1999Porsche911

The type of spark plug will not change your performance one bit. Your engine produces more than enough spark, so platinum or iridium plugs are not neccessary and are simply a waste of money. Their only advantage is they can make up for a weak ignition system and they last a little longer than a copper plug.

HOWEVER, platinum and iridium plugs do not transfer heat as well as does a copper plug for 2 reasons. 1) copper is the best thermal conductor and 2) the wider design of the electrode allows more heat to get to the copper to be transferred to the block. If you are running on poor gas, copper is safer.

In the Porsche NA engines, you will see no difference at all, so the choice is yours. If you are running boost or NOS, NEVER use platinum or other narrow tipped plug.

pat056

1999Porsche 911
How many miles would you think these GGK plugs should be good for? My 1999 996 is my DD and I'll reverve my 964 for the track, so no track time on 996.
Also, can these plugs be gotten at Advance and the like? Do you have a part number for our cars?
Thanks for the lesson!

1999Porsche911

I get the plugs at a local auto store....never looked at Advance for them. Part number is NGK BKR6EK. As far a how long they last, I would guess 50,000+ easily on daily driver. I have more than 25,000 on my current set, but run considerably more compression and heat than a stock 996.

AndyK

Does time factor in to spark plug replacement, or is it miles only? My car has 19k miles, but it's almost 8 years old...

pat056

Good question AndyK. I mean, it sounds like a spark plug is like a light bulb...either works or it doesn't?

1999Porsche911

Plugs tend to foul more quickly when not driven alot, so, yes, time is a factor.