New NGK sparkplug for VK56DE

dkmura · Feb 14, 2019

NGK has released a new line of spark plugs that fit the Titan. They utilize a new element called 'ruthenium' in the electrode that is claimed to deliver better ignition and durability for a variety of reasons:

https://www.ngksparkplugs.com/ruthenium-hx

The ruthenium plug for the VK56DE is labeled the LFR5AHX and I was able to shop around and get a set for not much more than the standard LFR5AIX-11 Iridium NGK plug. It may be a year before I'm really due to replace the original NGK iridium plugs that are in there now. Wondering if any other Titan owners have gone to this new spark plug and if they have any comments on their performance?

dkmura · Feb 16, 2019

OK- this is one of the first 'hard parts' for the first gen to come along in a long time! Nobody else is even interested?

dkmura · Feb 17, 2019

Over 100 views and nobody has anything to say about a product that might improve the fuel economy and performance of a Titan?

danman · Feb 24, 2019

where did you find them to buy? i can t find them

FishnAlaska · Feb 17, 2019

That's so freaking god damn cool!!!! I gotta go out and swap my plugs even though I just did them 5k ago. I gotta try these new plugs!!!! I can't wait to throw my new ones away and spend money on these ...

How's that.

dkmura · Feb 18, 2019

At least you posted something, even if it's a snarky remark! And yeah, since I've already swapped out the NGKs iridium plugs on my street and race cars, I'm reluctant to simply toss those away. But while my Titan is about 15K away from its next scheduled plug change, I've got a full set of the new LFR5XAHRs to install this spring! Let's see if they make any difference to the performance of the VK56DE.

In the meantime, at least this post is trying to spread the word about a new product from a reputable OEM supplier. Not saying it'll change the world, but it's an affordable upgrade that should be of interest to Titan owners.

Titanrunner04 · Feb 18, 2019

Its good info. I will try them on my next change too. Although I have yet feel and difference from all the crazy plugs I have tried. I use to have a race go kart and ngk plugs were the plugs that would last. I use them in all my cars and toys great product for sure.

dkmura · Feb 18, 2019

Curious about what other type and model of plugs you've tried on your Titan? I tried Bosch Platinums once on an older 240SX and the car ran much worse until I switched back to an NGK product. Usually, spark plugs aren't going to make a tremendous "seat of the pants" difference unless it's a different heat range for racing, but NGK does seem to have consistent and durable performance in my experience.

As stated, I'll be trying these new ruthenium plugs in my Titan. If they even make a 1.0 MPG difference while towing, it'll be significant. Towing near the 9K# max with a 24' enclosed race car trailer has never seen me get more than about 7.0 MPG, so we'll see.

Titanrunner04 · Feb 18, 2019

In my Titan I have have used nothing but NGKs except for what it came with from the factory, but I cant remember the brand (Maybe NGK). I have used only NGKs for many years now. I have built and owned several classic cars (Muscle Cars) and you can really tell the difference from plug to plug in those cars. I live local to NGK here in CA and years ago I went in there for some info and to ask about a design that I thought of many years ago, A halo style plug (which now exist not from me). They gave me a tour and educated me on plugs form materials to heat ranges and so on. I am very partial to them now of course. I have tried Champion, Denso, AC Delco, Split Fire and the list goes on. Some of the plugs have been OK but I have actually had plugs blown apart. The porcelain has separated form the metal and electrodes have snapped off. I have owned several two stroke engines which will really put the plug to the test and NGKs are the only plugs that hold up in that environment.

I agree any mileage increase would be great but unlikely from just a plug change. The ignition system in Today's modern vehicle is very efficient and difficult to to increase.

LaxDfns15 · Feb 19, 2019

$11 each vs $8.50 each for the Iridium's. At the end of the day it's about $20 more, but is it really going to change anything for the 95% of drivers that don't do anything performance-wise? I might try them when I go to change my plugs in a few thousand miles. I've got the Iridium's in there now, and while they were noticeably different than my OEM's, my OEM's were almost 100k miles old.

dubyam · Feb 19, 2019

I thought the OEMs were NGK iridium plugs?

I'm about due for my first change (just hit 95k) on my 2011, so I'll have to consider these or the standard iridiums. Might try these just to see. I'm hoping a new set of plugs brings a little life back to my truck. Seems to be a little soft lately in the mid-range (1800-3000rpm) if I'm rolling. I know that's pretty much trans shift point related (downshift doesn't come until too late in the accelerator cycle for my taste), but maybe some of it is a lack of clean, hot spark. It certainly cant hurt to swap between 95-100k.

