B16a Spark Plugs

[lil_miss_vtec]

Hey - im just wondering what are the best spark plug leads to use for my B16a,
I got a quote for some 9mm top gun leads but they were $95.00!
Just wondering are they the ones I should use or are they a bit overpriced??

Thanks :D

[lil_miss_vtec]

Should I go for genuine Honda??

[vinnY]

so do you want spark plugs or spark plug leads?
ngk spark plugs will do fine, about about $4 each it shouldn't break the bank

as for oem leads, its going to be more expensive but the best for your b16 apparently

[lil_miss_vtec]

sorry - im at work and had 100 things on my mind.
I mean spark plug leads... :)

[destrukshn]

brand new genuine ones are aout the 200mark.
but they do last.

[lil_miss_vtec]

$200!!! :eek: really?
That sucks, is there a cheaper alternative that are still decent leads?

[destrukshn]

top gun is shit.
go for ngk or something similar at least.
=)

[aaronng]

I prefer OEM.

[lil_miss_vtec]

hmmm what size should they be? 12mm?

[IndoStyler]

just so u know...i found in my engine, that having oem leads and ngk plugs dont really suit....my engine started choaking coz my oem leads were too thin for the plugs....so i had to get thicker leads to suit the plugs i'm running....so if u got oem plugs go oem leads....if u go aftermarket, get ngk...those leads only cost me 80 bucks....retails for around 110 i think

[dsp26]

^^^how do you mean it "choaked"?

[vinnY]

thats odd, i got a quote at repco for about $170 for the ngk leads for the b16

[dsp26]

^^^ i got mine for ~AU$90 from America.. the 9mm ones + BKR6EIX-11 x4 iridium spark plugs...

[IndoStyler]

i mean chocked as is not enuf fuel/oil/air going to the plugs

[SLOWEGG]

Maybe your old leads were going..

[dsp26]

i mean chocked as is not enuf fuel/oil/air going to the plugs

i'm guessing the feeling was some sort of 'hesitation'??

fuel/air/oil will have nothing to do with the performance of leads.

Fuel = 2 rich or 2 lean. richness can cause misfire in a system with poor ignition, lean would not really be affected
Air = intake/timing issue
Oil = in the intake means you have bad blow-by from piston rings.

But as stated by SLOWEGG, if the replacement did improve the response then your leads would have been on the way out caused by high impedance.

[lil_miss_vtec]

my car sometimes is hard to start -
I think its either:
spark plug leads (one has a split and is taped up)
my fuel filter is blocked
other than that i dont know...
i replaced the spark plugs but it still does it, it takes a bit for it to turn over..

[aaronng]

just so u know...i found in my engine, that having oem leads and ngk plugs dont really suit....my engine started choaking coz my oem leads were too thin for the plugs....so i had to get thicker leads to suit the plugs i'm running....so if u got oem plugs go oem leads....if u go aftermarket, get ngk...those leads only cost me 80 bucks....retails for around 110 i think

That's because if your ngks were iridium, those need higher voltage than the old ignition coils can provide. That's also why older cars have copper or platinum plugs instead of iridium.

[lil_miss_vtec]

what do u think???

[dsp26]

^^^Then yes it is an ignition issue unless your running hell rich.

how do you know your fuel filter is blocked? you can't really know unless you've pressure tested on either end. i dare say if it was THAT blocked, you can tell by squeezing the hose on the output end.

When i had the bigger plug gaps it was harder to start until i replaced with a stronger coil.

Even though spark arcs are far in atmospheric pressure (like 1cm plus with spark plugs)... remember that the density in the combustion chamber resulting from compression makes the plug harder to spark.... that aside, means something is weak in your ignition system and could be many things such as:
- Dizzy rotor
- Dizzy contacts
- bad leads with high impedance
- damamged/corroded/internally corroded plugs
- dying ignition coil

- A dead Ignition Control Module will prevent your car from starting altogether.

[dsp26]

That's because if your ngks were iridium, those need higher voltage than the old ignition coils can provide. That's also why older cars have copper or platinum plugs instead of iridium.

