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there's really no need to upgrade...only replace if necessary...and the car is too new to replace them already. unless you managed to drive it 100k miles already.
... unless you managed to drive it 100k miles already.
According to the manual in my '15 F55, "spark plugs every sixth oil service (approx 60,000 miles)." With 100k plug service intervals being the norm these days, I'm sure I'll forget to change these on time.
I had a bit hard time finding a thread discussing spark plug choices in this forum, and this is the closest one I could find.
Is NGK the Mini oem brand plugs for F56?
The above ECS link shows NGK in their photos and says the manufacturer part number is 12120041666KT1. But that doesn't sound like a typical NGK part number, at least not what I'm used to, or is it?
Has anyone removed their oem plugs from F56/B48 and knows what the stamping says on the outside of the plugs?
Turning up the boost on the F56 soon. Would like to readdress this question.
No one step colder options that anyone knows of?
All I know are the options from Burger Tuning.
Todays vehicles are built to have spark plugs that last as the number one priority. Yes, they are designed to perform to achieve fuel economy and performance. But, the number one objective is that they last and out perform the conventional spark plug (the copper based).
Scientifically, copper is a better conductor than platinum or other marketing exotic rare earth type plug.
The factors to weigh in on, is...
a) how easily is it to replace (my 2007 Lexus Hybrid SUV required 5.5 hours of shop labour, and approximately $200 in various gaskets to access and to put back everything). So you Want long lasting.
b) environmental... take the number of vehicles X the 1 spark plug changes per 12 -18 months, vs once every 5 - 6 years.
c) how much real seat of the pants performance are we actually making. A better spark, will lead to a lot of good things over a simply a good spark. But even if you can improve the spark, will you be actually worth the time, effort, and cost to achieve a 1hp gain?
d) i don't see the engine in an environment of 18+ (I have driven a 22 psi turbo charged vehicle, very streetable, at that performance level and the spark plugs were copper for that very reason) psi of boost to warrant the spark plug pressures, where every little bit of spark to achieve the right amount of timing and cylinder pressures to warrant performance over every other criteria.
Probably a good reason why BMW chose NGK plugs. They probably offer the most ideal all around plug for these engines.
Yeah the Beru Plugs on my N18 R56 were crap. When tuning, plugs couldn't keep up. I had a bigger turbo with 23 pounds of boost. Had to swap with NGK plugs from an Evo X and it was flawless.
The F56's are NGK from factory? I will be tuning ~20psi on the F56. Concerned about what plugs they currently have and if it will hold up.
Okay, so this is all from the internet, so take it with a grain of salt, but...
My understanding is that BMW uses the same plugs for the F56 S and JCW. Also, BMW uses the same engine in a lot of different applications and at plenty of higher output levels than the F56 S. In terms of economics of scale, they'd be stupid to SPEC different spark plug designs for similar engines. It would be throwing money away.
Second, not once has anyone hitting the 300 lb-ft of torque mark (or even higher) mentioned changing plugs. The world where that made a difference should have disappeared by now because BMW is now controlling everything.
Finally, BMW has not in the history of my interest in BMW, so back to the 80s, specced anything other than highly known brands, first being Bosch, and then NKG when they became well known.
If I were you, I would spend money on other things.
When I was going with the Manic stage 2 tune on my R56 it required one step colder plugs. I'm waiting for their B46 tune to find out if it's also required on the F car.
Yeah the Beru Plugs on my N18 R56 were crap. When tuning, plugs couldn't keep up. I had a bigger turbo with 23 pounds of boost. Had to swap with NGK plugs from an Evo X and it was flawless.
The F56's are NGK from factory? I will be tuning ~20psi on the F56. Concerned about what plugs they currently have and if it will hold up.
Thanks.
~20psi on the Cooper-S might be a little too aggressive for those high-compression pistons...
At 18psi, we are already making 298 BHP / 349 Engine Torque (~306 Wheel Torque) and the stock clutch is barely holding on... at 20psi, your stock clutch will go for sure
as said stick with stock ! Nothing comes close to NGK !
Iam sure a NGK dealer can recross very easy the equivalent NGK part nos, he can also assist you to choose upgraded "racing plugs" which are up 10x more expensive.
Used them for gokart 1 plug 50 Bugs, worth every dime, you could go so slow in formation lap that halve of the field stalled, and you could use them "forever"
NGK Racing<br/>
Last edited by Clutch Wotan; Apr 12, 2017 at 09:43 AM.
I thought so because I saw NGK name on the plugs that ECS Tuning is selling.
But maybe not because NGK U.S.A. couldn't or didn't tell me what their part number.
Wonder why this thread got moved to a Modificaton/Drivetrain section.
I didn't know something as simple as replacing spark plugs are considered modifying & belonged to Drivetrain?
~20psi on the Cooper-S might be a little too aggressive for those high-compression pistons...
At 18psi, we are already making 298 BHP / 349 Engine Torque (~306 Wheel Torque) and the stock clutch is barely holding on... at 20psi, your stock clutch will go for sure
Come on, Really ?!?!?!?!?
I am not even going to ask what kind of vendor you are...
Stop spreading false facts, based on gut feeling and opinions.
Wonder why this thread got moved to a Modificaton/Drivetrain section.
I didn't know something as simple as replacing spark plugs are considered modifying & belonged to Drivetrain?
because people are looking for colder plugs so they can up the boost without missfires? that is modifying
I've heard the clutch in the 3rd gens is weaker than in previous models, when I had mine done my tuner warned me of this as well and pointed out that he was getting clutch slip in 2nd. Knowing all this I've been very careful since I've gotten my tune not to full on floor it.
Looks like other MINI owners are experiencing the same thing on their tuned F56s..
Originally Posted by johntotah94
I see. But the clutch does slip in 2nd when he was tuning it?
Will be tuning it soon. So maybe I should target 19-20psi..
Originally Posted by devilmotorsports
Yeah. I'm pretty sure I've had it slip while I was driving as well.
We felt the clutch sipping while dyno on 3rd gear at WOT on the Mustang Dyno.
OP: We are also looking for colder plugs for the F56. Also working with 1320MINI on an valve train upgrade as well.
All the the above opinion are provided based on our testing on various F56 models; none are based on guts. Take it for what's worth; it's a free country
