NGK Plugs

[Jack]

I have heard nothing but good things about NGK plugs and it is time to
replace the plugs in my Y2K Outback. NGK seems to make several lines
including V-Power, Platinum and Iridium. Any recommendations?

Jack

 

[Todd H.]

I have heard nothing but good things about NGK plugs and it is time to
replace the plugs in my Y2K Outback. NGK seems to make several lines
including V-Power, Platinum and Iridium. Any recommendations?

I know that the V powerwere the ones recommened for my vehicle.
Platinum were not recommended as they run very hot.

 

[Gilles Gour]

I know that the V powerwere the ones recommened for my vehicle.
Platinum were not recommended as they run very hot.

I've had NGK platinum in my 96 Brighton for more than 2 years with no
problem (that I know of at least...). Will try iridium next change.
Just my experience.
Gilles

 

[Josh Assing]

I've had NGK platinum in my 96 Brighton for more than 2 years with no

problem (that I know of at least...). Will try iridium next change.

I've used NGK plugs for a long time -- On my race bike i use the iridium -- I
noticed a MARKED improvement at higher RPM's (11-13,000) I think they're worth
the extra $ if you need more reliability.... not sure about it otherwise.

Note: Years back (I mean years....) I worked at ford aerospace in palo alto, ca.
They had a race car & developed the "rapid fire" (where the center electrode has
kind of "notches" in it.

They did a comparision of that vs.. multi electrode, 'splitfire' and platnum
plugs -- the "rapid fire" outperformed them in "race" conditions, but the
platinum lasted longer in street applications.

 

[y_p_w]

I have heard nothing but good things about NGK plugs and it is time to
replace the plugs in my Y2K Outback. NGK seems to make several lines
including V-Power, Platinum and Iridium. Any recommendations?

I know it's a cliché, but "read the freaking manual".

Subaru specs NGKs (and some Champions) as their factory plugs. Some
engines come with standard plugs (likely V-Power). Others are spec'ed
for their platinum or iridium plugs. The part number you need will be
in your owners manual. Stick with that one, don't spend more than you
need to, and have fun driving.

 

[Charlez]

I have installed some NGK Iridium IX (NGK-BKR6EIX-11) on my 2000 Impreza
2.2L and I have noticed an improvement with the engine response and the fuel
milleage.

The fuel milleage improvement alone paid for the plugs that summer (a did
ALOT of milleage that summer)

I also changed the oil for Full Synthetic and I had the transmission and
differential changed to full synthetic as well.

This summer, because of an unrelated problem, I changed my plugs back to
normal V-Power (and an ECU reset) and I noticed that their performance was
not as good as the Iridium plugs. After changing back to Iridium plugs, the
performance started to improve again.

There is no doubts in my mind that the Iridium plugs and the syntheric oil
are an improvement for my Subie. I AM GLAD I DID NOT STICK TO THE USER'S
MANUAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The only down side to that story is that the V-Power plugs do not fit my
lawnmower

Charles Leblanc
2000 Impreza wagon 2.2L man

 

[y_p_w]

I have installed some NGK Iridium IX (NGK-BKR6EIX-11) on my 2000 Impreza
2.2L and I have noticed an improvement with the engine response and the fuel
milleage.

The fuel milleage improvement alone paid for the plugs that summer (a did
ALOT of milleage that summer)

I also changed the oil for Full Synthetic and I had the transmission and
differential changed to full synthetic as well.

Be careful of what you call "full synthetic". A lot of the oil makers
are playing marketing games right now.

This summer, because of an unrelated problem, I changed my plugs back to
normal V-Power (and an ECU reset) and I noticed that their performance was
not as good as the Iridium plugs. After changing back to Iridium plugs, the
performance started to improve again.

I'd say the ECU reset was like the important factor. I had some
intial performance issues after I pulled the battery to change the left
headlight in my 2004 WRX.

There is no doubts in my mind that the Iridium plugs and the syntheric oil
are an improvement for my Subie. I AM GLAD I DID NOT STICK TO THE USER'S
MANUAL RECOMMENDATIONS

These things have been dyno tested, and it's been generally shown that
platinums/iridiums almost never result in any performance benefit.
Certainly they have their uses, but they're no magic bullet.

The only down side to that story is that the V-Power plugs do not fit my
lawnmower

I'm highly skeptical. Unless the plugs are wearing down prematurely,
there should be no performance or fuel economy benefit to any platinum
or iridium plug if a standard plug is specified. There's nothing
magical about platinum or iridium plugs. Some engines are designed
around their ability to withstand higher temperatures while others
spec them because they last longer for so-called 100,000 mile tuneups.
Also - it can be a pain to remove the back plugs in some V-8/V-6
cars.

 

[Rick Courtright]

around their ability to withstand higher temperatures while others
spec them because they last longer for so-called 100,000 mile tuneups.
Also - it can be a pain to remove the back plugs in some V-8/V-6

That's the case w/ my V-6 Camry: platinum plugs are spec'ed so you only
have to go thru the pain of getting to the rear bank every 60k miles
instead of 30k or so on the four cylinders. OTOH, my Subie has gone >40k
on standard NGKs a coupla times with no noticeable performance loss.
Personally, I've always found that sticking with whatever came in the
engine (regular, platinum, etc.) is ~usually~ a fine choice,
particularly if NGKs were factory installed.

