Hello everybody, I am just hoping someone could help me out to identify which plugs are best for my car. Below is a picture of ngk's one range colder on the left, and 2 steps colder on the right.

Based from a online aticle I understand that brown to grayish tan color with slight electrode wear is the right heat temp for a motor. However, the one I have is more dark red then brown. I haven't found anything on the 2 step colder plug yet so I am kind of confused with which one to go. Both plugs have about 5k on them. I did try the 2 step colder plugs due to my car pinging and it did not help one bit.



I could be wrong but It looks like I am starting to fool the one on the right due to hard cold starts. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Go with the one on the right and then a tune. should even the car out. what kind of mods are you running that helps to know...

 

Yep, the 2-step is fouling. I tried the same plugs and ended up with the same problem. How long were the 2 step colder plugs in the car?

 

5k miles... Its in the first post.

 

I have a 16% pulley, jcw exhaust, and a cold air intake. I also have the m7 thermostat and will add some water wetter in the coolant to bring the temps down a bit. I did get a RMW tune on the car and due to it still pinging I tryed the 2 step colder plugs. I think I will try changing my plug wires and see if that will fix the problem. I did read a couple articles online stating that bad wires can cause pinging so why not try. I will replace them with a new oem set.

So does the left plug look okay ? I have never seen a spark plug in that color before.

 

what's the red from? i like the color on the right. little bit of deposits too .

 

I have no clue. I thought the color of the once on the right were fouling the plugs ?

 

could it be the thermostat? I posted on this a while ago and called it "colder temp thermostat a bad idea?"
My rationalization tells me that the engine not getting up to "proper operating temp" will foul plugs and cause carbon deposits and general driveability issues unless you live in death valley, or race all the time.
BUT i was barraged with all kinds of people telling me i was wrong and way off base. I may still be wrong but kinda makes you wonder if i was onto something...?

 

The red is the additive for the fuel!! Not the issue!! Go to the colder plug with the electrode, close the gap to .045 and rock!! the PING isnt the plugs.. although they help and are needed!! We have ended up changing the coil packs.. ping/detonation/miss gone!! Colder t-stat is good also.. the thing to remember is if there is a PING, your in trouble!! Ping/detonation is taking out the piston/ ring lands/ head combustion chambers!! Be careful and get it resolved!! cool??Just me..........................Thumper

 

Alright, I will use the 2 step colder plugs. I do understand that I need something that will help detonation which makes sence upgrading the ingnition system, but there is alot of reviews that coils are just a waste of money.

 

Hmmm, ... not sure this is true.

My race plugs get this way if I'm lean and hot. No additives in the fuel that I know of. But might be. Running Sunoco GT Plus race fuel.

 

I just gapped the 2stage colder plugs to .045mm and I will try some seafoam in the oil as well so see if I get rid of the pinging.