Most of you have probably heard of these plugs by now. I get asked about them quite often it seems and decided to write up an article on our blog describing them in a bit more detail as well as some of their advantages vs. the OEM plugs for those looking for a good working 1 step colder alternative. Blog entry posted here:
http://blog.protuningfreaks.com/2013...m-ilzkbr7a-8g/
Here's the content of the post:
http://blog.protuningfreaks.com/2013...m-ilzkbr7a-8g/
Here's the content of the post:
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProTuningFreaks
If youve modified your N54 based BMW extensively pushing well past the stock power levels or youre just looking to run a different plug than the OEM Bosch ZGR6STE2 for any reason the NGK 5992 (ILZKBR7A-8G) are a great alternative. They can be had for about the same price as the OEM Bosch with some searching, $10.79 from http://www.sparkplugauto.com for instance.
Now, Ive been running them for the last 30,000km, racing, pushing high boost with race tunes with and without meth and these have performed strong as well as set some records without any issues.
Thing to note is that these plugs off the shelf come with a larger gap than we can use on the N54 so just direct swapping them in wont work and the car will stumble/misfire that way. You MUST have them gapped either to the OEM 0.7mm (0.0275″) or, which Id recommend, to 0.56mm (0.022″) for high boost. The original gap on the NGK 5992 plugs is 0.8mm (0.031″) so make sure to GAP them before installation!
Some of the reasons I personally like them vs. the OEM Bosch ZGR6STE2 plugs are as follows:
1) Single ground prong vs. 3-prong OEM (makes the NGKs easily gappable when/if required)
2) 1 heat range COLDER than Bosch standard recommendation is to go 1 heat range colder for every 100hp past stock. Im at ~300hp above stock at the motor currently so cant hurt.
3) Iridium center tip
4) They havent let me down with literally TONS of very very hard driving on 20+psi boost on RBs, pump+meth. Literally hundreds of 3-4 gear pulls, many drag strip runs and 60-130mph runs.
5) Theyve helped set some records too
Heres what the NGK 5992 plugs look like and some of its specs:
![Click here to enlarge]()
Features & Benefits
OE style long life spark plug. Laser welded iridium center electrode and platinum ground electrode, tapered ground electrode to minimize quenching, consistent and stable spark and outstanding acceleration, high fuel efficiency and durability.
Heres the BMW N54′s OEM Bosch replacement spark plug and specs for comparison:
![Click here to enlarge]()
One thing you may be left wondering about is the heat ranges. These are manufacturer heat ranges on the plugs and Bosch and NGK dont have the same scaling. In fact they go in opposite directions to each other. Once you work it all out though, if youre up for digging up the info on heat ranges (which is a bit painful by the way), youll realize the NGK 5992 are 1 step COLDER than the OEM Bosch.
In the end, nothing wrong with OEMs but there is a solid 1 step colder alternative out there that is easily gap-able.
Now, Ive been running them for the last 30,000km, racing, pushing high boost with race tunes with and without meth and these have performed strong as well as set some records without any issues.
Thing to note is that these plugs off the shelf come with a larger gap than we can use on the N54 so just direct swapping them in wont work and the car will stumble/misfire that way. You MUST have them gapped either to the OEM 0.7mm (0.0275″) or, which Id recommend, to 0.56mm (0.022″) for high boost. The original gap on the NGK 5992 plugs is 0.8mm (0.031″) so make sure to GAP them before installation!
Some of the reasons I personally like them vs. the OEM Bosch ZGR6STE2 plugs are as follows:
1) Single ground prong vs. 3-prong OEM (makes the NGKs easily gappable when/if required)
2) 1 heat range COLDER than Bosch standard recommendation is to go 1 heat range colder for every 100hp past stock. Im at ~300hp above stock at the motor currently so cant hurt.
3) Iridium center tip
4) They havent let me down with literally TONS of very very hard driving on 20+psi boost on RBs, pump+meth. Literally hundreds of 3-4 gear pulls, many drag strip runs and 60-130mph runs.
5) Theyve helped set some records too
Heres what the NGK 5992 plugs look like and some of its specs:
Features & Benefits
OE style long life spark plug. Laser welded iridium center electrode and platinum ground electrode, tapered ground electrode to minimize quenching, consistent and stable spark and outstanding acceleration, high fuel efficiency and durability.
| Part Number: | 5992 |
| Weight: | 0.09 lbs |
| Ngk Part Number: | ILZKBR7A-8G |
| Thread Size: | 12 mm. |
| Resistor: | Yes |
| NGK Heat Range: | 7 |
| Center Electrode Material: | Iridium |
| Ground straps: | 1 |
| Insulator Type: | Ceramic |
| Ground Electrode Material: | Copper core |
| Thread Reach: | 1.043 in. (26.5 mm.) |
| Seat Type: | Gasket |
| Part Number: | ZGR6STE2 |
| Weight: | 0.12 lbs |
| Thread Size: | 12 mm. |
| Resistor: | Yes |
| Bosch Heat Range: | 6 |
| Center Electrode Material: | Copper |
| Ground Straps | 3 |
| Insulator Type | Ceramic |
| Ground Electrode Material | Nickel Alloy |
| Thread Reach: | 1.043 in. (26.5 mm.) |
| Seat Type: | Gasket |
In the end, nothing wrong with OEMs but there is a solid 1 step colder alternative out there that is easily gap-able.