Varied heat ranges in spark plugs and future problems

[takeitslow]

Hi people...... new to this website and it looks good !! I have a 2001 Boxter with an extreme low miles for an 8 yr old car.

I am about to do a service (40K) and I have heard there are or have been, concerns over fitting 'lower heat range' spark plugs...... ??

What plugs do you recommend if I may ask ?

Thanks people :))))

Vic

[wvicary]

Welcome to the forum. I have not heard of anyone fitting anything other then the factory recommended heat range and I've no idea why you would be considering doing so. Search the forum and you should find all the info you need.

[pk2]

Fair question. Obviously there's lots information on this forum because lots of people (except vwicary) asked the same question. Pretty seductive isn't it. Who wouldn't want plugs with 14 diamond tipped tritanium-baloniunm electrodes - save gas, increase hp, get more chicks, etc, etc.

I don't use them because my cylinders are already plenty, plenty hot. I'd guess even in a normally aspirated Boxster with it's 11:1 compression ratio ( high compression equals higher heat) is already pretty toasty. (a normal car is probably about 9:1 or less)

Every one who walks in off the street should be tested at the door for their knowledge of recommended spark plug heat ranges before they're let in. You probably should also know the type of threads of the factory recommended plugs Bosch brags about (nickle plated rolled threads ssshhh).

Regards PK

P.S. Every cheap bolt or screw in Home Depot has "rolled threads" as opposed "cut threads". Strong yes, also the cheapest way to go.

Edited September 29, 2009 by pk2

[wvicary]

He's asking about changing the heat range of the spark plugs. Why would anyone alter from the factory rating?

[pk2]

He's asking about changing the heat range of the spark plugs. Why would anyone alter from the factory rating?

Your right, it was late, I was pissy. sorry. In his defense though, this dewy eyed guy just got sold the latest line of B.S in the history of sparkplugs. I'd not heard this one before, to low a temp...indeed.

Ya gotta give the credit for looking before he lurched. Searching before you post is certainly proper etiquette but man that can be a pain if you don't have the particular forums syntax and the magic keywords. Get ready for war and peace.

Regards, PPK

[Tool Pants]

When the 2.5 Boxster first came out the plugs had a heat range of 6. My January 1997 had 6. Then in April 1997 Porsche issued a TSB that said that cars made as of April were fitted with 7, a hotter plug, for better cold start. Which is interesting because when the 2.7 and 3.2 came out they were fitted with 6. I think the 987 uses 5.