Spark Plugs Options

[phokur]

My Celica is starting to sputter every once in awhile while in 5th gear at about 3grand or so. I'm pretty sure it's plugs. Can anybody recommend any plugs?

[bindertch]

NGK Iridium IX

[trdproven]

I'd use denso iridiums since denso is a parts supporter of Toyota. I have them for a year now with magnecor wires.

[Justin]

NGK V-Power

[99GTauto]

Lemme ask something I asked before and never got any replies on...

Here's a spark plug question:
The 1999 Toyota Repair Manual says to replace with either
DENSO made PK20TR11 or NGK made BKR6EKPB11 - both platinum multi-ground
Haynes and sparkplugs.com say
NGK BKR6EP11 - a double platinum
Obviously I'm inclined to go with the Toyota Repair Manuals recommendation but was wondering which should be used and what kind of a difference it would really make.
P.S.: I've also heard of some people using plugs one heat range colder in California because the gas is "crappy and oxygenated". Any thoughts on this?

[phokur]

So that's three replies and three brands, haha! I'll see which autozone has. Thanks for the replies! The car has high mileagle, does that make a difference?

[alltracman78]

Actually, it's only 2 brands, NGK and Denso.
And both are "OEM".....

The 99 5SFE takes different plugs than the 94, IIRC.
I might be wrong on that though.
94 should be NKG-BKR6EP-11 stock # 2978

The reason Toyota put platinums in the engines is so they would last longer.
IMO if I had a stock [or near stock] 5SFE I would run V power coppers. :shrug:

99GTauto-Toyota put twin ground plugs in pretty much all the late 90s cars. Most were coil on plug or direct coil ignitions. Yours is a dist, correct?
Honestly, while at work we only use the twin ground plugs, you could always try single ground, or even the V power coppers.
It MIGHT set a cylinder misfire code, but with a dist I doubt it.

Ca gas is no "crappier" than anywhere else in the country.
The problem is, the highest readily available octane is only 91 compared to 93/94 in most of the rest of the country.
Lower octane will allow your engine to knock easier. Colder plugs is one way to decrease knock. [hot plugs can cause knock].
It depends on the engine though.
Your engine should take 87 fine. In which case if it knocks with 91, you have a problem somewhere. Colder plugs [if they help] will only mask it.

[phokur]

Thanks for the replies, I went with the NKG-BKR6E-11 plugs. They didn't have the double platinum versions. Anybody know the gap? Thanks!

[6strngs]

Thanks for the replies, I went with the NKG-BKR6E-11 plugs. They didn't have the double platinum versions. Anybody know the gap? Thanks!

.043 is stock gap. I went with NGK iridium IX's and haven't had any problems. BKR6EIX I believe they are.

[alltracman78]

Copper/Platinum/Iridium will all work good.
Even the single ground vs the twin ground, as long as you have a dist.
Engines with DIS are much more sensitive to changes in plugs due to their ability to feedback to the ECU. So sometimes on those engines not using the actual platinum twin ground CAN [not guaranteed] cause a CEL.


IMO, I like coppers best IF I can easily get at them to change. They will conduct electricity better than platinum/iridium. I run NGK V powers in my truck.
But my Alltrac obviously is a bit harder to acess the plugs.
And, it tends to eat them, PLUS the fat copper tip tends to easily foul out.
So in that case I just use the Iridiums.

Platinum/iridium were developed so the plugs would last longer. They are harder metals than copper alloys, and so don't wear as fast.

[phokur]

Wow, you know your stuff... haha. Well cool, now I just need to find a gap gauge thing and I'll be good to go. Thanks for all your help!

[phokur]

Does the gap have to be perfect? I went into Autozone and they let me check them there. They kinda made me uncomfortable so I had to do it fast. They all seemed too small so I opened them up a bit. How precise do the gaps have to be? They are all between .040 and .050, mostly I think I got close to .043. Just curious whether I have to go back or I can run them and see what happens.

[Negative]

Copper/Platinum/Iridium will all work good.
Even the single ground vs the twin ground, as long as you have a dist.
Engines with DIS are much more sensitive to changes in plugs due to their ability to feedback to the ECU. So sometimes on those engines not using the actual platinum twin ground CAN [not guaranteed] cause a CEL.


IMO, I like coppers best IF I can easily get at them to change. They will conduct electricity better than platinum/iridium. I run NGK V powers in my truck.
But my Alltrac obviously is a bit harder to acess the plugs.
And, it tends to eat them, PLUS the fat copper tip tends to easily foul out.
So in that case I just use the Iridiums.

Platinum/iridium were developed so the plugs would last longer. They are harder metals than copper alloys, and so don't wear as fast.

I've always been told Iridium is no good for Turbo cars [specifically told not to use them on 3S-GTE]. Is this true? Have you had good luck with them I take it?

[alltracman78]

I and alot of Celica guys run them. I'm not quite so sure on the MR2 side, but I would assume so. I can't see them having alot of problems with them when we don't....

For me at least the main reason is our engines run so damn rich it tends to foul out thicker plugs. Especially since most folks run at least 1 step colder than stock. Colder plugs won't stay as clean.
The iridium have a VERY thin tip. Thinner than platinum [stronger]. Helps keep the misfiring down.

BTW, this is all for NGK [mainly, Denso is good to, but NGK is cheaper for me at least]. Doesn't necessarily apply to other brands.
I personally won't run anything but NGK or Denso.

[Negative]

Yeah - I'm sticking with NGK too. Mainly cause they give me free plugs, wires, shirts and the hat on my head right now!
NGK Irridium IX and NGK Ultimate Race Class Wires FTMFW!

BTW - My MR2 friends [who are regulars at MR2.oc] run copper plugs and are the ones who told me not to use Irridium. As a matter of fact they hate on Irridium for some reason. IDK - I like them alot.

[phokur]

Ok, WHY are the spark plugs half a foot into the block!? *grumble* Gotta find somebody with a 6" 3/8 extension...

[Negative]

Makes making a custom set of 8.5mm MSD wires a bitch too. I got through that but can't figure out how to get past the clips at the distributer. The wires work great until one vibrates loose LOL.

[6strngs]

Ok, WHY are the spark plugs half a foot into the block!? *grumble* Gotta find somebody with a 6" 3/8 extension...

technically they are half a foot into the head, not the block but yeah, you do need a 6" extension. I picked one up when I did my plugs and it was like $9 for a good craftsman one at sears. I'm sure one could be found for cheaper at a hardware store or parts store.

[pandakid]

i run denso

[Negative]

i run denso

Same as stock.