spark plug gap

[RyanJayG]

NEVER trust "pre" gapped sparkplugs... especially when a tool is like $0.30

I recentlly bought some NGK BKR5E-11's and they needed to be re-gapped.... just do it

 

[I'm Allen]

I bought the Denso KJ22CR-L8 plugs for mine. They come pregapped to .8mm which is about .032" if I'm not mistaken. Anyone reading this please DO NOT get the BKR7E's. They are not the correct plugs for our car. You can read about it in a post in the FI section. Our cars require the extended reach plugs which are 2mm longer than the BKR7E's. If you don't like Denso then the NGK equivalent is the ZFR7F-11, same as the stock plug but copper and 1 heat range cooler. Those come pregapped to .11mm (about .044") so you'll have to regap them. Thanks.

Allen-

 

[KzA]

I gap my NGK BKR6E to .030

if anyone cares lol

 

[IsmaelPR1]

I got rid of the NGK plugs mentioned by I'm Allen the caused bad acceleration and bogging down at times.
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2002 MP5 - B&M Short Shifter - ACT Performance Clutch - Red Powder Coated Valve Cover - Injen Cold Air Intake - Hi-Flow Intake Filter
Tsudo Exhaust System - Chrome Oil Cap - Magnacore 8.5 MM Competition Wires - Bosch Platinum +4 Spark Plugs - Cross Drilled
and Slotted Rotors (Front/Rear) - Hawk HPS Compound Pads - Racing Hart F-16's Silver and Gunmetal 18 inch Rims - 215/35R18 Z Rated Tires
DVD/PS2 Entertainment System - Passenger Visor TV Screen - Kenwood 4400 Head Unit - 600W Soundstream Amp
Dual 12" Orion Cobalt Bandpass Box - Sony X-Plode Components - Blue Under Dash Neon Lights - Dual Headlight Strobe Lights
Bright White Xenon Bulbs - and Dual Thule Bike Racks.

I. Feliciano
http://www.inkdropdesigns.com

 

[CRDMS1]

Alot of potentially dangerous information in this thread for inexperienced MSP owners...

When in doubt, READ YOUR MANUAL! As mentioned, the MSP supplement clearly states the gap spec (0.028" to 0.031" I believe). You can assume this is designed for stock boost levels, and I would NEVER go wider...unless you go NA for some reason

In general, a narrower gap will be required for higher boost levels...to a point. Too narrow and you will not have enough spark to burn the AF mix efficiently.

You can safely run the stock plugs at stock boost (go figure). Copper plugs will be more tolerant of higher boost levels due to the electrode construction...larger and less chance for hot spots leading to detonation. Copper plugs should also be checked and replaced more frequently...not a problem since they're so damn easy to get to in our car.

A step cooler heat range will also be helpful for detonation resistance at higher-than-stock boost levels. A '7' heat range will remove more heat from the tip than a '6' range and so on. Again, too much isn't necessarily a good thing.

With respect to modding and tuning cars, everyone has to start somewhere. Don't be afraid to take it slow until you understand what you are doing. Get help from more experienced people you trust (preferably not on a message board ). If you want more information on spark plugs in general...there is good technical reading at NGKs website.

Peace...(hippy)

 

[Yay-Boost]

Great post by CRDMS1. If you are running the stock boost colder plugs will probably foul up quicker. Extended reach plugs are a touchy subject everyone seems to have a strong opinion. You'll have to make up your own mind there.

 

[MazdaDryvr]

so lets say that you were running 8psi peaking at 10. What plug would you reccommend?

 

[CRDMS1]

so lets say that you were running 8psi peaking at 10. What plug would you reccommend?

Depends on the rest of your setup (FMIC, CAI, exhaust, flash, etc.) and the particular behavior of your car. Running 8psi with CAI/FMIC/flash, I use the BKR7E plugs gapped to 0.030"

Torque to NGK recommended spec for that plug type and check them early and often.

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CAR BLOWING UP IF YOU FOLLOW MY RECOMMENDATION OR NOT. In other words...it's on you to understand what you are doing and accept the results.

Peace...(hippy)

 

[MazdaDryvr]

I run stock except for a K&N drop in filter. I did get the flash done though. It seemed to help somewhat.

 

[kNOWfREED0m]

well what should i use, im running cai, cat-less exhaust, and flashed, im currently using the NGK bkr7e's and they are running great, im i wrong in using these?

