Spark Plugs and Gap
09-14-2007, 09:57 AM
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Spark Plugs and Gap
I'm going with 2.8, ported blower, 60 lb. injectors, airbox mod, dual outlet exhaust. I've looked up posts on ZEX and NGK, and I think I want to go with NGK 1 step colder.
With the NGK 1 step colder, which gap should I make them with my mods?
With the NGK 1 step colder, which gap should I make them with my mods?
09-14-2007, 10:04 AM
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The general consensus is between .040 and .035. I've heard of one person going as low as .030 though.
Changing the spark plugs isn't all that hard, and you should try out a few different gaps to see what the car likes best.
Changing the spark plugs isn't all that hard, and you should try out a few different gaps to see what the car likes best.
09-14-2007, 10:07 AM
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I'm sorry, what are BRK7e's? Are those NGKs and can I order through you? (I'm sure I can)
And, oh, I know they're easy to gap, just not sure what number to settle on.
Hell, while I'm at it, any idea where I can get the spark plugs, Stage 2 belt, and 60 lb. injectors w/ harness at one place for cheap?
And, oh, I know they're easy to gap, just not sure what number to settle on.
Hell, while I'm at it, any idea where I can get the spark plugs, Stage 2 belt, and 60 lb. injectors w/ harness at one place for cheap?
09-14-2007, 10:20 AM
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BKR7E's are the NGK 1 step colder. I picked mine up at Summit Racing because it's on my way home. I belive NAPA also carries them, as do some of the supporting vendors.
The stage 2 belt you can get from www.crateenginedepot.com for fairly cheep, get another super charger gasket as well just incase you screw up the old one trying to change the pulley. I got my injectors/harness from ZZP (I also have another set on order from Rebel but that's a long story). The price on them wasn't quite the best, but once you factor in shipping (I added them to an already fairly large order so they didn't make much of a difference on the shipping price) they were very competetive on price. ZZP I belive also sells the NGK's, and they have fairly quick shipping (takes 2 days from when I order untill my parts get here from them
). Crate Engine Depot has fairly fast shipping too, took about 3 days to get my parts from them, and they have about the best prices your going to find on GM parts.
The stage 2 belt you can get from www.crateenginedepot.com for fairly cheep, get another super charger gasket as well just incase you screw up the old one trying to change the pulley. I got my injectors/harness from ZZP (I also have another set on order from Rebel but that's a long story). The price on them wasn't quite the best, but once you factor in shipping (I added them to an already fairly large order so they didn't make much of a difference on the shipping price) they were very competetive on price. ZZP I belive also sells the NGK's, and they have fairly quick shipping (takes 2 days from when I order untill my parts get here from them
). Crate Engine Depot has fairly fast shipping too, took about 3 days to get my parts from them, and they have about the best prices your going to find on GM parts.
09-14-2007, 10:25 AM
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09-14-2007, 10:30 AM
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Alright, I'll probably shop around and get the belt from CED and the plugs, injectors, and harness from ZZP.
Also, I'll probably have to speak to my tuner and the gentleman helping with the install on my gapping. Actually, I think he recommended me to go ZEX, but I've read a few bad posts on them, so I'll stick with the NGKs.
Also, I'll probably have to speak to my tuner and the gentleman helping with the install on my gapping. Actually, I think he recommended me to go ZEX, but I've read a few bad posts on them, so I'll stick with the NGKs.
09-14-2007, 10:35 AM
#10
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ngks have never let me down.
i boost around 18-19 psi in cooler conditions.
around 16 to 17 in the humidity.
went through a few plugs just playin with gapping but they were fully intact everytime we looked at them.
i boost around 18-19 psi in cooler conditions.
around 16 to 17 in the humidity.
went through a few plugs just playin with gapping but they were fully intact everytime we looked at them.
09-14-2007, 10:37 AM
#11
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do not ever just install plugs with a gap that you were told to use.
spark plug gap is an individual thing dependant on alot of factors.
