Hey needed some help on a spark plug selection. Im looking for the best in performance in a 97 maxima " all motor".

I have been using : OEM NGK type PFR5G-11 Platinum Spark Plugs from the dealer.

Today, I was talking with a mechanic and he suggested Bosch Platinum 4.
Bosch Website: Bosch Platinum 4 Click here

Can anyone give me any information about the Bosch Platinum 4's ? Is this a big NO-NO with the VQ30DE ? The guy was a Nissan Mechanic so that made me wonder if I should try the Platinum 4's ? Let me know, thanks !

Maxima Mods site says this:

Only run NGK spark plugs in the Nissan engine. This point cannot be stressed enough. The engine and ignition system was designed with the internal resistance and exact parameters of NGK spark plugs in mind. Maybe some people have had some success stories running other brands, but others have lost 15hp, have lost gas mileage, have hesitation problems, or had to replace their whole engine, just by running non-NGK plugs. Don't say we didn't warn you ahead of time.

i wouldnt run anything but NGK. The platinum ones are obviously the best but the coppers work just as well. I run BKR5E-11 Copper and dont think twice.

yeah the org seems to be slow at the moment, going to check faqs. found this: at
http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/sparkplug.html

WHAT TYPE OF PLUGS SHOULD I GET?

I asked this question to my fellow Maxima enthusiasts. Quite simply, the platinum tipped NGK plugs that come stock with the Maxima are great plugs. You can try those other aftermarket plugs, but you may be asking for trouble. I know of someone directly who put those Bosch +4 plugs in their car and caused some serious damage. So stick with the NGKs. If you're looking to squeeze every drop of horsepower, then try the cold type NGK spark plug. (NGKs come in standard, hot, and cold types). The cold plug, as the name implies, is used for cold weather conditions so has a stronger spark. I use cold plugs myself. They're about $10 each from my nearby Nissan dealer.

I guess im sticking with what im using unless the copper would be better ?

I don't suggest a cold plug unless you absolutely need it(n2o,boost,etc.).
a "cold" plug does not have ANYTHING to do with cold weather conditions. "Cold" is the heat rating of the plug. Colder plugs are needed for cylinders running at higher temperatures and pressure generally. The colder the plug, the faster it transfers heat, and vice versa. A longer core makes for a hotter plug and vice versa. It has a little to do with the type of metals used too, IIRC.

and oh yeah, i'd run BKR5E-11 NGKs too. That's what I used to use.

^^^^^^^hahahah^^^^^ cold plugs for cold weather.... I wouldn't take advise from someone who doesn't know the diff from hot to cold plugs... I find it unusual that a spark plug would cause serious eng damage... unless it was defective and fell apart ........ Bosch is one if not the largest supplier of automotive electronics in the world. I think they are more than capable of making a spark plug that will work in our cars..... I'm a VW tech and we use both Bosch and NGK in our cars... I have seen very little or no diff in performance or life span between the 2 brands.
BTW I have had the +4's in my 300ZX for about 4yrs....hmmmm no problems yet.... and since my Max is due for plugs ...... I think I'll try a set of +4's in it and report back..... I keep track of my MPG and 1/4 miles are normally within a tenth...later

Cold plugs are only useful to prevent detonation.

Your best bet overall is the NGK Coppers.

so this is my best bet for best performance spark plug ----> BKR5E-11 NGKs

getting the max looked over tommorrow for some racing this sunday and wanted to change the plugs !

This is the NGK web site where they explain the Cold and hot spark plugs difference. and if you search on the site you will find that our spark plug is the 3rd best spark plug NGK sells.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinf...000&country=US

BTW Would it be a better to buy the best spark plug they have the Iridium IX? Or that wouldn't make any difference?

