I noticed here that most people are using the BKR5E-11 copper NGK plugs when changing them out. My question though is why the BKR5E-11s and not the BKR5Es? In most other cars I've had when you switch to a copper plug from a plat, they recommend decreasing the gap. Here for example, it would be from like .044 to .034. Maybe the Max is just unique with its ignition system?

Also does the heat range 5 seem to give the best performance as opposed to the cooler 6 range with the VE (no nitrous, turbo, etc.)? Again, with my other Nissan, an SER, most have found that the stock 5's are a little too hot and so run a 6 instead. About 50% hwy, 50% city drivin by the way.

 

Most run oem ngk plats. I dyno'd at 175hp/185ftlbs torque with them. I have JWT ecu/I/Y/rice muffler.

 

Hmmmm..... Well that doesn't quite answer it. But yea the plats will work if you've got money to burn or you just don't want to deal with changing them for 60k. Maybe someone else has some actual experience with the NGK coppers?

 

Well it looks like you can't/won't run the correct oem plugs. So now what are you going to do. Regardless of anyone's reply, you have to use something different. Matt93se likes the coppers

 

I'm using the BKR5E-11 plugs, I'm not sure what the difference is between them and just the BKR5E's, Maybe the 11 is the V-Power.

Btw, the platinums come stock, and there is a warning on your air box telling you that, so dont assume that the people who run platinums either have money to burn or are 'lazy' (by using plugs that have atleast 4x the lifetime), some people just like to run what Nissan recommends for the car (ie. being smart).

I run coppers because I like them more. Thats just me.

 

I think if you would have searched, you would have found out that the old ones are'nt made anymore, and that the new number is form the 4th gen. So in reality, they are either better or the exact same thing.
Also the proper gap is something like .039 for the max, most aftermarket plugs come with .044 and that is the end of the allowed range, those plugs should really be regapped to .039. Only the original NGK plugs come with the proper gapping.

 

im using the NGK iridiums at .040 however the motor broke before ive had a chance to try them. ill let u know after shes running again. !

 

VG :BKR6Es-11
b=14mm Thread
K=Hex Size 5/8" Projected Tip (ISO)
R= Resistor
6=heat range
E= 19mm Thread reach
S= Standard 2.5 mm center electrode
-11= .044 gap

VE : PFR5C-11
P= Premium Platinum
F=14 mm thread, 19mm reach,16 mm(5/8) hex
R=resistor
5=heat range
C=Special Design Firing end
-11= .044 gap

 

I've tried both the hotter plug and the colder plug and I didnt feel anything noticable. I've read some 4th gen posts were they said they lost a few hp when using the colder plug.

Dont forget the plug temperatures are the opposite from american made plugs. I actually caught an error on the courtesyparts web page, they had the number backwards, so anyone buying the hotter plug was getting the colder and vice versa.

So the colder plug would be PFR6C-11, and the hotter plug is PFR4C-11

 

Dang, we got some platinum freaks here!!!

eric93se: Thanks for the info on the heat ranges there. On the SR20s Nissan changed to hotter plugs at some point due to fouling during very short trip driving, supposedly during shipment of the cars. But for regualr driving most recommend the cooler plugs, even Courtesy. Mike Kojima actually did a whole write up on it. Wasn't sure if it was a similar story with Maximas.

MrGone: Yea man, I knew plats were stock. I'd say the main reason for that is so they don't have to service them during your warranty, $$ counts. And the -11 in the item number stands for the gap in metric terms. The BKR5e-11's are gapped wider than the BKR5e's, always check it though, lots of variation.