Thank you sir!! That is an un-commonly mentioned fact!!

This is further backed up by the tech article TODA AU posted in another thread in regards to iridium conductivity

[lil_miss_vtec]

ahh ok - thanks for that.
hopefully its just the leads need to be replaced :)

[dsp26]

ahh ok - thanks for that.
hopefully its just the leads need to be replaced :)

check the impedance of each lead first to save yourself some cash...

each part can be tested beforehand to eliminate un-needed expense.

there is a set impedance tolerance per foot on leads

[JasonGilholme]

OEM leads and NGK Plugs ftw.

Never had a problem with the setup.

Might need to get new leads soon. The OEM ones have done abotu 150,000 k's. How long are they meant to last. Is there a visual sign when they start to wear out??

[dsp26]

OEM leads and NGK Plugs ftw.

Never had a problem with the setup.

Might need to get new leads soon. The OEM ones have done abotu 150,000 k's. How long are they meant to last. Is there a visual sign when they start to wear out??

visual isn't a good indication if any. must do an impedance test with a multimeter.

NEW are around 2500ohm or less per foot.

there is a brand out there, i think it was magnacore that had <1000ohm per foot.

it is a bit hard to say this is better than that as the insulation thickness also plays a part in it's performance

[JasonGilholme]

How do you test it with a multimeter??

I know how to test voltage but how do ya test resistance???

[JHMDA9]

With a multimeter you should be able to set it to Ohms. The workshop manual should state what the maximum resistance is, eg 25,000 ohms.

[JasonGilholme]

yeah but do you just whack it on either end of the spark plug or do you need to have it attached to the dizzy??

I could imagine electricuting myself if i had to have it connected to the dizzy lol.

[DLO01]

Connect one probe to each end of the same lead.

[JasonGilholme]

yeah cool. :thumbsup:

[jdm_kid]

NGK leads are < $80
Part No. RC-HE64 (b16a2)

[vinnY]

where at is it for <$80?
hell if its that cheap i'll just buy set instead of buying a second hand set of oem leads
repco suck for quotes

[dsp26]

get this instead.. works out cheaper:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270110685275&rd=1,1

thats the exact auction i got mine from along with all my external coil gear...

just DONT GET the MSD coil if you plan on getting it... please refer to my testing in tech section

[dsp26]

or get it here for $64 if you pickup:
http://www.gccorp.com.au/automotive/product_info.php?cPath=22_80_82&products_id=191

[DNYALL]

NGK leads are < $80
Part No. RC-HE64 (b16a2)

These are the blue ones right?

I just had a guy quote me today at 'On The Run' motorsports in Melbourne for NGK leads for the b16a at $295. and that they had run out and more arriving from japan in a week. are these some kind of super dooper oober leads that no one no's about or just really expensive...

Also just checking websites for them now, there is another set, NGK, but a lighter blue colour with the product code: 01H and it is like $30us more expensive????

[DNYALL]

or get it here for $64 if you pickup:
http://www.gccorp.com.au/automotive/product_info.php?cPath=22_80_82&products_id=191

Wats with the "fits Civic VTi-R EK '95~'98 B16A"

Does that mean they won't work with 99 spec b16a?

[EKVTIR-T]

They will be fine mate^ :)

[jdm_kid]

i believe Part No. RC-HE64 fits all B series :) and yup there blue !! lol

[dsp26]

Wats with the "fits Civic VTi-R EK '95~'98 B16A"

Does that mean they won't work with 99 spec b16a?

yeah they will fit.

i noticed your sig also regarding the coil. i'm guessing you have your external coil dizzy cap sorted?

[DNYALL]

actually no, i think i may have to do a little more research into this stuff, i havn't really looked into it all that much.

[dsp26]

actually no, i think i may have to do a little more research into this stuff, i havn't really looked into it all that much.

look in the DIY section and search for a great post by ECU-MAN regarding the external coil dizzy setup with pics.

