Do higher performance spark plugs burn too hot?

(2010-08-19 15:39:41)

1. meow Says: I have a 95 nissan pk and the guy at PepBoys said that anything "better" than the standard ngk oe plugs would reach too high of a temperature and cause extra soot build up within the engine? Too me it sounded like baloney. He said that he has 91 accord and that's what happened to him. I'm in the midst of restoring this neglected pickup and I would appreciate some input...thanks!

2. locksmith Says: Any reputable and knowledgeable auto parts store will have spark plug cross reference books. These will tell you what different [ manufacturers and corresponding numbers ] of spark plugs which are suitable for your engine. There may also be some heat range variation stated in there as well, in case the standard plug is not performing as well as it should, you can go hotter or colder. My experience is you get what you pay for when you buy spark plugs, but some engines do seem to run better on certain makes. Type/grade of fuel, timing and carb set-up [ fuel/air mixture ] all play a significant role in this formula.

3. Len Says: Hi
You generally don't change the heat range of plugs in an engine unless you are changing engine management calibration like fuel mixture or cam configuration. It's an unnecessary mod and will improve the performance very little with a factory setup.

I have tailored the temperature ranges in some cars for specific reasons and customers but really it makes little difference. You also have to know what the heat range is on the plug and how to read the manufacturers code.

A hotter plug will not give you soot in the engine. You get soot on the plugs from too much fuel, incorrect mixture or bad combustion. Carbon will build up faintly on the valves and sometimes the head surfaces of most engines even with proper maintenance. Most newer fuel injected engines burn cleaner and this is not as bad as it used to be.

Plugs that are too hot can harm the engine and throw off the computer. If you are racing you may run the car hotter and need cooler plugs. If you are running too much fuel a hotter plug may help but if you go up one heat range and the plugs are still black then you have incomplete combustion or too much fuel and you have to get into some more serious engine management solutions.

Good luck

4. Johann Says: Years back I used OEM NGK's original spark plugs on my cars. But I never had a good or long lasting performance out of them. Lot of build up or short life.
Now I only use Bosch Platinum spark plugs. No build up or burned electrodes on the spark plugs.
First time I used the Bosch Platinum was on my van, after 60,000 miles I thought I better replace them since I put twice as many miles on them, than I would with NGK's. To make a short story, after 60,000 miles the spark plugs looked as new as when I put them in the van.
For me, Bosch Platinum are the best and not expensive ( $ 2.80 a piece ) and I use them for all the vehicles I had or have for the last 12 years .

5. Wade C Says: NGK is one of the best plugs out there, if you cant produce a hot enough spark "coil or distributor" high performance plugs will do nothing for you.

I have an 01 Cherokee, put in $6 dollar a piece platinum plugs in, it ran like crap and threw all kinds of engine codes, threw those away and installed .98 cent autolites and now runs great and no codes.

6. MSC Says: Any bran plug can produce a hotter spark for you. All you have to do is jump up a number or two and it burn hotter. I mean the number in the spark plug number ( gx31) the gx 35 is a hotter plug.
Your stock plugs should work just fine for you. Your not running race fuel so no need.

7. Dan Says: I have a '97 Nissan pick up.I tried putting NGK plugs in it one time and noticed considerable power loss and drop in fuel mileage.Went back to the Bosch Platinum plugs that I usually use and it ran better again.