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The denso plugs arrived today, so I installed them and took some pics. You KNOW how I love to post pics! I got them at http://www.driverfx.com for $52.75 shipped, and received them in 6 working days.


Anyway, this is a very simple install. Idiot-proof even. So, with that said, you could say this is for the people who haven't installed plugs before or don't really get into engine mods or maintenance. Keep in mind that this is for the DX/LX motor, but I doubt very much that it's much different with the EX.


1. Round up all the tools needed.

10mm socket and socket wrench.

Flat head screwdriver.

5/8" Spark Plug Socket. (The type with the rubber inside, you'll see why later)

6" extension for the spark plug socket. (The heads are deep)


2. Use the screwdriver to take off the wiring cover above the plugs. Gently turn the plastic screw counter-clockwise 1/4 turn. Put it aside and don't lose the plastic screws. TIP: Keep a plastic cup handy for the screws and nuts.


3. Using the 10mm socket, break loose the nut holding the spark plug cover on. It's on firmly, so use a little mojo. Put the nut in the cup so you don't lose it.


4. Gently pull up on the spark plug ignition coil and unplug it from the wiring harness. Put it somewhere safe. Probably won't fit in the cup, it's several inches long.


6. Now you can see into the head to the plug. DO NOT LET ANYTHING FALL INTO THE HOLE. THIS WILL DAMAGE YOUR MOTOR!!! Using the spark plug socket and extention, break it loose counter-clockwise and turn for several revolutions until it'll pull out. Here's where the rubber thingie inside the socket comes into play. The rubber actually holds the plug inside the socket so that you can pull it out easily. Without the rubber thingie, you could have trouble getting the plug out.


7. Examine the plug and put it somewhere out of the way. The cup?! Hey! You're paying attention!


8. Get the new, shiney plug out of the package and take off the little protective plastic cover. These are pre-gapped, so they're ready to install. Place it in the socket the same way that the other plug came out, with the little head showing.


9. Now this is important!! Don't tighten it with the socket wrench until you've snugged it with your hand. Let me explain. You plac the plug in the socket, attached the extension and with your fingers, gently place it into the hole and turn clockwise with your fingers. If it tries to cross thread, you'll notice it immediately. Remember, these plugs take several rotations to seat all the way down, so if it cross-threads, you'll know quickly. After it snugs, you can then tighten it with the socket wrench. The back of the Denso package shows that a non-tapered plug like the IK20 should be tightened 1/4 to 1/2 turn when you do the final tightening. This will properly seal the metal gasket. Do NOT overtighten the plug, as you may strip the threads.


10. 1st plug is in, so let's put the ignition coil back on, plug in the wiring, and put the nut back on to finish. Repeat process for remaining three plugs.


11. Go for a test drive! Enjoy the new found smoothness and responsive power. I personally recommend them as an affordable upgrade to the stock plugs.


Time for Pics!!


First pic is taken after step #6. You can see the open hole and the plug cover laying on top of the wiring.




Next pic shows the plastic protective cover that came on the plugs. This protects the pre-gapped setting against rough handling.




Here's a closeup of the original oem plug (NGK R) and a new denso. Notice the larger tip. It's kept the gap setting pretty well after 30k miles.




Same thing...closer pic...crappy quality...crappy digital camera.




Lastly, this pic shows all 4 of the original plug and their condition. All 4 are showing some scorch marks on the white ceramic.




That's all I can think of saying about the install. I filled up the gas tank tonight, so I'll edit this later with my gas mileage findings. I currently average 34-35mpg in daily driving.


laterz!

Bellz

 
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good diy, but shouldnt this post be in the tech area?

 
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Alright, thanks my denso plugs should come in like Friday or Saturday! I bought mine from a Group Buy and bought them for $48 shipped. Shippings been a little slow though but I guess its worth the wait! But how does the engine run and do you think its worth the money? And where did you get your spark plug socket w/ the rubber thing inside? Thanks!!

 
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Maybe. Maybe not. Other Parts and Products is a good choice as well, but I guess I'll move it to the Tech Stuff section. That's where most DIY's are anyway...

Oh yeah, great DIY! I will use it later when I get some IK22's.

