I read a few of the discussions here and noticed I was using the wrong plug. I WAS using Boush spark plugs platnium when I should have been using NGK. Well, the NGK's were gapped to .041. The automotive book suggested .44. However, in another book, .039 - .043. So, what should I have done fellow Max enthusiasts? I started up the Max, let it warm up, did some tuning and zoom. I had power through all the gears. I test drove a brand new Max a few days later and realized, I don't need anothe car. I now know what needs to be done to make the old skool 95 feel and react like the '05. And will cost less. I had unbelievable power when I switched out the plugs. I really don't know what the difference in gap size does but the car does perform better at .041. Any thoughts?

 

What kind of 'tuning' did you do?

I never gap my plugs (BKR5E's), only check them.

As per the FSm, 0.039" - 0.043" is good (1.0mm - 1.1mm)

 

Cleaned the K&N filter, cleaned the TB, added some Seafoam and vroom. However, the idle is a little weird. Used to be 700-750 and now its 600-650. Curious?

 

So did you replace your plugs with NGK copper, or platinum?

 

how much difference are these two plugs, is it worth the costs?

NGK GP platinum 7090 BKR5EGP 0.044 DOHC $2.68
NGK Double Platinum 2647 PFR5G-11 0.044 DOHC $11.71

are the iridium any good?

 

Neither of those are the right plugs

Search for NGK copper and you'll find your answer.

 

My max came with Denso Iridium platinum plugs, but my budget was too low to replace with them, so I got NGK double platnum which is what all the information I found on plugs said to use. I'm pretty sure even my owners manual said to use platinums. This is another one of those age old disputes which noone can agree on.

 

I am using the NGK Copper plug. I looked at the plug itself and it had an "R" on it. Not for certain what that means guys. I would have to say, ti2tmax, another dispute. But, it works and gas is a little better plus more power, probably due to the amount of spark its generating. (hmm)

 

NGK also makes an iridium plug. and though more expensive, it is supposedly, more efficient, and can help make more power.

 

Spark plugs cannot add any power.

 

Iridium plugs are better for boosted applications.

 

If you notice, I did not say make more power, I said "help" make more power. An efficiently running engine has x horsepower. An engine running less efficiently, is losing some horsepower to let us say a less efficient combustion. So if, in this context, the spark plugs were replaced, more of the power inherent in the engine would be available for use. Think of this way, if you were remove a potato from your exhaust, you would not gain horsepower, but you would have more horsepower available.

 

http://www.ngk.com put in the car info and it'll show you the OE gap (which is 0.044)

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaSparkPlugs

 

I think all of you guys put way too much thought and emphasis on what type of spark plugs you are using.

 

I suppose that if the plugs were replaced regularly, then what type might not be as important.

 

That makes no sense whatsover.

 

I'm guessing he's comparing the coppers to the more expensive platinums.

 

Yes, any new plug would perform better than an old plug regardless of if it was a platinum or an iridium or whatever.

 

http://jime.homeip.net/Plugs.html

this is a good chart to help understand what the plug means and how they can help for certain apps. Since i run nitrous i have a 1 step colder (copper) and a two step colder (copper) plugs, iridium is also a "colder" plug, but the lower the number the hotter the plug. Yes Maximas were designed for a "5" platinum gapped at .044 but i gapped mine at .038 for my application. I use my 2nd colder plug when i spray over a 75 shot... and they are gapped at .035... If your N/A use a hot plug, if your boosted use a colder one.

 

I use coppers in all my Maximas.

I'm bored....Explain?

 

I am a new member from Canada who is about to change the plugs in my Maxima for the first time. I already purchased Bosch Platinum plugs before I read the threads. Dealers here want $16 for NGK platinum and $23 for double platinum. Will the Bosch work ok or should I spring for the NGK's?

 

Get NGK coppers. I pay $1.90 each American for mine.

 

I got NGK coppers for $8.60 for a pack of four at ebay.ca.

 

I currently run copper and can't imagine spending the money for the platinums.

 

too good to be true?
http://partsbynet.com/ngk-7090-2002.html

 

platinum comes with the car stock but a lot of the boosted and nitrous guys use copper to prevent detonation. is there really a difference i cant tell ecept the coppers dont last as long. the correct number for copper plugs that you can get at any autozone or strauss is BKR6E-11 which are copper one step colder part number 2756. if you dont want one step colder for n/a applications i think the number is replaced with a 5

 

Get rid of the Bosch plugs immediately! If you can't afford the NGK platinums, go with the NGK coppers (BKR 5E-11).

Do you have Lordco in Alberta? If so, go in there and tell them you have an account and you will get a further 30% discount. If they ask with whom, just say the name of a local large company, eg. any oil company, utility etc.

 

Boosted guys run colder plugs to prevent detonation not copper. They run copper because they realize there is no need to spend the extra money.

 

uhm where did you get your info copper does prevent detonation read first before you answer

 

Thanks for the further input. I'll either go with the NGK Platinum or Copper. Has anyone used the plugs from PartsbyNet.com? $27 for a set of 6 G Power Platinum sounds too good?

 

It may be too good because it probably is not the right plug. The OEM NGK laser platinum plugs are PFR 5G-11.

 

If cost and durability are not at issue, is there a performance based reason to use copper over platinum?

 

Hi All,
Purchased my Maxima 98 with 50K miles in June 2003, I now have over 120K, pls advise what should be done. I have already purchased new spark plugs and fuel filter.

Thanks.

 

Do the 60K service.

 

what is the big deal with Bosch plugs...... A spark plug is a spark plug is a spark plug. What brand you choose should have no difference, just like what metal they use for the electrodes makes no difference.....