Iridium Spark Plugs For FTO

[DarkRain]

Hi Guys and Gals

I have done some quite extensive research on the iridium spark plugs that are available for the FTO 6A12 Mivec and I'll just share my findings with you all.

The most common available ones are the NGK (Iridium IX) and Denso (Iridium Power - part no. IK22) ones with the difference being 0.06mm tip compared to Denso's 0.04mm tip. There are more exotic ones from Japan such as HKS and Greddy but they costs an arm and a leg. I wouldn't recommend the Denso ones as although the small tip is definitely more efficient and effective and may provide more power, it only lasts up to 40,000km and its more expensive. At least don't install it at the back row of the engine.

The NGK Iridium IX on comparison should lasts around 100,000km, same lifespan as that of a platinum plug but smaller tip compared to platinum of 0.08mm. By the way, the original back plugs (PFR7M) are platinum double tipped on the 6A12 Mivec, and its specially made for Mitsubishi. Denso has a longer life one at the same 0.04mm tip called Iridium Tough (part no. VK22) with a platinum base but I do not think its available in Australia yet. In fact NGK did experiment with 0.04mm tips but abandon it due to its much shorter lifespan.

The part no. for NGK Iridium IX is BKR7EIX, ie heat range 7 with normal gap at 0.8mm. So BKR7EIX-11 would be too far out at 1.1mm and may damage the piston. As for the heat range, I would not recommend going for 6 (hotter) unless your engine is heavily modified with modified ignition maps and fuel mix, as it may again cause engine damage due to misfiring ignition and detonation.

Thats my two cents worth and if you guys or gals have any other information, please do add to it. Hope you have enjoyed reading this.

By the way, you can buy Iridium spark plugs much cheaper on Ebay at the US sites. 6 Iridium IX costs me around $69 including postage and it only takes about 5-10 days to arrive.

Cheers.

[MrFT000]

Hi Guys and Gals

The part no. for NGK Iridium IX is BKR7EIX, ie heat range 7 with normal gap at 0.8mm. So BKR7EIX-11 would be too far out at 0.11mm and may damage the piston. As for the heat range, I would not recommend going for 6 (cooler) unless your engine is heavily modified (very high compression) or turbocharged, as it may again cause engine damage due to misfiring ignition.
Cheers.

Reiner,
Great write up. Just a question, Im using the 11's in my car atm (all 6). Where did you get this information from?
Might need to change sparkies..

[MrFT000]

ok, just got off the phone with Mitsu parts.
For genuine Mitsubishi sparkies, your looking.... sit down for it......


$65.50 EACH!!!

[Black_FTOGPX]

ok, just got off the phone with Mitsu parts.
For genuine Mitsubishi sparkies, your looking.... sit down for it......


$65.50 EACH!!!

You dont know the part numbers for them do you?

[MrFT000]

the original back plugs (PFR7M) are platinum double tipped on the 6A12 Mivec

I rang quoting the above and he found them listed.
He said, he would have to order them

If anyone can get these cheaper, please let me know...

[FTO338]

Great write up DarkRain.

[DarkRain]

I did research on the meaning of the part number as the letters and number represent different specifications of the spark plug. For example the NGK aftermarket spark plugs part no. are BKR7EKC-N and PFR7M for the front and back rows respectively. (if you check the UK NGK website, you will be able to find the ones for FTO 6A12 Mivec as above)

On top of my head in both parts no, BK is the size of the spark plug and is the same as F, R means resistor type, the 7 being the heat range, N is normal gap size being 0.8mm (if it is a number instead after the dash, it is the specific gap size), P is platinum, M is a special code maybe for Mitsubishi.

By the way, if you are wondering what is the difference between single and double tipped spark plugs, it is the life span of the spark plug. As at all time, only one tip will spark and it will be the one with the closest gap. So as the closest tip wears out and gets shorter, the second tip will eventually be longer and will be used instead. This basically extends the life of the spark plug. Iridium being much stronger and harder wears slower than platinum and its conductivity is better than platinum, using less electrical charge for the same spark.

[Dr_Jones]

I have the denso iridiums, if they last 40000k's that's cool, it only takes twenty minutes or so to change them and it's not a huge amount of money to buy them.

[Jase]

20 or so mins to change them? I was under the impression it was a big job. Thought the manifold had to come off?

[Dr_Jones]

Yeah it does, I hadn't done it before and it was done in less than half an hour.

[Dr_Jones]

Taking the manifold off is quite a bit easier than it looks. Get a mate to help you and you'll be done in no time.

I used the guide at http://www.funky-fto.co.uk/sparkplugs.html worked for me even though the car used in the guide is a GR and mine is a GPX.

[afterburner]

It can take a little while the first time you do it, but once you've got that out of the way it's not difficult at all. I haven't done it on my FTO, but have done it several times on my 6A12 twin turbo VR-4 and had it pretty much down pat after the first couple of times. Took about half an hour on that car - a little bit longer than I would expect for an FTO because the VR-4 had a whole bunch of turbo piping which needed to be removed.

[Jase]

I had a flick through the NGK book at autobarnthe other day. BKR7EIX-11 is what's listed for the non mivec. The BKR7EIX was listed for the EVO. Anyone got a part number for the Denso's for a non mivec.

[MrFT000]

jase, ive got 6 of the iridiums for the non mivec for sale atm.
$40 for 6.
ive only used them for like 1k kms.

[Jase]

MrFTOOO. Aren't yours the 6's? Too hot a plug for mine. Don't wanna risk melting a piston. Found the denso part no IK 20 for non mivec but apparently you can use the 22's but not vice versa. Thanks anyways.