Spark Plugs

[BZG Wagon]

Looking at getting some new plugs for my Caldina GTT (manual). I would be interested in hearing what people use/recommend for their GTT or similar.

What I've heard about brands:
NGK - Good
Denso - Good (I was told they are owned by NGK but I cant find any proof - could be a rumour)
Bosch - Average
Champion - Poor

My local Toyota dealer recommended Denso Platinum’s. Denso Iridium plugs are an extra $3.50 each but the guy I spoke to said there's absolutely no point unless I regularly take the GTT out on the track.
For the sake of $14 though - why the hell not?!?

A friend / mechanic suggested I use 'colder' plugs since its a turbo. I take it the Iridium is a colder plug than platnums?

Personally I've always put in Bosch plugs with no complaints.

Thoughts? Experiences?

[Lloyd]

Chuck in the Densos, whatever Toyota list for them. They've been pretty good on their cheaper plugs lately, cheaper than Repco for the NGK equivalent

[peas]

You will find that the plugs listed for your car are colder to start with... so fitting even colder ones is probably not required. I found both to work very well in my GTZ which was running 12psi. They were NGK (go the staff discount!) and never missed a beat.

[BZG Wagon]

Chuck in the Densos, whatever Toyota list for them. They've been pretty good on their cheaper plugs lately, cheaper than Repco for the NGK equivalent

Yip - Toyota quoted me $25 for Denso Platinums. Repco $35 for the NGK equivilent.
A mate told me that Toyota are giving good trade prices to the workshop he works for.

Personally I'm going to stop going to repco. The service lately has been poor and they are expensive. They still charge over $40 for Magnatec and refused to meet the warehouses price without a printed advert when I was buying over $100 worth of gear for my car (they wouldn't even bother phoning them). But thats another thread entirely.

[Lloyd]

Yeah, their trade discount seems to have got a bit better in the last few months. Well worth asking anyway. Someone on here should be able to sort you out with some slightly cheaper plugs than that I would have thought

[tsoob]

we all know this: repco stands for RIP EVERY POOR CUMT OFF

[Heylin]

I use NGK Copper plugs BKR6E in my MR2, have done for the past 5 years.

I run 14PSI boost and have had no problems. I give them a brush \ clean at 10,000 and replace at 15,000.

Check out the 3SGTE Power Primer

http://www.mrcontrols.com/primers/power.htm

Some good tips about what works well for the 3SGTE.

Expensive ignition components are a myth, the stock 3SGTE ignition system is quite capable of running higher than stock boost levels upto 16PSI.

[Py7h0n]

Expensive ignition components are a myth

Not as much a myth as not required. People get more expensive bits to last longer (platinum plugs for example).

If you are after plugs and don't want to pay REPCO prices give STAParts.co.nz a go (~2.50 to 3.00 a plug, retail)

[bbq1988]

Denso Iriduims, cost me about $130 for a set in my car.. Made it run alot nicer and smoother

[AceSniper]

NGK iridium's $16 each via trademe

[xnickx]

Denso Iridiums are $22+gst from any dealership.

I can offer -15% to club members
(if I'm allowed to do that?, I do it for other clubs here and there too)

[BZG Wagon]

STAParts.co.nz a go (~2.50 to 3.00 a plug, retail)

I think we have a winner:
SPARK PLUG NGK BKR6E-IX-11 IRIDIUM NZD $12.92 (Inc Tax).

Damn thats cheap. I take it the NGK plug would be about as good as a Denso?

[MAGN1T]

I haven't bought new plugs in years, just keep using the old factory ones.

Steve

[Lloyd]

Damn thats cheap. I take it the NGK plug would be about as good as a Denso?

Same quality. One will be as good as the other

[Dragger_Dan]

Expensive ignition components are a myth

Totally agree. I'd like to see independent dyno testing on the whole "yeh sst got sum fat 9mm racing HT leadz and iridiumz" deal.

[Emperor]

I think it's more running smooth than power gaining.

Rotaries run like poos on normal plugs, gotta get special ones, with different part numbers for lead and trail.

My Skyline didnt like cheap plugs either, didnt make it obvious but you could hear a slight miss.

I guess it applies mostly for big power cars though

[BZG Wagon]

Expensive ignition components are a myth

Totally agree. I'd like to see independent dyno testing on the whole "yeh sst got sum fat 9mm racing HT leadz and iridiumz" deal.

My perception is reliability and longevity.

I'd expect platnums, iridium's to outlast cheap copper plugs and perform better when they have been going for hours and hours straight.

It's not unusual for me to have the Caldina running for 3+ hours on a trip and I want it to run every bit as well after 90 minutes of driving as it did 10 minutes after startup. Those turboed engines run very hot.

I recently drove from Auckland to Queenstown, Milford and back. 5,000kms in 15 days. I would have hated to have broken down due to skimping $20 on plugs etc. 6 hours driving straight to Wellington during the night followed by a short break and right onto the ferry. Its piece of mind.

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

im at the stage where i need to replace mine in the GT-T again. i cant remember what i put in last time off the top of my head - will have to check my notebook and see if i wrote them down.
not sure what i should replace them with, so im watching this thread for ideas!

[Dell'Orto]

I think it's more running smooth than power gaining.

Rotaries run like poos on normal plugs, gotta get special ones, with different part numbers for lead and trail.

Its just the heat range that changes, they run one step cooler in the trailing. 12A turbos use the same heat range for both.

Subies are another that can be quite finicky with sparkplugs, they often run like a bunch of arse with copper plugs

Steve - I bet you dont use copper plugs in the rear bank of your GTO do you? (or do you have to remove the motor often enough to make it worthwhile? )

[TRD Man]

Expensive ignition components are a myth

Totally agree. I'd like to see independent dyno testing on the whole "yeh sst got sum fat 9mm racing HT leadz and iridiumz" deal.

I've actually seen the dyno reports on circuit cars and seen the Denso Iridium at work in a display module at Longbeach.
I have no doubt that the, ever so slight, power gain claims are justified.

I haven't seen such evidence in regard to leads and I've always been sceptical of many of the claims I've seen.

Iridiums are generally marketed for their fuel efficiency and their longevity. But given their tendency to foul very easily I wouldn't recommend them in any application.