Quick spark plug clarification

[MASTER YOTA]

Ok I have a 97 toyota camry I4. I did a search and found many interesting spark plug threads.

I read that the manufacturer recommends the Platinum plugs. and my manual even recommends what would be the NGK PLATINUMS with the double electrode thing.

My questions is, If i get the NGK G power (about $3.00 a spark plug) instead of the NGK Laser Platinums with the double electrode ( about $10 per spark plug) is it a matter of Longevity or is it Performance.


I read that the plugs with the double electrodes would last longer in this engine because of what i think they said waste spark or no waste spark. but if i put the regular NGK G power in , will the car run better than the old old plugs (dont even know whats in the car now) atleast for 6 months.


Money is tight these days, so if i can get out of the store paying about $10 for 4 plugs (using AAP discount coupong) versus paying $30 , and get a small performance increase i would be happy.

[fenixus]

instead go to Advance Auto parts website and add to shopping cart 4 OEM plugs (Denso Double Platinum) model PK20TR11 and use discount code P20, the total comes to $23 or better remove that P20 code, add 1-2 puches of some antisieze or Permatex Ceramic Extreme caliper grease and use code A123 instead and you will pay $20 total

use local pickup in AAP store near you after 1 hour.

[FishyMan]

Originally Posted by MASTER YOTA

Ok I have a 97 toyota camry I4. I did a search and found many interesting spark plug threads.

I read that the manufacturer recommends the Platinum plugs. and my manual even recommends what would be the NGK PLATINUMS with the double electrode thing.

My questions is, If i get the NGK G power (about $3.00 a spark plug) instead of the NGK Laser Platinums with the double electrode ( about $10 per spark plug) is it a matter of Longevity or is it Performance.


I read that the plugs with the double electrodes would last longer in this engine because of what i think they said waste spark or no waste spark. but if i put the regular NGK G power in , will the car run better than the old old plugs (dont even know whats in the car now) atleast for 6 months.


Money is tight these days, so if i can get out of the store paying about $10 for 4 plugs (using AAP discount coupong) versus paying $30 , and get a small performance increase i would be happy.

Are you sure about that? I have a 97 Camry as well and I have always used whatever the book recommends (i think). I have used NGK VPOWER at about $2/each and have no issues whatsoever. You're going to have to gap them, but nothing went wrong for me.

When in doubt, just stick to what the manual says.

[fenixus]

well, plugs on 5s-fe are easy to swap, so I guess try whatever you want cheapest and if it doesn't work right, just swap them out for something better.

NGK G-Power should work, but hell knows for how long. why not Iridium-IX, it's only slightly more expensive?

[JohnGD]

Check the NGK application catalog and use the NGK Iridium-IX. When 97 came out there weren't iridium plugs. Now they're standard equipment on many new cars.

The V-power is a basic copper plug with a v-groove cut into the center electrode. The G-Power is a thin center electrode platinum plug. It's a good alternative to regular plats and for its price I'll take it over V-power. (FishyMan can try G-Power next time or go Iridium-IX) There is no need for the twin-ground electrode platinums. I'd go with NGK Iridium-IX. Check rockauto prices and use the 5% forum discount code.

[ajkalian]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Check the NGK application catalog and use the NGK Iridium-IX. When 97 came out there weren't iridium plugs. Now they're standard equipment on many new cars.

John:
I respect your opinion and recommendations without question, but I really never thought the Iridium thing was for real. I mean the same stuff that killed the dinosaurs has been formulated to make spark plugs last longer. Seems like a marketing gimmick to me, but what do I know.

I'm planning on changing out the plugs, and wires soon so I'll take a look at the Iridium plugs.

.

[JohnGD]

hehe take my words with a grain of salt is fine. For instance, the aftermarket brands I like to use don't seem to work well on Fen's Solaras (the cars prefer OEM ). So I do realize people's mileages vary. That's fine.

But do give the Iridium IX a try. I think you'll like them.

[fenixus]

yeah hehe, that is true. I tried many parts John uses with luck on his camry in Calif and it just didn't work out for me here on Solaras. it could be many variables in the play, even simple things like climate, humidity, average annual temps, temp extremes and such... or just bad luck with cost cutting happening all over independent suppliers, so what worked in past not necessarily works any longer nowadays

still, most of OEM parts are superior to aftermarket ones I used, maybe with an exception in favor of Deeza sway bar end links which I admire and like very much hehe

... and stereo system, Toyota just installed a piece of crap stereo ... even though I thought it was good it seems otherwise after some reflection.

anyways, feel free to experiment on 5s-fe plugs, those are so eaasy to swap that I could do this in middle of night and blind folded LOL

however, I wouldn't want to repeat changing rear bank spark plugs on V6 ... so choose wisely. the wallet thickness argument just does not add up on some things

and yeah ... be careful with horseshitium marketing ... it's everywhere nowadays...

just my own 2 cents. nothing personal of course

Originally Posted by JohnGD

hehe take my words with a grain of salt is fine. For instance, the aftermarket brands I like to use don't seem to work well on Fen's Solaras (the cars prefer OEM ). So I do realize people's mileages vary. That's fine.

But do give the Iridium IX a try. I think you'll like them.