 
Rep Power: 315

It does seem to run smoother and start a little faster. The upper RPMs feel more powerful than with the stock NGK plugs. It's definately worth the money. I've had the socket for years. If you want to buy one somewhere, I'd recommend Sears. Here's a link to it on Sears' site for $3.99 for a 3/8" drive. Or here for the 1/2" drive. Get whichever size fits your socket wrench, or take it with you to make sure it's the same size. Pretty good price for a Craftsman part. It's gotta be a spark plug socket specifically so that it'll hold the plug. A regular socket isn't long enough to fit over the plug and grab it for pulling it out.

Here's a few more links to the extension bars I mentioned using: in 1/2", and 3/8" drive.

 
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Those spark plug "covers" are actually the high voltage ignition coils, aren't they?

 
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Yeah, thats them. I just didn't know what they were called.
I edited it to show IGNITION COIL to avoid confusion.
Below is a pic of the coil (#1) for those who might want to see what we're talking about. This is from Majestic Honda's site. I noticed they listed the oem ngk spark plug is priced at $12.43. So the Denso's are actually cheaper if you find a good price on them.

 
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i dunno about the whole ngk thing...my old plugs were denso and they came with the car

 
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Maybe somebody sneaked into the Honda dealer one night and changed the plugs before you bought it.

 
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MY stock ones were denso too, they have both of them in the stock Hondas.

 
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I am coming around 20,000 miles maybe I should replace mine?

 
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THANKS FOR THE DIY! Put in denzo iridiums today. and for the record i also had denzo stock

 
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Your stock spark plugs should be good for 100,000 miles.

 
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Does getting better spark plugs affect performance?

 
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The guy at the parts store said Iridium plugs would help some cars, but the Civic comes with Laser Platium which, he says is as good as they get. Didn't recmmend any change to Iridium. 2 cents worth here.

 
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My friend @ JMO (JMO PERFORMANCE TORQUE CONVERTER) put a NGK LASER PLATINUM. He said the NGK is much better than Denso.

 
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NGK LASER PLATINUM PZFR6F-11 (STOCK NO. 3271)

 
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The NGK Laser Platinum is NGK original equipment plug for our cars according to the NGK dealer. You may already have them in yours.

When I changed mine, it had Denso platinums though. I guess they use the plugs from the lowest bidder at the time.

 
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yeah the diy was awesome!!! i had denso btw when i installed my denso iridium IK20

 
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the spark plug i get when i got the car is Denso, so i changed it to NGK

 
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The Denso that came in my car new is PKJ 200CR-M11

 
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Comparing ngk's platnium to Denso's iridium????

Iridium is a precious metal that is 6 times harder and 8 times stronger than platinum, it has a 1,200=F higher melting point than platinum and conducts electricity better. This makes it possible to create the finest wire center electrode ever.

 
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Hey, I know this thread is a few months old, but what happened to the pictures?

 
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yea, where did the pictures go? unless they were all boxes with a red cross on it

 
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Am I the only person who read this and couldn't get the thought of sex off my mind? iono, maybe I'm dirty minded....

A few examples:

so use a little mojo. Put the nut in the cup
Put it somewhere safe. Probably won't fit in the cup, it's several inches long.
Now you can see into the head to the plug. DO NOT LET ANYTHING FALL INTO THE HOLE. THIS WILL DAMAGE YOUR [***?]
and turn for several revolutions until it'll pull out. Here's where the rubber thingie inside…comes into play
The rubber actually holds [it] so that you can pull it out easily. Without the rubber thingie, you could have trouble getting [it] out.
Get the new, shiney ... out of the package and take off the little protective plastic cover…, with the little head showing.
Don't tighten it…until you've snugged it with your hand…and with your fingers, gently place it into the hole and turn clockwise with your fingers…After it snugs, you can then tighten it

IONO.

 
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since we are on the subject of spark plugs, will silver have more electrical and thermal conductivity than platinum and iridium?

 
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I've been moving some pics around on my site, but I fixed the links now. I plan on doing an updated DIY on this soon, similar to the fog lights one and adding some pics.

Yes, you are. Go get laid and you'll feel better.

 
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You do know that the spark plugs in the VTEC Hondas are designed to go 100,000 miles? From the photos I saw, the plugs you removed were fine. It is your car so do what you want but I think it was a waste of time and money.

 
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Thanks for adding the pics again

 
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First of all, I don't have a VTEC motor. I have the DX.

Secondly, who cares? The same argument can be said for 90% of the things we do to our cars. Did you REALLY need a body kit? Probably not. Did you REALLY need to swap a Type-S motor? naahh.

The point here is we like working on the car and personalizing it. Go take a chill pill.