Spark plugs for 3SGTE, which one is the best? Options

[Red123]

Hello guys.
What spark plugs should I use for 3sgte? Which one is the best?
Currently using NGK Iridium Spark Plug Grade 7, bought from fensport and I'm not very satisfied with them.
http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Model_19/Category_1/1300

Thanks.

[bsamps4]

I use BKR7E's on my setup, but depending on your compression ratio (mine is 9.0.1), you may want to go a little hotter BKR6E. Are you still at 8.8.1?

[Red123]

I use BKR7E's on my setup, but depending on your compression ratio (mine is 9.0.1), you may want to go a little hotter BKR6E. Are you still at 8.8.1?

Thanks
I don't know my car's compression ratio. I'll measure it and let you know.

[JozhGoober]

If it's bone stock the BKR6E's are the OEM spec. If you've increased the boost, get the BKR7E's (and gap a little tighter). They're copper plugs, so they don't last too long compared to platinum or iridiums, I would replace mine whenever I changed the oil (~5k miles). On the plus side, they're much cheaper than platinum or iridium plugs!

From the 3S-GTE power primer http://www.mrcontrols.com/primers/power.htm :

To help keep the cylinders cooler under high boost and insure that the stock ignition keeps the spark going strong, you should replace the stock plugs with a set of NGK 6097 copper spark plugs. These are one step colder than the stock plugs to help keep detonation in check. You should gap them at 0.028", which is a little less than stock to make it a little bit easier on the ignition system to keep the spark going strong and reliably even under higher boost pressure. These will need to be replaced every 5K miles or so. Note that you do not need to make any other changes to the stock ignition system until you reach a higher power point. It is a myth that you can make more power with aftermarket ignition components on the 3S-GTE. All that the ignition can do is lose power if it is weak or not properly functioning. The stock ignition and components, except for the spark plugs is adequate to 17-18psi in good working condition.

Note: NGK 6097 == BKR7E

This post has been edited by JozhGoober: Nov 30, 2012 - 10:23 AM

[Red123]

Thanks.

Have you ever tested this spark plugs in 3sgte?
http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Model_19/Category_8/523

[Nial]

Nearly £80 for a set of plugs........no thanks


I would go with copper plugs. Don't get sucked into all the marketing hype around iridium or platinum plugs. Iridium plugs tend to be a little tempremental in 3sgtes, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Platinum plugs tend to be more reliable. Both are designed as long life plugs, modern cars have ever increasing gaps between services, these plugs were designed to accommodate the long service intervals. Iridium is something like 6 times less conductive than copper, platinum about the same.

If you want to put in a set of plugs and forget about them for a year or two then go with platinum plugs, if you don't mind changing plugs more frequently then go with the copper cores, neither type are that bad, but iridium plugs or platinum plugs won't give you the magical performance gains that they claim.

if I were you i would buy yourself a nice set of copper core plugs and save some cash.

This post has been edited by Nial: Dec 27, 2012 - 4:48 AM

[delusionz]

yeah BKR7E is the one, if there existed a BKR7EP-8 i'd get that but unfortunately theres only BKR7EIX which lasted 6,000 miles for me, before being fouled by a walbro upgrade.

got 4x BKR7E for the price of one EIX and she was good as new

[lagos]

Thanks.

Have you ever tested this spark plugs in 3sgte?
http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Model_19/Category_8/523

The brand doesn't matter. Those are just iridium plugs, just like the NGK you had in there before. If you want something different, try a copper set with the same heat range. Or maybe you just need to reduce the gap on the iridium set you have now.

[Red123]

My current spark plugs have too many misfires on a low rpm.
I have aem fic installed and tuned. Boost level in 3rd-4th gear goes up to 1.1, that was the reason why I got them(BKR7E). But when I removed and installed them in my friend's 3rd gen Mr2, worked fine. no misfires or such things.

so you think ngk coppers will be good for such kind of situation?

p.s. Also I'm gonna change my spark plugs to an old Densos soon to see the result.

Thanks

[Neon90424]

Im using NGK iridium heat range 9 no problems so far...

[Red123]

Im using NGK iridium heat range 9 no problems so far...

on a stock boost level?

[delusionz]

lol read his build thread, hes on a 500hp+ setup

[timdog1720]

?

This post has been edited by timdog1720: Dec 28, 2012 - 10:37 AM

[Neon90424]

dont know how much hp because no dino lol. on Ethanol and they have seen 35 psi and no problems.

[timdog1720]

ok question now BKR7E was suggested the tip seem wide where as the OEM are very thin tip

the question is will the BKR7E work in the 4th generation 3sgte? remember the are coil on plugs

[yellowchinaman]

i recall a post i the OC which advised that yiu neednt have to spent a lot for a good set of plugs and even the Halfords copper own brands where good enough.
Also in the CCUK there are many includjng myself who have tried and prefer Halo plugs but they appear to be discontinued in the UK but maybe not in the USA?

[timdog1720]

ok question now BKR7E was suggested the tip seem wide where as the OEM are very thin tip

the question is will the BKR7E work in the 4th generation 3sgte? remember the are coil on plugs

bump

[Neon90424]

I don't think there would be a problem...the dimensions don't really differ much from other plugs...

[timdog1720]

I don't think there would be a problem...the dimensions don't really differ much from other plugs...

okay but the firing tip seems very wide compared to the tip that came with my engine... in other words, is because my engine is coil on plug which doesn't carry a high voltage from a distributor but carries a small charge from the ecu direct. would that effect the spark when igniting. cause my plugs the tip is very very narrow like a needle

[delusionz]

this is all been covered timdog your looping around in circles, yes Gen 2,3,4,5 use the same plugs.

copper is the most conductive but its also the softest and weakest they wont last long <---- Best spark, shortest life, available in all heat ranges, cheapest

iridium is supposedly the strongest, least conductive <---- good spark, ****good lifespan, available in all heat ranges, very expensive

platinum is the middle ground, and the one that comes factory <---- good spark, ****good lifespan, does NOT exist in heat range 7, very expensive


**** note: spark plugs are not magic, if your tune is out of whack, either too lean or too rich or too advanced or too retarded they will foul just like any other plug. if you have spark plug issues, this is a very expensive NON-FIX.


now has this made it bluntly obvious why people use BKR7E?

Stock motor, stock tune, stock power use stock plugs BKR6EP-8. saves you pulling off your intercooler

modified anything? go copper

making more power? go up a heat range