When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I like them, they have performed very well for me, and are not as expensive as some are making them out to be, YES, Denso's are 15 each, I pay $4 for NGKs that are in my other 2 rides.
My point is there are NGK iridium plugs out there that are $15 a pop or more. I agree you have to shop around and shop smart, but I personally won't pay that much for spark plugs. Each to his own.
there's more to the plug issue than just firing.
the spark plus have to exhibit many things.
1. conductivity
2. resistivity
3. corrosion resistance
4. wear resistance
5. radio supression
6. heat transfer
7. insulating ability
8. durability
9.conformability.
I would imagine that spark plug manufacturers are always in communication with the oem's representatives, and getting special prototype plugs made to be adaptable with new engine designs for testing.
Iridium might be the end result of a pre-released prototype run in the manufacturer's test engines.