as above really where is the best place to buy zed plugs? for half decent money? seem to be some seriously expensive spark plugs out there.

I get mine off eBay, think there about £50.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330801284880?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

agreed... can't really go wrong with those...

http://www.sparkplugs.co.uk/pages/pricing/ccp/NGK-cars-ccp.asp

 

smithy

£64.58 from them for 6 not sure if that inc post .

If you're OK with using coppers, a set of BKR7E do the job perfectly, one stage colder than stock. They're cheaper, but need to be changed more often, so in the long run there is no discernible difference in costs.

If you're OK with using coppers, a set of BKR7E do the job perfectly, one stage colder than stock. They're cheaper, but need to be changed more often, so in the long run there is no discernible difference in costs.

 

hrmmmm, I went for the ngks in the end no point pissing about really is there. for the sake of 50 bucks

hrmmmm, I went for the ngks in the end no point pissing about really is there. for the sake of 50 bucks

 

Good lad my thoughts too, once they in and done, that's it for a long time :-)

smithy

Good lad my thoughts too, once they in and done, that's it for a long time :-)

smithy

 

At least having the right ones I can rule that out.

you said you went for the ngks there both ngk plugs one was copper the other platinium the copppers are mega cheap just need changing more often

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NGK-Spark-Plug-Standard-Kit-BKR7E-x6-/120841857283?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c22bc6903

you said you went for the ngks there both ngk plugs one was copper the other platinium the copppers are mega cheap just need changing more often

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NGK-Spark-Plug-Standard-Kit-BKR7E-x6-/120841857283?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c22bc6903

 

For me, it would have to be the platinums. Not only because they were Nissan's recommended 'plug for the 300zx (which speaks volumes to me on the subject....); but because it will take me 12 years to cover 60k miles on my limited mileage policy. So one set, one labour charge to fit, job done for (probably) my ownership of the car!!

 

Richard:cool3:

hrmmmm, I went for the ngks in the end no point pissing about really is there. for the sake of 50 bucks

 

Noooo, far from it, I didn't mention copper plugs with regards to saving any money :)

 

As with most things, there are pros & cons to copper plugs. The only con being that they need to be changed more often and actually work out more expensive in the long run.

 

The pros (better heat dissipation therefore not becoming a source of pre-ignition for one), greatly outweigh the cons IMO. Platinum plugs were introduced for one reason, and one reason only: Extended service intervals. On a 20yr old car out of warranty with known heating and rear cylinder issues, and for the sake of 30mins every year, it's a redundant concept IMO. On the surface, by recommending copper plugs you may be seen as a 'cheapskate', but in actual fact, you're keeping your car fitted with fresher, more suitable components. Just because a car maker specifies a certain component, doesn't mean it is the best choice. These aren't vehicles fresh out of the showroom. The spark plug is important and should be checked, nothing should be left alone & forgotten for 60k miles just because that was the interval specified by Nissan back in 1989 to help sell more cars :sad:

 

If someone can show me a downside to running a set of NGK BCPR7ES or BKR7E plugs, then I would be very surprised, given that I have run 8s for a year with plenty of low load cruising and stop-start city driving with zero starting issues & minimal fouling.

 

The way I see it, I do not know how many stock engines have failed due to running PRF6B-11B/C, either solely or partly. I do, however, know that running coppers means there is negligible chance of pre-ignition happening due to the tip retaining too much heat. All those rear cylinders & ringlands that have failed... a combination of too much timing, too hot a plug, too much boost, high IATs, too little fuel, too low an octane, not enough coolant flow..... You just do your best to minimise or eliminate each potential issue: Correct mapping, colder spark plugs, 99RON, sensible boost levels, improvements over the stock components. I personally would never run a platinum plug in any 90's FI engine, let alone the VG. Despite the Zed having a one-off plug specified by Nissan, others work perfectly well, so the choice is there.

 

Both sides of the coin are represented here fairly well I think, which delves deeper into the technical aspects: http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?165254-Spark-plug-type-and-size-for-a-modified-TT

 

For me, the peace of mind offered is worth it and makes up for the job of swapping them every 8-10k miles. Running copper plugs is definitely not about saving a few pennies!

