- Joined
- Mar 9, 2005
- RO Number
- 16534
- Messages
- 1,745
No, we're not going rehash the tired old topic of what's the best plug...I already know what's best! 
No I'm referring to the increasing hi tech world of iridium plugs. There are a few of us on the board that like to have the latest, greatest of technology in our boats...and I'm one of them - with a few caveats.
As a search revealed and a subsequent phone call to NGK's tech center bore out...the new TR6 IX family of plugs are now available for those of you running 5.7l's, 350 mags, 7.4l's and I'm sure they're coming around to the 8.1's and 496 mags if they haven't already.
The buzzword at NGK is "ignitability". Too much to ask for in a Scrabble game..but it makes sense from a boating approach. The logic is simple:
Six times harder than platinum, hotter burning ensuring a better fuel/air mix explosion...translating to better fuel economies and better performance from the engine.
I've been running the standard tipped NGK's for quite awhile and I'll testify to the better burn and performance aspects....they are, quite simply put, a superior spark plug.
So now the question is: "Will a iridium plug be even better than an already great plug"?
Typically, I change out plugs every two years or so....with these I could probably go for five or six seasons with no noticeable decline in performance...but I'll call it quits at most likely 3 seasons max. It's the idea of a even better fuel burn and even better performance that made me decide to give them a shot.
I got a set through BIL who can get that kind of stuff for cost...still set me back $59.83 for a set of eight. Since the boat is now laid up, I'll put them in at the spring commissioning.
NGK man told me that the iridium replacement for the standard BPR6EFS, which is gapped at .045" (OEM gap)
has to be closed down to .040" because of a far hotter spark.
I know of one RO who has gone to the iridium in his 7.4l and swears the performance has very noticeably improved.
Anyone else here a tech freak and use these things?
No I'm referring to the increasing hi tech world of iridium plugs. There are a few of us on the board that like to have the latest, greatest of technology in our boats...and I'm one of them - with a few caveats.
As a search revealed and a subsequent phone call to NGK's tech center bore out...the new TR6 IX family of plugs are now available for those of you running 5.7l's, 350 mags, 7.4l's and I'm sure they're coming around to the 8.1's and 496 mags if they haven't already.
The buzzword at NGK is "ignitability". Too much to ask for in a Scrabble game..but it makes sense from a boating approach. The logic is simple:
Six times harder than platinum, hotter burning ensuring a better fuel/air mix explosion...translating to better fuel economies and better performance from the engine.
I've been running the standard tipped NGK's for quite awhile and I'll testify to the better burn and performance aspects....they are, quite simply put, a superior spark plug.
So now the question is: "Will a iridium plug be even better than an already great plug"?
Typically, I change out plugs every two years or so....with these I could probably go for five or six seasons with no noticeable decline in performance...but I'll call it quits at most likely 3 seasons max. It's the idea of a even better fuel burn and even better performance that made me decide to give them a shot.
I got a set through BIL who can get that kind of stuff for cost...still set me back $59.83 for a set of eight. Since the boat is now laid up, I'll put them in at the spring commissioning.
NGK man told me that the iridium replacement for the standard BPR6EFS, which is gapped at .045" (OEM gap)
has to be closed down to .040" because of a far hotter spark.
I know of one RO who has gone to the iridium in his 7.4l and swears the performance has very noticeably improved.
Anyone else here a tech freak and use these things?