[3000GT MR]

This has been a long needed update.
So after many years of owning high power N54’s I’ve had my fair share of ignition problems and have tested many parts. This thread is more to inform people what is actually out there and the options that can be had.

After all it really only boils down to 3 choices so pick one that suits your needs.

Spark plugs:

NGK 95770 (ILZKBR7B8DG) formally 5992’s
1 Step colder than stock. Recommended for any FBO +.
http://www.sparkplugs.com/product.aspx?zpid=39947
$13-14/ea

Autolite XP 5682
1.5ish colder than stock. By the information I received on them when compared to NGK. Recommended for FBO+
I ran these for a few thousand miles both with E40+meth and full E85. It performed much better than expected and better yet they are cheap. For the price they seem to be well worth it. They are dual tip dual material Iridiums and platinum. I’d expect them to last the 20-30K miles you usually get out of the 5992’s
http://www.sparkplugs.com/product.aspx?zpid=29181
$6-7/ea

NGK 93026 (DILKAR8A8)
2 steps colder than stock. 1 step colder than 5992’s. Recommended for 700hp+
These are the stock plugs in the GTR R35+.The GTR guys are running them in the1000AWHP-sub range with E85. I have been running these for a pretty long time with full E85 and they have been great. They seem to be a little more crisp with response and slightly better starting than the other options. Last time I had them out they were still very clean telling me they aren’t to cold even for full E85.
Now with GTR plugs comes a whole other world of aftermarket parts we are deprived of. HKS has a plug, NGK has a $100+ race plug etc If anyone wants to try any of the other options, then go for it and let me know, ill update this thread.
http://www.sparkplugs.com/product.aspx?zpid=9718
$17+/ea. The price of these have really came down.

Now lets talk gapping.
I see a lot of people running into ignition issues swearing they gapped the plugs correctly. Wire and the round disks you get from AZ or advanced are all junk. I use either “feeler gauges” or a razor blade that I used a micrometer with to verify thickness. There should be a slight resistance as you insert the feeler gauge between the electrode and ground. If it goes in really easy or its tough to get in then its not gapped correctly. Take your time and do it right the first time.

Recommended gaps are
0.022”…….0-25psi (pump to E50 with meth)
0.018”…….25+psi (pump to E50 with meth)
0.018”…….20+psi (E85)
That’s been my experience with fresh coils. Others may have better or worst luck.

[LQQKOUT]

Thank you for the information. I use a feeler gauge myself for gaping.

[spain4065]

Great post, thanks!

[AK.]

This is very informational. Thank you! I'll be needing this thread.

[ShortShift]

what about the bmw s55 m3/4 plugs? How do those compared to the ngks?

[JDuke335i]

Originally Posted by 3000GT MR

This has been a long needed update.
So after many years of owning high power N54Â’s IÂ’ve had my fair share of ignition problems and have tested many parts. This thread is more to inform people what is actually out there and the options that can be had.

After all it really only boils down to 3 choices so pick one that suits your needs.

Spark plugs:

NGK 95770 (ILZKBR7B8DG) formally 5992Â’s
1 Step colder than stock. Recommended for any FBO +.
http://www.sparkplugs.com/product.aspx?zpid=39947
$13-14/ea

Autolite XP 5682
1.5ish colder than stock. By the information I received on them when compared to NGK. Recommended for FBO+
I ran these for a few thousand miles both with E40+meth and full E85. It performed much better than expected and better yet they are cheap. For the price they seem to be well worth it. They are dual tip dual material Iridiums and platinum. IÂ’d expect them to last the 20-30K miles you usually get out of the 5992Â’s
http://www.sparkplugs.com/product.aspx?zpid=29181
$6-7/ea

NGK 93026 (DILKAR8A8)
2 steps colder than stock. 1 step colder than 5992Â’s. Recommended for 700hp+
These are the stock plugs in the GTR R35+.The GTR guys are running them in the1000AWHP-sub range with E85. I have been running these for a pretty long time with full E85 and they have been great. They seem to be a little more crisp with response and slightly better starting than the other options. Last time I had them out they were still very clean telling me they arenÂ’t to cold even for full E85.
Now with GTR plugs comes a whole other world of aftermarket parts we are deprived of. HKS has a plug, NGK has a $100+ race plug etc If anyone wants to try any of the other options, then go for it and let me know, ill update this thread.
http://www.sparkplugs.com/product.aspx?zpid=9718
$17+/ea. The price of these have really came down.

