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oh yea to the bystanders, check out modifry's post. much more refreshing and hits the point than all this if you're SCed settle for the fact that you gotta change spark plugs that much more often BS. based on what experiment? what data? VERY LITTLE IF ANY.
the ngk change every 3-6k miles... i didn't want to settle for this solution... and it sounds like there's another very viable more longer interval solution from someone who's actually taken the time to ask someone who might know more (NGK employee).
i just bought 7173s, and i'll use this set and then switch over to the platinum/iridiums..., i'll go with what modifry/ngk recommend.
Unf'ing believable... I've looking for solution for 1.5 years for my 8000 rpm problem. I've used IK24 for about 20,000 miles. standard vortec SC. last spring, it started to develop. once it reaches 8000 rpm. it will rise very slowly to the top. almost as if fuel is cutting out. I've been looking for solution all over the place and way to fix this is using fuel management system. hence, I bought the e-manage and waiting 'til FC05 is over. but it happened to be the sparkplug. I've just changed it to 7173. NO BOGGING AT 8000 RPM!!! RED feels stronger even at lower RPM's (4000~8000). getting back 8000~9000 RPM, now, that is FUN!!!
Boy, I wasn't even trying to become the "benchmark" for this discussion and yet, I got drawn into it and some guys take things out of context. My commentary on this subject in all those other posts were based upon knowledge and information garnered throughout the history of this forum and from personal experience. Based on what we know, at the present time, I recommended against continued use of Denso Iridium plugs for F.I. I never said, at any time, TAKE THOSE SONS O' BITCHES OUTA THERE OR ELSE! With what we've seen of late and by my own experience, the incidents of problems and/or failure would not merit the risk of prolonged use. Switching to an old set of copper plugs resolved my problem, as it did for a few others since this whole thing came to light. Do it. Don't do it. The choice MUST be yours. Don't do anything because you "think" or "percieve" that I or anyone else told you to.
I've also used the OEM platinum plugs for over a year in my boosted car with NO PROBLEMS.
Look Ben, you seem like an intelligent individual, but sometimes you just jump off the deep end. You stated that your set up is new and so was your Iridium plugs. The reports of problems came with these plugs that had been in cars for some time. Brand new ones have been working fine and have not yet caused anyone concern, yet you freaked out and started to obsess over what to do. This is noone's fault. You take what some people say and get all bent out of shape about it UNTIL someone else comes up with something that you like to hear. Case in point ....................... Modifry's post about a different plug. You embraced this information and jumped on it like a bunch of horny guys on a slut at a gang bang. YET, as Nibble so eloquently rebutted, there is NO history or data to support Modifries information either. Even Modifry himself saw logic in this, but did you give any credence to Nibble's rebuttal? No. You hear what you want to hear.
You keep saying this bit about "having to settle for copper plugs" and "what alternatives there may be", like you are disgusted with the only seemingly viable option out there at this time and insisting that there HAS to be something else out there that will give you what you need and want. The answer is ................... NOBODY KNOWS! It's as simple as that. You wanna rent my crystal ball. I can give you a good rate on it. Go talk to JerryPetersen. He's probably had a Comptech on his car the longest and he used to track his car lots. Ask him what plugs he used and how they worked. Ask him how often he checked his plugs or changed them. Then ask him how his car is now.
You put on a supercharger at great expense and effort, knowing that there are certain responsibilities and obligations the owner must live with. You don't do your own work? You don't want the hassle of having to change spark plugs every few thousand miles? You want us to tell you something that will make you feel warm and cuddly? Sorry, it ain't me. Go out and find a spark plug that will meet your requirements. However, don't put the onus upon us to do this for you and don't get all pissy if we don't blow sunshine up your ass with things you want to hear.
You love to state that "so & so said this" or "so & so said that" like they were God's own words or something. People are just that ............ people! They are fallable. They don't always have the right answers, yet you have a tendency to cling to their words like they were written in stone.
I tremble at the thought that there are people out there who state "Well, xviper said this and that's all there is to it". Because there will always be someone like you who will cast an evil eye my way at the first indication of someone else who says something that you like better.
I was so excited that I forgot to thank members in this forum. especially xviper's comment on why he changed sparkplug. it was the exact symtom. now I'm why I didn't had it before FC05. Drew/RED could've owned jfo at the track
thanks!!!
btw, I ran few more times. same thing. smooth acceleration to 9000 rpm. it's like having your car back after 1 1/2 years.
i just bought 7173s, and i'll use this set and then switch over to the platinum/iridiums..., i'll go with what modifry/ngk recommend.
that was fun
Why? Just return the 7173's. That'll save the expense of having to do an extra plug change. After all, that was your concern, right?
And I did read modifry's post. I am thankful that he took the time to post. I will continue to maintain my vehicle as I have. Perhaps lost in all that you wish to hear is that a new plug will almost always outperform a used one. When trying to keep peak performance, I'll opt for swapping for new plugs. The process takes 30 minutes from start to finish, does not require getting under the car, nor do I need to exfoliate two layers of skin to get my hands clean afterwards. Add to that the fact that a negative electrode broke off in my motor after someone other than myself removed/reinstalled a set, and you'll know why I will always change my own, whether it be every day or every election year.
My SC has about 6,000 miles on it nearly all of them with IK24s. Reading this thread I pulled them and swapped them out for NGK Copper 7173s. My car has been runnning fine. I've always been on the lean side (as evidenced by my A/F at Comptech's dyno and previous inspection of the plugs).
Below is a pic of my IK24s. From left to right, they are in order from front to back in the car (#4 isn't shown, it looks just like #3 on the far right). #1 and #2 have some thermal 'effect' on the insulator similar to the stock plugs when I pulled them after going SC. I detected no loosening of the ceramic. Again, these only have ~6,000 miles on them. Not making any conclusions here, just wanting to share my findings.
There is a possibility that the Densos are more sensitive to or prone to detonation than copper plugs.
I am not willing to accept that senario at this point in time.
The most common cause of sparkplugs breaking or loosing their tips in boosted applications is pre-ignition.
Pre-ignition will kill any plug eventually.
The discoloration on the outer ceramic seen in the picture of 3 plugs is only cosmetic and not indicative of problems.
When your FI engine eats a plug, IMHO suspect the tune parameters (timing, mixture, octane, etc) were not quite correct
and pre-ignition was the cause. Don't blame the plug.
^^^ this is my take on Denso's IK series plug. I was boosted with a Jackson Racing SC and using Denso IK(?) on my 00' civic Si and the ceramic came loose on the plugs. I also believe the leading cause to this is pre-ignition because I know I had detonation occuring
Not to pour gas onto the dieing flame.... but what is the best plug to use in a stock boosted Comptech F20c? This thread is outlandish and has lost its meaning, confusing those who wanted legitiment information
Go talk to JerryPetersen. He's probably had a Comptech on his car the longest and he used to track his car lots. Ask him what plugs he used and how they worked. Ask him how often he checked his plugs or changed them. Then ask him how his car is now. 
why I didn't had it before FC05. Drew/RED could've owned jfo at the track 
Just return the 7173's. 
That'll save the expense of having to do an extra plug change. After all, that was your concern, right?
