NGK Iridium vs. Platinum Spark Plugs for 328

i have them in mine--very much worth the money

 

I recently replaced plugs on my TR and Boxer. In both cases, the platinum plugs where no more.......superceded by the iridium. Something new?.....better?.....more money?????????/

BTW: My TR takes the same plugs as your 328.

 

Hmmm, they list the 308GTS Qv as BPR7EIX . Is that right??? Seems an 8 would be better or ??? Had the iridium in her before, then during the 30k the mechanic removed them and put in normal plugs

 

The difference in the 7 or 8, reflects the heat range. I think that the lower the number, the hotter the plug.

Why would he put in "old style" original plugs back in?

 

Michael,
I have a few friends using them and say they are great. I bought new plugs a couple years ago (for the 328 and Ninja bike), and at that time the EVX was still the dominant model. I would see no reason that the Iridiums would be a step backward.....

To be honest, the standard NGK's would probably be fine as well....but it is always nice (and cool) to get the latest and greatest for our cars.

 

PEP boys wants 12 each--got mine at NAPA for about 8 each--warning--they do not stock them everywhere--likely you will have to get them shipped in from warehouse.

also according to my local dealer (f of atl) iridiums are all they are using now. Was told that their last order for platinums came in as irridium as a superseed

 

Man, I guess mine are way hot, BP5ES, IIRC. Old carb car here.

Yours will run on EIGHTs?????!!!!!!

 

I'd be a little careful comparing the "D" construction too directly with the "BP" construction by heat range number alone, but no argument with you that an 8 in the BP construction is an ice cube -- even BP...7... is a coldish plug for a 308. I don't have any hard data either way, but I can't recall anyone ever posting that they had to go to BP...8... on an unmodified 308 because they were getting too much pre-detonation from BP...7... (Also ignition systems have continued to improve so 328 might be a little less sensitive to fouling than 308).

So just go with the BPR7EIX in your 308QV IMO if you want to use the exotic electrode style.

"Iridium vs. Platinum? Is there any difference?" -- Iridium has a higher melting point than Platinum so the Iridium center electrode size is made even smaller. Could you tell/feel any difference in 328? = no IMO. Personally, I liked the $/value proposition of the earlier Palladium (1.0mm) electrode plugs best, but those were superceded by the Platinums (0.8mm), and now the Iridiums (0.6mm).

 

I'm curious about something.....

In another unrelated thread, a guy thought that by replacing his spark plugs with the Iridium NGK (DRV8EIX) plugs, it actually made his engine noise somewhat quieter....

Can anyone else tell me that this was also their experience? I am trying to quiet down the noise in my Euro-version 328 and besides replacing the current exhaust system, I am curious about other options as well...

Thanks guys!

 

Don't bother with plugs. That individual may have noticed it being quieter only if the car was running roughly or something....

Quieter would probably require a custom exhaust. I would suggest getting a P-car....

 

Dear Ferraristi,

I just went through the plug thing for my 91 TR. I received much good advice from this site. I eventually went for the original Champion plugs that the owners manual recommended. Champion updated the plug and it is the proper replacement according to their website. It is also the plug my local Official Ferrari dealer uses. They charge 15.80 a plug while I ordered a set from Advance Discount Auto for a whole 1.48 EACH ! Who cares how long the other plugs will last. These are so cheap I change them once a year with the coolant and brake fluid change.


Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !

 

I have always stuck to what Ferrari has recomended for spark plugs. You have to remember that the cars were designed around the tech of the day. At the time these cars were built..the plugs that were in them were more then likly top quality,and used for one reason or another.

I have had numerous TR's come in with "updated plugs" that don't run propperly. Once I have reinstalled the recomended plug..they run much better. It's more then likly the result of the older igntion systems. But many factors are taken into consideration when a plug is selected. Cylinder pressure, combustion chamber design, location of plug, etc, are all things taken into consideration. Chooseing a plug that fits into the hole..just because it's new tech..does not mean it will be as good or better then what the engineer's selected when designing the engine. Now if you are running a carbed car at different altitudes then yes..you play with heat ranges etc..but injected cars, you should just leave the plugs as they are IMHO.

 

Has anyone changed to these Iridium plugs on thier 348 (2.7). Any difference guys. Am using the NGK ones now. Car runs great. Which iridium ones are suggested for the 348.

 

Will these plugs be gapped already or do they need to be gapped---if so gap them at what???

 

I would say replace them---comments??
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Obliviously

 

In agreeing with Tbakowski, I don't and will not run iridium or any of the other "new tech" plugs that are offered.

I thought it would make sense to do so but, in talking to my mechanic, he told me why not......

I don't remember the specifics, but it had something to do with them running hotter and actually fouling easier than the regular ones. Something like that. If I remember right, they DO run them in the newer Ferraris that come though, but with mine (a 328) he definitely said "No." to running "hot plugs". And this would make sense. My old plugs that were taken out looked GREAT. He saved them for me and had them numbered and stuck into a box to show me their condition and let me take them home so we can compare them to the ones we take out this next time (to compare plug wear per cylinder).

By the way, he put in regular NGKs.

I also run non-synthetic oil on his recommendation based on my car. He has gone into detail on that too (I THINK it was something about high revving and something about viscosity). Wish I remembered. Sounded right to me.

This all comes from a guy who works on cars worth 10x more than mine and has for years. He also is a crew chief for a Viper racing team and owns his own line of performance product line for Vipers. He knows his stuff about cars.

 

285Ferrari....... You'll need to check the gap, because its very possible the "newer technology" plugs are gapped in the .40-.45 to handle the newer ignition systems, and you may very well require something closer to .35. (so hopefully someone will chime in with what the correct setting is. (these are inch settings Im talking about and not MM)

A comment....... that one plug you are showing, I noticed that the crush ring was not clean and the plug side looked as if exhaust had fried the side a bit. (as if it had not been seated fully). And yea I dont use a torque wrench most of the times anyway and go from base touching +1/8 of a turn........... (to each their own)

But yea.......... those babys gotta go................

 

WOW!! I'd say.

You might want to keep them around and label them per cylinder to see if you might have a problem in your cylinder. Specifically in a wire. If you haven't replaced wires (sometimes these owners do ALL the maintenance and NEVER replace the wires!!) or the plug extenders (sometimes MORE important than wires!!!) you could be losing a spark every once in awhile and not know it. That could cause a healthy dumping of gas into the chamber, which could cause gas in your oil after awhile. Which cause you to get less lubrication. Which causes bad things.

Bottom line.....

Keep those plugs around and labeled. Compare to the others.

I do my plugs every year on my cars. It is a CHEAP way to see what is going on internally in your cylinders, and could make you aware of a problem LONG before something goes drastically wrong.

 

Just looked and owners manual says--
Champion A-6G or A-5YC OR Bosch X-4CS or XR-4CS
Gapped .24 -.28
Hard to beleive the owners manual gives 4 different plug choices...

 

My 3.2 Mondial came with relatively new NGK iridiums installed - ran like crappola. I changed out the plugs with the standard NGKs and replaced a couple of plug extenders and she ran sweet as could be. If in doubt, go with the $2 standard NGKs....

 

That's what I am saying....

Those plug extenders are a BIG thing too...

Looks like you did all the right things....Nice work...

 

Do u know the part number???