Best spark plugs to fit to my chipped 1.8T?

[Cossie_boy]

Hi all,

Am going to change my plugs as have a slight hesitation so thought maybe worth a shot...

Can anyone recommend a good set to get?

Cheers

Dave

 

[Tastyterrier]

Bosch Super 4's...top notch!

http://www.boschautoparts.co.uk/pcPlug4.asp?c=2&d=1

 

[s3_kev]

always best to stick with original equipment modern cars are designed to run what the manufacture uses, i used to work for vauxhall main dealer and the amount of problems you can get from running the incorect plugs is suprising

 

[Clach]

I got some Denso jobs..no problems here.

 

[simch]

Avoid irridium plugs on chipped cars, the pointy electrodes can cause hot spots and pinking under load.
Try stock NGK platinums, or for big bost go one stage cooler, ie 7s not 6's.
OR, save yourself a fortune, forget the platimums and go for NGK BKR7E's, one stage cooler, COPPER electrode and cost £1.99 each! Great for bigger boost BUT you have to change them every 5-10k miles.

 

[markyp2002]

Try Denso IK22s, not that expensive really, and i know they are good quality - i work for Denso

 

[scott_johnson]

I got told to go oem spark plugs with a higher heat rating (as i melted one of the tips on my prefacelift!!) Only problem with higher heat rating is that they can carbon up if driven slow.... answer = keep it at the redline!!!! lol

 

[Clach]

Know I remember, I got Denso IK22s, £40 if I remember and supposed to last 50k, but I will have them out when the cold weather hits us again..if it ever leaves us!

 

[S3 Rav]

ive asked this before and alot of people have recomended the denso ik 22's

 

[Clach]

It's always a matter of facts, opinions and personal experiences. I went for the expensive, longer life ones so I do not need to change them as often,,,

 

[simch]

I cannot understand the rationale of buying plugs that are supposed ok for 40k miles....!>!> That is like three years use for most people.
I honestly believe the longlife serviceing idea on VAG cars is ridiculous, it kids people into thinking that their cars will be trouble free for this time period. With a turbo car, if you do regular basic maintenance like oil changes (with decent but not overpriced) oil, every 5-10k miles, plugs once a year and keep you eye on levels etc, they should be pretty relaible. But the longlife idea of oil for 20k miles (maybe 2 years!!), plugs for 40k miles, I think makes some owners forget that they should keep their eye on their cars regualrly.

Although maybe I ma just an old fuddy duddy who remebers the days of mineral oils, turbo times and keeping your points gap correct so your timing is right!!! LOL

I just oredered some Copper NGK BKR7E plugs for my BT s3, its done 8k miles on the current ones since last June. £13.27 deleivered for all 4!. I am sure they will run another 10k miles, but I will feel happier with them changed!!

 

[markyp2002]

Well, after looking into it here at Denso, ive found that the IK20s are more suitable for the 1.8T A3 and the IK22s for the S3. Not sure how i came to that conclusion now, lost track of calculations but trust me, RRP is like £5-7 for these plugs and they are Denso Irridium High Power plugs (ideal for modified motors)

 

[simch]

What about the pointy electrode and pinking when the bost is upped......??

Do denso do copper plugs with wider and less hot spot promoting electrodes?

It's weird, the stock plugs seem to be the same (apart from the very very early AGU 18t). Why does the denso catalogue suggest a cooler IK22 for the stock S3?

 

[danotto]

denso ik22's all they way

 

[barters3]

I was thinking of getting ngk iridium replacements, would this be advisable?

 

[HTC]

I'm going to try a set of copper plugs one range colder. Just curious to see how I get on with them.

I know they are theorietically better for performance as the heat is dissipated into the head better.

Simch, what plug gap are you running?

 

[Mr.Blonde]

Just bought some NGK BKR7E for my A3.wahts the recommend gap size?...ive read that its 00.28?.

Also whats this about heat rating?.

 

[s3_kev]

the gap should be between 00.28 to 00.32 i went with 00.30 and seems to run fine, the number in the plug name is your heat rateing so 7 not sure what the number equates to really but the higher the number with ngk plugs the cooler they run, i belive some other manufatures heat rateings work in the opersite way around

 

[simch]

in NGK, a 7 is cooler than a 6. Other way round for bosch though!

A copper plug is reckoned to be half a range cooler before you start though due to the wider electrode core.

 

[Mr.Blonde]

Yeah ive just fitted the plugs and gaped to .028 and runs good so far!.