 

[kwiktsi]

I agree- .028 if you are running increased boost. If you have too big of a gap, the increased boost/pressure can actually "blow" the spark out and cause a misfire.
Joe

Boosted cars run better with a narrower gap. Less chance for misfire. .030 - .032 for stock. .028 for higher boost. I posted about this topic way back when, search for it.

 

[kwiktsi]

Hmm, that is the plug NGK recommended a while back. Not many options for our thread/reach/gap/heatrange when it comes to colder plugs- maybe that's why..
Joe

I bought the Denso KJ22CR-L8 plugs for mine. They come pregapped to .8mm which is about .032" if I'm not mistaken. Anyone reading this please DO NOT get the BKR7E's. They are not the correct plugs for our car. You can read about it in a post in the FI section. Our cars require the extended reach plugs which are 2mm longer than the BKR7E's. If you don't like Denso then the NGK equivalent is the ZFR7F-11, same as the stock plug but copper and 1 heat range cooler. Those come pregapped to .11mm (about .044") so you'll have to regap them. Thanks.

Allen-

 

[TampaBlackMSP]

.30 w/the NGK FK...extended reach plugs. They work very nicely.

 

[MazdaDryvr]

now i'm confused. Which plug should I use?

 

[IsmaelPR1]

I just bought and put in the Bosch Platinum +4 Plugs and they work great! I saw an immediate difference between the NGK and the Bosch in response and idle. Due to the fact that they have a special 4 prong design they came factory set!!
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_________________________________________
2002 MP5 - B&M Short Shifter - ACT Performance Clutch - Red Powder Coated Valve Cover - Injen Cold Air Intake - Hi-Flow
Intake Filter - Tsudo Exhaust System - Chrome Oil Cap - Magnacore 8.5 MM Competition Wires - Bosch Platinum +4 Spark
Plugs - Cross Drilled and Slotted Rotors (Front/Rear) - Hawk HPS Compound Pads - Racing Hart F-16's Silver & Gunmetal
18 inch Rims - 215/35R18 Tires - DVD/PS2 Entertainment System - Passenger Visor TV Screen - Kenwood 4400 Head Unit
600W Soundstream Amp - Dual 12 inch Orion Bandpass Box - Sony X Plode Components - Blue Under Dash Neon Lights
Headlight Strobe Lights - Bright White Xenon Bulbs GPS Navigation - and Dual Thule Bike Racks.

I. Feliciano
iPaq_Mail@inkdropdesigns.com
http://www.inkdropdesigns.com

 

[I'm Allen]

now i'm confused. Which plug should I use?

Here is what I did to figure this one out. Our cars (MSP) came with the NGK PZFR6F plugs. 'P' for platinum and '6' is the heat range. I've heard and read that platinum plugs and turbos are a bad combination so I wanted the plain old copper plugs. The equivalent to those would be the NGK ZFR6F plugs. I upped my boost a little and wanted to go a heat range cooler. For NGK, the higher the number the cooler the plug. So, I wanted the NGK ZFR7F plugs. I wanted to try out the Denso plugs so I cross referenced them at www.sparkplugs.com and they pulled up the KJ22CR-L8 plugs which are pregapped to .8mm (approx. .032 inches) which was a bonus. The NGKs come pregapped to 1.1mm which are about .04 inches. Again this is what I used to figure this out and I may be totally wrong. If I am can someone please explain to me what I did wrong? Hope this helps.

Allen.

 

[MazdaDryvr]

Sounds logical to me. I dont think I can get Denso plugs here in the GWN so I guess it'll be the NGK.

 

[Got_boost02]

i just bought the equivalent to the NGK's in the Autolite brand. they cross referenced the using the NGK part number, question is, do you think they are the same as the NGK's or no good at all?

 

[MazdaDryvr]

I am having a hard time finding that NGK plug. The local auto store has the champion equivilant but I dont think I'm going to buy champion plugs.

 

[Swerny]

I run stock except for a K&N drop in filter. I did get the flash done though. It seemed to help somewhat.

Well, based on this, you are running stock so just run the stock plugs.
If you up the bost to 8 or 10 like you mentioned in your other post, than pick either the ZFR7F's or the BKR7E whatevers.
Again, this is just an opinion.
I'm waiting on a set of each, and I will see which runs better for me.
I have CAI, MBC peaking at 9 psi, and will have a cat-less exhaust (CS) on shortly.
I may also try Joe's FPR and FCD if need be.