vRS - what is the currently favoured spark plug?

[vxh26]

What is the currently favoured spark plug to use as a replacement on the vRS TwinCharger engine?

The Denso -SKJ20CR-A8 seems to be in VERY short supply and where available costs a fortune.

[thomasaspin]

36 minutes ago, vxh26 said:

What is the currently favoured spark plug to use as a replacement on the vRS TwinCharger engine?

The Denso -SKJ20CR-A8 seems to be in VERY short supply and where available costs a fortune.

NGK BKr7’s 

https://www.akstuning.co.uk/shop/home/119-ngk-bkr7eix-iridium-spark-plugs-2667.html

[vxh26]

Many thanks, I will have a look for those.

[sepulchrave]

Anecdotal brand fairies aside, any correctly gapped iridium plug which meets that spec. will work nicely.

[Ootohere]

Nice to see @vxh26back and with a vRS or changing plugs in one.

 

He will know well the spark plug saga of the original plugs in a Twincharger, then the revised ones that were introduced, then the different plugs people started to use because of the issues.

There was the original gap, then the revised one when Skoda / VW changed the plugs / gaps. Then the plugs with a different reach and the gap differences.

 

So people will need to know what the plugs spec should be and the correct gap, and then actually check that gap before putting them in, even though they are pre gapped. 

 

They even show and have the Plugs Skoda / VW Fitted and recommended.

Edited 8 January, 2023 by toot

[thomasaspin]

I find 0.6MM gap to be optimal on these engines you can run the 0.8mm gap if running Audi R8 coil packs 

[sepulchrave]

1 hour ago, thomasaspin said:

I find 0.6MM gap to be optimal on these engines you can run the 0.8mm gap if running Audi R8 coil packs 

 

You can run the larger gap simply because you're using Iridium, fatter sparks wear plugs quicker but that's offset by Iridiums extreme wear resistance.

 

Some brands have slightly better QC than others which is why we check the gap, the electrode projection and heat grade are not adjustable, often when we hand build a tuned engine the standard plug specs. won't work and there's some trial and error involved in finding the right one.

 

Coincidentally NGK BKR7EIX is a common plug suitable for lots of different engines, I've used the Beru version with good results because it's basically identical but often somewhat cheaper.

 

Engineering practice is not some whispered magic spell involving words of power in the form of brand stickers slapped all over the flank of your favourite show pony.

Edited 8 January, 2023 by sepulchrave

[Ootohere]

Over a decade now plenty here and elsewhere had to deal with issues from the OE consumables and then the revised 2009-2012, then the same with the revised engines and factory map or remap.

It is the same engines we are talking about now.  The CAVE issue was really with one spark plug / cylinder.  It still is.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/237997-bkr7eix-spark-plugs

 

[sepulchrave]

Specifying the heat grade of a plug can be very tricky as I said, often trial and error means using one grade of plug in race one and trying the next in race two then comparing them at the end, generally speaking if a plug is going to overheat then it'll do it during a race, modern engines run so ridiculously lean during the EGR lean cruise cycle that standard plugs can overheat, this is why a slightly richer remap can make such a difference.

 

32 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

Edited 8 January, 2023 by sepulchrave

[vxh26]

I do know that the leads to the plugs have at some time been changed.

How does on (visually) tell whether "Audi R8 coil packs" are fitted?

 

[Ootohere]

See the post / icture from @fabianoh5n1

You will spot them easily enough if fitted.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/392456-spark-plug-question

 

Here is a good guide.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/462285-spark-plug-guide

 

 

Edited 8 January, 2023 by toot