Titanrunner04 · Feb 19, 2019

I did my plugs at about 120,000. I was shocked how clean they look. They were difintley worn however. Once placed I noted smoother startup and idle. The power virtually felt the same throughout.

dkmura · Feb 20, 2019

Most NGK plugs burn clean (if they're properly spec'd), with a light brown color that indicates a good burn. The tips are where the wear occurs and if you look at the link I posted at the start of your thread, it's where the ruthenium coating is supposed to help the most. BTW- I just bought a set of the NGK ruthenium plugs for my wife's Infiniti for $8.45/plug at Rock Auto, so they're becoming available at an affordable price.

ten titan crew · Feb 20, 2019

HOLY ****!!! isn't this just the greatest! as if 140 ****ing dollars for a set of spark plugs didn't rape your wallet too bad........ Now we can buy a NEW kind for 180 bucks a set. Jesus ****IN A CHRIST!

dkmura · Feb 20, 2019

Wow- this post reminds me of someone who has had their head in a hole for the past few decades. If the cost of a set of spark plugs is too much, I wonder how you could afford a Titan in the first place! But it's a new product that offers more durability and consistent performance that older plugs could only dream of.

ten titan crew · Feb 20, 2019

NEWs flash again! Nissan Now offering Flux Capacitors in all of their fuel efficient V=8s . Any Truck bought after jan. 2015 will carry this new ignition system. But the factory warning states." If one reaches 88mph while driving through a redlight, with a gray haired mad scientist,and a dude with parkinsons driving, the space time continuum could be altered and your Penis EXPLODE"! But have no fear, if you must drive 88m[ph whilst utilising this new high powered ignition system, just swing into your friendly neighborhood dealership and BIFF will be glad to adjust it for Ya?!

slyfur1 · Feb 20, 2019

LaMyBuOf SMH

My Frontier recommended plug change was 100k, I put some new NGK iridiums in at 88k and I totally felt more smooth power going up a good hill near home that usually required a down shift. With the new plugs it did not. I think I'll be changing mine out at 85k but with only 9k done the first year. I'm thinking we'll be around 2030 before I need plugs :big_grin:

dubyam · Feb 20, 2019

And clearly bad at math and shopping. I found a set of 8 of the new plugs for sale for well under $140, priced at $87.36, directly from NGK. With shipping, still only $93.99.

For those who struggle with math, that's about $14.10 per year (if you average 15k miles), and a measly $1.76 per plug per year. In the old days, I paid $1 apiece for Champions for small block Fords and Chevys. They lasted a couple of years under hard use, equating to $.50 per plug per year. Factoring in inflation, though, that's equivalent to $3.28 in today dollars, putting those old 30k mile plugs at an inflation adjusted $1.60 per plug per year. And that doesn't even factor in the extra labor the swap them three times instead of one.

What are you whining about? Plugs are still relatively cheap. Put on your big boy pants and act like a grown up.

friskybusa · Feb 22, 2019

This is all BS, I have a 2006 crewcab bought new . At about 106000 miles bought a set of plugs to install, when I pulled first plug it still looked new so I reinstalled it...saved the new plugs for later. But later has not yet come titan now has 198000 miles on original plugs....wtf over ?

paul kellam · Feb 22, 2019

I couldn't agree more, changed mine at 100k they were just like new, i wasted abunch of coin for nothing

54warrior · Feb 22, 2019

Having owned mine for nearly 15 years, there really isn't any new product that could come out that would get me excited, much less some expensive spark plugs that may get me an extra 0.15 MPG.

Thanks for sharing though!

dkmura · Feb 24, 2019

With some careful shopping, the new NGK ruthenium plugs shouldn't be any more expensive than the OEM iridiums So, there's good reason to use the new plugs when a service is due. Next, if someone wants to run their spark plugs (or oil filter, etc.) beyond the factory suggested maintenance limits, that's their business. I'd rather respect those limits because I run my Titan HARD when I'm towing cross-country and want to maximize the performance of my truck and minimize the chances of it breaking down on the road.

dkmura · Feb 24, 2019

I went through Summit Racing and got the LFR5AHX for $8.99/plug.

285257 · Feb 26, 2019

I seriously doubt there will be any performance gains with these new plugs vs the Iridium. If so, it would be so marginal you would not notice I am sure. The Iridiums can last so long I mean some people have gone 200k miles on OEM plugs. I buy what works, not what's promised.

Jeff

dkmura · Feb 27, 2019

All of us must make up our own minds on what parts to put in our trucks. But for me, NGK has been a reliable source of no-nonsense OEM replacement parts. The reason I posted this information was to let others know about an option that they might want to consider. Currently, I'm changing out my original NGK spark plugs at 88K and swapping out to the ruthenium NGKs. I don't expect to get incredible gains in horsepower, torque or mileage. But any improvements I hope to post here, and by the look of my older iridium NGKs, it's time...

slyfur1 · Feb 27, 2019

Yeah I was very surprised by how much blow back you got. I appreciate you sharing the information to the community. Just as you said people are going to put what ever plug they want, split-fire plugs, e3, or whatever. I mentioned that I feel that when I changed my Frontiers plugs at 88k there was a performance gain for sure. And that was followed up by members saying they went 200k on OEM plugs? OK whatever? If you don't have anything informative to add, why be trollie?

