cheaper irridium spark plug alternative? denso 4712

maddmatt02 · 01-21-2016, 02:08 PM

ok, was going to just run champion 990/991(had been undecided on heat range choice) then was buying plugs for my accord and champion 991 was an option, the denso irridium twin tip was also an option. After that I knew it would physically fit and figured maybe they just werent recommended because they are pregapped way larger than the n54 specified gap. Figured I'd give it a shot since I got them for $3.52 ($5.52/$2.00 rebate until 3/31/16). part number IXEH22TT (4712) which is one step colder(22) than bosch heat range of 6.

here are some pics to compare, only issue is since the ceramic is thinner, the coil/boots don't grab the plug as firmly. It snaps on the end of the plug, and grabs the ~1/4" lip it fits over on the valve cover, but it doesnt slide firmly over the entire plug.

I closed the gaps to a little under spec(seeing as some people run .22, some run .28, etc...) and made sure the tips were still in line with each other. installed them all and fired her up. no apparent issues and none since. I have only put maybe 200 miles on the car since but I did just get my JB4 installed and have been playing with that so quite a few of those have been HARD miles! only thing I noticed is there may be a slightly longer crank time, but don't remember for sure. guess I could swap back to the stock plugs to see, might happen but seems like a waste of time since no matter what I wouldn't leave them in, because I had stumbling under load and occasional misfire codes and the plugs were the culprits. got the set for $21 bucks in the end instead of $60+ for oems/NGKs.

Anyone see any reason to be afraid of running these? only issue I was concerned with was coils staying in place but they felt secure enough and have proved to be so far.

DJtoad · 01-23-2016, 09:38 AM

OEM plugs can be purchased, shipped, for $57. So you want to install incorrectly fitting plugs into a tuned car in order to save $36 every 2-3 years?

maddmatt02 · 01-24-2016, 11:47 PM

same thread, same gasket fit, same reach. is the incorrect fit you are referring to simply the diameter of the ceramic or do you know something else? also arent oem plugs copper? doesnt an irridium/platinum plug last longer? sure copper is more conductive, but if nobody has issues running them, wouldnt the extended life of an irridium be nice?

Cory S · 01-25-2016, 12:13 AM

The ground/center electrodes are not what's copper. The plug internal core is Copper. A non-platinum/Iridium plug, uses a Nickel alloy for the electrodes.

A slightly colder plug can create more headaches than you can imagine. Especially in a BMW....

TrAcK TRaP · 01-25-2016, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

The ground/center electrodes are not what's copper. The plug internal core is Copper. A non-platinum/Iridium plug, uses a Nickel alloy for the electrodes.

A slightly colder plug can create more headaches than you can imagine. Especially in a BMW....

+1

maddmatt02 · 01-25-2016, 12:42 AM

I thought most people on here ran tighter-gapped colder-than-stock plugs on tuned cars. I dont have much yet but will have inlets, outlets, DPs, meth, more boost soon (still CP/meth shopping).

Ive read of people going 2 steps colder but didnt feel I needed to go that drastic.

Cory S · 01-25-2016, 01:14 AM

Stock heat range is fine when running an aluminum head and street tuned cars. Gapping tighter for higher boost and richer A/F ratio, will always help.

blackturbo · 01-27-2016, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJtoad

OEM plugs can be purchased, shipped, for $57. So you want to install incorrectly fitting plugs into a tuned car in order to save $36 every 2-3 years?

Oem for 57?

do you have a link? Thats a great deal

01-21-2016, 02:08 PM	#1
maddmatt02 Private First Class 8 Rep 117 Posts Drives: alpine white e90 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: WA/USA iTrader: (0)	cheaper irridium spark plug alternative? denso 4712 ok, was going to just run champion 990/991(had been undecided on heat range choice) then was buying plugs for my accord and champion 991 was an option, the denso irridium twin tip was also an option. After that I knew it would physically fit and figured maybe they just werent recommended because they are pregapped way larger than the n54 specified gap. Figured I'd give it a shot since I got them for $3.52 ($5.52/$2.00 rebate until 3/31/16). part number IXEH22TT (4712) which is one step colder(22) than bosch heat range of 6. here are some pics to compare, only issue is since the ceramic is thinner, the coil/boots don't grab the plug as firmly. It snaps on the end of the plug, and grabs the ~1/4" lip it fits over on the valve cover, but it doesnt slide firmly over the entire plug. I closed the gaps to a little under spec(seeing as some people run .22, some run .28, etc...) and made sure the tips were still in line with each other. installed them all and fired her up. no apparent issues and none since. I have only put maybe 200 miles on the car since but I did just get my JB4 installed and have been playing with that so quite a few of those have been HARD miles! only thing I noticed is there may be a slightly longer crank time, but don't remember for sure. guess I could swap back to the stock plugs to see, might happen but seems like a waste of time since no matter what I wouldn't leave them in, because I had stumbling under load and occasional misfire codes and the plugs were the culprits. got the set for $21 bucks in the end instead of $60+ for oems/NGKs. Anyone see any reason to be afraid of running these? only issue I was concerned with was coils staying in place but they felt secure enough and have proved to be so far. __________________ 07 A/W 335i 6AT/JB4/race BEF/FSB METH CM5/VRSF DP/DCI
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-23-2016, 09:38 AM	#2
DJtoad Captain 60 Rep 665 Posts Drives: 2010 535i M Sport Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (2)	OEM plugs can be purchased, shipped, for $57. So you want to install incorrectly fitting plugs into a tuned car in order to save $36 every 2-3 years? __________________ 2010 535i M Sport - Platinum Gray/Dakota Black/Anthracite Bamboo 2016 Jaguar F-Type S AWD - Polar White/Cirrus
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2016, 11:47 PM	#3
maddmatt02 Private First Class 8 Rep 117 Posts Drives: alpine white e90 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: WA/USA iTrader: (0)	same thread, same gasket fit, same reach. is the incorrect fit you are referring to simply the diameter of the ceramic or do you know something else? also arent oem plugs copper? doesnt an irridium/platinum plug last longer? sure copper is more conductive, but if nobody has issues running them, wouldnt the extended life of an irridium be nice? __________________ 07 A/W 335i 6AT/JB4/race BEF/FSB METH CM5/VRSF DP/DCI
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-25-2016, 12:13 AM	#4
Cory S Major 306 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	The ground/center electrodes are not what's copper. The plug internal core is Copper. A non-platinum/Iridium plug, uses a Nickel alloy for the electrodes. A slightly colder plug can create more headaches than you can imagine. Especially in a BMW....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-25-2016, 12:42 AM	#6
maddmatt02 Private First Class 8 Rep 117 Posts Drives: alpine white e90 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: WA/USA iTrader: (0)	I thought most people on here ran tighter-gapped colder-than-stock plugs on tuned cars. I dont have much yet but will have inlets, outlets, DPs, meth, more boost soon (still CP/meth shopping). Ive read of people going 2 steps colder but didnt feel I needed to go that drastic. __________________ 07 A/W 335i 6AT/JB4/race BEF/FSB METH CM5/VRSF DP/DCI
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-25-2016, 01:14 AM	#7
Cory S Major 306 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	Stock heat range is fine when running an aluminum head and street tuned cars. Gapping tighter for higher boost and richer A/F ratio, will always help.
	Appreciate 0 Quote