E-11
Denso PKJ20CR-M11

That is all I would use...
I just changed mine a few months back for the first time at 163K miles and the NGK's still looked like they had some like in them, I used the same ones cuz they lasted so long.
They prob would have went anouthr 50K no prob!

 

no they were going bad at 60k miles and will keep working long past that- but not at 100%

the book calls for NGK PLATINUM for gen2- gen3 comes stock with NGK Iridium
gen2 can use the newer better plug-
better metal = better spark and life

Laser refers to how the metals are welded together
We already have the hi tech plugs -dont need the laser weld

 

NGK Iridium IX gets my vote

 

ngk platinum were stock in gen2, gen3 gets iridium

gen2 can use Iridium IX and have excellent reseults

End of thread:

 

^^

what cracks me up are the ppl that are fooled by those four strap plugs..worthless..

 

other plug styles have their place in other vehicles~
The TL with its hi-energy coil on plug ignition,, needs a super fine single wire plug

Test by ziners show denso cost more and wear out in 30 while NGK last a good 60,,
and will run to 100 for the foolish

 

Quick question it might sound stupid but do the IX have to be gapped, I tryed to make the gap smaller wit the tool but it doesn't seem to move, it says they r .044, an our manuels say .040.

 

They are pre-gapped at the factory. Do NOT attempt to gap them. You will most likely break the fine tip and you'll need to buy a new one to replace it. Just install them and call it a day. They will work fine.

 

k, i was using the six sided type one not those stupid round ones by the cash register

 

theyre pre-gapped. Just un-box and install.

 

do LOOK at the plugs to be sure none have somehow been damaged during shipping- all the gaps should look equal

it has occured that one or 2 plug gaps were way off- thats out of millions sold so---

 

the gap of 040 was for the stock Platinum plugs- Iridium IX get slightly different and work fine,,,its all been tested

 

i just got some ngk iridiums today, bout to go put em on in a bit!

 

I'm lookin where to buy some, did you guys buy it online or in stores, cause i cant find stores near by that sell them. The local autozone doesnt, at least online they say they dont

 

O'reilly around here sells them.

 

Go to Kragen, they've got them in stock.

 

Stock, as many have mentioned.

 

well actually its stock brand, and the newer better metal- NGK Iridium

platinum was stock and can be used
but if you can upgrade -why not!

the kragen guys on the left coast are wearing green Orielly shirts now,
and all the store brand products are changed over to Oreilly

 

you have a NAPA in the area speed?

 

Pick up the phone and call the nearest one. I bought mine at AutoZone, $6.99 each.

 

x2

 

Just bought my spark plugs from autozone, and bought the stuff i need to do the seafoam treatment. I guess they did have it haha

 

I'm guessing that they're not as popular because they cost more. The reason for the additional cost is the platinum disc on the ground electrode. Both the laser platinum and laser iridium use a platinum disc on the ground electrode. The iridium ix has a conventional ground electrode. Ngk considers both laser plugs to be 100k plugs, and the ix to be a 50k plug. They do consider the ix to be the "serious enthusiast's choice". I'm guessing most of the people on this forum fit that description in one way or another. Typically a car enthusiast might not let maintenance items go as long as the mfgr. recommends.

 

How much torque should I install them with?

 

iirc its 13 ft lbs BUT check the box--it will also say an alternate method of finger tight plus x amount of further turn
If you have a torque wrench you can see what the current torque is before removal
A small piece of vac tubing is helpful in lowering the new plugs and starting them by hand
Use spark plug anti-sieze `sparingly` around 2-3 middle threads

Handle the coils like Moms best most expensive glass!!-
setting one down slightly hard can cause it damage internally and failure soon after
You DROP it... you bought it~

 

I don't have too much experience with this engine, but I will say that NGK plugs are some of the best made. I use them in everything. Iridium plugs are good for boosted applications and longivety. I have used them in my bike and it did run a little smoother. I have heard nothing but bad things about platinum plugs. That may just be dependant on brand like Bosch Plats are no good apparently.

 

just put in some new iridium ix plugs. rear passenger plug (don't know the number) was a pain in the butt to get to but other than that went smoothly enough. should i reset the ecu?

 

no need to reset the ecu on this job

 

the gen2 came with ngk Platinum, its just that with modern mining techniques- the cost of getting Iridium has dropped and made it available to the public

Before- race cars and airplanes used it in the plugs

 

NGK ZFR5FIX11 for TL-P and ZFR6FIX11 for TL-S for non-laser model#. I just picked up a set for myself.