According to another post here, the factory plugs are the NGK PFR6Q with a .032" gap. These are pretty pricey @ $12 per plug. The "other" NGK (BKR6E) is quite a bit cheaper and has the same gap.

Also, what advantages are there to running a plug with a .028" gap? My car is stock BTW.

It seems many here recommend the Iridium. Why would it be any better than an NGK?

Lastly, what's this talk of properly gapping the plugs before you install them. Is that simply to ensure that they're properly spaced from the factory?

 

I think BKR6E is also stock, depending on the year, and sometimes they are replaced with BKR7E one step different in the heat range. It is practice to close up the gap from .032" to 0.028" when running higher boost applications. stick with your stock recommended NGK plug for you stock engine and you will be fine for now.

 

Copper vs platnium. The copper BKR is what most of use run. They are like $8-10/set and work well. The BKR will last you about 7-15k miles depending on what you want to run them for (i do about 10-11k miles or basically every other oil change) and the PFQ will go 30k easy. The 6's are best for stock and lightly modded cars. From there you move to 7's with a chip and all the bolt ons. The stock gap is fine for stock cars, after a chip you need to lower the gap to .028 so you dont blow the spark out. Plenty of people dont do this after a chip and wonder why they have misfires and then spend $115 on new coilpacks and still dont get whats wrong.

 

Cool thanks. So, when I head to my local parts store, they gap the plugs for me? Or, do they simply come pre-gapped? It seems as if they don't come pre-gapped, as applications vary.

 

always check the gap in this case.

 

they are close, but not perfect, always gap them yourself

 

You mean bring my own set of spacing tools to check up on their work?

 

I think we were both assuming that you would install you plugs yourself.

 

which you should do, its easy as pie and takes about 3-10 mins depending on person

 

Buy a gapper. They are a wopping $1 at the check out counter.