Spark plugs and coils

BoratsUncle · 12-10-2023, 05:45 AM

I have just put a jb4 on my X1 and was wondering if I should replace my spark plugs with one step colder ones? I will also be installing a catless downpipe next weekend. N55 engine.

maxwmiller · 12-11-2023, 12:02 PM

Yes, replace your plugs. Tunes are known to decrease their lifespan. Even if replacement is a little premature, it's cheap and will help prevent issues.

One step colder should be fine for everyone, but ultimately your driving style dictates if you need to go with a colder plug. If you're using that JB4 to its full potential, it's necessary. Increased boost and high throttle will quickly overheat a plug and cause damage. However, this isn't the case for everyone. For a cruise-control highway commuter, an overly "cold" plug could foul and cause misfires.

BoratsUncle · 12-11-2023, 12:12 PM

I went with NGK one step colder plugs and Dinan coils. Do you know if I will need to gap the plugs or if I can just plug and play with them?

maxwmiller · 12-14-2023, 12:37 PM

Probably fine to plug and play. If you want to check, it's not a bad idea, but high chance it's unnecessary if you bought real NGK plugs. An OEM product has good quality control to maintain tight specs.

For reference, my NGK 1-colder plugs were within .02" of each other. It was nice to have the peace of mind that they were correct, but I ended up leaving them as is. For the average DIYer, you have a much higher chance of messing them up than getting a real performance gain.

12-10-2023, 05:45 AM	#1
BoratsUncle Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW X1 Xdrive35i Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: East Lansing, Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X1 [0.00]	Spark plugs and coils I have just put a jb4 on my X1 and was wondering if I should replace my spark plugs with one step colder ones? I will also be installing a catless downpipe next weekend. N55 engine.
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12-11-2023, 12:02 PM	#2
maxwmiller Private 8 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 xDrive2.8i Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Yes, replace your plugs. Tunes are known to decrease their lifespan. Even if replacement is a little premature, it's cheap and will help prevent issues. One step colder should be fine for everyone, but ultimately your driving style dictates if you need to go with a colder plug. If you're using that JB4 to its full potential, it's necessary. Increased boost and high throttle will quickly overheat a plug and cause damage. However, this isn't the case for everyone. For a cruise-control highway commuter, an overly "cold" plug could foul and cause misfires.
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12-11-2023, 12:12 PM	#3
BoratsUncle Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW X1 Xdrive35i Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: East Lansing, Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X1 [0.00]	I went with NGK one step colder plugs and Dinan coils. Do you know if I will need to gap the plugs or if I can just plug and play with them?
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12-14-2023, 12:37 PM	#4
maxwmiller Private 8 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 xDrive2.8i Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Probably fine to plug and play. If you want to check, it's not a bad idea, but high chance it's unnecessary if you bought real NGK plugs. An OEM product has good quality control to maintain tight specs. For reference, my NGK 1-colder plugs were within .02" of each other. It was nice to have the peace of mind that they were correct, but I ended up leaving them as is. For the average DIYer, you have a much higher chance of messing them up than getting a real performance gain.
	Appreciate 0 Quote