Spark pugs Q's what do you guys use?

[Jedz123]

K guys I've been noticing misfire under acceleration in my legacy. I instantly assumed spark plugs so I bring her home park in the garage and pull a plug to read it and see how they are looking. Expecting to pull a platinum plug out comes a Foiled NGK spark plug... (The EG33 is running rich since the swap) Its the same kind of plug I used when I had the EJ22 in the Legacy, but I swear I read the EG33 uses Platinums. So I call my local parts store and get the Beef on my plugs. The guys tells me the EG33 had Iridium plugs stock and I should use them. I ask the going price and they are Eight bucks a piece! So if I went with those plugs I would pay Fifty bucks and change for new spark plugs.

I was curious what you guys use in your SVXs. Do you guys use Iridiums, Platinums or just stocker NGKs? and whet should I use for my application?

Thanks guys
~Jedz

[gsodonis]

IIRC, the OEM plugs readily available for SVX's are NGK platinums or NGK iridiums. When I bought mine (I went with iridium), both were around the same price at a hair under $10 each. At $8 a piece, that's a deal. Bosch platinum +2 and +4's have been run successfully by some on the network, but I prefer NGK's myself.

Considering how time consuming it is to replace the plugs (relative to a 4cyl Honda or Toyota for example) putting in anything other than platinums is a mistake, unless you enjoy the experience of replacing SVX plugs.

[b3lha]

My high-mileage 91 SVX still has it's original NGK plugs. I don't know what type they are.

A while ago I was thinking that I really should change them. The Subaru dealer quoted me £12 (=$24) per plug, plus fitting. Multiply by 6 and thats £72 (=$144) just for the parts!

I took the old ones out and they looked clean and shiny like new. So I put them back in again and didn't bother to buy new ones.

[svxcess]

Same here. My NGK Platinums have 107,000 miles, and 10 years of use on them. After putting my new exhaust in, we got a CE light which the select monitor said was a misfire in cylinder 3.

I thought it might have been a plug, so we pulled it and it looked almost new. I put a new one in anyway and replaced the coil pack (which was the problem)

As long as the engine runs smooth, and I have good performance and get 25mpg, I am not touching the plugs until I have to.

[ensteele]

And as hard as they are to change, that is not a bad idea.

[STORMINORMAN]

...changed every 30K for the last three times: never a problem with them.

At about $1.50 each after rebate I think they'll do the job for me in the next 90K miles, too!

Cheers!

[longassname]

The factory plugs are double platinums. The difference is that there is a platinum barb laser welded onto the ground electrode. That's why they are expensive and that's why they last pretty much forever. That's also why they spark a little easier. It's a thinner point for the spark to jump to.

The iridiums that they stock at the store have a regular ground electrode. So expect to change them more regularly. These are the spark plugs to use if you are using nitrous oxide (platinum spatters in nitrous).

You can also get the iridiums with the platinum laser welded on the ground strap but they are not going to be in stock at your local store.

Other spark plugs work but they don't idle as well. The ecu controls ignition dwell and it's set to use the ngk double platinum plugs. When you go adding 4 fat electrodes and the ecu cranks down the coils you get ocassional missfires and stalls.

[Guyver280z]

Daumn!! Ok, so Im going to replace my plugs next week.

Should I get NGK Platinum Double Electrode?? Thats it??

[gsodonis]

From NGK's website, there are two iridiums.
- The double platinum has a platinum core and a platinum tipped electrode.
- The more expensive iridium has an iridium core and platinum tipped electrode
- The less expensive iridium plug has an iridium core, but a 'tapered, cut, ground electrode'. not platinum.

Don't skimp. Get one of the first two. The part numbers are below. The ones you were quoted are probably the IX iridium , which I would avoid.

From their website
Spark Plugs

NGK Double Platinum 4014 PFR6B-11 .044" $11.71
NGK Iridium plug 6741 IFR6E-11 .044" $11.71
NGK IX iridium 3764 BKR6EIX-11 .044" $7.32

[redsvx]

I took the old ones out and they looked clean and shiny like new. So I put them back in again and didn't bother to buy new ones.

In 20 years of owning Subarus I have never replaced a set of plugs!
Only the odd one that gets cracked or broken. They seem to burn so clean.

My 82 wagon with over 400,000 ran perfect and still had the original plugs in it when it rusted to bits.

[Nevin]

How big of a deal is it to change plugs anyways? I mean, looking at the motor, it does seem pretty crappy, but what all would have to be done?

Also, having just purchased my first SVX, would it be a good idea to change my wires since the car is at 100k?

[94SubieSVX]

Changing the plugs on the EG33 is definately a time consuming task. I would set aside about half a day to get the old ones out and new ones in.

[gsodonis]

- There are no 'wires' to change. Each plug has a coil pack sitting on top of it.
- 5 of the 6 plugs are relatively easy to change. The three on the passenger side won't take but 10 - 15 minutes. You can't prepare for how hard it is the first time to remove and replace the one closest to the firewall on the drivers side. There appears to be insufficient room between the frame rail and the cylinder head to do anything. But if you follow the correct order and procedure, you will get it done. Do a search for 'spark plugs' and you'll find plenty of tips. I believe there's a write up in how-to as well

Originally Posted by Nevin

How big of a deal is it to change plugs anyways? I mean, looking at the motor, it does seem pretty crappy, but what all would have to be done?

Also, having just purchased my first SVX, would it be a good idea to change my wires since the car is at 100k?

[dmnknightomega6]

Yup There is one in The How to lockers (upper right corner of the screen)

Just did it yesterday.

Tha drame is what takes the time. You have to take off the aiebox, and battery.

Last plug as mentioned is a real pain