Spark plugs for the Kizashi

Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:49 pm

Oddly, I rarely get comments or even looks for my Kizashi. Sure, I've got them in the past, but simply not at the rate that you other guys seem to. I kind of attribute it to the fact that the DC area is void of many car enthusiasts. The car scene is a flat-liner here compared to So Cal where I'm from.

Honestly, the VW Bus gets way more love from strangers than my Kizashi. It's also far more rare out here than the West Coast due a bunch of factors such as A) humidity (rust), B) road salt usage (rust), C) enthusiast scene (passion), and D) percentage of hippies (passion).

Sat Aug 23, 2014 12:56 am

I take it no one has any issues with their replacement plugs at a 0.044" gap? I'm thinking of increasing the gap on my stock plugs from 0.040" for a bit more oomph.

I increased the gap on my GTI from 0.032" to 0.035" and the increase in low end was unbelievable. Haven't pushed it hard enough to experience misfires yet though

Woodie · Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:44 am

Just like fuel additives, oil additives, majik spark plugs, spark plug indexing, ebay "chips" that increase your performance AND mileage, spark plug gap is mostly meaningless. Unless it's WAY off, it's going to make no discernible difference.

redmed · Sat Aug 23, 2014 2:22 pm

KuroNekko wrote:Oddly, I rarely get comments or even looks for my Kizashi. Sure, I've got them in the past, but simply not at the rate that you other guys seem to. I kind of attribute it to the fact that the DC area is void of many car enthusiasts. The car scene is a flat-liner here compared to So Cal where I'm from.

Honestly, the VW Bus gets way more love from strangers than my Kizashi. It's also far more rare out here than the West Coast due a bunch of factors such as A) humidity (rust), B) road salt usage (rust), C) enthusiast scene (passion), and D) percentage of hippies (passion).

I live near Detroit and there are alot of car people and alot of experimental test cars with manufacture plates driving around. So I would guess drivers around here are more "car curious" than elsewhere. When we drive to Indiana to visit relatives the Kizzy is just another car.

Sat Aug 23, 2014 3:56 pm

Woodie wrote:Just like fuel additives, oil additives, majik spark plugs, spark plug indexing, ebay "chips" that increase your performance AND mileage, spark plug gap is mostly meaningless. Unless it's WAY off, it's going to make no discernible difference.

I'm used to FI applications where gaps can completely change your engine. I understand that it won't make a significant difference on a car like the Kizashi. Still, I'd like to run the largest gap possible for optimal performance.

Woodie · Sun Aug 24, 2014 12:25 pm

bootymac wrote:
Woodie wrote:Just like fuel additives, oil additives, majik spark plugs, spark plug indexing, ebay "chips" that increase your performance AND mileage, spark plug gap is mostly meaningless. Unless it's WAY off, it's going to make no discernible difference.
I'm used to FI applications where gaps can completely change your engine. I understand that it won't make a significant difference on a car like the Kizashi. Still, I'd like to run the largest gap possible for optimal performance.

Back in the day, spark plug gap used to make more difference, but with computer controlled fuel injection, and high energy ignition systems, it's just not very important anymore.

Also, I forgot to include nitrogen filled tires in my above list of snake oil products.

Sun Aug 24, 2014 4:53 pm

I side gapped and indexed the plugs on my GTI once. Great fun but those plugs didn't last very long

Sun Aug 24, 2014 7:08 pm

So I checked all of the factory plugs this time and found that two were gapped to 0.040" while the other two were 0.044"

I gapped them all to 0.044" and went on my way

Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:47 am

I found this video just now. It's a video from NGK on their various spark plugs.
Given we've talked about Laser Iridium vs. Iridium IX and other spark plugs, I thought it was worth posting.

The video interestingly states that vehicles with DIS (Distributor-less Ignition Systems) like our Kizashis, benefit from dual-precious metal spark plugs because of the increased firing rate of the spark plugs. It explains why Laser Iridiums (the OE spark plugs in the Kizashi) are the best for performance and longevity.

[youtube][/youtube]

Sun Aug 31, 2014 6:01 am

On another note, I was a bit curious on the issue of anti-seize compound on spark plug threads. I've always used them as I learned that way. However, I was getting curious given I was reading about NGK's zinc coating that made it sound like anti-seize compound was not necessary. I also rarely ever see anti-seize being used on plugs when installed in the factory in most newer cars.

I just read this document from NGK that discusses spark plugs and anti-seize compound. I'll no longer be putting anti-seize unless the spark plug is the type that calls for it (I think some Autolites need it). Sounds like it is not necessary on any NGK plugs given their zinc coating.

I must say, I really love the documents and info NGK puts out there on their products. Such an awesome company though they just plead guilty to price fixing. Their engineers and assembly workers are top-notch. Their executives are corrupt. Sounds like a typical Japanese company.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/tb-063 ... isieze.pdf

Here's another one on 5 things to know about spark plugs.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/dyk_5points.pdf