Spark Plugs FAQ

[clay1]

There is a question in the FAQ but no answer=/

What should I get? Daily driving no racing

[sfgearhead]

OEM Bosch, or equivalent Denso or NGK.

[David325e]

OEM Bosch, or equivalent Denso or NGK.

For awhile some of the OEM bosch's for BMWs were NLA. Pushing the market on their new crap I guess. Anyone know if they're back?

And yea OP, if you can't find Boschs get NGK.

[clay1]

Bosch Spark Plug FR-7-LDC+ $4 each from Pelican-- reasonable?

[David325e]

Yea, I seem to remember paying about $28 to get plugs in town for my 6cyl. But isn't that + a multi-electrode plug? You may have some running issues and need to go to a plug with 1 electrode.

[clay1]

I picked the one they seemed to be recommending for my engine-- is it incorrect?

[David325e]

Search about spark plugs (here) and you'll get more information. But some guys are using the new plugs with multi-electrodes and love them. Other guys claim they have running problems after making the switch.

If you want to try them I'd see if you can get a set in-town that might be exchangeable.

[clay1]

I searched earlier but couldn't really find any specifics other than brand suggestions

I'm mainly just trying to pad my order with things I need anyway for the free shipping

[BruinBimmer]

What do track rats use for spark plugs in our cars?

[JesterMX6]

Yea, I seem to remember paying about $28 to get plugs in town for my 6cyl. But isn't that + a multi-electrode plug? You may have some running issues and need to go to a plug with 1 electrode.

multi electrode? or multi ground....

[David325e]

multi electrode? or multi ground....
Shit, good catch. Whatever the points are. Is the electrode the central part?

[JesterMX6]

yeah. i was confused as i've never seen a multi electrode plug :laugh

[E34play]

What do track rats use for spark plugs in our cars?

I swear by the NGK laser platinum. It is a dual platinum plug with a much stronger spark and longer life. Many turbo guys use these plugs religiously, they are OEM for some higher end motors.

A little pricey, but not too bad. You can find them for ~$8/ea. Dealerships that stock these usually want $16-18/ea.

[rotaryboots]

Just got the OEM Bosch dual electrode plugs a couple days ago. They are indeed available again. Also accidentally got the Bosch 4 electrode plugs to begin with but they 12 a piece (at my automotive business cost) so more for public cost. I sent those back and got the right OEM ones which came to 5 a piece.

[JesterMX6]

Ground strap! Not electrode!



silly pet peeve i know

[K Fox]

Lemme add to the confusion here. If I remember correctly, the M60 motors don't like the multi ground plugs (like the Bosch +4's ect), they run best on the factory plugs. I remember a big thread about it just a little while back, and the consensus there was stock plugs for the M60's, and I don't remember for the other motors, but I want to say that people liked the +4's in m30's for some reason... I could be wrong on that though. Anyway, have fun!!

Fox

[5mall5nail5]

NGK BKR6E over ANY other plug. Period.com

[E34play]

NGK BKR6EQUP over ANY other plug. Period.com
Fixed

[5mall5nail5]

Nope.

BKR6E. Single ground, copper electrode, gappable, durable, cheap.

Multi ground is a waste of time and money and cannot be gapped.

BKR6E is like $1.90 @ Advanced vs like $5 ea for the multigroundcrap.

[E34play]

You don't need to worry about gapping unless you are FI, so yes in your case a single ground is mandatory. I would still recommend a dual platinum plug for yours due to personal experience with my other car. We use the PFR6B-11B on the twin turbo Z's running higher boost. Single ground, dual platinum, strong as hell. Yet it is an extended plug, and I'm not sure if there'd be clearance issues on the BMW. The pfr6b-11 is normal length, just a bit hotter.

FYI the BKR6EQUP is the OEM plug, and has a much larger platinum tip than other plugs.

[sfgearhead]

Nope.

BKR6E. Single ground, copper electrode, gappable, durable, cheap.

Multi ground is a waste of time and money and cannot be gapped.

BKR6E is like $1.90 @ Advanced vs like $5 ea for the multigroundcrap.

+1, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

[5mall5nail5]

You don't need to worry about gapping unless you are FI, so yes in your case a single ground is mandatory. I would still recommend a dual platinum plug for yours due to personal experience with my other car. We use the PFR6B-11B on the twin turbo Z's running higher boost. Single ground, dual platinum, strong as hell. Yet it is an extended plug, and I'm not sure if there'd be clearance issues on the BMW. The pfr6b-11 is normal length, just a bit hotter.

FYI the BKR6EQUP is the OEM plug, and has a much larger platinum tip than other plugs.

You do need to gap - thats how you get the most value out of your plugs. Multi prong plugs last because they commonly wear on one prong until the gap is greater than another, and then it wears on that one... but the spark is erratic. It's easier to run a BKR6E and run a 0.028 - 0.030 gap and regap as needed. I have been able to get 50,000 miles out of a set on another car.

BKR7E (one step colder) is run on 1320 rwhp supras - they work. BKR6E is a resistor plug stock reach and size and is incredibly cheap and reliable. No need for this platinum bullocks.

I've done plenty of spark plug testing to have a good founded opinion on what works best.

http://jonkensy.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/boxoplugs.jpg

[JesterMX6]

^^^ allllllllllllllll true. the only reason i'm running Plats right now (single ground mind you. and gapped to my desire) is because we had them in the shop which meant i didnt have to buy a set until i had the car running and been through a couple oil changes. i have since purchased a set of coppers and will be putting them in with the next oil change.

[E34play]

Fair enough, if it works it works.

[5mall5nail5]

FWIW a guy in E39 section just posted a coupon code to save like $15 on a purchase on these plugs (the platinum). But its like $50 less $15, or you can pay $1.99 or something each - your wallet will guide you :)

[clay1]

Ordered these from rmeuropean


Spark Plug Bosch FR-7-DC+ (7955) NGK BKR6E (6962) NGK BKR6EGP (7092) Unshipped $1.74
6 $10.44