Spark Plugs... double or single grounded?
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Iridium are better than the old technology plugs.
I installed a set of new Denso IK16TT Iridium spark plugs in my 2001 May 24 2016 it had 151000 miles. I still have those same plugs in service engine performance has not changed nor fuel economy. Denso iridiums will last 100,000 miles, or up to 2000 hrs, (100,000 miles) for reference with mobile equipment or industrial stationary engines like Cat 3520C 1 hr run is equal to 50 miles of driving. The pics of the plugs were the old 3 prong.
I installed a set of new Denso IK16TT Iridium spark plugs in my 2001 May 24 2016 it had 151000 miles. I still have those same plugs in service engine performance has not changed nor fuel economy. Denso iridiums will last 100,000 miles, or up to 2000 hrs, (100,000 miles) for reference with mobile equipment or industrial stationary engines like Cat 3520C 1 hr run is equal to 50 miles of driving. The pics of the plugs were the old 3 prong.
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brillo_76
Elite Member
Glad to know the irduims will make 100k miles. Everyone was insisting they wouldn't last that long in our wasted spark system. I have a set in my 98 and my 97 6 speed.
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i run the double grounds NGK's. However they will run on almost anything I discovered, as my 2001 I had, had the cheapest single ground AD Delco plugs in it when I bought it...
so the irriduium....how ever that is spelled looks..... like it could be an option...however the other day I was picking up plugs for my new to me 2000...at the part stores up here . the NGK irridiums ( 5464) are double the price of the NGK dual electrode ( 3967)
I went with the 3967's....have not installed yet....just building a pile of parts, actually waiting on other parts b4 I do a tune up....
so the irriduium....how ever that is spelled looks..... like it could be an option...however the other day I was picking up plugs for my new to me 2000...at the part stores up here . the NGK irridiums ( 5464) are double the price of the NGK dual electrode ( 3967)
I went with the 3967's....have not installed yet....just building a pile of parts, actually waiting on other parts b4 I do a tune up....
Glad to know the irduims will make 100k miles. Everyone was insisting they wouldn't last that long in our wasted spark system. I have a set in my 98 and my 97 6 speed.
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wow....you have a 97 6 speed
what is the tranny?I understand your concern about price but the old ferrous tipped spark plugs last around 30-35k miles vs 100k for Denso iridium. Field experience with large stationary industrial engines like Cat 3500 & 3600 series NGE, Jenbacher series 4 & 6, Waukesha VHPs you can get double the life by simply readjusting the gap after a quick clean. My wife’s 2006 Avalon limited went 110k miles and I changed them because I like to follow a set service interval. I checked the plugs against the new Denso aside from light ash coating they look great. If I wanted I could just taken a brass brush to clean them and reuse.
I attached my old receipt for reference.
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well, other than the longer life....is their a performance advantage...like fire better in an older engine ? have not installed yet, guess I could take them back and get the irriduims.
just kind of bugs me to have a sticker stare at me that says.....no single electrodes....and then run single
but then I ve seen signs that say 55mph.....and.......
lastly....someplace I read on this forum...do not buy NGK plugs from amazon as they are copies.....that said....6 of the NGK irriduims on amazon will only be about 6 bucks a plug...compared to auto parts stores here that want almost 9 a plug for irridiums and 5 for the stock dual ground....(parts are $$$ in alaska)
just kind of bugs me to have a sticker stare at me that says.....no single electrodes....and then run single
but then I ve seen signs that say 55mph.....and.......
lastly....someplace I read on this forum...do not buy NGK plugs from amazon as they are copies.....that said....6 of the NGK irriduims on amazon will only be about 6 bucks a plug...compared to auto parts stores here that want almost 9 a plug for irridiums and 5 for the stock dual ground....(parts are $$$ in alaska)
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I lucked out with my order I believe I emailed the vendor at the time. I checked the packaging when it came in & verfied it was same as the rebranded CAT iridium for their 98L (5956 cid) Natural Gas Engine. CARiD carries both NGK & Denso both are around $6 vs $3 for the ferrous tip.
Here is something that Champion has on explaining the performance differences Copper & Iridium vs Platinum Spark Plugs | Champion Auto Parts
I prefer Denso because of the double iridium tip. Yeah it’s more $$ but I don’t want to change plugs at 30k miles, there is also the impact on fuel economy as the plug wears. It’s really preference.
Here is something that Champion has on explaining the performance differences Copper & Iridium vs Platinum Spark Plugs | Champion Auto Parts
I prefer Denso because of the double iridium tip. Yeah it’s more $$ but I don’t want to change plugs at 30k miles, there is also the impact on fuel economy as the plug wears. It’s really preference.
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19963.4lsr5
New member
Only way to really tell would be with an emissions sniffer to see if your unburned hydrocarbons went up or stayed the same.
Generally speaking (IMO) the multiple electrode was used in tighter combustion chambers to ensure the spark happened in the highest concentration of fuel mixture.
I put the heat range 6 EK plugs in my Saturn and wife’s 2.5l Outback.
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I would agree maybe 10 yrs ago however engine manufactures have since abandoned multi-pronged plugs or even the flat circular design. As for tighter combustion chambers BMEP values have gone up and automotive OEMs also moved to the single prong. If you look at the large industrial natural gas engines they gone from the mid-teens to as high as 31 bars and all use or highly recommend iridium to handle the very high voltage the spark plug is subject too.
brillo_76
Elite Member
Lol. Typo. 6 speed is neutral.wow....you have a 97 6 speed
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3rd gen 200k miles. Just recently purchased. I’m guessing plugs weren’t changed for 80k miles. Single electrode NGK. This beast of a 6 cyl ran fine. I replaced w/ double ground platinum NGK. Runs much smoother and accelerates better probably just because they are new. Mpg have not increased significantly. It ran on single electrode plain plugs all those miles, so it will probably run on anything. My understanding is reason for double electrode is it gets you longer plug life, based upon waist spark motor. Iridium gets you even longer plug life but has only only has one ground electrode, so probably will last as long as lower quality double ground electrode. You may get a better spark also. I’d try them. If mine ran 80k on low end single I’d bet yours will be just fine. Let us know.
T4R2014
Elite Member
I did some plugs on a 2001ish V6 Camry. Very similar ignition system, pretty sure they even use the same ignition coils as a 5VZ. They utilize this twin tip platinum NGK plug.
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Part of me likes that the 30k interval of the copper plugs forces a more frequent inspection of your ignition components, but the lazy bastard in me wants to try these plugs so that I don't have to do them as much.
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Part of me likes that the 30k interval of the copper plugs forces a more frequent inspection of your ignition components, but the lazy bastard in me wants to try these plugs so that I don't have to do them as much.
Robb235
Senior Member
NGK 96457 ruthenium spark plugs. Been running them for over a year now. Got mine from Rock Auto.
More Information for NGK 96457
More Information for NGK 96457
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JoeT4R
Senior Member
I've always used dual-electrode plugs in my 3rd gen. I last changed them in August of 2022 at 316,143 miles. I'll roll 339K today. Who knows when I'll change them again but they've treated my truck well (they're NGK's of course w/ NGK wires)
I haven't dabbled with the iridium or ruthenium plugs, only the standard copper ones. I'd be curious to hear others' input if they have experiences with the other types though.
I haven't dabbled with the iridium or ruthenium plugs, only the standard copper ones. I'd be curious to hear others' input if they have experiences with the other types though.
phattyduck
Elite Member
I have yet to hear a bad thing about the ruthenium plugs... though they are still fairly new. This is from other vehicles, but similar plug 'sensitivity' on that one (Honda V6).
-Charlie