I used to use coppers in my 550bhp track 200sx, had a world of problems with various platinums an others ...even nearly lost a engine..they can be very brittle.

Now I just use the plugs as serviceable items an replace every few k or more depending on what I'm doing.

Noz - I know a lot of tuners run copper plugs for the reasons mentioned

 

arnt our plugs quite a bit longer than those BKR7E plugs? have you dyno'd before & after to see if it makes any difference to power - any change in det characteristics by using a plug further in the head like this?

 

what do you gap them to - say running at 1bar?

 

thinking of chucking a set in mine :)

So I take it the PFR6B-11B arn't available anymore then? We're these suppose to be better than the current PFR6B-11C because they we're a little longer?

Well this is interesting, I only recently fitted the platinum efforts to mine. Have to say though im so glad I work for a major motor factors, no way would I pay that for a set of spark plugs!!!!!!!!

Noz - I know a lot of tuners run copper plugs for the reasons mentioned

 

arnt our plugs quite a bit longer than those BKR7E plugs? have you dyno'd before & after to see if it makes any difference to power - any change in det characteristics by using a plug further in the head like this?

 

what do you gap them to - say running at 1bar?

 

thinking of chucking a set in mine :)

 

There is a lot of difference in length, relatively speaking. The thread I linked to goes into some detail. I've not done a back-to-back run, even if there was a 5% power increase using platinum plugs (there won't be though), I would still run & recommend copper plugs. I wouldn't risk platinums in my engine. I've not done any experimentation at all, it's not something I believe is worth it.

 

I try to keep as diplomatic as possible on this topic as it can be a contentious issue. In truth I want to type in huge black letters "Do Not Run Platinum Plugs". Instead, what I do is run coppers in all my cars, and recommend copper plugs to everybody that will listen. The design of the stock plug is best for the VG head, and of course there are thousands of Zeds running happily on platinums. Bobgenie runs colder-grade platinums at 500-odd bhp IIRC.

 

The only people with a reason to recommend a platinum plug are going to be main dealers & spark plug dealers. I was honestly shocked when I realised people were running higher boost on grade 6 platinums. They're just not suitable. This is just my opinion, however, I'm not saying people running platinum plugs are wrong, per se. Not at all. I just find it strange that with regards to spark plugs, people believe Nissan know best. Yet not so when it comes to exhausts, boost levels, air filters, oil, suspension components & geometry, HICAS, EGR, PRVR, AIVs, PCVs etc etc. IMO, Nissan & NGK designed the best plug for a BRAND NEW VG to last 60k miles at stock power to cover all types of driving APART from sustained high speed runs. For that, it's a grade 7 IMO. IMO IMO IMO :laugh:

 

 

With regards to plug gap, that's something that depends on the condition of the ignition components as well as boost level, the ideal gap is as large as possible for the boost you're running without having the spark blown out. In mine, I gapped them to 0.9mm and they have been spot-on. BCR8ES.

Edited February 7, 201312 yr by Noz

Smithy knows all there is to know with regards to the design & spec of the stock plugs I believe :yes:

damn maybe I should of got the coppers, just changed them with the oil annually. nm ey, these plugs should see me through the next few seasons, and hopefully cure my misfire.

Yes! I know it's a year old thread :)

 

But, are we still happy with copper plugs? I was just about to order some and came across this interesting read

 

So ....what should I buy and where ?

 

CheerZ

Edited March 9, 201411 yr by daZvert

I bought some BCR8ES from Opie Oils the other week as they had a big discount offer. Not sure if it's still running but it came to about £15 delivered. Otherwise here: http://bit.ly/1gJE1Vt

Bloody hell is that for 6 ? and are they copper :}

Yep, as recommended by Noz. Don't forget they have a considerably shorter life span than the platinum/iridium etc, so aren't as 'cheap' in the long run.

Yep, as recommended by Noz. Don't forget they have a considerably shorter life span than the platinum/iridium etc, so aren't as 'cheap' in the long run.

 

Yeh sound!! I had a good read and I think copper are more suitable for me, just wanted to double check that people using them are happy :) ... Thanks for the link Joely will get some ordered now :)

On a side note, mine are still sitting I a drawer somewhere lol! So I can't offer feedback...