Rick

 

[y_p_w]

y_p_w wrote:




That's the case w/ my V-6 Camry: platinum plugs are spec'ed so you only
have to go thru the pain of getting to the rear bank every 60k miles
instead of 30k or so on the four cylinders. OTOH, my Subie has gone >40k
on standard NGKs a coupla times with no noticeable performance loss.
Personally, I've always found that sticking with whatever came in the
engine (regular, platinum, etc.) is ~usually~ a fine choice,
particularly if NGKs were factory installed.

My previous car was a '95 Acura Integra GS-R. The manufacturer spec'ed
double plats from ND (now Denso) or NGK, although the factory-installed
plugs were ND. I pulled them out after 70K miles (the recommended
change period was 60K) and they were perfectly gapped and the platinum
points were clean. However - there were claims that the engine
would have probably melted away standard plugs. It had a rather long
1.3mm gap and likely ran hot.

If the plugs are easy enough to reach (inline 4 or 6), there's no
particular reason why platinum/iridium plugs would be a benefit
unless the engine is designed around them. Get the proper tools,
and change them every 15K miles. Learn how to "read" the plugs
when you remove them.

Also - I just looked at the Denso website, and I'm a bit dismayed that
they're making grandiose claims about the performance and fuel economy
benefits of their Iridium plugs. I realize that there can be gains
in performance for tuners modifying with forced induction and using
aftermarket ignitions, but bone stock? OTOH - respected companies
such as Sylvania are making silly claims about their "Silverstar"
headlight bulbs being the "brightest" when they're known to produce
less light.

 

[plugmaster]

 >>around their ability to withstand higher temperatures
while others
 >>spec them because they last longer for so-called
100,000 mile tuneups.
 >>Also - it can be a pain to remove the back plugs in
some V-8/V-6

My previous car was a '95 Acura Integra GS-R. The
manufacturer spec'ed
double plats from ND (now Denso) or NGK, although the
factory-installed
plugs were ND. I pulled them out after 70K miles (the
recommended
change period was 60K) and they were perfectly gapped and the
platinum
points were clean. However - there were claims that the
engine
would have probably melted away standard plugs. It had a
rather long
1.3mm gap and likely ran hot.

If the plugs are easy enough to reach (inline 4 or 6), there's
no
particular reason why platinum/iridium plugs would be a
benefit
unless the engine is designed around them. Get the proper
tools,
and change them every 15K miles. Learn how to "read" the
plugs
when you remove them.

Also - I just looked at the Denso website, and I'm a bit
dismayed that
they're making grandiose claims about the performance and fuel
economy
benefits of their Iridium plugs. I realize that there can be
gains
in performance for tuners modifying with forced induction and
using
aftermarket ignitions, but bone stock? OTOH - respected
companies
such as Sylvania are making silly claims about their
"Silverstar"
headlight bulbs being the "brightest" when they're known to
produce
less light.

In regards to the different ngk plugs:

Platinum is stronger than copper, Iridium is stronger than platinum.
With each metal improvement, you’ll pay more, but also will get better
performance, and hopefully better gas mileage.

In regards to the dyno testing, fast fords and power mustangs ran a
dyno test on the iridium plugs, dont remember if they ran the denso
iridiums or ngk iridiums, but anywho, sparkplugs.com has a pdf of the
results on their site. when you are looking at the part specs(after
using the make/model/year lookup, mouse-over the part#, and the specs
are displayed), click on iridium, and it takes you to another page
with a link to the pdf.

 

[y_p_w]

In regards to the different ngk plugs:

Platinum is stronger than copper, Iridium is stronger than platinum.
With each metal improvement, you’ll pay more, but also will get better
performance, and hopefully better gas mileage.

Sure platinum is tougher than copper. However - no plug would use
copper as an electrode. Standard plugs use center electrodes made
of some sort of nickel alloy. Copper would corrode and wear away
quickly. "Copper plug" means copper in the core of the plug.

 

[plugmaster]

In regards to the different ngk plugs:

Platinum is stronger than copper, Iridium is stronger than
platinum. With each metal improvement, you'll pay more, but
also will get better performance, and hopefully better gas
mileage.

In regards to the dyno testing, fast fords and power mustangs
ran a dyno test on the iridium plugs, dont remember if they
ran the denso iridiums or ngk iridiums, but anywho,
sparkplugs.com has a pdf of the results on their site. when
you are looking at the part specs(after using the
make/model/year lookup, mouse-over the part#, and the specs
are displayed), click on iridium, and it takes you to another
page with a link to the pdf.

right, that is correct, the center electrode itself is not made of
copper, even though the standard plugs are commonly referred to as
"copper" plugs. platinum and iridium plugs, however, are properly
termed, as the center electrode is made out of that metal. some plugs
even have a platinum tipped ground electrode...plugs with a platinum
center and platinum tipped ground electrode are commonly termed
"double platinum" or something similar. some manufacturers,
including ngk, also have plugs with an iridium center electrode and
platinum tipped ground electrode, in combination.