Now lets talk gapping.
I see a lot of people running into ignition issues swearing they gapped the plugs correctly. Wire and the round disks you get from AZ or advanced are all junk. I use either “feeler gauges” or a razor blade that I used a micrometer with to verify thickness. There should be a slight resistance as you insert the feeler gauge between the electrode and ground. If it goes in really easy or its tough to get in then its not gapped correctly. Take your time and do it right the first time.

Recommended gaps are
0.022”…….0-25psi (pump to E50 with meth)
0.018”…….25+psi (pump to E50 with meth)
0.018”…….20+psi (E85)
ThatÂ’s been my experience with fresh coils. Others may have better or worst luck.

Thank you ! For this information ! I use a feeler gauge as well

[3000GT MR]

Originally Posted by ShortShift

what about the bmw s55 m3/4 plugs? How do those compared to the ngks?

The S55 plugs don't have generic P/N's yet so its tough to say whether they are just overpriced 5992 equivalents or if they net any potential gain. They are quite expensive and for the money something like the DILKAR8A8 seems to be a better deal having dual tip iridium over what looks to be platinum on the S55

[BMSE92_Harry]

Does autolite Xp need to be gapped as well?

[3000GT MR]

Originally Posted by BMSE92_Harry

Does autolite Xp need to be gapped as well?

Yes

[BMSE92_Harry]

Autolite plugs, do you gap them at 0.022?
I bought some today and they came as 0.04.
I gapped them to 0.022 and they are misfiring.

[specialist]

I would love to do this on my next spark plug change instead of oem plugs.

[2121Mando]

Originally Posted by BMSE92_Harry

Autolite plugs, do you gap them at 0.022?
I bought some today and they came as 0.04.
I gapped them to 0.022 and they are misfiring.

i also bought these plugs , couldn't get them to work. maybe i wasn't careful enough when gapping them. anyways i wouldn't buy these again. i just ordered the ngks from Amazon they are 4 for $25 !!!!

[RMNB]

I think I need plugs...not sure. Newbie question. Running a tune, OE plugs, 39k, runs rich (soot coming out of exhaust), stutters at semi hard acceleration for some reason.

ALSO, at idling sometimes start to drop a little (sputters) for 10 seconds or so then idles normal. It's not the weird JB4 "search" idling at start where it goes up and down for a bit then levels off idling. This is much more subtle.

Could it be coils? Anyway, my tech will figure it out here eventually but I thought I'd ask the questions to get some feedback. Again, what does running too "rich" mean?? I do have a catted DP and Corsa exhaust... thanks!

[tunachris]

NGK 95770 and a walnut blast every 25,000 with FBO. Car runs like a charm! Do not skimp on maintenance, and you will be rewardede. True with any car, but critical with a performance vehicle.

Originally Posted by 550i Beast

runs rich (soot coming out of exhaust)

Originally Posted by 550i Beast

what does running too "rich" mean??

lol

This really isn't the thread for this, but it's doubtful that your issue is "plugs" or "coils."

Post up a log in one of the many existing "fix it" threads floating around here instead. Your issue is likely fuel related (injectors, HPFP, etc.).

[FamilyManTrackSedan]

Originally Posted by 2121Mando

i just ordered the ngks from Amazon they are 4 for $25 !!!!

I'm seeing them at $45. Link?

[SlumsToMills]

Think my spark plugs needs to be replaced.
Just ordered the NGK 95770 for my 2010 M Sport 335i. Should I put anti-seize or not?

Also, I am running fully stock for now, anyone know how well the NGK 95770 runs on stock?

I get rough idle at times that feels like slight misfires but when I drive, no misfires. I've read the NGK 95770 can help with that.

[2121Mando]

Originally Posted by FamilyManTrackSedan

I'm seeing them at $45. Link?

i think they realized the mistake since i ordered 2 packs of 4 for 25$ and only received one pack the seller did not wanna send the second pack so i ended up buying 2 from pepboys for like 18

[STR8-6IX]

just replaced an ignition coil on cylinder 4 - i suspect my 75k mile spark plugs were responsible for the death of my coil.

when I change the spark plugs on monday, how long can I expect the original ignition coils to last?

[Blue E92]

Originally Posted by STR8-6IX

just replaced an ignition coil on cylinder 4 - i suspect my 75k mile spark plugs were responsible for the death of my coil.

when I change the spark plugs on monday, how long can I expect the original ignition coils to last?

I replaced mine at 100k mi never had to replace any but moved onto the eldor coils.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by Blueee92

I replaced mine at 100k mi never had to replace any but moved onto the eldor coils.

did you change sparkplugs at 60k?

[rosullivan04]

60K seems pretty extreme, I'm lucky to get more than 20K from my NGKs and coils. I suppose it's extremely dependent on your mods.