Question regarding Zax Igniter Core Spark plugs

[harkauto]

I'm considering changing the spark plugs and wires in my '99 Camry 4 Cylinder that just turned over 150 thousand miles. I did change the spark plugs about 40 thousand miles ago and according to the service manual they are about 10 thousand miles past due for replacement.

My manual says to use NGK BKR6EKPB-11 plugs OR EQUIVELENT.Problem is NGK wants an arm and a leg for their platinum plugs.

I did some research for EQUIVELENT plugs and found a plug called Zex Igniter Core Spark Plugs. These have 4 ground straps instead of two that the NGK plugs have.
The selling point of the Zex plugs is that instead of being made of platinum or iridium the Zex plug is made of Nickel plated copper which they claim is better because Nickel and copper has less electrical and thermal resistence making the Zex plugs much more efficient than Platinum or Iridium. Plus by using 4 ground straps instead of two the Zex plug has much more ignition spark surface assuring better ignition of the fuel and at a lower plug temperature.
Zex advertises this technology to be great for high horsepower racing applications and this same technology is listed as being available as an equivelent plug for the family 4 Cylinder Camry as Well.
The one big plus is that the Zex plugs are offered at a considerably less cost than the NKG's.

I'm just wondering if anyone out there has heard of the Zex plugs and what you think.

Also Bosch offers a Platinum 4 ground electrode plug as well that are less costyl than NGK.

[SleepyHead98]

SOUNDS good, but is it ... really? Wont know till you buy them and try them I guess.

I went around with E3s for a while. one set completely defective, they didnt crimp the electrode. Second set, one just randomly misfired... when ever it felt like it.

When it comes to plugs. NGK are worth the money you pay for them. Think about it, how bad would it suck to pull of some defective plug that you thought was good. Running in circles wondering whats wrong with your car, come to find out its the plugs you put in 10k miles before. That is no fun. I would go with NGK, leave bosch for the EURO cars.

Good luck, Let us know what you decide and how it works out for you.

[Brian R.]

NGK or DENSO are both great plugs for Toyotas.

[Stealthee]

Copper plugs are cheaper but they only last 10k miles or so. Stick with the NGK plats. Buy them from Advance Auto's website and use a discount code from retailmenot. TRT30 is 30% off. You can pick up in store that way.

I put NGK Iridiums in my Grand Prix and they are like 7.09 a plug. I saved like $12.76 on the plugs alone and there was other stuff in my cart.

[DFBonnett]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

NGK or DENSO are both great plugs for Toyotas.

This^. Use NGK or Denso platinums, then relax for 100K miles. Save a few $ now and get to do it again sooner than you would like. Penny wise, pound foolish, are words to live by.

[harkauto]

Originally Posted by DFBonnett

This^. Use NGK or Denso platinums, [B]then relax for 100K miles.[/b] Save a few $ now and get to do it again sooner than you would like. Penny wise, pound foolish, are words to live by.

Thanks DFBonnett!!........but relax for 100K????
I changed my spark plugs when the car had 110K on it back in 2008 and I used the expensive NGK plugs as the manual suggested. And I expect that the plugs I pulled out of the car at 110K were probably the original plugs.

My service manual says I need to change the plugs every 30,000 miles or every 2 years which ever comes first. It is now six years and 40 thousand miles later so I figured according to the manual I was WAY past due for a plug change.
But if you are saying I can relax for 100K.....heck I can put off a plug change for another 60K.
The car starts and runs great and the fuel mileage is fantastic.
I wonder if these service manuals are designed and written for over-kill in order to sell parts and book trips to the dealership for routine maintenance.

[Stealthee]

Platinums are usually said to be good for 60,000 miles. Iridiums have been said that some can last upwards of 100,000 miles.

[harkauto]

Originally Posted by Stealthee

Platinums are usually said to be good for 60,000 miles. Iridiums have been said that some can last upwards of 100,000 miles.

What brands make Iridiums?

[Brian R.]

NGK and DENSO (and many others)

See sparkplugs.com or Amazon

[Stealthee]

The main thing to watch out for is do some research before you plunk down the money on iridiums. Some cars (specifically engines) do not work well with iridiums.

[auto trainy]

I think if those plugs that lasted that long are still running well,its a no brainer.

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by auto trainy

I think if those plugs that lasted that long are still running well,its a no brainer.

This is particularly true when you have a transverse-mounted V6 where the rear plugs are difficult to change, or for that matter, any engine where some plugs are buried. It really pays to put in long-lasting plugs in those cases. It's often a high-mileage plug change in these engines results in changing some plugs that are original from the factory, and pretty much garbage - for obvious reasons.

[DFBonnett]

Originally Posted by harkauto

......but relax for 100K????

My son-in-law recently had the OEM Densos changed out in his '05 Corolla at over 100k only because it was also in for brakes. You're right. They were Iridium, not Plats. My bad.
OP, get Iridium.

ETA: I just looked up those Zax plugs. Unless I am reading it wrong, they seem to be a tarted up copper electrode plug of the type usually good for 30K.

[harkauto]

Originally Posted by Stealthee

Copper plugs are cheaper but they only last 10k miles or so. Stick with the NGK plats. Buy them from Advance Auto's website and use a discount code from retailmenot. TRT30 is 30% off. You can pick up in store that way.

I put NGK Iridiums in my Grand Prix and they are like 7.09 a plug. I saved like $12.76 on the plugs alone and there was other stuff in my cart.

Just wanted to say thanks Stealthee for the tip and the lead for the discount code. Since my 99 Camry had 150K miles on it, the original set of plug wires and only the second set of spark plugs I decided it was time for new plugs and wires. I took your advice and ordered new NGK plugs and a wire set from Advance Auto Parts. When using the discount code I saved $22.00 and some change on the plugs and wires.
What really amazed me though was the difference in performance that I experinced after changing the plugs and wires. Prior to changing plugs and wires the car was slightly slow at firing up during ignition, had a slight rough idle at stop lights and seemed sluggish at high speeds and I had to give it some extra gas to excellerate and maintain speed on hills. Now the engine fires up with a bump of the key, idles smooth as glass, the engine is even quieter, and it has a lot more pep and zip.
I guess a cars performance declines so slowly over time that we tend to get used to it and begin thinking that the cars poor performance is normal.
But wow what a differnce a little TLC makes. It feels like a new car again.
THANKS AGAIN!