I have an '03 Maxima 6-speed.


I want to change the spark plugs, what are the Best spark plugs out there for these motors?

 

For performance NGK copper which are also pretty cheap compared to OEM. OEM are laser double platinum and are about ten dollars a piece vs. the coppers which are about three. The benefit to the oem plugs is longevitiy. They will last longer. Copper provides better performance but they wear out quick. I change them once a year in the summer while others drive a lot longer. Also, you can gap the coppers. If you decide to get the more expensive longer lasting plugs don't buy the fake ones that cost less where only part of the plug is a better material. Go full out and get laser double platiunum or iridium if you want an even longer lasting plug. So to answer your question we'd need more information. My suggestion would be to get the NGK copper plugs and change them every summer.

 

Thanks Quickywd01.


I really don't want to take the plenum off every summer and change the back plugs, so I will run the NGK laser double platinum's or Iridium's. I use the Iridium's in my Suzuki GSXR motorcycle and I like them, wanted to see what you guys run in these Maxima's since I've had my car for a short time.


My car is all stock.. not really going to Mod it except I want to put a air intake on it soon and a nice whole exhaust system when its time.

 

Link me to 3$ NGK Cu's for a VQ35.

I went with Ir's for 8$/plug. The plenum isn't difficult to remove at all. Mine is off in 3-5 minutes due to my set-up. (no engine cover, & rear bracket removed).

 

All I had to remove is the plastic engine cover, so changing the plugs on the VQ30's was as easy as can be. I never saw any VQ35 that was set up differently under the hood, they all looked pretty much the same to me.

As far as "best" plugs, that's totally subjective. In all reality, the stock NGK platinums are good, reasonably cheap when ordered from an online retailer on special (w a coupon, whatever). Iridiums might last longer, conventions will run 20,000 miles or less, but it's a lot of second guessing the people who ran that engine design through hundreds of thousands of miles of testing prior to dropping it into a single car. Do we on the Internet really know better?

 

VQ35 requires the removal of the intake manifold.

 

Actually you have to remove the Top Back Plenum and Top Intake Manifold. But do I have to replace the gaskets when I do so or will the original gaskest be ok to re-use again?


I'm still reading up on the difference between the NGK Iridium and Double Platinum's and really couldn't tell the major difference, I guess its just your preference. What I did learn was the Iridium's will give you better performance and fuel efficiency, but the Double Platinum's life span will last longer for less interval changes.

 

NGK factory ones...

 

Probably the most expensive are the best.

 

I used the NGK Laser double platinums. that as well as changing the pcv valve improved my gas mileage from about 16mpg to about 19mpg, but I don't know if that's normal or how accurate it is but was getting about 300 miles to a tank and now a little over 360 to a tank.

 

NGK iridium....just replaced on my '99....looking at around $45 bucks.....