What i suggest is taking a few hours out of a day, and doing this.
Remember 1 rule of thumb, you want the widest gap your ignition system can safely handle, without any negative effects on your engine, IE Missfires blowout etc.
ONLY GO SMALLER IF YOU HAVE TO!!
Stock gap is 0.40, so start there.
Take it for a drive, see how it feels. log with HPtuners if you can, or an interceptor.
beyond that just take notice of your idle, how it reacts under load at low rpm, how it feels at WOT at high rpm
then try 0.37
then try 0.35
then try 0.33
try at least 3 or 4 gaps, and really take note of how your car feels.
if you get to 0.35 and it felt better at 0.37, go back and use that.
if it feels sputtery at 0.35 go a bit smaller.
give your car what it likes. thats the best possible way to gap your plugs.
If it helps....there are SRT4 guys running alot more boost, and alot more power than we do, and i know lots of S3 guys using 0.35 gap.
hope this helps
spark plug gap is an individual thing dependant on alot of factors.
What i suggest is taking a few hours out of a day, and doing this.
Remember 1 rule of thumb, you want the widest gap your ignition system can safely handle, without any negative effects on your engine, IE Missfires blowout etc.
ONLY GO SMALLER IF YOU HAVE TO!!
Stock gap is 0.40, so start there.
Take it for a drive, see how it feels. log with HPtuners if you can, or an interceptor.
beyond that just take notice of your idle, how it reacts under load at low rpm, how it feels at WOT at high rpm
then try 0.37
then try 0.35
then try 0.33
try at least 3 or 4 gaps, and really take note of how your car feels.
if you get to 0.35 and it felt better at 0.37, go back and use that.
if it feels sputtery at 0.35 go a bit smaller.
give your car what it likes. thats the best possible way to gap your plugs.
If it helps....there are SRT4 guys running alot more boost, and alot more power than we do, and i know lots of S3 guys using 0.35 gap.
hope this helps
09-14-2007, 10:37 AM
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[QUOTE=Infernokron;1449322]BKR7E's are the NGK 1 step colder. I picked mine up at Summit Racing because it's on my way home. I belive NAPA also carries them, as do some of the supporting vendors.
lol, yeah I tried picking a set up at Napa and they said the only store that had them in stock was Grand Rapids, MI, lol so good luck with that...just order them from someone online like Infernokron said; Summit is great bc it'll arrive in no time at all.....
lol, yeah I tried picking a set up at Napa and they said the only store that had them in stock was Grand Rapids, MI, lol so good luck with that...just order them from someone online like Infernokron said; Summit is great bc it'll arrive in no time at all.....
09-14-2007, 10:44 AM
#13
Senior Member
do not ever just install plugs with a gap that you were told to use.
spark plug gap is an individual thing dependant on alot of factors.
What i suggest is taking a few hours out of a day, and doing this.
Remember 1 rule of thumb, you want the widest gap your ignition system can safely handle, without any negative effects on your engine, IE Missfires blowout etc.
ONLY GO SMALLER IF YOU HAVE TO!!
Stock gap is 0.40, so start there.
Take it for a drive, see how it feels. log with HPtuners if you can, or an interceptor.
beyond that just take notice of your idle, how it reacts under load at low rpm, how it feels at WOT at high rpm
then try 0.37
then try 0.35
then try 0.33
try at least 3 or 4 gaps, and really take note of how your car feels.
if you get to 0.35 and it felt better at 0.37, go back and use that.
if it feels sputtery at 0.35 go a bit smaller.
give your car what it likes. thats the best possible way to gap your plugs.
If it helps....there are SRT4 guys running alot more boost, and alot more power than we do, and i know lots of S3 guys using 0.35 gap.
hope this helps
spark plug gap is an individual thing dependant on alot of factors.
What i suggest is taking a few hours out of a day, and doing this.
