Lets talk Spark Plugs

[A4SoftWalker]

I finally got the urge to change down to a colder plug. I last changed plugs 30k miles ago and stayed with the stock PFR6Q. Currently I am APR 1+ and I thought I might benefit from the increased temperature wicking a colder plug gives.

I wanted to go with NGK, Denso, Pulstar each plug us consecutively twice the price of the previous. (Roughly Denso=2x NGK price, Pulstar=2x Denso price).

After much research I chose the Denso Iridium "IK22" mainly because of price. With the increased in-cylinder temperatures due to the higher presures and fuel being burned in there logic dictated a cooler plug. So I went with these:





Immediately I noticed:

1) Easier starting with a cold engine (no need to tap gas pedal with a blip for a brief fraction of a second)
2) Smoother running when @ idle (this is with the 034 engine/tranny mounts)
3) Also the stock plugs seemed to be doing fine as they still had the tan to chocholate brown color the experts say denote a healthy combustion chamber.

The car is butter smooth I can actually hear the motor singing as it accelarates... mmmh... yeah I like it alot.

Now for the part everyone wants to know any mileage/power gains:-

I lugged my laptop out to the car and took some logs

Tq increased by consistent 5N-m or 3.7lb-ft

I have also noticed a consistent 2mpg increase to 24.5 average city/fwy

Anyone else with similar gains or using this or another colder plug?

[AudiA4Turbo22]

it's because of just changing plugs, copper for our cars are Primo. Make sure u gap them to 0.28

[LampyB]

i'm GIAC 1+ and recently changed over to NGK BKR7E plugs gapped at .028". My idle is now significantly rougher than when I had BKR6E's. Everyone said get the colder plug with software, but no one has complained of a rougher idle...what's the deal here?

[aaron1085]

any suggestions on pre-gapped plugs to increase mileage, performance..something i pick up at autozone or something???

[A4SoftWalker]

Yeah AudiA4Turbo22 I did come across this fact when searching due to the nature of the plug it is already pre-gapped at the factory and comes with a relatively large 0.8mm gap which is the equivalent of a 0.031inch gap. My NGKs were also pre-gapped at the factory (cant remember now what they were) and they pretty much all had the same gap when I measured them and came with the warning on the box not to adjust gap

i'm GIAC 1+ and recently changed over to NGK BKR7E plugs gapped at .028". My idle is now significantly rougher than when I had BKR6E's. Everyone said get the colder plug with software, but no one has complained of a rougher idle...what's the deal here?

Exactly LampyB the rougher idle actually grows on u I could not imagine the difference with the IK22s

Also FYI the Denso has copper core in its electrode check it out below

http://www.globaldenso.com/PLUG/power/spec.html

[LampyB]

FYI every NGK spark plug I've purchased wasn't even close to being gapped correctly. Each plug usually comes with a different gap...make sure you always check your plugs before popping them in!

[aaron1085]

????? answer my question, dont know how to check plugs..

[AudiA4Turbo22]

FYI every NGK spark plug I've purchased wasn't even close to being gapped correctly. Each plug usually comes with a different gap...make sure you always check your plugs before popping them in!

correct u'll have random gaps, they really aren't gapped accurately from NGK, i suggest a regap, and all iridium plugs can be gapped just don't use a gapping tool to make the adjustments.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

????? answer my question, dont know how to check plugs..

http://www.ehow.com/how_2060386_test-spark-plugs.html

[A4SoftWalker]

????? answer my question, dont know how to check plugs..

I wouldn't get my plugs from Autozone but if u are trying to save money I guess u could go to the site below to cross reference an OEM type plug that would be available there or just buy online there is a special on Autolite Iridiums though they are inferior compared to Denso... u get what u pay for

http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_ap...1&AAIA=1423369

I got my plugs @ 034 they are local to me so I just picked em up not sure which other plug will yield positive results though

AND yes always check your gaps though the last 2 times I bought plugs they all measured in the same gap.

http://www.034motorsport.com/advance...fhrnif4bh060p7

[demea]

Good reading...
http://www.audigeeks.com/forums/index.php?topic=56.0

[ApexIt]

so we cant just take the plugs out of the box and plug em in? Ive seen the gapping tool but am not sure how to use one. Obviously, having the correct gapping will be beneficial to the engine. So i guess im asking how to gap them correctly. TIA.

[ApexIt]

thanks for the read demea, it was pretty informative

[demea]

so we cant just take the plugs out of the box and plug em in? Ive seen the gapping tool but am not sure how to use one. Obviously, having the correct gapping will be beneficial to the engine. So i guess im asking how to gap them correctly. TIA.

Your friend...

[wolfdog]

i'm GIAC 1+ and recently changed over to NGK BKR7E plugs gapped at .028". My idle is now significantly rougher than when I had BKR6E's. Everyone said get the colder plug with software, but no one has complained of a rougher idle...what's the deal here?

I got the 7E's right after going 1+ and I am switching back to 6E. I read somewhere on here that the 7E in cold weather take a bit to warm up. I noticed that right away as we are now into colder weather. The idle is OK I guess. The first few minutes of startup is a huge issue when switching gears, though. Rough engagement because there's a delay when hitting the gas. I thought it was my clutch but after those couple of minutes everything is fine. It has to be the plugs. I bought the 6E's again and will be swapping out at my 80k service in a thousand miles.

[A4SoftWalker]

The first few minutes of startup is a huge issue when switching gears, though. Rough engagement because there's a delay when hitting the gas. I thought it was my clutch but after those couple of minutes everything is fine. It has to be the plugs. I bought the 6E's again and will be swapping out at my 80k service in a thousand miles.

Keep us posted, interested to know if this solves ur problem.