285257 · Feb 27, 2019

Hello I am the one who mentioned the 200k comment. Your taking things out of context. What I said is people using Iridium plugs have gone 200k on the plugs with no issues...Iridium plugs last a VERY VERY LONG TIME and changing them at 88k is a waste of money.

Its not trolling, its giving an opinion, just like the opinion the OP has that these new plugs are "an upgrade" or something with ZERO proof of that. I get it that he found a new product for the engine and that's cool, but it just seems he is promoting it as an "upgrade" when its not.

I have a wax I can put on your truck that can get you better MPG too.....want to buy it??

People are just giving their opinions on what the OP posted. If that is trolling? Then anyone who doesn't agree is a troll. which on these forums is EVERYONE.

Jeff

dubyam · Feb 27, 2019

In fact, the OP posted a notice about a new product which the company making the product indicates is an upgrade in durability versus typical iridium plugs. That's not an opinion. It's a feature of the chemical makeup of the ruthenium-based electrode in comparison to other alloys for making spark plug electrodes. Just like iridium is an upgrade over platinum, which is an upgrade over copper. It's not rocket science. The electrical properties of metals are well understood, and the comparisons are pretty standard issue stuff, in terms of these various standard properties.

Addtionally, the OP never claimed these plugs were better in any specific way aside from what the manufacturer reports (and the electrical properties of the metals supports). I know because I went back through and re-read the entire thread just to check.

An opinion would be, "I'm making 10% more HP with these new plugs," unless, of course, you have dyno runs to show baseline v. the new plugs, at which point it would become evidence-based fact.

Now, whether or not the OP, myself, or anyone else thinks you should or should not use these new-style plugs, is an opinion. It might be an informed opinion, but it's an opinion, never the less. And in that sense, the OP has been quite clear in his statements regarding running whatever plug, for however long, you like. How is that problematic?

timthescarred · Feb 27, 2019

What's interesting to me, it the cost per Troy Ounce of Iridium is over 5 times the cost per Troy Ounce of Ruthenium, and these cost more.

NGK found a way to save themselves 80% on cost and charge us $1 more per plug....

danman · Feb 27, 2019

whatever works i suppose, lol.

dubyam · Feb 27, 2019

Where are you finding the iridiums for a buck cheaper? Everywhere I look for the DILFR5a-11D for my 2011 Flex motor are running $16 and up. I can get the rutheniums for $9 apiece. If I can get the DILFR5a-11D which is OEM for my flex motor for $8, please advise.

timthescarred · Feb 27, 2019

I was comparing prices for the non Flex fuel plugs. But hey, if you can get the ruthenium cheaper that's awesome, win-win

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

MartyG007 · Feb 28, 2019

I haven't seen anything from Nissan demanding anything but the Laser Iridium DILFR5A-11D for the Flex-Fuel Titan. Even the NGK lists it as the "OE Mfr Recommended." If you look below on their charts, you'll see that NGK also has a Ruthenium, an Iridium, and a G-Power that FITS the Flex Titan. I read that as "Manufactured Recommended (BEST), Better, Good, and Plain Steel. Just because it FITS doesn't make it right. Some opinions I've heard are the expensive ones are needed for Flex Fuel, and if you're not going to use Flex Fuel, then do whatever you want. But if you ask Nissan, there is only ONE recommendation.

dkmura · Feb 28, 2019

MartyG007 said:
I haven't seen anything from Nissan demanding anything but the Laser Iridium DILFR5A-11D for the Flex-Fuel Titan. Even the NGK lists it as the "OE Mfr Recommended." If you look below on their charts, you'll see that NGK also has a Ruthenium, an Iridium, and a G-Power that FITS the Flex Titan. I read that as "Manufactured Recommended (BEST), Better, Good, and Plain Steel. Just because it FITS doesn't make it right. Some opinions I've heard are the expensive ones are needed for Flex Fuel, and if you're not going to use Flex Fuel, then do whatever you want. But if you ask Nissan, there is only ONE recommendation.

Of course, Nissan no longer produces the VK56DE and has only tested that motor on the DILFR5A-11D. With no further testing warranted for the engine, and no reason to continue R&D, Nissan will stick by their research. This happens on all powerplants, not just the VK. After years of racing Nissans (and different Nissan engines), I've found NGK a very reliable source for improving the breed. Since I'll be trying the new ruthenium plug--and posting the results here--we'll see if that's still the case.

dubyam · Feb 28, 2019

I defy you to find a new car built in the last thirty years for which the manufacturer offers more than a single recommended part number for spark plug replacement. Having owned a bunch of Fords over the years, I'll tell you they each had a single Motorcraft part number as the recommended replacement spark plug. And the chevy, dodge, and toyota company cars I had each had a single recommended part number for replacement. If I recall correctly, my old 1972 Bronco from high school had a single sort number recommended for spark plug replacement, too.

New NGK sparkplug for VK56DE

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