View Poll Results: See my questions in Post 1 of this thread . . .
Copper plugs
66
14.67%
Iridium plugs
130
28.89%
Platinum plugs
254
56.44%
Voters: 450. You may not vote on this poll
5th Gen Spark Plug Replacements
#241
I have used Champion Ar51's for years in our Yamaha Kt100s kart motors. Actually, 98% of the people running the motors use that plug. We also used to run them in our built stock car engines (550hp). Good products.
As far as for on road cars.. No experience. Im sure all the major brands are pretty close from a performance, reliability and longevity standpoint. I think price is the main variable.....
As far as for on road cars.. No experience. Im sure all the major brands are pretty close from a performance, reliability and longevity standpoint. I think price is the main variable.....
#242
Let me start by saying I am not a mechanic - just wanted to save money. I had a ignition coil problem (based on the computer code I surmised this) and thought I would change the plugs on my 2K Maxima - 105K miles. The manual said to use platinum plugs (no brand specified) so I went to Pep boys and they sold me Autolite platinum because they were out of NGK. I installed them and the mechanic trying to figure out which coil was bad said I should have used NGK - autolite would cause bad gas mileage and wear out fast - they are cheap and meant for Fords. When back at Pep boys buying the ignition coil they said not to worry - autolite is fine. I put in the new coil and everything is working fine - been two weeks - car runs great. Does anyone think I will have a problem with the autolite platinum plugs? This forum thread seems the say all kinds of plugs work - just some work better or last longer than others. By the way-the OEM plugs I took out look as good as the new replacements (aside from being grayish, the shape of the tip was like new and the gap was fine on all the plugs). And after watching the mechanic I know how to figure out which coil is bad the next time that happens!
#243
Let me start by saying I am not a mechanic - just wanted to save money. I had a ignition coil problem (based on the computer code I surmised this) and thought I would change the plugs on my 2K Maxima - 105K miles. The manual said to use platinum plugs (no brand specified) so I went to Pep boys and they sold me Autolite platinum because they were out of NGK. I installed them and the mechanic trying to figure out which coil was bad said I should have used NGK - autolite would cause bad gas mileage and wear out fast - they are cheap and meant for Fords. When back at Pep boys buying the ignition coil they said not to worry - autolite is fine. I put in the new coil and everything is working fine - been two weeks - car runs great. Does anyone think I will have a problem with the autolite platinum plugs? This forum thread seems the say all kinds of plugs work - just some work better or last longer than others. By the way-the OEM plugs I took out look as good as the new replacements (aside from being grayish, the shape of the tip was like new and the gap was fine on all the plugs). And after watching the mechanic I know how to figure out which coil is bad the next time that happens!
I would pull 2 plugs out after about 25k and check them to see how they are doing. Access the situation and go from there. Use your judgement.
Good Luck
#245
just want a good spark plug. people say copper provides better performance and is cheaper but dont last as long (30k from what i heard) thats about 2.5 years for me so i can swing that
B
#249
Labour in changing spark plugs for 5th gen maxima?
My dealer says it is 2.7 hours for changing plugs on a '02. Thus the labour far exceeds the price of the plugs.
I found a how-to site describing removal of intake pipes and replacing gaskets, etc. Seems to be quite a job:
http://www.greghome.com/Greg%27s%20Garage/2002MaxSE/SparkPlugReplacement.htm
Why are there people here talking about this being a 30 minute job?
I've done my own plugs on simple 4 banger vehicles and there it is a quick and simple job, but it doesn't seem to be for the Maxima and a V6.
If you have a short cut for plug change, please clarify what it is.
I found a how-to site describing removal of intake pipes and replacing gaskets, etc. Seems to be quite a job:
http://www.greghome.com/Greg%27s%20Garage/2002MaxSE/SparkPlugReplacement.htm
Why are there people here talking about this being a 30 minute job?
I've done my own plugs on simple 4 banger vehicles and there it is a quick and simple job, but it doesn't seem to be for the Maxima and a V6.
If you have a short cut for plug change, please clarify what it is.
#250
Now that I know what I'm doing, I bet I could get it done in half the time next time. It's like anything else. It's a learning experience, and once you get it down, you'll be able to do it quicker next time.
Last edited by Mr. Brett; 04-30-2010 at 07:57 AM.
#251
What do you guys think of E3 diamond fire spark plugs? I saw a before and after dyno on Horsepower TV a while back, and the motor gained like 5 HP. It was a small block Chevy though, so who knows how that'll translate to a VQ35. It was an engine dyno, BTW.
Last edited by Z-Powered; 05-08-2010 at 11:13 AM.
#254
there is nothing better than OEM NKG platinum
#255
I installed NGK G-Power Platinum Tip Spark Plugs at 90k miles and have put 60k on them. Just now at a little over 150k am I even thinking about looking at them to see how they are withstanding the miles. I am experiencing no negative effects, just thought it would be worth it to see where they are gapped at now,etc.They were much cheaper than the platinum and at the time, I didn't have the money for the platinum's. I consider them a great alternative...
NGK # LFR5AGP (# 5018)
NGK # LFR5AGP (# 5018)
#256
Dont know why people knock the Bosch I put those in my 2000 when I had it the Platinum 4's and it ran way smoother and sold it and on the 03 went with the NGK coppers to me they are not better than the Bosch 4's but maybe will try NGK platinums to see whats up with those.
