Denso or NGK? Spark Plugs

[Mickyblue]

I'm looking at the Denso IK20 Iridium for my 1996 camry 5SFE, or NGK Ix-Iridium. The NGK is like 8 bux cheaper than the Denso yet i hear Denso's are better for toyotas... Now im just being a cheap scape, but i also like to be well informed, Does anyone know the difference between these two plugs or could show me the different because i cant find anything on them

[JohnGD]

The NGKs, IMO, are better plugs than Denso. Get the NGK Laser Iridium. This 0.7mm iridum tipped plug has a platinum ground pad and should last the 120K mile spec'ed interval.

The IK20 however, is just a regular shorter life plug without the ground pad. You'll get less iridium and less platinum than NGKs in general. However, one advantage is the slightly thinner center electrode (0.4mm) but probably with a shorter life than the 0.7 mm spec'ed for Toyota.

Ahhhh, see the following FAQ from Denso:

"Toyota models carry an ultra long-life Iridium plug variation (.7mm with platinum tipped ground) that is capable of up to 120,000 miles of service. DENSO Iridium Power plugs, with their .4mm center electrode, have been developed for performance applications. Because gradual wear will “round-off” firing points over time, the concentrated firing power and voltage requirement benefits will be reduced. For this reason, DENSO advises replacement after 30,000 miles."

http://www.densoiridium.com/faq.php

Originally Posted by Mickyblue

I'm looking at the Denso IK20 Iridium for my 1996 camry 5SFE, or NGK Ix-Iridium. The NGK is like 8 bux cheaper than the Denso yet i hear Denso's are better for toyotas... Now im just being a cheap scape, but i also like to be well informed, Does anyone know the difference between these two plugs or could show me the different because i cant find anything on them

[Mickyblue]

k, whats the difference between the IX iridium vs the Laser iridium?

[CamryWilly]

Denso.

The BEST for everything that's
1)Asian
2)Uses Internal Combustion

[Mickyblue]

Im so confused

[DxElite]

Originally Posted by Mickyblue

I'm looking at the Denso IK20 Iridium for my 1996 camry 5SFE, or NGK Ix-Iridium. The NGK is like 8 bux cheaper than the Denso yet i hear Denso's are better for toyotas... Now im just being a cheap scape, but i also like to be well informed, Does anyone know the difference between these two plugs or could show me the different because i cant find anything on them

+1 for JohnGD's explanation on that.

Add on that the Denso IK20 are and the NGK IX are designed for performance, like an upgrade but you don't really get more ponies. Mainly you get "efficiency, durability, and improved firing power."
IK20 has a smaller tip of 0.4mm and IX has a 0.6mm tip, IMO doesn't really make a difference on stock engines.

Originally Posted by Mickyblue

k, whats the difference between the IX iridium vs the Laser iridium?

IX iridium is designed for more performance purposes whereas Laser iridium is designed to match OEM specs.


As for which brand to get, it's up to you and how much you want to spend. Basically they're the same and Toyota recommends both brands for OE replacement.

[JohnGD]

Some people, like myself, prefer NGK plugs. Others prefer Denso. That's all.

Based on the Denso FAQ, I would say longevity from longest to shortest are:

1. NGK Laser Iridium, with platinum ground pad ~120K miles
2. NGK Iridium-IX, basically #1 without the platinum ground pad ? miles
3. Denso iridium with thin center electrode and no Pt ground pad ~30K miles

Therefore I'd recommend NGK Laser Iridum.

Originally Posted by Mickyblue

Im so confused

[chronoti]

personaly i'm cheap with this.

ngk from the factory

toyota owns a share of denso.

[bigbird]

to be honest,for stock application, either company is more then good enough. denso is OEMish for yota and they are VERY good. its safe to say that the cheapest of the two copmpanies would be fine. but if ya want better...then which ever has the highest ware rating is the one you should get...alot of what makes thoes plugs good(depending on model) makes a differance on boosted motors.

[PhatRoyale]

Either or is fine.

[Kitto]

I have the Denso Long Life Iridium SK20R11 and NGK OEM Laser Iridium IFR6T11 side by side.
Both are suppose to be long life plug with iridium tip and platinum pad.
I think the NGK is nicer than the Denso because on the ground electrode, NGK is much thicker than Denso if this does matter. I will choose NGK over Denso in this application.

[touringcamry]

NGK and Denso are both fine plugs. Toyota uses both brands in manufacturing. On the V6, sometimes you see one bank with Denso and the other with NGK.

IMO, get which ever one costs less because you won't notice any difference between the NGK and Denso. If the price difference is negligible or you're willing to pay it, get whichever one you think is better.

[96ToyoCam164K]

I just put NGK plug wires on mine...anything was better than the swollen up one that didnt stay inside the cylinder

According to Napa, on the NGK box it says 'direct OEM replacement'. Im buying fro,m Napa from now on...

[sintox]

Hi,

I will go with NGK.

I'd like to ask some related questions if you don't mind:

Do I need to read my manual or do I just go to NAPA and they will give me the RIGHT plugs for my 1994-I4-Camry ?

Can they mixed up between V6 and I4 plugs ?

I've heard 2-ground plugs are REQUIRED on larger toyota engines, what about my 94-I4 ?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

[Hajoca]

The 6 and 4 cylinder engines should be using the same plug, just let the parts counter know your car's information.

Be sure to check gap of the plug.

Most plug manufacturers sell plugs in pre-gapped version, such as NGK with a part number then the last digits, separated with '-' specify the gap. Otherwise they are not pre-gapped.

Iridium plugs usually advise NOT to change the gap.

2 grounded plugs not required for your car.