Category: Maintenance

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K20C Spark Plug Guide

k20c1 civic type R

The Honda K20C engine can be found in a wide range of vehicles from the new Civic Type R using the K20c1 to the Accord using the K20c3. This Turbo K series engine has replaced the NA K20/K24a port injection engines. The new K20c family or engines uses a single exhaust port (common for modern turbo engines to keep production cost down) and direct injection (key to ensure the lowest possible emissions). The K20c engines have only been on the market since 2015 but have already proven to pack huge power potential supporting over 500HP on the stock engine with upgraded turbo and fuel system.

K20c Spark Plugs

Whether you are running a bone stock K20c or a fully built big turbo K20c1 Civic Type R ensuring you have the correct spark plugs for your engine is key to reliable performance. Luckily the NGK spark plug linked above is the only k20c spark plug you will need. From stock power commuter cars to full blown race cars the NGK ILZKAR8H8S plugs are perfect for any k20c engine up to 800WHP. With the high boost pressures used in the K20c engines it is very common to experience spark blow out. This is when the spark plugs are un able to create an ark/spark and results in misfires. A misfiring engine will not only be WAY down on power it will also consume more fuel and potentially damage other engine parts. Luckily you are able to avoid all of these problems simply by staying on top of your spark plug maintenance, AKA change your plugs! While Honda suggests the K20C spark plugs only need to be changed every 90K miles we have found any K20C that is driven hard (stock or modified) will need the plugs changed every 10-20K miles in order to avoid the dreaded spark blow out problems.

k20c accord turbo

K20c Spark Plug Installation Torque Specs & Plug Gap

-K20C1 & K20C4 Plug gap (factory setting) 0.7－0.8 mm (0.028－0.031″)
-Torque Specs for Aluminum cylinder head: 10.8-14.5 lb. ft.
-For high boost applications you may gap your spark plugs down as tight as 0.5mm If you are still experiencing spark blow out at this tight of a gap you will need to upgrade your ignition coils.

Those working with the older K20a or K24a engines can check out our K20/24a specific spark plug guide for the full breakdown of the correct NGK spark plugs to use in your K series build from 200HP to 1500WHP we have the sparkplugs your K series needs: K24 Spark Plug Guide

K20a/K24a VS K20c

Below you can see a picture of the exhaust ports on the K24a and K20C engines. As you will notice the K24a uses 4 exhaust ports (1 port per cylinder) while the K20C uses a single exhaust port for all 4 cylinders. While both designs work well the single port K20C offers a super simple and cost effective way to add a turbo to the engine. The K24a can also be turbo’d but requires a turbo manifold to merge the 4 ports into 1 at the turbo inlet.
The only downside to the K20c single exhaust port design becomes apparent as you start to push power past the 450hp mark. While the engine will support 800+HP anything above ~450 starts to add a TON of back pressure and heat to the exhaust side of the engine. This puts extra stress on everything and must accounted for when tuning any K20c making over 400whp. If you are looking to make BIG power (over 500whp) on a turbo K series with the best reliability possible we suggest using the K24a RBB1-4 as your base, (the 3 lobe cam K24). If you are looking for a super clean and simple Turbo K series option the K20C is absolutely perfect!

k24a vs k20c exhaust ports
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Turbo Civic SI Spark Plugs L15

turbo civic SI L15

Starting in 2016 (US market) the Honda Civic was released with a new Turbo engine options. The L15b7 Honda engines are direct injection and turbocharged making them extremely efficient while producing GREAT power with only a few basic mods and ECU tuning. Whether you have a bone stock Civic SI or fully built L15B7 race engine ensuring you are using the correct spark plugs is key to making reliable power. In a rush to get your new spark plugs? No need to read any further here is the link to the exact NGK Iridium laser spark plugs needed for the 1.5 turbo Civic L15 engines 2016+ NGK ILZKAR8H8S

l15b turbo honda
L15B 1.5L turbo Honda Engine used in Accord, Civic, CRV and others

For any L15B 1.5L Turbo engine (pictured above) we always recommend NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs. The exact part number needed for either engine is NGK ILZKAR8H8S and we keep these plugs in stock ready to ship! This is the exact spark plug to use in your L15b or K20c whether you have a stock car or a 600HP race car these are the plugs to use.

civic SI turbo 2dr l15b

The NGK iridium spark plugs come pre-gapped to 0.030″ which is perfect for the turbo L15B or K20c engine. If you experience spark blow out with a fresh set of spark plugs gapped to 0.030″ its a sign your ignition coils have reached their limitations and using a larger coil for a hotter/more powerful spark is needed. (this in normally only on cars running 28psi and above). You may also apply a tiny dot of anti-seize on the threads of your plugs (very small amount) and dielectric grease in the boot of the ignition coil before installing the coils onto the plugs. The dielectric grease makes for easy removal of the ignition coil next time and helps prevent the coil boot from getting damaged/torn.

