Spark Plugs

[SilviaxDr3aMz]

I searched the forum, but i was just curious as to how significant a difference anyone has noticed in the grade of their spark plugs.
Im having some idle problems and just assumed that when i put platinum NGKs in as opposed to some V-Powers i had previously that may have some effect.
So i went ahead and got some iridium ones, although i cant say it made a difference.
The idle issue im 100% sure wasnt due to the plugs since i just replaced my head gasket after an overheat, but i would still like to know the difference if any in the tiers of plugs.
*Not a SERIOUS pressing matter, just wondering*

[rcdad123]

different spark plug materials have different rate of wear. the v power will wear much faster than the platinum and iridium. as for performance, i think with a healthy ignition system, the v power will make more power due to a bigger spark kernel.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Personally, I think gap on the plugs will play a big difference over the type. Whats the point of running an iridium plug when you didnt gap it down to .030 and left it at .044?

[Sileighty_85]

^ Boom..…..........

[fufanu180]

I agree. Proper spark plug gap is essential.

[SilviaxDr3aMz]

Yea, after i posted this i actually found another thread that had the most information ive ever seen over spark plugs.
Thing is though i got some platinum ones and gapped them, but the tip got messed up a little bit therefore i returned them. The guy said i wasnt actually suppose to gap them blah blah blah...
So i plan to pay attention to the heat now which is apparently a big influence as well.
Idk all of it seems new to me i had no idea they were so important.

[iBlaze240]

Stick with NGK V-Power plugs. I've used them on EVERYTHING and they haven't failed me yet. Not one fouled out and I've run them on engines burning lots of oil. I love them and they are the best bang for buck. I knew a guy who worked for some shop that typically builds 400hp BMW's and the only plug they use is NGK V-Power's.

[SilviaxDr3aMz]

thx for the input, ill def keep that in mind.

[Lunghz]

Stick with NGK V-Power plugs. I've used them on EVERYTHING and they haven't failed me yet. Not one fouled out and I've run them on engines burning lots of oil. I love them and they are the best bang for buck. I knew a guy who worked for some shop that typically builds 400hp BMW's and the only plug they use is NGK V-Power's.

do you use them in a 240? and did you gap them or leave them at .044?

[iBlaze240]

do you use them in a 240? and did you gap them or leave them at .044?

Yes, I run them in my KA. I always gap my plugs, I know that most plugs are designed to work in several engines with varying gaps so they pick an average and leave it at that. But I always gap to specifications. They run great, better than NGK copper tips.

[USN_S14]

ya i work for Oreilly's and i always tell my customers to gap to the proper gap for the best performance i also suggest oem or better. proper gap is important for performance you don't want to hot of a spark or to cold of a spark. They probably said that in the tread you read but anything import i suggest NGK

[SilviaxDr3aMz]

Yea, they said a considerable amount about gap. Yet platinum and what not was said to not gap because how thin the needle was. So right now im runnin on the "universal" gap.

[jamg]

they said not to gap iridium plugs.

even NGK says to not.

are you guys gapping them, or no?

[soryu]

I'm on Iridium's not gapped.

[Frank_Jaeger]

Don't use coin gappers. They're bad:
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_18659.jpg

Do use star gappers. They're fucking the best:
http://cdn.oneprojectcloser.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/spark-plug-gap-tool.jpg

In that picture there are notched parts on the left and right side. Use that notch to adjust the gap this way:
http://image.circletrack.com/f/25479557/ctrp_1001_03_z+spark_plugs_engine+gap_tool.jpg

Don't ever touch the tip of the plug! And when you go to check and see if it's gapped correctly, don't press too hard to get the wire through, or the tip will break. If it's too hard, you need to open it up a little more. If it's too easy, try to narrow the gap.

[SilviaxDr3aMz]

Im on iridiums not gapped as well, dude that gapper looks epic ive never seen one of those in my life and ive been around cars for a while.
Cant say i have exactly payed much attention to plugs until now though.
where can i get one of those ne way? Im sure my pops would love one.

[Croustibat]

i am using standard facom feelers to gap my plugs.

Now using NGK copper, gapped to 0.6mm because my ignition system is a bit weak. I am running 1.2bar of boost on a CA18DET. I know another CA near my home which used to run 500+ HP (2.35bar of boost). Was also running on NGK copper.

More boost means you need to reduce the gap, or get a more powerful ignition system, as the air is denser the spark needs more power to go.

Irridiums may be a little bit better, or last a bit longer ... but i will stick to my coppers, considering the price and the power i get from them.

[SilviaxDr3aMz]

^^^ im in the same boat with you bro.
buh i cant say ive ever swapped them out solo in order to notice a difference.

[dawagarage]

i never really noticed those gappers until recently either, and never had a need for a gapper anyways....

...but, theyre in the tool aisle of pep boys, oreilly, and autozone.

[USN_S14]

Ya those gapers go for $2.49 a piece at O'Reillys they are a great investment