Recommended Spark Plugs for Stage 1 Cars

[ac419]

Hi All,

Im looking to replace the spark plugs on my M3. I'm tuned stage 1 on BM3. What does everyone recommend in terms of the spark plug heat range (stock or 1-2 steps colder), gap size (.22-.25), and where to buy?

Ive been searching on ECS tuning and they only have stock heat range and cant find some of the popular brands such as NGK as what others have recommended.

Thanks in advance.

[Justin.AutoTalent]

We offer the NGK plugs, the specific plug you're looking for is the 97506 plug which is gapped to 0.02 on pump gas (91/93) or 0.018 for E85 tuned cars.

[ac419]

Originally Posted by Justin.AutoTalent

We offer the NGK plugs, the specific plug you're looking for is the 97506 plug which is gapped to 0.02 on pump gas (91/93) or 0.018 for E85 tuned cars.

Thanks Justin. PM coming!

[mike@x-ph.com]

+1 for the NGK 97506 2-Step Colder Spark Plug

[DeividF80M3]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

+1 for the NGK 97506 2-Step Colder Spark Plug

2-Step colder on pump gas (91/93) ??

[coxxoc]

I’ve been running NGK 97506 gapped at .018” without issue. Tune is stage 1 (stock car boost up).

[kyleb350]

Is a stage 1 tune extreme enough to warrant different spark plugs?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Is a stage 1 tune extreme enough to warrant different spark plugs?

We ran stage 1 for a while on stock plugs without any issues, but sooner or later it will need to be upgraded

[ttrank]

Originally Posted by Justin.AutoTalent

We offer the NGK plugs, the specific plug you're looking for is the 97506 plug which is gapped to 0.02 on pump gas (91/93) or 0.018 for E85 tuned cars.

Could you PM me a price for a set shipped to 85083 please.

[fackamato]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

We ran stage 1 for a while on stock plugs without any issues, but sooner or later it will need to be upgraded

If you stick to stage 1, do they still need to be swapped out? If so, why?

Is it possible to read from the datalogs if spark plugs are an issue?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by fackamato

If you stick to stage 1, do they still need to be swapped out? If so, why?

Is it possible to read from the datalogs if spark plugs are an issue?

Yes datalogs will show if plugs are failing.

[fackamato]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Yes datalogs will show if plugs are failing.

How do you interpret that from the logs?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by fackamato

How do you interpret that from the logs?

timing drop / misfires

[fackamato]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

timing drop / misfires

Thanks. Dropped timing = reduced timing, i.e. negative values? Example log: http://www.bootmod3.net/log?id=5d48b2c4ae729b5812b0159e

BM3 STG1 "92 octane", -2.25 is the lowest I've seen but it quickly increases to around 7 before the shift.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by fackamato

Thanks. Dropped timing = reduced timing, i.e. negative values? Example log: http://www.bootmod3.net/log?id=5d48b2c4ae729b5812b0159e

BM3 STG1 "92 octane", -2.25 is the lowest I've seen but it quickly increases to around 7 before the shift.

Correct but keep in mind drop in timing could be due to a number of issues. Not only bad plugs. Send the log to your tuner and they can help you pinpoint the problem

[Justin.AutoTalent]

Originally Posted by fackamato

Thanks. Dropped timing = reduced timing, i.e. negative values? Example log: http://www.bootmod3.net/log?id=5d48b2c4ae729b5812b0159e

BM3 STG1 "92 octane", -2.25 is the lowest I've seen but it quickly increases to around 7 before the shift.

You'll right away if your plugs are fowled based on the idle and start up, if it's rough and misfiring, the first check is typically your plugs

Typical lifespan of the spark plugs on stock boost is 20-25k miles. Typical life span on high boost/e85 tune is 15k miles

[fackamato]

Originally Posted by Justin.AutoTalent

You'll right away if your plugs are fowled based on the idle and start up, if it's rough and misfiring, the first check is typically your plugs

Typical lifespan of the spark plugs on stock boost is 20-25k miles. Typical life span on high boost/e85 tune is 15k miles

Gotcha - TYVM!

[Justin.AutoTalent]

Originally Posted by fackamato

Gotcha - TYVM!

No problem

[808elise]

Recommend same for STG2?

[jpy1980]

Would these spark plugs be recommended for stock tune cars? If so, what gap?

[Justin.AutoTalent]

Originally Posted by 808elise

Recommend same for STG2?

Pump gas 0.2mm gap recommended while E85 a tighter gap is needed, in this scenario it would be 0.18mm

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Would these spark plugs be recommended for stock tune cars? If so, what gap?

Stock tune it's not really necessary, you can if you want, but you would not see much difference in performance.

The only benefit might be a $6 difference per plus versus the OEM

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by Justin.AutoTalent

Pump gas 0.2mm gap recommended while E85 a tighter gap is needed, in this scenario it would be 0.18mm



Stock tune it's not really necessary, you can if you want, but you would not see much difference in performance.

The only benefit might be a $6 difference per plus versus the OEM

Werd. I want to get these with my stock tune just in case I end up getting some type of tune in the near future. Should I just get these plugs and gap them to .020 and call it a day? I think my stock plugs have about 11k miles on them now so about time to change.