plug gapping for n/a?

[RiceCooker]

Most of you guys know I have the powerpak, so right now run a n/a-only car. I was wondering what the best gapping of my spark plugs would be. I know that you close the gap when you do a poweradder, but how much can/should I open the gap for a n/a only application. I have the a/c delco triple plat plugs.
Thanx,
Royce

[Tyler]

just out of curiosity, even though its off subject.

but is the POWERPACK the SSM pack? if so, was it worth the money?

[Ironman24]

I think .55 or .6 is stock, can't remember which. I prefer a copper plug for a hotter spark. Are you running the MSD ignition? I wouldn't go much wider of a gap over normal without some accel coils or a MSD. I just put some new plugs in with a .35 gap. :cool:

The powerpack is the SSM pack. I have the ported intakes and cam, no heads and I think that was worth the money for sure. I'll have the heads too sometime in the future.

[12secondv6]

Stock is a 0.060 gap.
If you really want the bast then also buy spark plug spacers.
What you do is aim the open portion of the electrode on the spark plug towards the exhaust valve.
It is supposed to improve the combustion process due to the direction of the spark in the chamber.
Hey, if you want every bit of power then this is one method.
I think it is called indexing plugs?

[ April 16, 2002: Message edited by: 12secondv6 ]</p>

[Magnus]

Yea James, that indexing. I thought about it, but ... blah.. I doubt it would do anything differnetly.

I wouldn't run a platinum plug in a race car. Coppers for me.

As James said, .060 is stock. NGK TR55's come gapped at .050 though. I just leave them at that.

I don't really think it will make much of a difference.

[nino]

i put in regular bosch platinum after the power pack install. the person who sold them to me said i did not need the double or +4 plugs. and he also said that you need not gap platinum plugs. this was news to me, had you guys heard this.

[Magnus]

Well they come pre gapped...

I still would not run platinum plug in any type of high HP application, especially one with an aftermarket camshaft.

Copper plugs all the way..

And forget about the +4 crap.. that just makes for a plug that lasts a REALLY long time.. good *i guess* for grandma who doens't do maintenance.

[AMinor65]

I should have an MSD DIS-4 coming soon. Is there any "perceived" advantage of running with a wider plug gap? How wide could you go? I'm just glad that I didn't change the plugs about a month ago.

[RiceCooker]

Thanx guys. No, I don't have an MSD ignition nor Accel coils. I'll just leave the gapping as is (about .065) and wait to get copper plugs later. Again, thanx.
Royce

[AMinor65]

I just posted this on a posts about coil packs. Thought it would be somewhat relevant here.

Something I'm gonna try in the future. If you get performance coils and some decent 8mm wires, you can try adding another .005 making your plug gap .065 if you have a 3.8. Add an MSD or some other aftermarket ignition to that mix, you may be able to add .01 to the stock gap, making it .070 Allows you to utilize that bigger stronger spark. I've done quite a bit of research today, and I'm gonna do more, but it seems that the best way to benefit from a MSD or performance coil packs on N/A engines is to play with the gap. Your packs may not last as long (15 yrs compared to 10 years, or some other ratio), but you should get a few more horses along with the better throttle response from your improved ignition. If this gapping is taken to the extreme you can get some knock retard at WOT. I guess you have to kinda play it by ear.
Some guys always gap their plugs at least .01 over the recommended stock gap. They feel that the stock ignition at the very least can support this. And, there's probably some truth to it, because after 40k miles, the gap on your plugs can move anywhere from .005 to .10, and the car still runs relatively fine.
After I install my MSD and the coils I decide on (Jacobs or MSD when the arrive in the stores), I'll replace my plugs. I'm gonna check the gap of each plug to see how much they've moved. At the very least, I'll set my new plugs at these "extended gaps" as long as they don't go over .015. Did all of my research on camaroz28, clubgp, and google.com(dejanews). Note: I don't know what all of this will do to your minimum octane rating for your car, so be careful. Just thought I'd add my two cents.

[ April 20, 2002: Message edited by: AMinor65 ]</p>

[gitman]

royce remember the smaller the gap the worse your idle gets.

just run stock gap, keep on eye on your knock sensors.

[Guardsman]

A wider gap makes a noticeable difference. I had Accel coils and wires on my old 3.4 Camaro, and I gapped the plugs .010" over stock, and I gapped them back down for a bit, for comparison. There is a definate and noticeable difference, especially at the top end. I did have to run 91 octane, though, to get the full benefit of it at the top end, otherwise, it'd start knocking, and the timing would back off.

[AMinor65]

Thanks, Guardsman, that's good news! My MSD DIS-4 is on its way to my house now. Now I gotta decide whether to get the Jacobs coils or wait to the MSD ones Hit the stores. Decisions, decisions.