Time for new spark plugs

[Ian Comerford]

As the title suggests I’m about to change my spark plugs and would thoughts/opinions etc on which to use?  Bosch, NGK or other, single or multi point electrode thingy?  Any experiences of good/bad?  When I looked at mine about a year ago I noted they were made in Russia (picture below), not sure I want to go sanctions busting and buy the same again.  What do you use and why?

Thank you

[SurlySurdi]

NGK iridiums, not cheap but I recommend them.

SS

[Ian Comerford]

Thank you.  Any thoughts on why you recommend them, better performance noticed etc or just subjective?

[SurlySurdi]

Purely subjective, never had an issue with them and its what my engine guy recommends 

SS

[Ian Comerford]

Thank you.  Should have mentioned mine is an SC with 964 cams in case that makes a difference?

[alastair]

Watch out for foreign objects when you are in there - there might be surprise waiting for you 😉

I just went basic for the moment - will maybe upgrade when I can afford to do CR CDI & coil upgrade

NGK BR9ES Porsche 99917016290 Spark plug for Porsche 911 2.7 / 3.0 SC 1974-83 - 99917016290/3::1 | Design 911 (design911shop.com)

 

[PeterK]

Buy your NGKs from a reputable source.  When I ran my Zetec powered Lotus Elan Plus2 I had a few sets from eBay that I am now assuming were fake.  The porcelain cracked and misfired or didn’t start within very few miles of fitting.  Even my local motor factor (now defunct) sold me a duff set (only once !)

[Ian Comerford]

1 hour ago, alastair said:

Watch out for foreign objects when you are in there - there might be surprise waiting for you 😉

I just went basic for the moment - will maybe upgrade when I can afford to do CR CDI & coil upgrade

NGK BR9ES Porsche 99917016290 Spark plug for Porsche 911 2.7 / 3.0 SC 1974-83 - 99917016290/3::1 | Design 911 (design911shop.com)

 

Good point, I will check with fingers crossed, especially as it was only rebuilt 17k miles ago.  Something I had missed re CDI+, does it require different or better spark plugs?

21 minutes ago, PeterK said:

Buy your NGKs from a reputable source.  When I ran my Zetec powered Lotus Elan Plus2 I had a few sets from eBay that I am now assuming were fake.  The porcelain cracked and misfired or didn’t start within very few miles of fitting.  Even my local motor factor (now defunct) sold me a duff set (only once !)

Thanks Peter, the perils of eBay shopping, good reminder.

[Ian Comerford]

Just checked and I currently have Bosch WR3CC in the car

[Jonny Hart]

You don't need a plug with a suppression resistor as there are already resistors in the plug boot.   So NGK B9ES should be used instead of BR9ES, W3CC instead of WR3CC etc.   It is getting harder to find non-resistor plugs.  

It's not the end of the world to fit resistor plugs but it isn't technically correct.  You will get a slight decrease in spark output but not much.

[Ian Comerford]

5 minutes ago, Jonny Hart said:

You don't need a plug with a suppression resistor as there are already resistors in the plug boot.   So NGK B9ES should be used instead of BR9ES, W3CC instead of WR3CC etc.   It is getting harder to find non-resistor plugs.  

It's not the end of the world to fit resistor plugs but it isn't technically correct.  You will get a slight decrease in spark output but not much.

Excellent, thanks for this Jonny.

[Type911]

Plug boot? Depends on what leads you are using then?

[Ian Comerford]

1 hour ago, Type911 said:

Plug boot? Depends on what leads you are using then?

Standard Porsche ones

[Jonny Hart]

11 hours ago, Type911 said:

Plug boot? Depends on what leads you are using then?

As far as I'm aware, no matter what leads you use, you will need the plug boot - e.g. the long bit that goes onto the spark plug.  The contain the suppression resistors.

[Type911]

Ok, well, unless you make your own, they will all have the plug caps on

[Ian Comerford]

This should be simple!  You order the correct spark plugs for your car, pay for them and they arrive eventually.  Or at least that’s what happens every time I have used Matthew's service at Type911.  Unfortunately he doesn’t seem to stock the W3CC plugs I wanted, so I did something I haven’t done for a very long time, I went to Design 911.  They arrived today after ordering over the weekend which wasn’t bad at all.  Unfortunately (I’m using that word again…) they couldn’t be bothered to send me the plugs I ordered, they couldn’t even be bothered to send me six of that same.  But that’s ok because all, plugs are the same aren’t they - said the person doing the picking at Design 911.  I’m reminded of why I haven’t used them for a very long time….

[Jon Miller]

I don't think W3CC (or WR3CC) are available anymore

[Type911]

No, they havent been available for well over a year, I think the only way you would get them is if Porsche have stock still

99917016290 is shown as a W3CC but who knows whats in the box unless you order 6

[Ian Comerford]

Design 911 claims to stock them which is why I ordered them….. oh dear!

[Type911]

Well they got is half right;

Spark plug W3CC.
6 Required per engine. Price is for each.



Fits:
Porsche 911 2.7L / 3.0L SC 1974-83
Porsche 911 2.7L 1974-75 Carrera
Porsche 911 3.0L 1976-77 Carrera

[Ian Comerford]

And when I called to point out this error the guy checked stick and said they had them.  I wonder what will turn up……

[Ian Comerford]

This is what turned up today, the same as last time!  How do they do this, I’m nearly speechless. I’m pretty sure that at some stage, as Jon and Matthew have already helpfully mentioned, they will come back and say they don’t have the W3CCs.  

[Ian Comerford]

If the W3CCs are no longer made I suppose, in-line with Jonny's recommendations, I should look for NGK B9ES plugs.  A few people list them but there’s always the concern about counterfeit parts, so ebay is probably not the place to buy.  Any thoughts on Euro Car Parts in terms of their control of counterfeit parts?  Thank you

[Leicestershire]

 

It's frustrating when a company doesn't understand the implications of what they are sending to customers.

Parts for a classic 911 - someone's pride and joy. 

Were not talking 20 year old Nissan Micra - if it fits in the hole it will do!

Someone should send a link for this thread to D911 - they need to get this under control and get some staff training completed.

Can you still get the Bosch Super 4 in SC fitment?

 

[Ian Comerford]

33 minutes ago, Leicestershire said:

 

It's frustrating when a company doesn't understand the implications of what they are sending to customers.

Parts for a classic 911 - someone's pride and joy. 

Were not talking 20 year old Nissan Micra - if it fits in the hole it will do!

Someone should send a link for this thread to D911 - they need to get this under control and get some staff training completed.

Can you still get the Bosch Super 4 in SC fitment?

 

Can’t argue with your point at all, but who to send it to……and do they really care.