Spark Plugs - North American Alternatives

[Allan74]

The only significant difference between the 'BCP' & 'BKR' is that the BCP is JIS (Japan) spec, and the BKR is ISO (International) spec. The JIS spec is approx 0.1" longer above the nut and doesn't affect the overall function.

Want RB26 Plugs the 'easy' way ?

Go into CDN Tire and ask for the following:

1997 ACURA INTEGRA TYPE-R 1.8 L4 B18C5 FI DOHC

This will give you '6' Heat Range plugs - Great for stock running.
Built/Boosted over stock, run '7' or '8'.

Standard....BKR6ES-11...Stock#5553...Gap=.044"
V-Power.....BKR6E-11.....Stock#2756...Gap=.044"
G-Power.....BKR6EGP......Stock#7092...Gap=.044"
Iridium IX....BKR6EIX-11..Stock#3764...Gap=.044"

Part# = BKR(heatrange)(material or class)-(gap-metric)

The plugs come pre-gapped, so don't be a red-neck and try to gap them yourself and risk damaging the plug. If you find yourself with teh need to re-gap the plugs, perhaps it's time to have a look at another part of your engine and possibly ask yourself WHY ?

Also, the debate over Copper vs. Iridium has pretty much concluded that there is very little effect the more expensive plaugs have on performance for most mid-range power cars, other than leaving your wallet lighter in the end.
Save your money for something that matters.

[mcfly]

why would you buy plugs pregapped to 1.1mm. Even if that is factory gap you are asking for misfires with aged coils :p

BKR6E (no 11) comes with a v groove copper electrode and a .8mm gap and is awesome for stock boost.
BKR7E and 8e are good plugs too.

Just what i think about it.

And don't forget the AutoLite AR3923 Race Plug. They are cheap, copper, and work great. I don't know what the standard gap is on those though.

[Allan74]

If you find yourself with teh need to re-gap the plugs, perhaps it's time to have a look at another part of your engine and possibly ask yourself WHY ?

Once again......

[Crazy 88]

I never trust "pre-gapped" and ALWAYS double check it. Properly adjusting the gap on an expensive plug won't hurt it in the least. You must use an adjuster tool to grab the ground strap about half way up to bend it. You should never touch the center electrode while doing this.

Copper, have at her, you can touch it all you want.(teehee)




Jon.

[Rblove26]

Plugs for the Rb26DETT the same for the RB25DET??

[ChrisCheezer]

.044 GAP!!!???
your just asking for spark blow out... .032 is recommended

[mcfly]

Plugs for the Rb26DETT the same for the RB25DET??

yes, but as chris just said. .8mm gap is typically what you want.

[Rblove26]

thanks, and yes ive already read about setting the gap for the Rb25det to between .8mm to 1.1mm to avoid that 4500rpm hesitation...i always check and set the gap myself...thanks again

[jimbojones]

"BKR7E and 8e are good plugs too."

Why do people recommend the BKRxE plgus (7 or 8) when they are not the same as the BCPRxE which was the original spec?

The dimensions of both plugs on the cylinder-side are the same and so is the heat rating...but the BKRxE's are shorter overall on the coilpack-side and don't reach as far (shorter by at least 2mm). I'm a bit concerned about not making good contact/arcing within the boot and therefore shortening the life of the coilpack and/or improper power delivery to the plug tip.

Is it pricing or availability that people are making that recommendation?

BTW - I tested both types of plugs and both push fully in to the boot right up to the hex nut; the longer BCPRxE's do NOT show any extra gap which means that the BKR's aren't reaching in as deeply and that's the source of my concern.

BTW - does anyone have a cheap source for the BCPR8E's within Alberta?

[mcfly]

the bkrxe plugs are NKG's racing coppers. v grooved tip and gapped to .8mm.

They make fine contact as I have never had an issue. There is 3mm difference between the iso and jis plugs but either works.

[jimbojones]

the bkrxe plugs are NKG's racing coppers. v grooved tip and gapped to .8mm.

They make fine contact as I have never had an issue. There is 3mm difference between the iso and jis plugs but either works.

Here is what the BKR8E-IX I have in my hand at the moment looks like:
- not v grooved; has fine electrode tip like platinum plug
- not copper but iridium hence the IX-suffix
- indeed it is shorter by almost 1/8 inch which is why I'm questioned the appropriateness of the BKRxE plugs...

When pushing them in the coilpack boot, the BCPRxE's feel a bit firmer and almost 'click' where the BKRxE's dont. Both may be making contact but without a cutaway view of the plug to see if it is seating properly (and I'm not going to destroy a coilpack to do this), I cannot tell how much of the spark plug it making contact with the loop in the coilpack.

UPDATE: that 'click' I thought I felt was the spring compressing inside the boot so I know that the BCPR's make a solid connection. If your coilpack springs are compressed and you're using BKR's, they probably will arc and cause premature failure. It can be repaired but you need new springs and have the coilpacks serviced. If anyone needs a hand doing that, let me know.

[Rblove26]

hey i was just wondering what any of you know or think of the E3 plugs...heard there supposed to be good, was gonna look up the cross reference on them, looking for some opinions / personal experiences

[jimbojones]

hey i was just wondering what any of you know or think of the E3 plugs...heard there supposed to be good, was gonna look up the cross reference on them, looking for some opinions / personal experiences

If you're looking at E3 plugs, you may as well look at this:
http://quanthomme.free.fr/qhsuite/imagenews06/turbonatorPTCruiser.jpg

[Rblove26]

haha point taken, gonna go with BKRxE plugs or BCPRxE then, and probably the BKR6E plug as mentioned earlier by mcfly if they work good on stock boost...trying to get rid of that hesitation at the moment
thanks again

[mcfly]

I like the ngkr copper v groove plugs because they are cheap and work great.

[Rblove26]

thanks mcfly, to further my hesitation problem, do you think if my plugs (or coils) are bearking down enough i would be getting this weird surge kinda miss going on?...today when i really needed the car heading to ottawa id have absolutely no power, then all right back then nothing...runnning really funky...even quit when i put the clutch in to stop on the side of the road to check it out....starts up fine right after and fine reving with no load on it (not moving)...but wouldnt climb over 70kph after...then at one point for a short burst it ran fine, pulled hard till 150 kph, then back to the no power...any thoughts?? do i need to go deeper like coils or igniter pack??
thanks

[mcfly]

I would be more likely to suspect the MAF or a boost leak.

[Rblove26]

thanks, im hoping to get a chance to tinker with this weekend if i have time extra from my friends wedding, gonna check fuel pressure, i doubt a boost leak because only because when it will run i have full boost with no problems...what voltages would i be looking for at the MAF?