Heat Range

The term Heat Range refers to the speed with which a plug can transfer heat from
the combustion chamber to the engine head. Whether the plug is to be installed in
a boat, lawnmower or race car, it has been found the optimum combustion
chamber temperature for gasoline engines is between 500°C–850°C. Within that
range it is cool enough to avoid pre-ignition and plug tip overheating (which can
cause engine damage), while still hot enough to burn off combustion deposits that
cause fouling.

The spark plug design determines its ability to remove heat from the combustion
chamber. The primary method used to do this is by altering the internal length of
the core nose. In addition, the alloy compositions in the electrodes can be
changed. This means you may not be able to visually tell a difference between
heat ranges.

- When a spark plug is referred to as a “cold plug”, it is one that transfers heat
rapidly from the firing tip into the engine head, keeping the firing tip cooler.
 - A “hot plug” has a much slower rate of heat transfer, which keeps the firing tip
hotter.

An unaltered engine will run within the optimum operating range straight from the
manufacturer, but if you make modifications such as adding a turbo or
supercharger, increasing compression, timing changes, use of alternate fuels, or
sustained use of nitrous oxide, these can alter the plug tip temperature,
necessitating a colder plug.

A good rule of thumb: use one heat range colder for every 75–100hp added.

In identical spark plug types, the difference from one full heat range to the next is
the ability to remove 70°C to 100°C from the combustion chamber.

The heat range numbering system used by spark plug manufacturers is not
universal.

For example, a 10 heat range in Champion is not the same as a 10 heat range in
NGK nor the same in Autolite.
Some manufacturers numbering systems are opposite the other - for Champion,
Autolite and Bosch, the higher the number, the hotter the plug. For NGK, Denso
and Pulstar, the higher the number, the colder the plug.

It is not recommended that you make spark plug changes at the same time as
another engine modification, such as injection, carburetion or timing
changes. Performing too many modifications or tune-ups at once will lead to
misleading and inaccurate conclusions if any issues occur (an exception would be
when the alternate plugs came as part of a single pre-calibrated upgrade kit).

When making spark plug heat range changes, it is better to err on the side of too
cold a plug. Running too cold a plug can only cause it to foul out, whereas running
too hot a plug can cause severe engine damage.

How Do I Find a Colder or Hotter Plug?

November 8, 2011
Typically, the Heat Range is indicated within the manufacturer's part number for each plug.
Examples have been provided below for some of the brands we supply. Once you have
decided on a number, test to see if it exists by typing it into the search box. If it exists, you
can add the part to your cart. For additional assistance contact our tech team at 888-800-
9629.

Autolite:

Autolite indicates the Heat Range with the last digit of the part number. For example, 3923
has a Heat Range of 3. The higher the number, the hotter the plug. The lower the number,
the colder the plug.

For example, starting with part # 24 (Heat Range 4), If you want a colder plug you would
use part # 23 (Heat Range 3), for a hotter plug you would use part # 25 (Heat Range 5).

Bosch:

Bosch indicates the Heat Range in the middle of the plug number. For example, FR6DC+
has a Heat Range of 6. Bosch plugs get hotter the higher the number, colder the lower the
number.

Starting with part # FR6DC+ (Heat Range 6), a colder plug would be # FR5DC+ (Heat Range
5), a hotter plug would be # FR7DC+ (Heat Range 7).

Champion:

Champion indicates the heat range in the middle of the plug number. For example,
RV15YC6 has a heat range of 15. (The 6 at the end of this part indicates the Gap setting.)
Champion plugs are hotter the higher the number, colder the lower the number.

Starting with part # RCJ7Y (Heat Range 7), a colder plug would be # RCJ6Y (heat range 6),
a hotter plug would be # RCJ8Y (Heat Range 8).

Denso:

Denso indicates the heat range in the middle of the plug number. For example, SK20PR-
A11 has a heat range of 20. The number at the end of the part indicates the Gap.

Denso Iridium Power plugs feature the Heat Range at the end of the part number. For
example, IK20 has a Heat Range of 20. Denso plugs get colder the higher the number, hotter
the lower the number. Starting with part # IK20 (Heat Range 20), a colder plug would be #
IK22, a hotter plug would be # IK16.

NGK:

NGK indicates the heat range in the middle of the plug number. For example, BCPR6ES-11
has a heat range of 6. (The number after the “-“is the Gap.) NGK plugs are colder the higher
the number, hotter the lower the number.

Starting with part # BKR6E-11 (Heat Range 6), a colder plug would # BKR7E-11 (Heat
Range 7), a hotter plug would be # BKR5E-11 (Heat Range 5).

EXCEPTION: NGK Racing Plugs: (Any NGK plug that begins with the letter “R”)

For NGK Racing Plugs, the Heat Range is located AFTER the hyphen.

Example: R5671A-10 has a Heat Range of 10. A colder plug would be # R5671A-11 (Heat
Range 11), a hotter plug would be # R5671A-9 (Heat Range 9).

Some NGK Racing Plugs are also available in half heat ranges. These are displayed as a 2
or 3 digit number after the hyphen. For example, R6120-85 has a 8.5 Heat Range and R6120-
105 has a 10.5 Heat Range.

Pulstar:

Pulstar indicates the Heat Range by the number "1" or "2" in the plug number.
•Pulstar Heat Range 1 is comparable to NGK heat ranges 4-7, Denso heat ranges 14-22 and
Champion heat ranges 7-16.
•Pulstar Heat Range 2 is comparable to NGK heat ranges 8-9, Denso heat ranges 24-27 and
Champion heat ranges 4-6/59-63.

At this time the colder Pulstar Heat Range 2 is only available in 2 racing plug designs, BE-
2rT and HE-2rT.