Back to Back Comparison: NGKs vs ZR1 Plugs - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2SS45th · 07-19-2013, 11:10 PM

Hey guys, this has been a hotly debated topic around here it seems, so I took the time today to go ahead try out both sets now. So, the plugs were swapped today, and in 300 miles I'll pull a plug in the ZR1s for comparison in regards to cleanliness. Anyways, here's the NGK after 300 miles:

So, not too impressed. Quite a bit of loose soot around the plug.

Now, on to the driving impressions. All I can say is WOW! I didn't think that $80 of spark plugs would make that big of a difference. The car idles better, comes off of idle better, runs at lower rpms better, and pulls harder too! You can't hear it that much with the iPhone recording, but here's the before idle:

And the after:

So, in short, if you run the NGKs you're a loon

This has been a not so important message from your mostly reliable Camaro brethren with too much time on his hands

injector · 07-20-2013, 01:10 AM

The difference is actually noticeable between the two videos.. Spark plugs do make a difference..

2SS45th · 07-20-2013, 01:13 AM

I never thought so, but after swapping them I sure do.

dan0617 · 07-20-2013, 09:10 AM

If you need to go even colder than the ZR1plugs, I'm having real good luck with Brisk GR12S plugs. They are really cold for nitrous and boost. The GR14S would be good for alot of boost or alot of nitrous. Normal size boost or nitrous and I too would run the ZR1 plugs.

2SS45th · 07-20-2013, 09:30 AM

I was running 2 steps colder, and I make 16 pounds of boost already. The ZR1 plugs are handling the boost better than the colder plugs at this point. Doesn't take a few cycles of cranking to start now either.

dan0617 · 07-20-2013, 10:51 AM

I wonder if I could get away with ZR1 plugs. 12 psi and now a 125 shot on top of it. Stock compression and stock L99 cam, 93 octane E10 no meth.

I have a feeling the ZR1's would be a little too high of a heat range, and since they are protruded they are not optimal for nitrous. Good for one or the other but not sure when running both nitrous and boost.

2012REDSS · 07-20-2013, 11:15 AM

sounds sick I used the ZR1 plugs too at 12 psi per Ted's recommendation

dekan513 · 07-20-2013, 11:15 AM

br7ef if using nitrous. the thread cover the tip and helps with not blowing out the spark. i accually think my car runs and idles better with ngk's
ive got enuff plugs to run 10 cars a life time and swap them out quite a bit. i really like the br7 over anything else for nitrous on 100+ shot. but when it comes to blowers and plugs that i cant say nothing about.

2SS45th · 07-20-2013, 11:18 AM

You could definitely use the ZR1s with nitrous and a blower or only nitrous. I'm pretty sure Jamie also uses these plugs with his Maggie/Nitrous car.

dan0617 · 07-20-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SS45th

You could definitely use the ZR1s with nitrous and a blower or only nitrous. I'm pretty sure Jamie also uses these plugs with his Maggie/Nitrous car.

I'm thinking about it. I was thinking they might be a little hot and being projected also, I was worried. Went with the NGK BR7's and had misfires at light throttle. Was going to go with Denso 22's, which are like NGK 7's, which are 1 step colder than the ZR1's and do not have a protruded tip, but couldn't find them anywhere. I went with Brisk 12's, which are a step colder than the Denso 22's. they are working good but likely colder than needed.

Just not sure if I should go with the ZR1's, the Denso IT22's, or the Brisk 14's.

At this point I'm still thinking I should avoid the protruded electrode of the ZR1 plug.

Decisions...decisions.

PS: I don't want to do what Jamie is doing, his car is slow. LOL

dan0617 · 07-20-2013, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekan513

br7ef if using nitrous. the thread cover the tip and helps with not blowing out the spark. i accually think my car runs and idles better with ngk's
ive got enuff plugs to run 10 cars a life time and swap them out quite a bit. i really like the br7 over anything else for nitrous on 100+ shot. but when it comes to blowers and plugs that i cant say nothing about.

Thread covering the tip as you call it is what is called non protruded electrode. That is why I avoided the ZR1 plug in the first place, as they aren't optimal for nitrous. It's why I'm running Brisk silvers and considering the Denso IT22's. But most of my experience on plugs was with sbc engines and we are in a whole new world now with tuning and fine tuning.

2SS45th · 07-20-2013, 11:43 AM

I had misfires with the NGKs when starting, idling, light throttle, and returning to idle. I hated those plugs. I'd give the ZR1 plugs a shot, the $80 plugs made one of the biggest differences on a stupidly expensive car

Nitroman28 · 07-20-2013, 11:47 AM

You said it idled better with the ZR1 plugs. With them being a step hotter then the BR7's would that be the reason it idles better?

dan0617 · 07-20-2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SS45th

I had misfires with the NGKs when starting, idling, light throttle, and returning to idle. I hated those plugs. I'd give the ZR1 plugs a shot, the $80 plugs made one of the biggest differences on a stupidly expensive car

Your car sounds amazing by the way. Love it!

