i just finished changing my spark plugs. I replaced the originals with new NGK Laser Platinums. The cars low-end power is muchhh better than before, i only have to tap it now for it to go. I have a question, did you guys RESET the ecu after installing the new plugs or no need to? Thanks.

 

you dont need to reset it. question- how many miles did you have on the old plugs?

 

yeh im due for a tune up soon

 

I had 59,800 miles on them. I was doing the 60k service tune up. Tomorow i gotta put in a new fuel filter, Maybe the Z

 

oh hell no! tell me u joking! I was ready to get those bosh spark plugs over a century ago and i didn't because first off, the ones i have no aren't bad...i guess and everyone told me that they dont' increase power....so spark plugs DO increase power? i don't have platinum ones...i THINK i have stock ones that came with the 95 maxima....and i bought car at 84,000 and now has 107,000....i have know idea if the ones i have now are bad or not...how can u tell? and do they REALLY give u extra power or atleast a quick boost in the beginning like PejMax97SE said? or was his old spark plugs so bad he couldn't move or something?

 

You do not gain power with plugs. All he's feeling is the power increase from having new plugs. Power drops when spark plugs get old. He just restored it to factory levels. If you tried out 3 different types of plugs in your car, you will get the exact same dyno reading each time if all the plugs are new. Unless you're running a lot of boost, plugs don't give you any power. I went from factory plugs to Denso Iridium plugs at $14 each, and there was no difference.

 

I put denso in my car and I guess my engine was hungry, 7k miles later they are toast. Be kind to your car and replace them with OEM plugs. I would order them from an Online company to save a few bucks. Well maybe not you'll loose your savings in shipping costs.

 

I changed my NGK platinums at 51,000 miles with new NGK Platinums. Performance and milage were greatly enhanced! The old plugs looked great and if I had to guess I would have thought about 20,000 on them. I replaced my gas filter, PCV valve and cleaned throttle valve. Major improvement in smoothness and performance. Thank you to all of you who posted procedures, tips, experiences and recommendations. It was a big help and made it quite easy. This forum is a very valuable resource in our quest for speed, power and winning races!
Be well!!!! Sheridan

 

is it expensive to replace the PVC valve? I tried to do the spray in TB cleaning, and my car has felt a little slugish since with a higher idle than normal.

 

I believe the PCV Valve cost me $2.67 at Advance Auto. The hard part is finding it on your engine. Once you find it, replacing it is straight forward and relatively easy! I used Valvolene Synthetic Throttle Valve Cleaner (it is safe for 02 sensors), cost about $2.50 at Advance Auto. I sprayed, scrubbed with tooth brush, wiped with lots and lots of paper towels until clean. No problems so far!

 

do you think the PVC valve replacement has any benefits? I have 70k miles now. I did the TB cleaning about 1k mile, it only gave me troubles at the first start up, really hard to idle the car. It idles at a higher RPM, but it sort of smooth.

 

Yes I do! My car had 51,000 miles on it when I changed it and it was not working very freely. Also when PVC gets clogged it can cause performance problems as well as contribute to oil leaks. Blow by gases in engine have got to be relieved or it will relieve itself ie. oil leaks. All we are talking about is a couple of $$ and probably a half hour of your time. I could do it in about 10 minutes now!

 

I cleaned my throtle body this weekend, i had to adjust the idle back down to aprx 800 rpm. Now my car is running smooth.

 

I did a bit of research and found a lot of people very bullish on the Denso Iridium spark plugs. They're supposed to give you better performance because they require less energy to ignite than standard or platinum plugs.

 

I haven't changed spark plugs myself for a very long time. Last time I did, I had to use a gap tool to make sure the electrode gap was correct (on a previous car).

Do you still have to gap your plugs or are they all fixed now?

 

the platinums already come pre-gapped

 

i never said i got EXTRA HP. it didnt boost my HP from 190 to 200 or anything. But the car is back to its normal power. When the plugs get old and black, the spark is not good and you basically loose some power. Also, replacing them should give you better gas mileage.

 

the guy with a 107K miles, your car shouldve had its plugs and a bunch of other stuff changed at 60k miles, and th 95 as do all 4th gens, come with NGK platinum plugs, in my opinion the best out there, at 90K u should change the air filter and fuel filter, and at 120 again u should be changing your sparks again, go with the NGK's..on courtesy nissan, theyre only $55 for all six, and that might sound like alot but its acutally real good for these NGKs, cuz they can run upto even $15 each at auto parts stores

 

air filter at 90k?, Its every 30k miles.

 

Many plugs today come pre gapped. The NGK Platinum Plugs PFR5G-11 which I use in my 97 Maxima come pre gapped at .044. I recommend Checking them with a gauge just to be on the safe side.

 

Where's the cheapest place to get the NGK Laser Platinums? courtesynissan?

shaz

 

I bought 30 NIB NGK PFR5G-11 (OEM Plug for Maxima) on eBay for $6.01 plus shipping. That was $6.01 for all 30 plugs not $6.01 each. That works out to about 20 cents a plug. Every car in the family is now running NGK Platinum or Iridium plugs.
Be well!!!!