Remember 1 rule of thumb, you want the widest gap your ignition system can safely handle, without any negative effects on your engine, IE Missfires blowout etc.
ONLY GO SMALLER IF YOU HAVE TO!!
Stock gap is 0.40, so start there.
Take it for a drive, see how it feels. log with HPtuners if you can, or an interceptor.
beyond that just take notice of your idle, how it reacts under load at low rpm, how it feels at WOT at high rpm
then try 0.37
then try 0.35
then try 0.33
try at least 3 or 4 gaps, and really take note of how your car feels.
if you get to 0.35 and it felt better at 0.37, go back and use that.
if it feels sputtery at 0.35 go a bit smaller.
give your car what it likes. thats the best possible way to gap your plugs.
If it helps....there are SRT4 guys running alot more boost, and alot more power than we do, and i know lots of S3 guys using 0.35 gap.
hope this helps
09-14-2007, 10:48 AM
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BKR7E's are the NGK 1 step colder. I picked mine up at Summit Racing because it's on my way home. I belive NAPA also carries them, as do some of the supporting vendors.
lol, yeah I tried picking a set up at Napa and they said the only store that had them in stock was Grand Rapids, MI, lol so good luck with that...just order them from someone online like Infernokron said; Summit is great bc it'll arrive in no time at all.....
lol, yeah I tried picking a set up at Napa and they said the only store that had them in stock was Grand Rapids, MI, lol so good luck with that...just order them from someone online like Infernokron said; Summit is great bc it'll arrive in no time at all.....
.
09-14-2007, 03:31 PM
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Well I just checked out ZZP's site and they only sell the iridium NGK plugs. Also, they note that you cannot gap these plugs, and also state that 2.8 and smaller should get 2 stages colder.
Where can I get the copper plugs, can I gap the coppers, and should I really get 2 stages cooler?
Where can I get the copper plugs, can I gap the coppers, and should I really get 2 stages cooler?
09-14-2007, 10:21 PM
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hey guys, im running a 2.8 and supporting mods listed below with ngk iridiums 2 steps colder wich can not be gapped i got them from zzp they reccomended them and i never have misses or blow out do you think i could benifit from somthing different... ohh just dyno'd car today and got 240.6hp at 6731 rpm and 218.7 at 4088rpm is that good for 2500altitude and 85 deg weather and 15lbs boost (i get 18.5 at sea level) im new to this forum but not new to modding cars any info would be greatly appreciated
09-14-2007, 10:32 PM
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hey guys, im running a 2.8 and supporting mods listed below with ngk iridiums 2 steps colder wich can not be gapped i got them from zzp they reccomended them and i never have misses or blow out do you think i could benifit from somthing different... ohh just dyno'd car today and got 240.6hp at 6731 rpm and 218.7 at 4088rpm is that good for 2500altitude and 85 deg weather and 15lbs boost (i get 18.5 at sea level) im new to this forum but not new to modding cars any info would be greatly appreciated
09-21-2007, 05:19 PM
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Yes you can, read above ^^^, I too got mine fro zzp. I have regaped Iridium plugs plenty of times. It takes a gaping tool other than the .25cent ones you get at the parts store. I got mine from my dad and he got it from sears, it has multiple size gauge wires on it, ranging from 0.15-0.45 and special end on it to hook the ground electrod and regap the plug. I belive they are still availble at sears and other major hardware stores.
It seems like the gap is at .032"???
Please let me know.
Thanks
09-21-2007, 05:29 PM
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Well for now I'll keep my old ones in. But don't you need a special tool for the iridium plugs or can I just increase the gap with pliers and then check it gently with the cheap tool. What do you think?
09-21-2007, 05:31 PM
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^ Yea well if it starts out at like .32 your FuCkEd because there is no reason to have to go any further then that right? The number goes down, not up as you go further so you don't have any room to play...?
09-21-2007, 05:36 PM
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