k, guys here's the scenario: I recently put the NGK iridium 1 step cooler plugs in, and I didn't even bother to check the gap on them bc most ppl suggested not re gapping for fear that the tips would break on them.......long story short, my car has seemed to have gotten slower with its acceleration........I read tonight that most ppl are switching back to stock plugs and actually are having better results...here's the link: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...t=91300&page=3
my questions are: Should I go back to stock plugs or should I take the NGK's out and re gap them to a smaller gap then w/e they came at? I run a GM Stage 2 with 2.85" pulley and on cobalt-addiction's site they say gap them at .40; my other question is; what gap do these plugs come gapped at before you've gapped them? (I assumed .45 since that's the stock recommended LSJ gap).....Should I go gap them at .40? smaller? or stock plugs?

bump....

 

I am in the same boat as you, as you can see from the link you posted above. I am going to put my stockers back in tomorrow and gap them around .037. And go from there.

 

whoever said not to gap them because you'll break the tips doesn't know what they're talking about, and don't take advice from them anymore. modern spark plugs are pretty sturdy, and unless you get a defective one, you'll be fine. when i changed my gf's plugs, to get the right gap i took the plug and slammed it on the ground to make it tighter.

but if you're noticing a loss in performance, it's the gap, not the plugs. mess with the gap a little bit and you'll get it right.

 

Good adivce, I noticed my BKR7E's seemed sturdy, I have them gapped at .038 right now and if I keep them in I will gap them down to .034ish.

 

the recommended stock gap is garbage. do not gap any plugs for these cars over .040

you should not notice any difference in performance when switching to a cooler plug. if anything it should run just a bit smoother with a brand new clean plug.

pull them and check the gap. they should be around .037 or .038 for your mods. just be careful not to break the ceramic/iridium in the center. only move the ground prong.

 

This is right off ZZP's website: Iridium plugs cannot be gapped. The tip is too delicate for the gap to be changed. They come setup for high boost applications.

Here's the link:
http://www.zzperformance.com/cobalt_...=490&catid=143

I do agree that they can be gapped though, just have to be careful...I have broken the tips of iridium plugs before.......

k, I'll try .38 tomorrow........I'm thinking that the gap is too big...but anyone want to chime in about the ppl that think the stock NGK's are better?

bump

 

I regapped my NGK iridiums to .035 for boost. No problem.

 

yeah i'll chime in about the stock plugs. IMO platinums have no business a modded ss/sc. i ran stock plugs with gm stage 2 for a while and when i pulled them to put the colder ones in, they were chipped, had discolored ceramic around the electrode. looked like they had seen some stupid cylinder temps.

 

Something could be wrong there...whenever i pulled my stock plugs to go to copper the stock ones looked fine.

 

I just put colder iridiums in my stage 2 and i'm getting better acceleration, they worked good for me.

 

I broke 1 iridium NGK plug also. What should I use to gap them with. They are gapped at about .025. I am afraid to break another one.

 

Run a stage colder copper. You have a boosted car you should run copper plugs.

 

I wouldn't use the iridiums they actually retain the heat too well!

USE COPPER PLUGS....

NGK BKR7E's I have them gapped at .036" runs like a champ! And they only cost about 5 bucks a set!


BINGO YAHTZEE I'm glad someone knows what they are talking about!

 

Come on now I used to own a highly boosted balt. I should know

 

Yeppers...

 

Yes you can gap the iridium plugs. Make sure you get a gapping tool that has a hook looking device on it so you never touch the center electrode. If you put any pressure on the center electrode you will break it.

I would never run spark plugs in my car without checking the gap first and regapping if necessary. Even if it says the plugs are "factory pre-gapped" they can be wrong.

A word of advice to those using the iridium plugs - Instead of getting the BKR7EIX which is gapped at .030" you can get the BKR7EIX-11 which is gapped at .044"; it is always easier to gap down then up.

They also make the BKR6EIX-11.

I have been running iridiums in my car since I first got stage 2 and I have never had anything but good luck with them. They do by design retain more heat, but since the electrode is so small it actually cools better then the platinum plugs. Of course if I was going to use the car for nothing but racing I would go with copper plugs since they have the best thermal and elctrical conductivity.

 

k, thanks for the help guys...heading out there to change the gap in just a little bit.....lol, k I know I have the bkr7eix.....what are bkr7eix11's? Are they the 2 steps cooler? And, do you have a picture of the spark plug gapper you are talking about; the one is own is the cheap one thats round like a coin.........

 

You guys are wasting your money on those plugs. Copper is a lot cheaper and is actually recommended for higher boost.

 

X a billion

Stick with copper and spend your money on something else.

 

THere is a reason the highly boosted Hondas and such are running these plugs!

BECAUSE THEY WORK!

 

So the 50+ years of guys running copper plugs in high horsepower engines gets thrown out the window?

 

M-Dub knows copper are better.

 

The BKR7EIX-11 is the same as the BKR7EIX except the gap is different. The BKR7EIX is gapped at .030 the BKR7EIX is gapped at .044. Since I find it easier to close a gap then to open it, I like the BKR7EIX-11 better.

Spark plug gapping tool:



As has been stated before, if you like to change your spark plugs every oil change, then copper plugs will work ok for you. Unless you are actually racing the car all the time I don't think copper is really the best option. Iridiums have such a small electrode that they cool very quickly, just about as quickly as copper plugs. And unless you are actually experiencing spark plug blowout, I don't think the small amount of electrical conductivity is going to make that much of a difference.

 

For the fifty plus years they were running copper they didnt have platinum or iridium plugs. Just food for thought. F1 engines use iridium and platinum plugs that seem to work fine at a cost of 35-50 per plug or about 500bucks for an engine!!!!!
I am still using my stock plugs w/ 2.9 and tune and running like a champ.

 

Usually change coppers between 10-15k miles.