Fixing spark blow out on L15B

If you don’t remember the last time you changed your spark plugs start with a fresh pair of plugs as that is cause of spark blow out 90% of the time. Stock car or modified you need to ensure your spark plugs are in good condition or engine performance will suffer badly. While Honda gives outrageously long service intervals for the spark plugs we find if you running the engine hard changing the plugs every 10,000 miles plays a huge roll in preventing spark blow out and misfires. Any high power Turbo Civic with the L15b series engine makes its power through high cylinder pressures and great airflow through the cylinder head. The high cylinder pressures put the spark plug and ignition coil to the test. As spark plugs age and wear out the resistance increases this increased resistance combined with high cylinder pressures results in “spark blow out”. Spark blow out is a situation where the spark fails to arc from the spark plug’s electrode to the grounding strap causing a misfire and loss of power. Running NGK iridium plugs helps to ensure your engine will not suffer from spark blow out even under high boost high cylinder pressure situations. NGK iridium plugs have proven to last longer and perform better than any other spark plug option on the market both on and off the race track.

OEM Honda L15b & K20c Spark Plug Gap specs:

-L15B 1.5T Si Plug gap (factory setting) 0.70－0.75 mm (0.0276－0.0295″) **the SI runs higher boost than non SI l15b from the factory which is why they use a slightly smaller plug gap.
-L15B 1.5T Non-Si Plug gap (factory setting) 0.7－0.8 mm (0.028－0.031″)
-K20C1 & K20C4 Plug gap (factory setting) 0.7－0.8 mm (0.028－0.031″)
-Torque Specs for Aluminum cylinder head: 10.8-14.5 lb. ft.
-For high boost applications you may gap your spark plugs down as tight as 0.5mm If you are still experiencing spark blow out at this tight of a gap you will need to upgrade your ignition coils.

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Turbo Honda Accord Spark Plugs 2018+

turbo honda accord spark plugs

Starting in 2018 (US market) the Honda Accord was released with 2 new Turbo engine options. The K20c4 and the L15b. Both these Honda engines are direct injection and turbocharged making them extremely efficient while producing GREAT power with only a few basic mods and ECU tuning. Whether you have a bone stock Accord with the L15b or a modified/tuned Accord with the K20c4 ensuring you are using the correct spark plugs is key to making reliable power. In a rush to get your new spark plugs? No need to read any further here is the link to the exact NGK Iridium laser spark plugs needed for the 1.5 turbo or 2.0 turbo Accord 2018+ NGK ILZKAR8H8S

l15b turbo honda
L15B 1.5L turbo Honda Engine used in Accord, Civic, CRV and others

For those with the L15B 1.5L Turbo Accord (pictured above) or the K20c4 turbo engine (pictured below), we always recommend NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs. The exact part number needed for either engine is NGK ILZKAR8H8S and we keep these plugs in stock ready to ship! This is the exact spark plug to use in your L15b or K20c whether you have a stock car or a 600HP race car these are the plugs to use.

k20c accord turbo
K20C4 2.0L Turbo Honda Accord Engine

The NGK iridium spark plugs come pre-gapped to 0.030″ which is perfect for the turbo L15B or K20c engine. If you experience spark blow out with a fresh set of spark plugs gapped to 0.030″ its a sign your ignition coils have reached their limitations and using a larger coil for a hotter/more powerful spark is needed. (this in normally only on cars running 28psi and above). You may also apply a tiny dot of anti-seize on the threads of your plugs (very small amount) and dielectric grease in the boot of the ignition coil before installing the coils onto the plugs. The dielectric grease makes for easy removal of the ignition coil next time and helps prevent the coil boot from getting damaged/torn.

Fixing spark blow out:

If you don’t remember the last time you changed your spark plugs start with a fresh pair of plugs as that is cause of spark blow out 90% of the time. Stock car or modified you need to ensure your spark plugs are in good condition or engine performance will suffer badly. Any high power Turbo Accord with the L15b or K20c series engine makes its power through high cylinder pressures and great airflow through the cylinder head. The high cylinder pressures put the spark plug and ignition coil to the test. As spark plugs age and wear out the resistance increases this increased resistance combined with high cylinder pressures results in “spark blow out”. Spark blow out is a situation where the spark fails to arc from the spark plug’s electrode to the grounding strap causing a misfire and loss of power. Running NGK iridium plugs helps to ensure your engine will not suffer from spark blow out even under high boost high cylinder pressure situations. NGK iridium plugs have proven to last longer and perform better than any other spark plug option on the market both on and off the race track.

