Beware! Fake Spark Plugs Are Everywhere

FullStop · Postby **FullStop** » January 17th, 2015, 9:33 pm

Recently, I purchased three sets of spark plugs. It was part of a couple experiments, one comparing skybox companies and another to compare spark plug performance.

I was concerned about the flooding of our local market with knockoffs, so I ordered a set of Denso Iridium power spark plugs from ebay. Next, I ordered 2 sets from amazon and shipped them using Prime to my two skybox addresses. Both skyboxes notified me of delivery to miami and two days later one set was ready for pickup at piarco, along with the set from ebay.(scratch one skybox...item still not delivered,4 days after I received the set from the competing service).

The set from amazon, on opening the box was poorly packaged and two of the individual boxes were empty, I returned it to the skybox service and they opened a claim(friendly service). I have to mention though, it slipped me to take pictures. The set of plugs from amazon were clearly knockoffs.

Denso Iridium power plugs have a goldish coloured top contact, the set from amazon were highly discoloured and the writing on the plug was partially faded.

The set from ebay was spot on and appear to be genuine; good prints, construction, uniform colour etc.

Still awaiting a set of plugs from amazon, hopefully they wont be fakes... The goal of this post is to give some info on spotting fake spark plugs.

FullStop · Postby **FullStop** » January 17th, 2015, 9:34 pm

Denso Iridium Power:
Genuine Plug has:
gold coloured top contact
consistent prints
single plug box is printed with the plug number inside, not stickered.

FullStop · Postby **FullStop** » January 17th, 2015, 9:46 pm

NGK V-Power
Genuine Plug has:
Highly torqued top contact
Tight fitting base washer(where applicable)
Number engraved on the hex section

DVSTT · Postby **DVSTT** » January 17th, 2015, 9:57 pm

Good stuff. Thanks bro

purple_heart77 · Postby **purple_heart77** » January 17th, 2015, 10:03 pm

Thanks for the info.

FullStop · Postby **FullStop** » January 17th, 2015, 10:06 pm

will update info as I continue to research these knockoffs.

Morpheus · Postby **Morpheus** » January 17th, 2015, 10:27 pm

Thanks man...

dreadman · Postby **dreadman** » January 19th, 2015, 8:59 am

D denso plugs from Japan an USA

Sundar · Postby **Sundar** » January 19th, 2015, 10:19 am

recommend as a sticky?

vtec-ghost · Postby **vtec-ghost** » January 24th, 2015, 5:46 pm

I took out my IK16 to see what they look like. They hav the silver tip not gold colored. The writing says assembled in USA with parts from Japan and USA. Any info?

eel7 · Postby **eel7** » January 25th, 2015, 12:07 am

Great thread!

cdx2k1 · Postby **cdx2k1** » January 25th, 2015, 8:12 pm

These people are faking anything nowadays..even medicine...these fellas making more money selling fake products than selling drugs..think about that for a second

If its too good to be true/too cheap...it probabaly is/isn't the real deal

DVSTT · Postby **DVSTT** » January 25th, 2015, 8:14 pm

cdx2k1 wrote:these fellas making more money selling fake products than selling drugs..think about that for a second

Not really

allrotor · Postby **allrotor** » January 26th, 2015, 1:23 pm

Great info.

de_dougla_smurf · Postby **de_dougla_smurf** » January 26th, 2015, 1:27 pm

Good info OP. Thx

THE SYNDICATE · Postby **THE SYNDICATE** » February 3rd, 2015, 6:23 am

good work!

Hyper V Racing · Postby **Hyper V Racing** » August 6th, 2016, 10:08 am

These are sloppy knock offs shown in the pics
They are the lower end ones. They have got a lot better now.
The densos for one is completely identical as of 2009. The ones that shown noticeable differences now are old stock.
You cannot buy from ebay or amazon. Buy from a reputable company like summit racing folks!
I buy from Motovicity.com...no crap here