07-20-2013, 01:10 AM	#2
injector Drives: LS3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Qatar Posts: 122	The difference is actually noticeable between the two videos.. Spark plugs do make a difference.. __________________ Texas Speed & Performance Custom Built Forged 408 CID, PRC LS3 260CC,Fast Intake & NW 102 TB, Alky Methanol kit, ID850, LPE Dual pumps,,Melling HV oil Pump. D1SC 10PSI, Stage 2 Air Intake,Magnaflow Axle back, Mcleod clutch, Pedders XA coilovers and sway bars, HD bushings, Hurst shifter, ACS bumper and hood ports, DSS aluminum drive shaft, CSF radiator .

07-20-2013, 01:13 AM	#3
2SS45th Drives: 11 Seconds or Faster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 2,797 View My Garage	I never thought so, but after swapping them I sure do. __________________ I Ain't About That Stock Life.

07-20-2013, 09:10 AM	#4
dan0617 Drives: 2011 Inferno Orange SS Convertible Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tyrone, PA Posts: 640 View My Garage	If you need to go even colder than the ZR1plugs, I'm having real good luck with Brisk GR12S plugs. They are really cold for nitrous and boost. The GR14S would be good for alot of boost or alot of nitrous. Normal size boost or nitrous and I too would run the ZR1 plugs. __________________ 2011 SS IOM Vert. ECS Vortech 13+ psi, Water/Meth, ID850’s, ZL1 pump with MSD Voltage Booster, 2800 stall, LT headers, Drag radials, Drag alignment, Cradle Bushings. A million other supporting mods. Tuned by Ted.

07-20-2013, 09:30 AM	#5
2SS45th Drives: 11 Seconds or Faster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 2,797 View My Garage	I was running 2 steps colder, and I make 16 pounds of boost already. The ZR1 plugs are handling the boost better than the colder plugs at this point. Doesn't take a few cycles of cranking to start now either. __________________ I Ain't About That Stock Life.

07-20-2013, 10:51 AM	#6
dan0617 Drives: 2011 Inferno Orange SS Convertible Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tyrone, PA Posts: 640 View My Garage	I wonder if I could get away with ZR1 plugs. 12 psi and now a 125 shot on top of it. Stock compression and stock L99 cam, 93 octane E10 no meth. I have a feeling the ZR1's would be a little too high of a heat range, and since they are protruded they are not optimal for nitrous. Good for one or the other but not sure when running both nitrous and boost. __________________ 2011 SS IOM Vert. ECS Vortech 13+ psi, Water/Meth, ID850’s, ZL1 pump with MSD Voltage Booster, 2800 stall, LT headers, Drag radials, Drag alignment, Cradle Bushings. A million other supporting mods. Tuned by Ted.

07-20-2013, 11:15 AM	#7
2012REDSS Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NC Posts: 657	sounds sick I used the ZR1 plugs too at 12 psi per Ted's recommendation

07-20-2013, 11:15 AM	#8
dekan513 chevy pride Drives: 2ss/rs Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: pikeville ky Posts: 2,141 View My Garage	br7ef if using nitrous. the thread cover the tip and helps with not blowing out the spark. i accually think my car runs and idles better with ngk's ive got enuff plugs to run 10 cars a life time and swap them out quite a bit. i really like the br7 over anything else for nitrous on 100+ shot. but when it comes to blowers and plugs that i cant say nothing about. __________________ check out ky speeds fb page https://www.facebook.com/kyspeed

07-20-2013, 11:18 AM	#9
2SS45th Drives: 11 Seconds or Faster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 2,797 View My Garage	You could definitely use the ZR1s with nitrous and a blower or only nitrous. I'm pretty sure Jamie also uses these plugs with his Maggie/Nitrous car. __________________ I Ain't About That Stock Life.

07-20-2013, 11:43 AM	#12
2SS45th Drives: 11 Seconds or Faster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 2,797 View My Garage	I had misfires with the NGKs when starting, idling, light throttle, and returning to idle. I hated those plugs. I'd give the ZR1 plugs a shot, the $80 plugs made one of the biggest differences on a stupidly expensive car __________________ I Ain't About That Stock Life.

07-20-2013, 11:47 AM	#13
Nitroman28 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS 416/4L80 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,834 View My Garage	You said it idled better with the ZR1 plugs. With them being a step hotter then the BR7's would that be the reason it idles better?