Anyone tried both the NGK standard copper and V-Power plugs? They are the same price but the V-Power has a V-groove design to "enhance ignitability" and reduce "quenching". Is there any drawback to the V-Power design? Otherwise, same price, might as well get 'em.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/apps/ca...engineid=28311

Also, how often do you change your copper plugs? 15,000 miles?

 

The copper plugs last to 30,000 miles but I would probably change them at 15,000 since they are cheap. I would also want to know what the difference is between standard and the V-Powers. No one seems to know.

 

interesting find. I would also like to know.

btw i've had platinums in MY Car for a good 50k miles. Time to change THEM.

 

There are 2 different explainations I've heard:

1. The V splits the electricity. Which I believe could work.

2. The sharp edges of the V help reduce the resistance for the spark.

Either way I use them in all our maximas (BKR5E-11). I would use them on our Durango but I got better results with the Autolites (3923 ) and it I've got a whole 10 miles on the Mustang's Autolite 45's.

 

I don't know about the splitting the electricity bit, but you're right about the sharp edges. A spark is always initiated at a sharp corner or edge because the electric field has what is called a stress concentration there. That is, the gradient in the electric field is high at an edge or corner, resulting in increased voltage potential. So a plug with a V groove has more sharp edges, therefore more places for a spark to initiate. In theory, at least.

 

i found this on the denso website:

spark plug u groove tech

 

I have the Vpowers. There are NO drawbacks. they are around 2 bux apiece so go for it. They are more responsive than my plats were but then again one looked coroded

Go on NGK's website, it syas these plugs are for the "street racer"

 

Cool. From the bit of research I've done, I'd have to say fairly conclusively that these NGK Copper V-Powers (BKR5E-11) are THE best plug for an N/A Maxima (at least 4th gen) unless you hate changing spark plugs more often. It's not like it's hard to do...

 

V-Power is good, I think I have those (got a set of 6 coppers from DAVEB, although 1 of them turned out to be a platinum inside a copper plug's case ), my only problem is that I go through 30K miles in ~6-8 months... I should get all platinums my next tuneup, I don't wanna change plugs twice a year

And BTW, the "splitting electricity" is crap, that's how the "SplitFire" brand plugs work... it's bunk. The sharp edges, on the other hand, ARE a very good feature
Especially on the center conductor, since the center conductor always wears round around the edges...

 

hmmm maybe I'll try these!

 

It's the life of the plugs that kill them... coppers aren't supposed to last more than 30K miles or so.

 

I don't care about the life because I will probably be putting 5-8K miles a year on my Max, and I don't mind changing plugs more often because of the two great advantages: 1. better power than platinum or iridium plugs and 2. much much cheaper. You could go through 4 sets of copper V-Powers and still save money over 1 set of laser platinum plug for the same time period.

 

I have the coppers too in my car and my car felt alot more responsive after changing. My car had only 30,000 miles back then. Now i have 42,000 and i plan on checking them when it gets to 45,000. The only draw back is the time you spend changing them.