#257
Just a habit people fall into. I've used NGK Iridiums since having my 1989 240sx and I swore night and day the engine felt smoother. Now the experience of those Iridium IX in the 2002 Maxima.. is a different story. I didn't feel any difference.
#258
I recently changed from Pt to Ir on my VQ35 and IMO, and I'm always questioning EVERYthing, never promote spark plugs of any kind, but it does have a smoother idle with the Ir's.
The only reason i went with Ir was because the price was identical if not less than 1$ per plug, so I figured why not.
#261
That's what I do... OEM plugs changed around 90+K miles.. Put in what came out, should have those in there for another 100k miles. NGK makes the best spark plugs around. It's the same story for my old Saturn engine.. NGK coppers are the ones.
#262
OEM = NGK Double Platinum = NKG Laser Platinum
Last edited by BuRoJo; 05-12-2010 at 09:55 AM.
#264
I think that's what you got since both the Laser Ir and Laser (or Double) Pt cost about the same.
#265
It was only because they were the same price. If price was a factor, I would have gone with Cu, but the VQ35's plugs are all in the same price range, hence why I went with the Ir's.
I always used Cu in my VQ30, due to the p;lugs being less than @$ per plug.
I always used Cu in my VQ30, due to the p;lugs being less than @$ per plug.
#266
I am near 100K and about to do plugs also.
Since I only want to take the IM off once my plan is to
1) NGK Iridiums
2) New OEM IM gaskets
3) 04 Valve covers
Coilpacks seem good. Hopefully I won't have to go for new ones.
Since I only want to take the IM off once my plan is to
1) NGK Iridiums
2) New OEM IM gaskets
3) 04 Valve covers
Coilpacks seem good. Hopefully I won't have to go for new ones.
#267
I must be gettng lazy in my old age since I'd rather not change plugs as frequently as I used to.
#268
when i got my max in 06 it had 53k on it so i replace the plugs with the Bosch Platinum theirs a few different ones but i got the best one at the time done remember which one it was then at about 75k i got the NGK which im still running and everyone i asked back then said NGK is best for the max and it did start up a little better at least to me
#269
when i got my max in 06 it had 53k on it so i replace the plugs with the Bosch Platinum theirs a few different ones but i got the best one at the time done remember which one it was then at about 75k i got the NGK which im still running and everyone i asked back then said NGK is best for the max and it did start up a little better at least to me
#271
I would go with Iridium cause it's stonger than platinum so it will last longer and it's a better conductor than platinum. If you want to be technical though silver is the best conductor, but it's reletively expensive and its a soft metal so it doesn't last long in an engine. Copper is the next most conductive metal and it's cheap which is why most racers use them, but like silver it's a soft metal and doesn't last long either. I said all of this jsut to say, if you just want a really good conductor get silver plugs. If you want a good and cheap conductor get copper. If you want a descent conductor that will last a long time get iridium. And leave platinum alone because it's the best at nothing.
#272
I've got copper in my VQ35 now and plan to swap them for the Iridium IX once I get a chance to. I fully dread having to mess with the upper intake collector but that's the price to pay.
#273
Don't forget NWP Spacers while you're at it! Definitely worth it.
#274
I would suggest using NGK Laser Iridium plugs instead of the Iridium IX. They should last longer since they have Platinum on ground electrode where the IX does not.
#275
#277
Spacers are a high-heat plastic spacer between the valve block and upper intake collector. The idea is to lower heat soak on the intake collector which helps keep the intake air cooler.
#278
There's a ton of stuff on the org about them, and here's the website:
http://nwpengineering.com/Phenolic_Spacers.html#VQ35DE
They're pretty much a guaranteed 10hp and 12tq. This has been dyno tested, and tons of people (including myself) can attest to their effectiveness. They give you increased power in 2 ways. 1. They drastically decrease intake manifold temperatures, making the air coming in cooler and more dense, and 2. They increase intake runner length, which, by some process I don't completely understand, increases hp and tq (increases air velocity?). Just get them, you won't be disappointed. They're $225 + $10 shipping. Best bang for your buck mod there is for our cars. Well, these and headers...
Just make sure you use the RTV sealant mentioned in the instructions. Eh e-subliminal-2?? hehehehe
http://nwpengineering.com/Phenolic_Spacers.html#VQ35DE
They're pretty much a guaranteed 10hp and 12tq. This has been dyno tested, and tons of people (including myself) can attest to their effectiveness. They give you increased power in 2 ways. 1. They drastically decrease intake manifold temperatures, making the air coming in cooler and more dense, and 2. They increase intake runner length, which, by some process I don't completely understand, increases hp and tq (increases air velocity?). Just get them, you won't be disappointed. They're $225 + $10 shipping. Best bang for your buck mod there is for our cars. Well, these and headers...
Just make sure you use the RTV sealant mentioned in the instructions. Eh e-subliminal-2?? hehehehe
Last edited by jowo9; 05-21-2010 at 01:15 PM.
#279
#280
They do increase runner length, therefore increasing intake air velocity & volume, thus resulting in a slight power increase. There is a DEK with them on here somewhere.