I don't know what Denso has in mind when they list the "compatible" plugs for a given engine. But if you want your car to run properly use Denso PK20TR11 or NGK BKR6EKPB11.

 

I will only use OEM plugs from now on. My car wants Denso PQ20R plugs and that's what I buy. No more cheap plugs. On Rockauto the prices for OE plugs are very reasonable. They have your PK20TR11, $5.50 each. Why bother with anything else?

With the discount code it would cost you around 25$ for a set of four plugs shipped to San Antonio TX with the cheapest shipping option.

 

Denso IK20TT is Iridium Twin Tip. It's a little more expensive, but longer lasting. @hardtopte72 has mentioned in the Maintenance Thread that he recommends Iridium Twin Tip or NGK Laser Platinum for Gen 4s.

 

Denso IK20TT is Iridium Twin Tip.

No it is not.

http://www.densoproducts.com/product.aspx?zpid=32760

 

Thanks guys,

Rock Auto has the best total price to be sure. Advance (as much as I hate that store) has a coupon code and I can pick the plugs up for an out the door price of only $2 more than Rock Auto's delivered price.

So, both are good options. If I'm not in a hurry, RockAuto is the way to go. If I need it now, the promo code at Advance will be the choice.

 

It doesn't have twin ground electrodes, but Denso calls it "Twin-Tip Technology", which causes a lot of confusion. That's the "TT" in the part number/name. I'm not sure, but I think they mean the special metal they use is on both the spark electrode and the ground electrode, or something like that. Maybe someone can chime in on that to explain, since that's all I know.

I wound up getting the PK20TR11 simply because it's what was installed originally from the factory.

 

I wound up getting the PK20TR11 simply because it's what was installed originally from the factory.

You made the right choice. I tried the Denso iridium when I had my 2001 5S-FE the engine ran worse than it did with the old plugs. I ended up with PK20TR11 it ran perfectly.

 

I went to Denso's Iridium TT website at http://densott.com/ and it does list the IK20TT as Iridium Twin Tip. If you punch in the year, make, model at the bottom of the front page, it'll give both the Iridium TT model and the Platinum TT model for the specified car. IK20TT is the Iridium TT, while PK20TT is the platinum TT for the '97 Camry 2.2L.

The center electrode is made of iridium, but the ground electrode is made of platinum. Here's a picture from their site:

The Iridium TT seems to be a fairly new plug, just released this year. I don't know the performance of it at all via experience. Just passing along the recommendation from one of the mods.

 

So the "twin tip" is an added piece to the ground electrode that sort of looks like ("twin") a shorter version of the spark electrode and they are facing each other.

 

Yah, I think it's just the 2 tips that are sticking out for the electrodes. Supposedly, it allows for a better spark explosion, which translates to better power and fuel economy. Of course, it's a marketing website so take it with a grain of salt

 

Every spark plug mfg is going away from multi ground electrodes, as they cost too much to justify their minor advantages, and by some current measures have no advantages over single ground plugs, especially Ir. The Mfgs think they need a name similar to the OEM twin/dual plugs, thus the newer "twin" plugs which are really single grounds.

I go with Denso Ir Power, very happy with performance and longevity.

Oddly the Denso Ir TT are gapped almost 10% smaller than the Denso Ir Power at 0.040" vs. 0.044" according to RA