I'm interested in spark plug recommendation for a stock '02 WRX wagon w/ 72K miles. OEM, equal or better. I understand that it's not so easy to R&R the plugs, but that with removal of airbox and washer fluid bottle it's a "moderate" job. Tips, tricks, that one may need based upon an engine bay that has not had this maintanence done yet.
NGK BKR6E. They are copper and cheap and are pretty much the best bang for your buck. If you HAVE to have platinum then BKR6EGP. Iridium are BKR6EIX. Make sure you have a spark plug socket (a socket with the little rubber grommet in there that holds the plug. The coil packs are kind of a pain to get on properly. Make sure that the rubber boots that slip on the plugs are properly seated before tightening down the coil pack. A good way to help do this right is to put a good measure of dielectric grease on the end of the spark plug (not the firing end. The end that goes in the rubber plug) before putting it into the engine and then putting a little bit on the inside of the rubber tube attached to the coil pack. Also, put some anti-seize compound on the threads of the plug before you put it in. Avoid getting any up near the actual firing side but a little bit of anti-seize will make it MUCH easier the next time you change plugs. It will also make it that much less possible that you have a plug (or bits of a plug) stuck in your engine. Things you'll want to have: 1. Dielectric grease (Checker/Napa etc.) 2. Anti-Seize compound (same place) 3. Spark plugs (NGK BKR6E, BKR6EGP, BKR6EIX) available through sparkplugs.com 4. A flex head ratchet (the smaller the better. 1/4" drive is nice but you'll probably need a 3/8" drive to get the plug out) 5. 6" extension on the ratchet. You may need a 6" and another smaller extension to do it right 6. Little Asian hands 7. 5/8" Spark plug socket You can do this without a flex head ratchet but... it's SO worth the money. edit: Also the stock plugs are NGK PFR6G. You can also get those at sparkplugs.com or at Subaru.
