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BEST Spark Plugs...GO!

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107K views 37 replies 20 participants last post by  Tom-G  
#1 ·
I put Autolite APP5325, double platinums. The parts place didn't have NGKs and these had a rebate. I have p0300, p0301, and p0306 on my dash and I think the spark plugs are the culprit.

What is everyone elses experiences with what plugs?
2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi crew cab 4x4 short bed.
 
#3 ·
I have only ran the OEM Mopar branded NGKs, and have never had an issue. I would use nickels, so either NGKs or the Champions Burkdadhemi suggested. IIRC Champions used to be the OEM plug in the Hemi
 
#4 ·
I buy my 2009 spark plugs from Rockauto
They list both NGK & Champion
The plugs used in 2009 by Chrysler are NGKs

NGK 92174 {#LZFR5C11} Standard
Twin Spark System; Gap 0.044"; Actual OE Part

CHAMPION 446 {#REC12MCC4} Copper Plus

Chrysler #SPLZFR5C11
SP is short for Spark Plug


2010 Ram 1500 5.7L

NGK 92174 {#LZFR5C11} Standard
Twin Spark System; Gap 0.044"; Actual OE Part
$3.05 each

CHAMPION 446 {#REC12MCC4} Copper Plus
2 PLUGS/CYLINDER; Gap .044; OE Type
$1.32 each
 
#7 · (Edited)
bdemick
yours came with Copper plugs
the reason for that is because the platinum & iridium spark plugs tend to burn out the coil packs

then they must have made some changes because

Beginning with the 2014 Ram 5.7L
Original Equipment Is Iridium; with Dual Spark Plugs

referenced from Rockauto website
 
#10 ·
They work OK for some people, but if it starts running rough or giving you misfires you know where to look first
 
#19 ·
I know that iridium plugs are mainly made for high performance and long lifetime (good for 100,000 miles), but I heard that some cars with originally installed plugs of other materials might encounter problems because they are "programmed" to run only on their original materials, but I don't really believe that......anyway, if possible, you can try the iridium plugs and if you faced problems, you would know where it came from. But keep in mind the condition and price of the plugs, as ones sold online might be cheaper than those sold face-to-face with the seller, and you may buy used ones from amazon or something if you just want to try them, like these:
 
#14 ·
Ram used the Iridium Plugs & the different Coil Packs on the SSV vehicles first
It gave those Special Services Vehicles a 100,000 mile change interval
The following year, they installed them in the 2014 5.7L engines

NGK 92145 Laser Iridium
Dual Plug; Gap 0.044"; Actual OE Part

The coil was a
NGK 48716 {#U5121} NGK COP
Dual Plug; 1 Coil Fires 2 Plugs

other plugs are listed below
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ram,2014,1500,5.7l+v8,3305957,ignition,spark+plug,7212

other coils
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ram,2014,1500,5.7l+v8,3305957,ignition,ignition+coil,7060
 
#16 ·
Mopars are NGK so I'd say no
 
#18 ·
Mopar spark plugs just put SP in front of the actual plug number of the manufacturer

Like the original plugs are made by NGK
the number NGK uses is LZFR5C11
Mopar just adds on the SP to the LZFR5C11 = SPLZFR5C11
 
#23 ·
I put Autolite APP5325, double platinums. The parts place didn't have NGKs and these had a rebate. I have p0300, p0301, and p0306 on my dash and I think the spark plugs are the culprit.

What is everyone elses experiences with what plugs?
2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi crew cab 4x4 short bed.
I'm not sure, but I think modern Hemi engines don't have a waste spark system (which is essential for the double platinum spark plugs to work properly), personally I have Denso Iridium TT spark plugs, a bit expensive but worth it. Work just fine.
 
#27 ·
#28 ·
Hi guys

I did some research, added my experience as a auto mechanic and wrote an article about best spark plugs for Hemi RAM
here it is: 🥇7 Best spark plugs for 5.7 Dodge Ram Hemi - HONEST Buying Guide [2020]

I recommend NGK 5464 BKR5EIX 11 Iridium spark plug
it's a bit pricey, but more durable than others

If you have any questions, appreciations, critics — you are welcome. Answer to this post or write in private messages
Thanks for your experience.
From what I know (mechanical engineer in power train biz, retired), iridium's purpose is to promote longer electrode life. However, this occurs at the expense of spark quality, as iridium is less electrically conductive than platinum or nickel. I don't see any advantage with iridium - you get a lesser spark at a higher price, risking difficulty in replacement from leaving the steel threaded spark plug in the aluminum threaded cylinder head longer. See NGK site for spark quality comparisons.

I believe platinum remains the best compromise choice in plated spark plug electrodes, and NGK as the highest quality producer. Many other manufacturers have off-shored and out-sourced their manufacturing with notable reductions in quality. Unless you really, really like changing 16 spark plugs every 30,000 miles, where nickel-coated copper is still the lowest electrical resistance and best spark quality choice. But these plugs must be changed every 30k miles because the highly-conductive electrodes transfer metal much faster than the precious metal-coated electrodes.

Bonus Note: NGK is pushing a new precious metal-coated electrode - ruthenium. The claim is you get near nickel/copper-like high electrical conductivity together with the long life of iridium. It just costs a lot more money. x 16.
 
#30 ·
Not sure why anyone would pay for ruthenium plugs in an aluminum cylinder head. Unless you're never changing spark plugs ever, getting rid of the vehicle before 150,000 miles, etc.

You can tell if you have the higher energy coils simply by seeing if you have the old waste spark jumper wire rather than dual plug boots on the coil. The Owner's Manual will also tell you - if it says to change plugs every 30,000 miles, you have the original low energy coils. If it says to change every 100,000 miles, you have the newer high energy coils.
 
#32 ·
Then why did my 2012 5.7L HEMI mandate copper electrode-only spark plugs and 30,000 mile minimum changes?

The online tech help explained per my notes above. Including that they hadn't upgraded coil packs. Now, some places revise part numbers instead of taking out new part numbers, which is dangerous from inventory control purposes. I know this for a fact because I worked at one such OEM that always struggled with this being cheap.
 
#34 ·
What about pre-Eagle and Eagle HEMI? From what I read here, in the 2009 revision Dodge changed the heads and spark plug seats, so the plugs aren't interchangeable, is it true? Regarding the upgrading coil packs: the owner's manual suggests replacing spark plugs based on their materials (30k for copper, 100k for iridium). Is there another way to find out which coils I'm running?