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Not much to update on - just some general maintenance. It was time to replace the stock plugs after 13,749 miles. I had gotten some random misfires and the powerband was a bit choppy at times, so I figured it was time. Besides, plugs on these cars are suggested to be replaced every 12-15k miles, especially when tuned. Overall, they didn't look too bad. I put in some Denso IKH24s gapped to .024", but a few people I've talked to have suggested closing the gap to .02-.022", which I'll probably do tomorrow night
Overall, the car drives much better then it did. It feels way stronger in the mid-range and the choppiness in the 2-4k rpm range is gone.
Other then that, I've got to pull some logs and send them off to a tuner I've been talking with to see if there's some improvements to be made to the base tune I'm currently running. I'm not expecting huge gains, but I'll be happy if driveability is improved even further.
VW also states the manual transmission fluid (and IIRC the rear diff) is lifetime as well
The 12-15k mile suggestion is not per VW specs, it's recommended by tuners. I'm only running about 5psi more then a factory R, but that will still kill the spark plugs much quicker.
VW also states the manual transmission fluid (and IIRC the rear diff) is lifetime as well
The 12-15k mile suggestion is not per VW specs, it's recommended by tuners. I'm only running about 5psi more then a factory R, but that will still kill the spark plugs much quicker.
What about it is killing the plugs?
The lifetime fluid thing is an argument that rages on for every car. Engineers test these things to several "lifetimes" before they say things like this so it all depends on what is considered a "lifetime". For the stuff we make, we rate the product life at 7 years but test to 21 years. Ain't no one using a medical device for 21 years so any "lifetime" parts will be just fine for much longer than anyone will use the device. I'm not sure I've ever heard of anyone burning out a MT because of dirty fluid. Autos, yes, but not manuals.
FWIW, buttons, switches, wires, hoses, etc are all also considered "lifetime" parts that get regular wear and use. I don't see anyone ever regularly replacing those items...
The lifetime fluid thing is an argument that rages on for every car. Engineers test these things to several "lifetimes" before they say things like this so it all depends on what is considered a "lifetime". For the stuff we make, we rate the product life at 7 years but test to 21 years. Ain't no one using a medical device for 21 years so any "lifetime" parts will be just fine for much longer than anyone will use the device. I'm not sure I've ever heard of anyone burning out a MT because of dirty fluid. Autos, yes, but not manuals.
FWIW, buttons, switches, wires, hoses, etc are all also considered "lifetime" parts that get regular wear and use. I don't see anyone ever regularly replacing those items...
It really depends on the kind of plugs , but I am doing plugs every 5-10k due to them being the copper NGK BKR7Es. For how inexpensive they are compared to Iridiums, I'm okay with that change interval.
Old fluid might not grenade a MT but it will affect shift action and synchro life. All my friends who've turned up boost on their cars seem to eat spark plugs every other oil change. Don't know the science behind it though.
This stuff is so cheap and easy to do that they need very little justification IMO.
I'm just giving you a hard time, man...
that's awesome.
I would imagine just running more air/fuel through it...probably burns a ton hotter than normal and the plugs aren't intended to last as long because of it.
R will be going APR+ hopefully soon. That way I can keep the warranty.
I was just asking why a tuned car would eat plugs more than a normal car. I don't know the science of why so I was asking.
In short - more boost, more timing, and more heat = a stronger spark requirement which results in a shortened lifespan of the plugs.
The iridiums I'm running are heat range 8. The stock NGK iridiums are a 7, so these new plugs are one step colder (or a 24 per Denso's heat ranges). In other words, they provide more resistance to heating up compared to stock.
Replacing them once every 12-15k miles (which is a little over a year for me) is reasonable, since the Denso's are only $9/ea. If I were running the NGK R7437-9s, I'd be a little bit more annoyed since those are $40 each.
I remember helping a friend put an S/C on his Mk4 Jetta 1.8 & he had to go a degree colder on the plugs. I think his issue was them fouling excessively, was back in 2005 & I don't recall fully.
In short - more boost, more timing, and more heat = a stronger spark requirement which results in a shortened lifespan of the plugs.
The iridiums I'm running are heat range 8. The stock NGK iridiums are a 7, so these new plugs are one step colder (or a 24 per Denso's heat ranges). In other words, they provide more resistance to heating up compared to stock.
Replacing them once every 12-15k miles (which is a little over a year for me) is reasonable, since the Denso's are only $9/ea. If I were running the NGK R7437-9s, I'd be a little bit more annoyed since those are $40 each.
Cost isn't a big deal, agreed, but the fact that you have to do it kinda sucks.
More boost, probably, but timing is just a relationship between the camshaft position and the firing of the spark plug, that shouldn't impact #pluglyfe. I need to do some more research into heat ranges...
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
I remember helping a friend put an S/C on his Mk4 Jetta 1.8 & he had to go a degree colder on the plugs. I think his issue was them fouling excessively, was back in 2005 & I don't recall fully.
Fouled plugs are a result of incomplete combustion or excess non-combustible substances (ie coolant/water) in the chamber. If that's happening, something is wrong.
I moved back to Houston shortly after that, never saw the end of that project. Same with the Ford 302 FB RX7, was actually looking forward to getting that one buttoned up.
but timing is just a relationship between the camshaft position and the firing of the spark plug, that shouldn't impact #pluglyfe.
While the timing of the spark itself wouldn't impact plug life, the environment in which the spark is taking place is different. There's way more to it then I understand though, so I'm not gonna pretend to know everything
are u calling me a bitch?
if it's any consolation...I swapped plugs...then found out a month later I needed to gap them hos to .026 to be able to tune and gap them hos.
So far I've not had any issues with the new plugs. The car feels a bit peppier above 4k, but that could be placebo. It definitely idles cleaner though.
Took some quick shots this evening after a little rain. I'm loving the bronze.
It's a really tight fit over the brakes, and requires the weights to be placed slightly towards the center of the rim (shifted over by about 10mm) so it can clear the front calipers.
Turn in is ever so slightly dulled, but the ride is way better and overall handling is much improved with the PS4S's. I'm probably going to order a 5mm spacer for the rear since the wheels don't quite sit where I want them, but it's not a high priority.
I also decided to block off the resonator on the stock airbox in hopes that it would add a little bit more sound. Basically I took a small piece of plastic and glued it over the hole. Easy work.
I watched a video review of the RS5 Sportback.
I didn't realize it but they reverted to the tiptronic traditional automatic on the newer ones.
I'm assuming yours has that too?
All this being said, the eight-speed auto isn’t a bad transmission, even in a high-performance application. It’s a ZF design and I drove a previous iteration of it in the Audi RS7. It was perfectly fine on the highway and on the track. Still, I’ll somehow miss the nerdy cool of the DSG, much as I’ll miss the stupidity of the three-pedal manual. I guess that’s progress.
Okay, perfectly fine is not what I would want to describe my transmission.
Gah...lmao, so now I have a small sense of pride for having DSG then.
Don't know the science behind it though. 
I moved back to Houston shortly after that, never saw the end of that project. Same with the Ford 302 FB RX7, was actually looking forward to getting that one buttoned up.
Muchas Gracias!
) ftw!