[destrukshn]

OEM leads and NGK Plugs ftw.

Never had a problem with the setup.

Might need to get new leads soon. The OEM ones have done abotu 150,000 k's. How long are they meant to last. Is there a visual sign when they start to wear out??
they die when they die really.
if your car starts and runs fine.
chances are so are your leads.
if it cracked or so, it would misfire.

[votek]

sorry to hijack but thicker leads, say TOP GUN, would that be a benefit to performance or is it just a rice look. ie. red leads.. etc

[dsp26]

sorry to hijack but thicker leads, say TOP GUN, would that be a benefit to performance or is it just a rice look. ie. red leads.. etc

as stated by destrukshn above your post, if their cracked it will misfire. thicker insulation prevents spark leak in the lead chamber and grounding through the head.

thicker leads do not necesarily mean a thicker core which isn't neccesarily beneficial anyway as it will require more oomf to transfer to the plugs

it is in the core design where the importance lies

another proven set of leads (i only know of one member on here thats used them in his setup) are the nology ones with built-in capacitor which actually improves spark. they are around $300 for a set. Problem with them is that dues to massive charge/discharge/current they go through they corrode easily and was proven to gain impedance within a year of prolonged use... making the price you pay not so worth it.

[destrukshn]

sorry to hijack but thicker leads, say TOP GUN, would that be a benefit to performance or is it just a rice look. ie. red leads.. etc
top gun is shit, and will most proably split in a matter of months or 1 year.

[JasonGilholme]

Just checked my longest spark plug lead last night and its got 1215 ohms of resistance.

Is that normal?? anyone else wanna confirm?

[dsp26]

Just checked my longest spark plug lead last night and its got 1215 ohms of resistance.

Is that normal?? anyone else wanna confirm?


cylinder 1? opposite the intake side?

that's awesome

***EDIT***
damn nice avatar pic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JasonGilholme]

yeah thats the longest lead going from the dizzy (intake side) to the furthest cylinder away (timing belt side).

OEM Leads. FTW

RE: my avatar.

Check out the pics of my car: http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66417

[dsp26]

^^pics don't come up but i'll check at home... i don't think i've ever ventured into the appearance gallery forum before :D

[JasonGilholme]

ooooooooooo appearance virgin :p

[czy_sol87]

NGK are OEM arnt they??
or honda get NGK to make their plugs and leads

anyway, i got NGK leads for my b16a2(blue ones) for $100 from bursons
i also have iridium plugs that have been in the car for about 35000kms
only changed the oem leads cause one of them was shorting out

are there different kinds of leads like the plugs ie iridium, platnium etc??
or are they all the same

[dsp26]

ooooooooooo appearance virgin :p

yeah mate... real keen to see your pics coz of ur avatar:thumbsup:




are there different kinds of leads like the plugs ie iridium, platnium etc??
or are they all the same

there are a few different designs around each with a specific purpose.

NGK - being an awesome cheaper oem replacement that has the same or better quality than oem

Magnacore - focuses on maximum conductivity with lower impedance but using thicker cores than oem designs

Nology - improves actual spark strength through its mid-core capacitor design.

etc... same as engines... different design different purpose.

at the end of the day, it's a matter of which ones suit the application the most.

I agree with everyone else that NGK is good replacement to oem.. moreso because yo can get it for $64 in the link i provided a few posts up

[JasonGilholme]

How do they compare to OEM tho??

I read a real descent article proving that OEM was far superior but i don't remember if it included OEM.

Are the NGK leads from super cheap the same ones that Honda sell??? i couldn't imagine them bein the same.

[lil_miss_vtec]

Question - what is FTW? I don't know what that means. :(

[lil_miss_vtec]

I have been quoted $70 for top gun 9mm leads - r these ok for my motor?
I know OEM are best but I don't want to pay $200!!

[JasonGilholme]

FTW = for the win.

I'd probably go for NGK. They seem to be the better option. I think someone said they are the company that make the OEM leads as well so that mus say something about their quality.