FP-DE/FS-DE alternate OEM spark plug recommendation

[Kansei]

update.. um I already had the ZFR6F-11s in.. FREAKIN WEIRD. I didn't have the part number for the long reaches when I needed spark plugs in an emergency, so I just had napa look up the stock plugs and they gave me ZFR6F-11s

well now I have an extra set.

Oh and after only like 500 miles, the white part was a medium tan color, a little on the orangy/yellow side, and the electrode was a bright tan.. the ring around the insulator was blackened already. Is that at all normal? just wanted to check.

 

[clicknext]

I'm halfway through the first tank of 89 octane I've ever put in this car, and it seems to run a lot smoother on it! It could be a placebo effect, but I remember that before when I took the car up to around 4k rpm, it would feel like the engine was ready to pop out of the hood. Now it's pretty much smooth. Gas mileage is looking promising so far too. The needle is halfway and I've already gone 340 kms.

 

[Dermen]

I installed the spark plugs about 500 miles ago. I filled up with 89 right before I installed the new spark plugs. I could definatly notice a difference and I'm also getting better mileage, but my old plugs had 40k miles on them so that could explain the difference. This week I decided to fill up with 93 because it was cheaper than the 89 that I got on the previous tank due to the falling gas prices.

 

[clicknext]

I installed the spark plugs about 500 miles ago. I filled up with 89 right before I installed the new spark plugs. I could definatly notice a difference and I'm also getting better mileage, but my old plugs had 40k miles on them so that could explain the difference. This week I decided to fill up with 93 because it was cheaper than the 89 that I got on the previous tank due to the falling gas prices.

Do you notice any difference in feel of the car with different octane ratings?

 

[Boston5761]

So, just to clear some things up...has anyone had any problems running these plugs, longer reach? Any contact with pistons...etc? Do you have to run a higher octane fuel?

 

[dinux]

Does anyone have any experience with spark plug wires? I need new wires and if I am going to spend the $160+ to buy them then I am going to buy something worth it. Any help is definately appreciated. I am going to buy a lot of items (oil, oil filter, transmission fluid, coolant, etc) and do a full upgrade in one day (unless someone tells me that doing all of that in one day is not good for the motor). Thanks again!

UPDATE: I did a little more research and was wondering if the Nology spark plug wires would fit my engine and work properly? I know that P5 motor or practically the same as the MSP motor, I just wanted to make sure. Thanks!

 

[Boston5761]

i've heard nothing but bad things about aftermarket wires..most seem to hurt the performance. Stick with the OEM!

 

[Kansei]

I had Sparkco wires for over a year.. they were NO better than OEM wires, and ended up sorta falling apart and getting ruined when they got wet, causing all sorts of misfiring problems.

 

[Moonman8]

I've got the Magnecor set on my P5. They were already installed when I bought the car but the dealership gave me a box with the stock wires in it. In over a year of driving the car, I haven't found any reason to switch back to the OEM ones. I don't really have a point of reference in terms of how different the Magnecor's are but they certainly haven't been hurting my engine.

 

[Bala]

I've got the Magnecor set on my P5. They were already installed when I bought the car but the dealership gave me a box with the stock wires in it. In over a year of driving the car, I haven't found any reason to switch back to the OEM ones. I don't really have a point of reference in terms of how different the Magnecor's are but they certainly haven't been hurting my engine.

I've been running the Magnecors for nearly 1 1/2 years in my P5 - no probs. I had no real issues with the stock ones when I upgraded, I'm just in the habit of upgrading wires when I change out plugs the first time. I picked them up from Corksport http://corksport.com/page/17zl5/Home.html Now, the 2 1/2 year old oem wires in my MSP were brittle and starting to crack when I swapped them out for Magnecors last month. I'm guessing it's a more extreme environment under the hood with the turbo.

 

[Dermen]

Do you notice any difference in feel of the car with different octane ratings?

I didn't notice a difference between 89 and 93. I can't really say if I noticed a difference between 87 and 89 because I drove my car home from the gas station (about 1 mile) and then replaced the spark plugs.

 

[dinux]

So I am guessing these are suggestions to stay away from the Nology Spark Plug wires?

 

[Boston5761]

nology wires are too expensive.

 

[L8R]

NGK also has after markeft ones for about $30 or so. Also, I heard the Protege 1.8L setup (set of 4 wires) is a good upgrade.

 

[dinux]

I am worried about price but then again I am not. I think the Nology wires for the price would make a great addition to the look of the motor as long as they do not downgrade my performance. I will be checking into them more this week as I am inquring about becoming a dealer for them. Thank you for the suggestions and information everyone. Sorry for thread jacking as well!

 

[D-rock240]

Subbing.

 

[clicknext]

27.6 mpg
45.32 L in 531 km
100% City, some traffic jam/stop and go traffic
89 Octane

Basically no difference in mileage from 87. Engine still seems to feel smoother at higher revs, though. I put in some more 89 since the prices are down (which doesn't make sense but oh well) but I'll eventually go try more 87...

 

[PFUNK5]

Installed these today, and drove about 70 miles tonight with a nice smooth rev band. I'm filled on 91octane.

 

[Kansei]

Ok no more ZFR6F-11 plugs for me.. back a step warmer to the ZFR5F-11s. Guess I really didn't need the colder plug. The car pulls noticeably better (and that's with my admittedly bad butt-dyno), and is all around a lot smoother. No more low stumbling idle either.

Anyone know what these plugs are telling me? Doesn't the plug on the top look absolutely ragged? That's after 500 carefree miles with no misfiring or anything.. just totally normal driving. The bottom plug of course is a brand new one.. the 5 heat range though.

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Noticing all the crap on the threads, I did my best to get down in there and clean out.. anyone have tips on cleaning in there? My method of a rag wrapped around a 12" extension on my ratchet and just pushing it down there sorta seemed to work but there must be a better way. Do they sell like a large pipe cleaner that does that sort of thing?

 

[Boston5761]

you had any problems with the long reach plugs?