There are two big spark plugs manufacturers that can be found in today’s car market – Bosch and NGK. While both have pros and cons, there are still some similarities between NGK spark plugs and those from Bosch.
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NGK manufacturer
The NGK Company was established in 1936. It is a Japanese company that has produced spark plugs for cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and other vehicles since 1940.
NGK was built on three principles: quality, customer service, and product innovation. The company’s roots lie in Japan, first established as Nippon Gouka Kogyo Ltd., which translates to Japanese Fine Ceramics Industry Association Ltd.
In 1935, NGK became the first company to introduce laser welding, which is what allowed for the construction of reliable spark plugs made from ceramic. Today, NGK’s goal is to make sure every product meets its customers’ needs and expectations.
Bosch manufacturer
The Bosch Group was founded by Robert Bosch in 1886. The headquarters are located in Gerlingen, Germany. It is the world’s eighth-largest supplier of automotive components measured by 2011 revenues.
Bosch is an industry leader, providing original equipment parts to some of the world’s largest car manufacturers like BMW, Ford, Toyota, etc. Bosch manufactures spark plugs with chromium-plated iridium electrodes, which are one of the most durable ones available on the market today.
NGK and Bosch are the market leaders in spark plugs, with a strong presence around the world. They both have a wide range of products that provide excellent performances with their products.
However, there are some differences between their types of spark plugs, which can make one stand out from another. This article will compare NGK vs. Bosch spark plugs to see the differences, both undergo strict quality control measures during production.
Differences between NGK and Bosch spark plugs
Spark plugs from Bosch provide slightly better ignitability and combustion, caused by improved thermal transfer between electrodes and engine cylinder, and thus more power and better fuel economy.
The prices of spark plugs from both NGK and Bosch are very close, but, as an advantage, Bosch has patented double-electrode technology and high-quality materials that provide excellent performance and durability for the spark plugs.
A distinctive feature of Bosch spark plugs (Super) is that their central electrode is made of copper and coated with an alloy of chromium and nickel. It protects the surface from corrosion, makes it resistant to high temperatures, and also increases the service life.
In other spark plugs products from Bosch (Super Plus), the center electrode is made of alloy steel with nickel plating. This combination also protects the plug from corrosion, improves performance, and extends plug life.
Bosch produces other types of spark plugs (Super Plus 4) with the presence of four side electrodes coated with silver. This not only increases performance but also increases the spark power by 60%.
In Bosch Platinum plugs, the central electrode is made of platinum, therefore, its resource is much higher than stock ones from 60000 km (37000 miles) or more, depending on additional factors. Also, these spark plugs work great even in very low-temperature conditions
In addition to their long lifespan and high durability, Bosch spark plugs offer excellent performance in colder weather conditions as well and are consistent starting at all speeds. They also have an anti-fouling design that reduces current leakage by up to 50%.
NGK spark plugs are more expensive than Bosch’s spark plugs, but their quality is outstanding. They offer excellent performance and perform better in colder weather conditions.
The company uses strict quality control measures during production, so every product goes through this process before being released on the market.
Moreover, NGK manufactures its products using advanced technology to ensure the highest quality standards. That is why some car manufacturers provide OEM spark plugs made by NGK.
Their exceptional design provides superior ignitability and combustion, providing more power and better fuel economy. A great feature of NGK spark plugs is high-quality insulator ceramics.
The most popular line of this company, especially for European countries, is V-Line. It currently includes 45 types of spark plugs, including platinum and double platinum.
A distinctive feature of the spark plugs is the presence of a V-shaped notch of the central electrode, 22 of the mentioned types have it. This cutout optimizes fuel combustion.
These spark plugs are unique for their electrode, which is made of copper for better heat dissipation. The V-shaped notch contributes to the distribution of the potential at the ends.
The heat-dissipating effect is enhanced by a special heat-resistant shell. The nomenclature list of products also includes the following types of plugs:
- With one electrode – best suited for many modern cars;
- Multi-electrode – they are characterized by increased stability and reliability;
- NGK iridium spark plugs – the resource of these products is twice as long as conventional ones;
- NGK LPG LaserLine devices are designed for LPG-powered cars.
Benefits when chosing between Bosch and NGK spark plugs
The most significant benefit of Bosch Aero Twin Plugs is that they can be installed in any cylinder configuration. They feature power tip electrodes with an increased heat range to provide greater ignitability and longer life, especially in extreme conditions.
In addition, Bosch also claims to have invented spiral wound technology which reduces the potential for misfires caused by fouling while optimizing engine output throughout the life cycle of the spark plug.
On the other hand, the most significant benefit of NGK Iridium IX is that they provide exceptional ignitability, even at very high speeds. They also feature the unique quad-electrode technology, ensuring better fuel economy and more power through increased energy transfer efficiency.
The iridium center electrode tip provides lower voltage requirements and extended service life. Moreover, these spark plugs are available in different heat ranges for easy installation according to your engine’s specifications.
Another difference between NGK and Bosch spark plugs is the double-electrode technology which allows NGK Spark Plugs to have hotter, sharper sparks that are 25% more powerful than standard platinum spark plugs.
Conclusion
NGK makes great replacement spark plugs for your car. They are some of the best quality you can find on the market today. Their spark plugs have better starting in colder weather conditions, longer lifespan, high durability. Also, NGK provides OEM spark plugs for a lot of car manufacturers.
Bosch also has a long lifespan, excellent performance in colder weather conditions, plus a superior design that provides better ignitability and combustion, which results in increased power and fuel economy.
You should take into account the price difference before making up your mind which manufacturer to choose. Both their top-quality spark plugs have different prices.
