3.3TT Spark plugs

[SSavage]

I have seen some talk on spark plugs but have not found much on different plugs. Just stock NGK, DENSO, & HKS. I have Cold air intake and that's it. When I bought the car it had the cold air already. Also Denso plugs. After a couple years the car had a miss. I checked codes and it was misfire on #2. I pulled the plugs and gapped them. While I had the plugs out I ordered like for like. IKH24 5346 on the box. I have noticed a couple misfires again a year later. I am thinking of changing to a different plug.
I checked some specs on the stock NGK 97976 plugs and they are a heat rating of 7 with 14mm thread and 26.5mm reach. I went on the NGK website and they have Ruthenium plugs which is there highest end plugs. Has anyone herd of anyone trying these plugs. Summit racing has them for $11.39. They are heat range 7 14mm thread with 26.5mm reach and gasket seal. Sounds like it would fit?

NGK Ruthenium HX Spark Plugs LFER7BHX​

 

[SSavage]

I also found NGK 2309, LFR7AIX. They are there iridium IX plugs which are suppose to be better than the stock plugs. Rock auto has them for $8.16. I found them in stock at Canadian tire for $13. I bought 1 just to try it and see if it works. It looks the same size. I installed it and drove it. So far so good. Now I am tempted to try the ruthenium. Summit of course won't ship the plugs to Canada but they had the best prices.

 

[SSavage]

Summit racing got back to me and said the NGK Ruthenium HX Spark Plugs LFER7BHX are a direct fit upgrade for the NGK 97976 SILZFR7A9G Laser Iridium Spark Plugs. Rock auto will ship to Canada so I ordered a set. Less than $100 to the door with express shipping. Should be a better plug than HKS and much cheaper.

 

[cbr629]

Interesting hoped this works out

 

[SSavage]

The top of the Ruthenium plugs look different but fit and work fine. Installed plugs and they are working perfectly. I would love to see a tuner try them out and see the dyno results of these plugs. Less than $100 to the door and NGK claims they are there best plugs. NGK also got back to me and says there 2309 plugs in there Iridium IX line are an upgrade to there laser iridium factory plugs. They also said there laser iridium 97976 plugs are in OE lock down so you have to buy from dealers at over $20 a plug. So pay $8 a plug for an upgrade or $11 for a double upgrade.

 

[SSavage]

Interesting hoped this works out

I’m smiling right now that it worked out and car is running better than ever. Now time will tell if they do last longer than all the rest.

 

[cbr629]

The top of the Ruthenium plugs look different but fit and work fine. Installed plugs and they are working perfectly. I would love to see a tuner try them out and see the dyno results of these plugs. Less than $100 to the door and NGK claims they are there best plugs. NGK also got back to me and says there 2309 plugs in there Iridium IX line are an upgrade to there laser iridium factory plugs. They also said there laser iridium 97976 plugs are in OE lock down so you have to buy from dealers at over $20 a plug. So pay $8 a plug for an upgrade or $11 for a double upgrade.

SSavage thanks for taking the time to show a optical plug at a better price point. I'm going to invest in a set of these myself so I won't have to go through the process of changing the plugs as much. Peace

 

[GensisGuy5]

anyone else tried these im getting a slight no code miss @ 90k on my 3.3

 

[stoopid]

anyone else tried these im getting a slight no code miss @ 90k on my 3.3

Service manual/schedule says to replace before 50,000 miles. Replace yours with something, if they have not been already (at ~50k miles), and do it soon.

I'll probably just go with the Iridium IX, depends on what rockauto has in stock when I go to buy them. Getting 4 years out of a set of plugs is fine for me. I'd suspect only at constant high RPMs and/or for longevity are the best plugs needed.

 

[GensisGuy5]

ya Im not sure if they where done previously, got the car from the bank when my father passed away... Im sure they where done if it needed it but its probably time again

 

[blnewt]

Wanted to reopen this thread and @SSavage and @cbr629 are you still running those plugs you posted above, ready to replace my stock plugs and want to give these a shot assuming they're performing well. and just to confirm this is the full part # NGK Ruthenium HX Spark Plugs LFER7BHX
Also with that different contact on the top I assume it's connecting to the boot just fine, and did you regap, and if so to what??
Also noticed the Ruthenium has a 1k ohm resistor and the stock NGK has a 5k ohm, wondering if that's a concern??
FWIW using that part # on the NGK site it lists only applications as VW/Audi/Porsche.
Looks like Rockauto has those plugs for $63 shipped, so if they work well that price is killer!

TIA

 

[cbr629]

I installed and gapped mine to .023. No issues so far at 6300 miles later

 

[blnewt]

I installed and gapped mine to .023. No issues so far at 6300 miles later

Thanks for the quick reply, so just to be sure these are the exact plugs you ordered, and since I'm 100% stock would it be ok to gap them around .026 to .028? And that boot fits nice and tight to that cup top on the spark plug vs. the traditional top on the OEM plugs?

https://www.ngk.com/ngk-95125-lfer7bhx-ruthenium-hx-plug

Really appreciate the help with this

 

[cbr629]

Yes sir no problem at all buddy!

 

[SSavage]

A little over 4 months now and the car is running great. I am still happy that I went with the NGK Ruthenium plugs. The different shape top fits perfectly with the coils.

 

[G-547551]

Do you have to take caution gapping these like some plugs? as far as the tips? need todo mine soon have almost 94k on my 3.3

 

[SSavage]

A little over 4 months now and the car is running great. I am still happy that I went with the NGK Ruthenium plugs. The different shape top fits perfectly with the coils.

 

[blnewt]

Glad to get confirmation, these plugs would seem to be the deal of the century!
Thanks guys! Just curious about that 1k ohm vs 5k ohm resistance, any potential issues there? Doesn't seem to be anything there

 

[blnewt]

Damn, Amazon has them for $18.99 for a 4 pack, just order 12 for $61 so 2 full spark plug changes at $30 per change!

Amazon.com

 

[cbr629]

I'm about to stock up! Get them before the prices go up lol