Upgrading spark plugs and coils when adding power?

[Kevin quattro]

I'm going stage 2 this coming week, and I think I should upgrade the spark plugs. I did some research and found OEM is actually best until you reach a certain level of power over stock. Apparently it's the one thing manufacturers do a lot of research to optimize performance. I don't fully understand it all, but I think I should go 1 step cooler. At stage 1 high torque by IE, I do not have any issues. I had stage 2 by APR on my A3 and I didn't upgrade the plugs. Didn't have issues. Is there a benefit to doing this? Any power, throttle response, etc or does it just make it run properly? Also, why would one upgrade the coil packs? I don't really understand what they do, just know I don't want them to fail. Also, if you have done this mod please recommend products.

Looking at these:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...06h905110lkt3/

[mroberte]

Personally I think it's always best to upgrade your sparkplugs after stage 1. I use ikh24/27 depending on if in daily or tracking. The gap will matter most. .26-28 if best. Stage 3+ .24. check them every 5k miles and regap if necessary.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Kevin quattro]

Personally I think it's always best to upgrade your sparkplugs after stage 1. I use ikh24/27 depending on if in daily or tracking. The gap will matter most. .26-28 if best. Stage 3+ .24. check them every 5k miles and regap if necessary.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

I won't be tracking it much if at all, but I run the car hard regularly. What's better, 24, or 27? and same for the gap? I know the closer it is the easier to fire but smaller the spark... And what brand are you using? denso?

[obGLI]

I’m IE Stage 1 HT and they personally recommended NGK R7437-9 gapped to .026”.

Can you get something that performs similar/the same for much cheaper? Probably.

These will perform great for Stage 2 as well. The plugs I took out of my car weren’t awful but the car is noticeably smoother (idle + all the way to redline) with the NGK’s that IE recommended me.

Put about 1k miles on them now and have no regrets.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kevin quattro]

Awesome, thanks man! If IE says it's best, I believe it. Don't care what they cost. just to confirm I have the right ones, this is it right?

https://www.amazon.com/NGK-R7437-9-R...1024688&sr=8-1

found this for less too

https://www.jegs.com/i/NGK+Spark+Plu...All%20Products

Also, is this a simple DIY?

[mroberte]

All cars are different. Some have had great success with ngk, me, the densos have been best. I also used stock, rs7 and brisk ers12 and 10. The brisks work wellbut seem to not last that long.

I do track the car frequently so more of an exception and now stage 4 (internal engine changes).

Whatever brand, the gap seems to be the most important and is quite sensitive.. creating misfires otherwise.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[XLR8 Erik]

APR recommends using colder heat-range spark plugs, like the NGK-R7437-9, gapped to 0.024" ±0.002" or 0.6mm ±0.05mm for stage 1 and 2. We always recommends upgrading/ replacing when tuning your vehicle to help minimize the chances of misfires. If you are looking ti upgrade your ignition coils, we do offer a RS3 Red Top Ignition Coil.

[obGLI]

Awesome, thanks man! If IE says it's best, I believe it. Don't care what they cost. just to confirm I have the right ones, this is it right?

https://www.amazon.com/NGK-R7437-9-R...1024688&sr=8-1

found this for less too

https://www.jegs.com/i/NGK+Spark+Plu...All%20Products

Also, is this a simple DIY?

The Amazon link - yes those are them. I’ve never heard of JEGS but I have heard of counterfeit spark plugs, so for an extra 5-10-20 bucks I’d buy from someone reputable. I bought mine from Modded Euros and was able to dig up a 5% off coupon I think from Google.

Also, yes it’s a very easy DIY (check YouTube or sift through the forums and you should find instructions). I wasn’t in any rush but it took me probably an hour or so.

Here was my order from Modded Euros (great company)




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mroberte]

I'm going stage 2 this coming week, and I think I should upgrade the spark plugs. I did some research and found OEM is actually best until you reach a certain level of power over stock. Apparently it's the one thing manufacturers do a lot of research to optimize performance. I don't fully understand it all, but I think I should go 1 step cooler. At stage 1 high torque by IE, I do not have any issues. I had stage 2 by APR on my A3 and I didn't upgrade the plugs. Didn't have issues. Is there a benefit to doing this? Any power, throttle response, etc or does it just make it run properly? Also, why would one upgrade the coil packs? I don't really understand what they do, just know I don't want them to fail. Also, if you have done this mod please recommend products.

Looking at these:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...06h905110lkt3/

Lastly, do not waste your money on coil packs, none have been proven better than the stock. Only replace when actually shown to be bad.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Kevin quattro]

Awesome thanks guys! That's exactly what I needed. Youtubed the install and it's super easy. I'm going with what IE and apr recommends. The NGKs.

Any recommendations on the tool to set gap? Seems like they all work the same and are pretty simple, but there are a few different tools for the same job.

[obGLI]

Lastly, do not waste your money on coil packs, none have been proven better than the stock. Only replace when actually shown to be bad.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

This


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mroberte]

Awesome thanks guys! That's exactly what I needed. Youtubed the install and it's super easy. I'm going with what IE and apr recommends. The NGKs.

Any recommendations on the tool to set gap? Seems like they all work the same and are pretty simple, but there are a few different tools for the same job.

This is the best to close the gap and then checking with feeler gauges.

Gapper:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VFDW776..._2.sPDbJMS5VQV

Feeler Gauges:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T86ADZ4..._MftPDb2J8EJJ8

Check out a YouTube video out two to fully understand how to use the feeler gauges properly so your gap is correct.


Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Kevin quattro]

Gotcha, I understand now. I misunderstood what the gapper was or that it was even needed. Thanks mroberte! Very helpful!

[Kevin quattro]

So I went to autozone to pick up a gapper and feeler gauge. When I started talking about the application, a guy with a modified M5 came over and said I would probably break the iridium tip by adjusting the gap. These coils have a gap of .028 and I was told to do .026. This guy was saying as long as it fires the larger gap will actually be better than the smaller one anyway so no need to adjust. The manager there had a fully built VW bug and agreed with the guy. They both have a lot of experience with cars, both track their cars too. I bought a plug socket and whatever that lube stuff is called for spark plug threads. can anyone give me any input on this?

[obGLI]

So I went to autozone to pick up a gapper and feeler gauge. When I started talking about the application, a guy with a modified M5 came over and said I would probably break the iridium tip by adjusting the gap. These coils have a gap of .028 and I was told to do .026. This guy was saying as long as it fires the larger gap will actually be better than the smaller one anyway so no need to adjust. The manager there had a fully built VW bug and agreed with the guy. They both have a lot of experience with cars, both track their cars too. I bought a plug socket and whatever that lube stuff is called for spark plug threads. can anyone give me any input on this?

I would imagine you’ll be fine (just confirm they’re all truly .028 as sometimes plugs aren’t all perfect). Reach out to IE to confirm. Benefits of their amazing customer service


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mroberte]

So I went to autozone to pick up a gapper and feeler gauge. When I started talking about the application, a guy with a modified M5 came over and said I would probably break the iridium tip by adjusting the gap. These coils have a gap of .028 and I was told to do .026. This guy was saying as long as it fires the larger gap will actually be better than the smaller one anyway so no need to adjust. The manager there had a fully built VW bug and agreed with the guy. They both have a lot of experience with cars, both track their cars too. I bought a plug socket and whatever that lube stuff is called for spark plug threads. can anyone give me any input on this?

In theory this should be the case, but these ea888 engines are incredibly sensitive, especially because it's a boosted car. I would still gap the plug to .26 -.24. the tip will not also break as the gap isn't large enough of a change and I've yet to see anyone break one, myself alike.

I built my stage 4 engine and the misfires happen on stock gap, closing the gap closer to .24 helped me, but im running roughly 28# of boost.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Kevin quattro]

In theory this should be the case, but these ea888 engines are incredibly sensitive, especially because it's a boosted car. I would still gap the plug to .26 -.24. the tip will not also break as the gap isn't large enough of a change and I've yet to see anyone break one, myself alike.

I built my stage 4 engine and the misfires happen on stock gap, closing the gap closer to .24 helped me, but im running roughly 28# of boost.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Cool thanks man. I actually went back to the store to buy a nice set of feeler gauges even before reading this. I figured IE wouldn't tell me anything other than what it should be. Just hard to say you're wrong to two guys that seem to have a lot more experience than myself. And glad to hear you say they wont break. That made me nervous to do anything. Car's in the shop now. Getting the IE downpipe put on for stage 2 so I'll get these installed once it's back. Can't wait!

[BecksA3]

Reading back through your previous posts as suggested.

I have done a few small things to my A3 that has made a noticeable difference.

First was the DV+ from GFB and the RS ignition upgrade. I was easily able to close the gap on the plugs like .02 max with no issues. I got the coil packs in black not red thinking of keeping a “stealth” look.

I immediately noticed that boost held better when getting back in the throttle. It’s kinda funny but it’s more noticeable pulling into my driveway, it’s uphill and I have to enter pretty slow to not drag and before it would lag bad climbing. Not any more. I’ve seen negative reviews for the DV+, but I love it.

The only other thing I’ve done so far is alter the oem air duct until I can pop for an intake. There’s a provision for air intake on the driver side right in front of the air box, but it’s not open. I opened that up and blocked off the opening on the passenger side from the engine side. I noticed a little improvement , but not huge. It was a quick 15 minute thing to temporarily scratch the itch.

Putting a kid through college means I have a limited parts budget, so I’m trying to take methodical baby steps.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[S3NICK]

Aren't the S3 and RS3 coils the same in terms of power?

As far as I've seen, this is the only upgrade, and it just hit the market in December '19:
https://www.goapr.com/products/ignition_coils.html

Would need to see some real data to understand how it impacts power at different modifications levels. I don't see any dynos on the APT site : )

[mroberte]

Aren't the S3 and RS3 coils the same in terms of power?

As far as I've seen, this is the only upgrade, and it just hit the market in December '19:
https://www.goapr.com/products/ignition_coils.html

Would need to see some real data to understand how it impacts power at different modifications levels. I don't see any dynos on the APT site : )

The apr coils look like just rebranded stock imo and I doubt they put any substantial evidence out. Msd has coils on the market too and don't make any claims either, just a bunch of marketing hype.

Physically, the coils would have to be larger to really output any additional spark. Both aftermarket offerings are the same size so it would give you the same output for an inflated cost.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[S3_Miles]

The Amazon link - yes those are them. I’ve never heard of JEGS but I have heard of counterfeit spark plugs, so for an extra 5-10-20 bucks I’d buy from someone reputable. I bought mine from Modded Euros and was able to dig up a 5% off coupon I think from Google.

Also, yes it’s a very easy DIY (check YouTube or sift through the forums and you should find instructions). I wasn’t in any rush but it took me probably an hour or so.

Here was my order from Modded Euros (great company)




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just for info - JEGS is HUGE in Automotive performance industry. Very well rep'ed

[MikTip]

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...highlight=Z345