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DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: ///Motorsport on February 08, 2007, 11:11:24 AM

Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: ///Motorsport on February 08, 2007, 11:11:24 AM
Okay so I have a few questions.  Went to my mechanic last night and we figured out (well I had assumed, and he let me know what up) I need new ignition wires and spark plugs.  I also need a chain tensioner, tie-rod assemblies and Lower control arm bushing.

So- I'm going e30 M3 solid rubber offset bushing and new tie rods, tensioner.

What about wires?
I would go OEM Bosch Wires but they could be steep.  What about BavAuto 'high performance ignition wires'?  They also have ignition coils that are 200$, are these worth it? (About the same price as the Boschs I thought?)
I'm not going for gains on these (unless the coils provide somethign I'm missing?) so I'd probably go the cheapest route that gives me oem or better parts.

What plugs?  I've heard there are some good and bad Boshcs for our engines, and notice lots of people like NGK.

I have only a DINAN chip now, but I plan on getting my engine up to spec and adjusting cams 6 degrees (or whatever is typically done and works safe) and going Megasquirt, LWFW and maybe methanol down the road, hopefully early summer.  
Then a few months of work and gt28 time.

So what plugs and wires?
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: RED IS 91 on February 08, 2007, 11:24:20 AM
everyone says NGK for plugs but I've got champs in mine .
Good inexpensive wires (magnecor)

http://www.ultrarev.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=30
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: D. Clay on February 08, 2007, 01:29:00 PM
I would check the Coil-on-Plug conversion.
4 coils from Turner Motorsport for $100 plus $50 for conversion kit. Here's all you need to check it out.
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=2310
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1682
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: sheepdog on February 08, 2007, 01:44:11 PM
Quote from: D. Clay;19103
I would check the Coil-on-Plug conversion.
4 coils from Turner Motorsport for $100 plus $50 for conversion kit. Here's all you need to check it out.
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=2310
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1682


I will second this idea.
Cheaper, and better.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: ///Motorsport on February 08, 2007, 02:23:08 PM
Thanks guys, just the advice I was looking for. I will investigate.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: mikesjo on February 08, 2007, 02:29:34 PM
My vote is OEM spark plugs. Bosch Supers F7LDCR. For the wires, look into the magnecor ones. Great alternative to OEM and I believe they're about $70 USD.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: ///Motorsport on February 08, 2007, 03:17:37 PM
I think Im going with the COP conversion, who has all these brackets?
So with this bracket and 4 coils from TMS, am i all set?

What Spark plugs? those Bosch Supers are ike 6 bucks each doesn't seem bad.. Anybody object?
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: AL GReeNeRy on February 08, 2007, 06:31:16 PM
Quote from: ///Motorsport;19119
I think Im going with the COP conversion, who has all these brackets?
So with this bracket and 4 coils from TMS, am i all set?

What Spark plugs? those Bosch Supers are ike 6 bucks each doesn't seem bad.. Anybody object?



the bracket is for sale in the GB section.  you gotta wait in line.  and yes, 4 coils from TMS.

if you decide to get wires, go with oem. but if moneys tight i guess magnecor...

as for spark plugs.  just get the oem NGKs.  bosch super duper bullshit aint gunna do nothin for ya cept waste your money. and yes, NGKs were oem in our cars.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: dude8383 on February 08, 2007, 08:12:27 PM
magnecor wires are great...i dont see why they would "cheap" alternative...there is certainly nothing cheap about the quality of the wires.

I will be putting a 8.5mm set up for sale soon, once i get pics.

Oh and get yourself a set NGK's!
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: Alpine003 on February 09, 2007, 10:35:29 AM
Quote from: ///Motorsport;19093
I need new ignition wires and spark plugs.

So what plugs and wires?


I have OEM wires that check out good and doesn't arc or anything from my replacement motor. $45 shipped(I'll even include some Bosch 4 electrode plugs)
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: AL GReeNeRy on February 10, 2007, 01:06:48 AM
sorry to knock your hustle alpine, but i repeat.. STAY AWAY FROM BOSCH SPARK PLUGS!!!

especialy the platinums.. 90% of bosch spark plug failures are from platinums
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: Alpine003 on February 10, 2007, 12:26:21 PM
Quote from: AL GReeNeRy;19219
sorry to knock your hustle alpine, but i repeat.. STAY AWAY FROM BOSCH SPARK PLUGS!!!

especialy the platinums.. 90% of bosch spark plug failures are from platinums


No offense taken. I have noticed better running on NGK's than Bosches too. But I can't clearly say that it will make a difference in every car though.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: bmwman91 on February 10, 2007, 02:09:03 PM
I second, or third, or fourth or whatever it is...that Bosch Platinum plugs are ass.  I used them ONCE and ever did again.  Using some Bosch Super's or the stock NGK ones are the way to go.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: christophbmw on February 11, 2007, 11:07:26 AM
Quote from: bmwman91;19239
I second, or third, or fourth or whatever it is...that Bosch Platinum plugs are ass.  I used them ONCE and ever did again.  Using some Bosch Super's or the stock NGK ones are the way to go.

damn ive been running bosch, what model NGK's are you guys running?
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: RED IS 91 on February 11, 2007, 11:35:30 AM
I believe you'll need
NGK   BKR6EK
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: sheepdog on February 11, 2007, 02:55:03 PM
Champion plugs seem to work fine as well.

Best advice is to use a direct replacement, nothing platinum or multi-tipped.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: RED IS 91 on February 11, 2007, 05:58:35 PM
That ngk number came right out of the ngk website

http://www.ngk.com/results_app.asp?AAIA=1011373
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: badboypolar on February 11, 2007, 10:35:15 PM
What about Iridium plugs? or Nology Silver tips?

I will probably use them with Nology wires.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: sheepdog on February 12, 2007, 12:12:24 PM
From what I have read, silver or copper only.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: sumyungguy on March 19, 2007, 02:39:15 PM
Just stumbled across this thread..

As for spark plugs, the super basic NGK is the best, Iridiums dont do crap unless your motor was designed for them.

It has been dyno proven that NGK spark plug wires and MSD wires are the best you can buy, all the others (magnacore, nology, ect.) result power loss. TPR magazine did the test back in '04, link (http://www.tprmag.com/issue/4/4_wires.shtml).
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: gearheadE30 on March 19, 2007, 03:41:37 PM
I know this has already been said, but I read somewhere that the super-dooper multi-electrode plugs result in hot running, rougher idle, and lean burn. Not sure why they would cause burn problems though...

IIRC, it was in some letter in Roundel or Bimmer
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: sheepdog on March 19, 2007, 07:44:38 PM
Quote from: sumyungguy;21679
Just stumbled across this thread..

As for spark plugs, the super basic NGK is the best, Iridiums dont do crap unless your motor was designed for them.

It has been dyno proven that NGK spark plug wires and MSD wires are the best you can buy, all the others (magnacore, nology, ect.) result power loss. TPR magazine did the test back in '04, link (http://www.tprmag.com/issue/4/4_wires.shtml).


Forget plug wires.
Go Coil On Plug.  Cheaper and better.

No plug wire is better than any plug wire.
Title: Replacing plugs, wires, advice?
Post by: D. Clay on March 20, 2007, 11:09:22 AM
I have even used el cheapo A/C Delco copper plugs with no ill effects or loss of performance. I think the Bosch plug wires may be expensive because they fit the OEM BMW setup. I've seen a lot of Magnecor wire installations that had eliminated the plastic piece in the center of the valve cover. It seems that BMW may see a performance advantage to coil on plug systems or lower parts cost. Possibly both.