Spark Plugs

[YP5 Toronto]

Does anyone know what sparks are available for out car?
NGK?
Bosch?
....model numbers?

Tourque specs?

I want to change them myself....so any help here would be great!

[kaz]

i changed my spark plugs a month ago, along with the wires.

denso iridium ik16 #5303

[YP5 Toronto]

KAZ, thank you.

anyone know what is available from NGK....just for comparison's sake?

[jali-p5]

remember seeing a thread on this before........if i find it, i'll post the link up.......

[jali-p5]

Here is the link to the thread i was talking about

first thread (http://msg.toprotege.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=14;t=1850)

[YP5 Toronto]

anyone know the tourque setting for tightening the plugs in?

thanks Jali

[Protege00]

I picked up the Bosch plugs from Canadian Tire, I believe they were $25 for 4....or you can get the Bosch4 (4 prongs) for like $25 for 2. Havent installed them yet, but you need to know the spacing aswell, dont you?

[EvolutionIV]

I put in some Bosch Platinum +4 over the weekend along with a full synthetic Motomaster Oil 5W30. The oil is actually refined by Exxon so its the same stuff as Mobile one but a heck of alot cheaper.

I noticed smoother engine, slower idle, less "studder" when on lower RPM. Highly recommanded.

Plugs on sale at Cdn. Tire Product Number 18-37517-4.

[YP5 Toronto]

ok....what are the tourque specs fotr the plugs?

[EvolutionIV]

I just hand tightened them about 2/3 after i put them in. I have always replaced plugs this way (I tried using a torque wrench on my S70, but it didn't feel right)

I also spoke with North Toronto Mazda Tech. and they said just make sure they are snug fitting.

Am I doing the right thing with just hand tightening them?
Evo.

[KingKong]

Ok...Does anyone know if Bosch makes spark plugs for the P5?

[KingKong]

Damn...Finally found the Bosch website and they don't make spark plugs for the P5 2.0l http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Man...I wanted the Four Ground Electrode Platinum...

[EvolutionIV]

King Kong,

um..i have the Bosch installed in my car....Goto either MPSPort or Protegeclub..i posted the Bosch product Number for the plugs...

Evo.

[EvolutionIV]

King Kong,

Or just goto Canadian Tire and to the spark plug section...look in the book and under mazda- 323/Protege..it's in there....most mazda engins 1.8+ have the same plugs...just look under the "Bosch +4" column and you will see it...

I will post the number when i get home today..i might still have the packaging..

Evo.

[KingKong]

Anyone know where UAP is?
Marque when there to pick up the NGK spark plugs.

http://msg.toprotege.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=14;t=1850

[MP5rYda]

i went to NAPA the other day to purchase NGK plugs to compliment the Sparkco ignition wires.. the guys there said that they didn't have a listing for our P5s cause it was so new, they also said, "why am i gonna change the plugs?  does my car run sh*tty?, there's no need to change them cause they're still brand new, Mazda probably uses iridium plugs anyway!?.. blahblahblah.. ..etc!"

so in short, if they were really jerky jerks they would've just sold me the plugs, without any comments, but they thought that changing them so soon was pointless!

just thought i'd mention it.. just my 2 cents!

thanks to them NAPA doods i saved some money!

(do i have any spelling mistakes!?  thanks spell checker dood!http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

[markque]

UAP Napa, formerly known as United Auto Parts, should be in the phone book, and be relatively easy to find in the TO area. I went to the one on Victoria St. in Kitchener for my iridium plugs.
Parts Source has 2-3 listings on plugs - their basic Autolite plugs are $3.69/pr for anyone on a budget. In comparison, the iridium plugs come out to ~ $40 after taxes but are good for 3 yrs.  PS doesn't carry iridium but they do have some in between budget and top of the line, possibly platinum tipped. Some were ~ $7.69/pr.
Iridium plugs do not require gapping - the Autolites are supposed to be 44/100 I was told. As far as torque, all plugs are to be hand tightened, then 1/4-3/4  turn with a SP wrench. Never assume hand tight is enough - they can vibrate loose. And it's very important not to force them as it's possible to crossthread them. However, I found they went in easy in the P5.
Buy a long one piece t-handle SP wrench from Crappy Tire - I think it's 5/8". Makes the job easy. I paid < $10 and had the new plugs installed in 15 minutes.
As far as a progress report on my iridium plugs, it's not a conscious difference, much like the synthetic oil. I feel both are working to make a more efficient system without noticing any immediate paybacks.
I hope this information is helpful.

Addendum: mp5ryda - the UAP branch you went to sounds like it was staffed by someone unknowledgable. Tell them the Kitchener branch carries them - same part number as regular NGKs with IX added in the part number. The OEM plugs are Denso non-iridium, and Mazda recommends replacing plugs @ the 12 month service. Besides, many people on this board are replacing perfectly good parts all the time, myself included. That guy sounds like he enjoys spouting off. Go get the plugs you want.

[cruisinblackp5]

I don't believe you will see sufficient gains by changing the spark plugs on a new car to warrant the expense of the plugs. With upgrades to fuel and air I could see this but if the car is new there will be little or no benefit.

[KingKong]

Kewl...Then I won't be changing my till March 03...

[www.spool-turbo.com]

On the dyno we realized on a stock p5 a 2 hp increase with with platinum plugs. The car had about 18000 miles on it though so they needed to be replaced.

Just for info if any of you guys go turbo down the road. Get NGK 2 heat ranges colder than stock. This will prevent pinging and detonation. Also platinums and splitfires work horribly on turbo setups.