Spark plug pictures thread

[JDM Sam]

Post a macro setting picture on here of your spark plugs and discuss if you need to run stock heat range or colder plugs. Include the threads and a clear shot of the porcelain insulator and electrode tip. Be sure to post your part # of your plug you are using. Also, label which cylinder the plug came out of.
Gap specs are .028-.032
PZF6FR Platinum NGK Factory Plugs - do not use again
ZFR6F V-power NGK - Cheap recommended replacement plugs
ZFR6FIX-11 NGK Iridium IX - Optional long term replacement
ZFR7F/ZFR7F-11 V-power NGK - 1 range colder for modified higher boost cars that see elevated cylinder temperatures frequently.
BKR6/BKR7 or any other BKR prefix plugs are for the standard NA Protege motors and do not have extended electrodes. You can use these as well but may result in slightly lower performance.Use this for a guide to help you read your plugs.
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/faqs/faqread.asp

[Soy]

No problem - here's the plugs I just pulled from the car today.

There were ZFR6F-11 plugs in, but it looks like they were gapped all wrong. I measured the gap anywhere from .048 to .053 on the existing plugs. The amount of miles on these is unknown. The car has 74k on it, but I really doubt they're THAT old... heh.

The new plugs I tossed in are the BKR6E-11 ones, gapped to the factory spec of .030. Since the install the car is idling much better, and seems to have more consistent power under boost. I have no engine mods, so I'm keeping things to factory specifications.

Here are the pics of the old plugs, in order from left to right as if you were looking straight into the engine bay. (Left = passenger side, Right = Driver's Side)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_x-lzIM4s-Rk/SgfB_fv_IqI/AAAAAAAAAOc/0NnYCz1Pjt4/s800/IMG_9685.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_x-lzIM4s-Rk/SgfB_8qtaNI/AAAAAAAAAOg/HXwTCamj8jw/s800/IMG_9687.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_x-lzIM4s-Rk/SgfCAaarG0I/AAAAAAAAAOk/JMdAOyOVkYA/s720/IMG_9688.JPG

[JDM Sam]

Factory uses the extended electrode ZFR 6 heat range plug.
BKR is the regular non-turbo protege plug.

Your left plug electrode looks a little worn. The white porcelain part isn't too dirty, so you're within specs of the heat range. It does show the car is running rich.

[TheMAN]

bear in mind the state of tune and engine conditions will affect how the spark plug wears... I seriously doubt your plugs were that misadjusted originally... they are usually within 0.1mm of spec, unless the boxes got dropped

[YOUNGMP3]

subbin.

[zuku26]

My turn I just pulled these out so I could swap to the NGK ZFR7F gapped at
.030 How do these old plugs look?

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/1704/1141/29258070063_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/1704/1141/29258070064_large.jpg

[2-8-1]

You guys do know that you cannot accurately read the condition of your tune without running a wide open pass and then IMMEDIATELY pulling the plugs and taking pictures, IE, the engine and plugs are still piping hot from the run. Just pulling the plugs after you have driven on them in normal conditions will NOT give you an accurate indicator of the internal engine conditions during WOT(most stressful time). It will show you a fair estimate on the condition of the tune for normal driving, but is useless for diagnosing tune issues at WOT.

[JDM Sam]

That is true and correct. However the scope of the thread is really to help people decide which heat range plugs to use since many are confused at what to use.

For tuning purposes, usually best on a dyno, after installing a new set of plugs, do a WOT pull, let cool, and then pull the plugs out and inspect.

[SIBalla23]

subbin, deff a good thread.

[2-8-1]

That is true and correct. However the scope of the thread is really to help people decide which heat range plugs to use since many are confused at what to use.

For tuning purposes, usually best on a dyno, after installing a new set of plugs, do a WOT pull, let cool, and then pull the plugs out and inspect.

I gotcha man. The one thing I do differently is letting the engine cool, I used to pull immediately, as long as the plugs don't go back in too tightly, everything should be fine.

I'll contribute.

Generally, at or near stock boost levels use stock range plugs, 8-10lbs, I personally would go with 1 step colder. One could pull a couple degrees timing for the same effect.

[zuku26]

so is anyone going to tell me about my plugs???
Also I was under the impression not to change the plugs while the engine was hot atleast on an aluminum block due to warping??? If you want I can go due a quick wot run and pop then out and shoot a pic. I moved to the one step colder since I'm running a GT28RS at 6-7 Psi..although I tend to spike a tad higher

[JDM Sam]

The head is aluminum and you wait until it is cool because it will expand when hot and you can risk cross threading it. Only time you should need to try it hot is when the plug is seized in the head.

