Spark Plugs? Which Ones?

[JasonL]

I have a 2000 SR5 Runner V6 3.4 liter. I just hit 30K miles and was about to perform the required tune-up. I have been looking at spark plugs and cannot determine whether there is a better option than the Toyota parts.

There are so many options out there: platinum, iridium, 1, 2, and 4 prongs... plus all the different brands and claims.

What will give me the best performance, reliability and not harm the engine?

Any help here would be appreciated. I am pretty good with my hands and garage work (not a pro) but can understand most technical stuff.

Thanks in advance, Jason

 

[shaner]

Your best bet is to go with the copper oem plugs for optimum performance. I don't know what brand is oem for toyota, but for my altima it's ngk. If you want better throttle response (not really hp) and a little better mileage, go with oem brand (whatever that is) iridium plugs, or denso if the oem brand doesn't make iridium. Anything else and you're wasting your money on something that makes your engine perform worse.

 

[Thai]

Toyota usually uses NGK and/or DENSO. My '02 4runner uses both.

 

[silver4x419]

Spark Plugs

Your best bet is to go with the copper oem plugs for optimum performance. I don't know what brand is oem for toyota, but for my altima it's ngk. If you want better throttle response (not really hp) and a little better mileage, go with oem brand (whatever that is) iridium plugs, or denso if the oem brand doesn't make iridium. Anything else and you're wasting your money on something that makes your engine perform worse.

Exactly. When I worked at Auto Zone, I was specifically told to sell Denso/NGK to anyone to has a Toyota.

As for the replacement plugs, I would try out a NGK Iridium Tip, try to get the next number up if you can, it iwll burn a little hotter.

 

[JasonL]

Thanks Guys.

Thanks for the input. After reading what many have said about the Denso Iridiums, I just ordered some and will let you know what I think once they are in the rig.

Thanks again,

Jason

 

[Iman74]

Does anybody use Split Fires anymore? About 10 years ago when I was driving a beatup Camaro a buddy of mine at the time installed some Split Fires and I noticed an increase in horse power.

 

[silver4x419]

Does anybody use Split Fires anymore? About 10 years ago when I was driving a beatup Camaro a buddy of mine at the time installed some Split Fires and I noticed an increase in horse power.

A friend of mine installed some Bosch Platnium 4's in his 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT just to see what would happen and they actually gave him a smoother acceleration he told me. For $25 and lifetime warranty on the plugs why not give them a try.

Just note, his engine is like 11:1 ratio or something like that. His vehicle also takes 91 octane required otherwhise it will throw the ECU off and give him bad knocking.

 

[TSP-MIKE]

Split Fires are great plugs. I have a Camaro and a 4runner that i had put them on. You will notice a difference. I also tried the Bosch platinum +4, It's even better!

So Split Fires are good, but Bosch Platinum +4 is better!

Mike

 

[TSP-MIKE]

Oh yeah, does anyone have a 4runner that has both NGK and Denso? I talked to the dealership about why there were 2 different brand plugs in my motor. There answer was "I DON'T KNOW".

Maybe one person on one side of the assembly line had NGK and the other had Denso's. But i do know this, Denso bought out NGK.

Mike

 

[darktiger]

Denso coppers are good.

 

[silver4x419]

Split Fires are great plugs. I have a Camaro and a 4runner that i had put them on. You will notice a difference. I also tried the Bosch platinum +4, It's even better!

So Split Fires are good, but Bosch Platinum +4 is better!

Mike

And the best thing is they come pre gapped!!!!!!!

 

[Biff]

Toyota usually uses NGK and/or DENSO. My '02 4runner uses both.

I need to change my sparkplugs on my V8 runner. Any advice on what I need or should do. Also is it worth the effort for someone thats never done it before.

 

[Thai]

Use stock plugs. Don't buy any fancy stuff...it will just hurt performance.

I don't know how to change the 4th gen 4runner's plugs...i have the previous generation.

 

[Biff]

Use stock plugs. Don't buy any fancy stuff...it will just hurt performance.

I don't know how to change the 4th gen 4runner's plugs...i have the previous generation.

Thai,


TRD-USA recommended that I change the plugs since I just added the supercharger. Thats why I'm changing them, set of eight cost $100