OEM Honda L15b & K20c Spark Plug Gap specs:

-L15B 1.5T Si Plug gap (factory setting) 0.70－0.75 mm (0.0276－0.0295″) **the SI runs higher boost than non SI l15b from the factory which is why they use a slightly smaller plug gap.
-L15B 1.5T Non-Si Plug gap (factory setting) 0.7－0.8 mm (0.028－0.031″)
–K20C1 & K20C4 Plug gap (factory setting) 0.7－0.8 mm (0.028－0.031″)
-Torque Specs for Aluminum cylinder head: 10.8-14.5 lb. ft.
-For high boost applications you may gap your spark plugs down as tight as 0.5mm If you are still experiencing spark blow out at this tight of a gap you will need to upgrade your ignition coils.

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Best Steering Wheel Cleaners 2023

cleaning steering wheel with a cloth

Maintaining a clean steering wheel is important for several reasons. Firstly, a dirty steering wheel looks and feels like crap in your hands not to mention it can harbor bacteria and other germs, which can be transferred to your hands and face, potentially leading to illness. Additionally, a clean steering wheel can improve the overall appearance of your vehicle, making it look newer and more well-maintained. Regularly cleaning your steering wheel can help to ensure that your driving environment stays fresh, clean, safe, healthy, and comfortable.

Best steering wheel cleaners

When it comes to cleaning your steering wheel, there are several products that can effectively remove dirt and grime. One popular option is Chemical Guys Citrus cleaner (linked below) which is a specialized product designed specifically for cleaning both interior and exterior car surfaces. This is our favorite steering wheel cleaner as it cuts through the grease/dirt and grime quickly leaving a fresh clean surface. For a more budget-friendly option, you can also try mixing warm water and dish soap to create a DIY steering wheel cleaner, window cleaner also works well in a pinch. This mixture can be applied with a soft cloth and then rinsed off with a damp cloth/dried with a micro fiber.

These are several products that can effectively clean your steering wheel:

  1. Chemical Guys Citrus cleaner, this type of cleaner can be used on a variety of interior car surfaces, including the steering wheel with great results. The citrus cleaner cuts through the dirt/grease/grim from years of dirty hands and leaves you with a nice clean fresh surface.
  2. A mixture of warm water and dish soap. This can be applied with a soft cloth and then rinsed off with a damp cloth.
  3. Chemical Guys Leather Care, if you have a leather steering wheel it is important you not only keep it clean but treat the leather to prevent any cracking/drying out.

How to use steering wheel cleaners

Regardless of the product you choose, it’s important to follow a few simple steps to ensure that you get the best results. Firstly, it’s important to test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of the steering wheel before using it on the entire surface. This will help to ensure that the cleaner won’t damage the steering wheel material or cause any other adverse effects.

Once you’ve tested the cleaner and confirmed that it’s safe to use, the next step is to apply it to the steering wheel using a soft cloth. Avoid using too much pressure, as this can damage the steering wheel material. Instead, gently rub the cleaner into the steering wheel, using circular motions to help lift dirt and grime.

When rinsing the cleaner off, it’s important to avoid using too much water. This can cause water to seep into the steering wheel and other interior components, potentially damaging them. Instead, use a damp cloth to gently remove the cleaner and any remaining dirt or grime. Once you’ve thoroughly rinsed the steering wheel, allow it to air dry before using it again.

Wrapping things up

Keeping your steering wheel clean is an important part of maintaining any vehicles interior appearance and safe, healthy, comfortable driving environment. The products listed above are just an example of our top used cleaners if you have a personal favorite you would like to share please comment below. Most importantly when using any new steering wheel cleaner, it’s important to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure the cleaner does not damage your wheel in any way. By regularly cleaning your steering wheel, you can improve your driving experience, reduce the spread of bacteria and other germs, and maintain the overall clean interior you and your vehicle deserve.

Chemical Guys All Clean+ Citrus Base All Purpose Cleaner - 16oz (P6)

Chemical Guys All Clean+ Citrus Base All Purpose Cleaner – 16oz (P6)

Chemical Guys All Clean+ Citrus based cleaner is perfect for any surface in or on your car. From interior seats and carpet to a greasy engine bay, Chemical Guys citrus based cleaner will get your ride clean inside and out while smelling fresh AF. Pack of 6 bottles, 6x16oz=96oz.

Original price was: $71.94.Current price is: $57.00.
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NRG Reinforced Steering Wheel (350mm / 3in. Deep) Blk Leather w/Blk Spoke & Circle Cutouts

NRG Reinforced Steering Wheel (350mm / 3in. Deep) Blk Leather w/Blk Spoke & Circle Cutouts

NRG deep dish leather wrapped steering wheel not only looks amazing it performs and feels just as good in your hands on or off the race track. Reinforced Aluminum frame with a nice 3″ dish and supple leather grip make this one of our most popular NRG steering wheels.

Original price was: $134.00.Current price is: $129.00.
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