[zuku26]

Thanks Sam...Now how bout my plugs....LOL

[JDM Sam]

They were the BKR non extended electrode, so those were incorrect to use. Use the ZFR6 or 7 plug and repost pics using a flash this time. It is running rich from the sooty thread base and there is too much ash on the ceramic and grounding strap. What kind of gas have you been using? Any additives? Any oil burning/leak/consumption problems?

[zuku26]

Yes sure Right on point!!! I usually run shell 93, I read online somewhere it's good gas....Is there a better station to use? I do consume a bit of oil. I can't figure out if it's the turbo...(not even a year old) or the engine. I put in the ZFR7F plugs today

[JDM Sam]

The oil consumption is showing from the ash deposits. Shell 93 is fine. You can try Chevron 93 as well. Fix the oil consumption problem and it'll look better.

[StealthWyvern]

try a catch can for the oil consumption

[SlpMsp]

Hi I have Fmic , Cai , mid-pipe 2.5'' cat-high flow , Afc v1, boosting 8 psi street and 10 psi on track. Should I use colder plugs? Thank you

[JDM Sam]

take your plugs out you have now and take a pic and we can help you. if you don't want to just try the ZFR7F, and run them when you're at the track and run the ZFR6F on the street.

[zuku26]

OK after I installed the last plugs we installed a split second un-tuned a short time later, and I started having issues. The car would try to die at idle, it it sounded like the motor was coughing or barking...kinda felt like a misfire, hard to describe. anyway I thought it might be the plugs so I swapped the last ones back in to see if the issue remained...It was still there, but I took a pic of the colder plugs to see what you think before I toss them back in.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/1704/1141/29258070070_large.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/1704/1141/29258070069_large.jpg

[TheMAN]

could be bad coils
I know that my car would want to stall sometimes before with the original coils when using iridium plugs (due to higher voltage required), but now it runs fine with the new coils

[zuku26]

Could be, I'm hoping it's just because of the super map on the split second. It started right after we installed it. I just pulled the plugs for piece of mind

[crackerjakx]

How much torque did you use when you put the plugs in? The crush washers don't look squished... or maybe I'm blind.

[zuku26]

After looking at the other pics posted in this thread I think they look the same... Basically I hand tighten the plugs from start so I don't cross thread them, then once I get down to the bottom I tighten then with the socket, just enough to be snug. I was always told to never over tighnten them cause it may lead to issues.

[Speedkid]

I need to get better plugs myself whats a good brand to go with?

[JDM Sam]

#1 NGK #2 Denso. Use nothing else.

[zuku26]

I need to get better plugs myself whats a good brand to go with?
I'm not to keen on the MS3 but I know my neighbor has a modded MS3 and runs one step colder NGKs I'm not sure what plug is stock though.

If your asking about a MSP the NGK ZFR7F is our plug of choice.

Sam how do my plugs look...can I put them back in now. LOL

[JDM Sam]

its rich, your tune needs adjustment.

[zuku26]

We just did...Thanks we pulled just a little off since the WB wasn't in

[Cataphract_40]

I'm not to keen on the MS3 but I know my neighbor has a modded MS3 and runs one step colder NGKs I'm not sure what plug is stock though.

No no no. I have Denso ITV22s. One step colder.

The stock plug is an NGK Laser Iridium. Google "iltr6a 8g", that's the plug.

[zuku26]

Thanks for that correction Dan. after our conversation I thought you were running the stock brand NGK's

[slo03.5msp]

Sam have you ever run the ngk's and denso back to back? I tried the ngk and the car just didn't feel right so I switched to denso ik22 I would never switch back if your running higher boost they are much less likely to blow out. Although a lot of people can't justify $50 on a set of plugs.

[JDM Sam]

The ignition coilpacks do go bad in these cars. If its blowing out its b/c your coil is worn or the gap is too wide or a combination of the 2.

There wasn't much difference in performance when I used both. Both are high quality plugs, so its up to your individual preference. More OEMs use NGK though.

[fuadmsp]

for spark plugs wires will the nology wires make a difference... cuz i just order new spark plugs NGK ZFR6F and the nology hotwires

[CHIQLES]

here's my pics of my plugs
http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo330/chiqles/Decorated%20images/SPARKT.jpghttp://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo330/chiqles/SPARKB-1.jpg
as you can see 1 and 4 are running supper hot dont know why gap .32

[CHIQLES]

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo330/chiqles/SPARKB-1.jpg
heres the top