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/product...000&country=US

I can attest to the fact that Bosch Plugs will not play nice with the ****ty Hanshin Coils on 99s. However, they have performed well on both of my 2001s. I have since replaced the crap coils on my 99 with Mitsubishis. Don't know if Bosch will work with those and don't intend to find out for a while ( I think they may)/ My personal belief is that the ****ty Coil problem is the cause root of this issue.
JS

NGK PLATS there the OEM kind and I got them from Orielly Auto for 9.99 a piece. So 60 dollars for 60,000 miles is a great investment. The coppers are good but they have to be replaced more often.

Proph

nice question !


you know when the warmer weather hits I experience some pinging when i plug up the upgraded ecu. i believe with the warm temps and my plugged egr all this works in concert to cause the problem. so what i have been doing is to use the stock ecu for daily driving. Question: would spark plug selection help/hurt in this situation. I ask because im wondering in this case is copper ngk better than platinum ngk for the pings ?

What is the code for the NGK Coppers? I've NEVER been convinced of platinum plugs. If copper plugs worked in my 300+hp DSM, and work in the 800+hp ones, they're overkill in my maxima.

If by code you mean nissan part number, it's 22401-50Y05. NGK number as stated above is BKR5E-11.

Thank you.

just stick with ngk.
the bosch +4 all that mean is that it will provide a spark four time faster then your average plugs.
it dont mean it will provide 4 times the amount of spark.

Actually the "+4" stands for the 4 conductors. There is one on each side rather than just one over the electrode.

but what does the +4 conductors means?
it means it give you the spark four time faster dosent it?

I just installed NKG iridium's. Wow big difference in acceleration. The owner before had put in some crappy Champion's that needed changing. Maybe that's why I noticed such a big difference. Either way, NKG's are the way to go

who has those for sale tweeter ?

Even though they have 4 conductors, they still only use one of them. I had a set in for about a week and when I removed them, you could clearly see which one the spark was jumping to. Point of least resistance, I think that's the right phrase or term.

I removed mine because my wife's car (stock '96 auto SE) walked my car with Bosch 4's and I had intake and a y-pipe. Changed to NGK plats and the car felt better and had no trouble beating hers.

Yes BSwithTF is right. The Bosch, even with 4 conductors, is still going to use just one of them every time it fires. It's the path of least resistance.

Caesar...just get the coppers.

Copper lasts 30k miles and are 1/3rd the cost of Plats. (Plats last 60k miles...you do the math, it's cheaper for the coppers anyway even if you have to do 2 sets in 60k miles)
Copper provides a better spark than plats...Better spark = better performance.

Platinums are only good because they keep the engine running longer without having to change them out.

Get the coppers...

Well. what about the iridiums? Are they a combo of copper and platinum or what?

I'm currently running Bosch Platinum +4 and for 3 years I have had NO PROBLEMS in gas mileage (avg 400miles freeway/ 300-350miles city), loss in power, or engine problems. Not saying which is better, just giving you personal reviews on the +4s.

Iridium is a metal. It''s #77 on the periodic table.

Iridium vs NGK, i'm a little confused as to the difference if there's even a difference. Are Iridium a type of NGK plugs or are they something totally different. I heard a lot of good feedback whenever i see the word iridium but confused as to its relation and/or difference to NGK coppers and/or platinums.

iridium is a metal. Some companys make iridium plugs. The only difference (that I know of) is that it's MUCH harder than any other type of plug, therefor it would last longer. However I have seen way too many supra owners use those things with horrible luck that I'm staying the hell away.

So you are saying the iridiums suck then?

Well, I'm not going to say they "suck" but I haven't seen ANYONE having good experience with them. I'm sure they serve a purpose, I'm just not sure what that is.

What kind of BAD experience? blown engine? better gas milage? more power in the car? broken piston?
To say bad experince doesn't help me understand why the irdiun spark is BAD.

Gui

Sorry, they were having problems with misfiring and lack of power because of that misfire.

Yea I had the ngk copper car ran like a raped ape .. 40,000 miles later I change then out and went with auto lite plats ap3924 just because on sale with rebate cost was next to nothing .. Not being cheap but 60,000 mile change out didn't sound bad but I think the car has to ajust to them .. Ngk copper are the best got to admit but now I don't care lol

This thread is from 04.