3.3TT Which spark plugs to replace OEM plugs

[drobbins256]

First post, sorry if dumb.

I have a 2018 GT2 with an intake and exhaust, no other mods, and I use exclusively 93 octane. I don't plan on installing any other performance mods or getting a tune anytime soon. I'm about to hit 42k miles so I'm looking to do the spark plugs, but looking through old forum posts I couldn't get a clear consensus on if I should replace them with the OEM part or something else. I was looking at the Denso 5346 1 Step plugs gapped to .022, but would installing colder plugs without a tune be a bad idea in terms of reliability? Should I stick to re-gapped OEM plugs instead in my case? Or is there another option I haven't considered? Just looking for the best option to keep things running as smooth as possible. Please let me know what you would recommend, thanks!

 

[cncBilly]

Denso's gap .028 should do you just fine.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Greetings.

As long as a bad boot/coil isn't ruining new plugs (this happened to me last fall, finally corrected c. a month ago), the OEM plugs are just fine on an untuned engine. If more spiff branded plugs make you feel better about your ride, then get them. I just want my engine to run smoothly when I get on the boost. The Stinger is well designed to give impressive performance for a GT as-is, and that includes the plugs that Kia uses.

 

[DoctorStiches]

Many say denso but i say hks. .028 .030 right around there is juat fine

 

[ChaneRZ]

Hks

 

[General_Vodka]

HKS for life. That way if you change your mind about more mods, you are already set with good plugs. Also don't run a .22 gap without a tune. That gap is only needed with the JB4.

 

[djerickd]

Are the OEM plugs good? Just wondering why everyone pushes Denso and HKS but are the OEM plugs not good???

 

[cncBilly]

Are the OEM plugs good? Just wondering why everyone pushes Denso and HKS but are the OEM plugs not good???

Probably because we are all tuned.

 

[djerickd]

Probably because we are all tuned.

Tuned on JB4? JB4 required the smaller gaps so plugs had to come out anyway (might as well replace them)

I'm wondering those who have ECU swapped and now don't require tighter plig gaps - aren't the OEM plugs good enough?

 

[Rodtheviking]

NGK SILZFR7A9G

 

[SuicideSaints]

I did the denso gapped at 22. I’m tuned with the JB4. If I wasn’t tuned I’d swap to the denso or hks with a not so tight gap.

 

[drobbins256]

Are the OEM plugs good? Just wondering why everyone pushes Denso and HKS but are the OEM plugs not good???

I read through some old forum posts before making this one, and I got the impression that some people had reported misfire or blowout issues even on completely stock cars running the factory plugs with factory gap.

Since I have to do the plugs soon anyway, I wanted to ask on here and see if there was any benefit to, even without a tune, replacing the plugs with aftermarket ones that would potentially be better vs just replacing with re-gapped OEM parts. So far it sounds like I should just go with OEM or OEM-like gapped to somewhere between 0.024-0.028, probably on the higher end since again, no tune.

 

[djerickd]

NGK SILZFR7

I now see on Burgers site it says

"At a minimum, the factory spark plug gap should be closed to 0.026". Alternatively, replacement spark plugs can be used that offer a stronger spark and are more reliable than stock."

So this is probably why everyone is doing other plugs.

 

[General_Vodka]

Are the OEM plugs good? Just wondering why everyone pushes Denso and HKS but are the OEM plugs not good???

Earlier stingers came with plugs gapped inconsistently from the factory. Like it was all over the place. So people started replacing the plugs since they had to come out anyways to check the gap.

 

[Rodtheviking]

I now see on Burgers site it says

"At a minimum, the factory spark plug gap should be closed to 0.026". Alternatively, replacement spark plugs can be used that offer a stronger spark and are more reliable than stock."

So this is probably why everyone is doing other plugs.

I've got the NGK's ready to go in, gapped at .026

 

[djerickd]

I've got a LOZiC 1.5 tune

I have a set of OEM plugs with super low miles that i pulled long ago when I installed the JB4 and replaced with densos (I also still have my JB4, but it's in set to map 0 now) as well as a brand new set of HKS M45iL here on my shelf.

I was trying to determine if i should just sell the new HKS and run the OEM NGK iridiums (after verifying the gaps).. Or should the HKS go in?

 

[General_Vodka]

I've got a LOZiC 1.5 tune

I have a set of OEM plugs with super low miles that i pulled long ago when I installed the JB4 and replaced with densos (I also still have my JB4, but it's in set to map 0 now) as well as a brand new set of HKS M45iL here on my shelf.

I was trying to determine if i should just sell the new HKS and run the OEM NGK iridiums (after verifying the gaps).. Or should the HKS go in?

HKS.

 

[CeeDaRula]

I see a lot of .022" gap for JB4 but my stinger does not even like .024" (HKS plugs) as she will miss, setting at .026 an she runs fine anybody have a idea why I hate replacing the plug under the intake manifold to be going back to readjust the plug gap.
(running a JB4 on map 3)

 

[Ah GetFd]

Manufacturers do a lot of work to get everything working in harmony. When one owner has a faulty spark plug they have a problem.

When 10,000 owners have a faulty spark plug the manufacturer has a problem.

Apart from getting the best price on 3000 spark plugs a day going through the factory they need reliability.

I am sure Kia could get spark plugs out of China for 5 cents each. I bet they don't

These "premium" Stingers have a lot of money spent on them. Michelin Tyres, Brembo Brakes, when they didn't have to so to put in sub standard spark plugs wouldn't make sense.

Stick to the originals.

One thing I learned owning a Pontiac G8 (Commodore V8) since new was that OEM parts "just fit". Someone else made it all work and didn't want all the buyers rolling back in saying everything in my new car is broken.

I also got rid of that Pontiac G8 because those miserable bastards called GM, shut up shop in Australia. Or did we kick them out? I forget.

When the parts ran out so did the customers....

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Hey @drobbins256

I highly recommend upgrading instead of just replacing. Personally, I will only run HKS plugs. If you plan on tuning your car, in that case, you wouldn't need to swap your plugs again and even if you don't tune your car, the HKS plugs will greatly outlast the OEM plugs.

We offer the HKS Plugs: (RIGHT HERE)