Colder plugs after header install?
#1
Member: Jr Geezer's Club
Thread Starter
Colder plugs after header install?
Just curious how many of you guys went with the 1-stage colder plugs after a set of headers and tune? I understand with the proper timing applied the LS2 will really come to life after long tubes and tune.
Is the colder plug to offset detonation (spark-knock)? Is the colder plug really required? I am willing to sacrifice max power for a trouble free motor.
What say you motor-heads?
Bone
Is the colder plug to offset detonation (spark-knock)? Is the colder plug really required? I am willing to sacrifice max power for a trouble free motor.
What say you motor-heads?
Bone
#2
Instructor
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Columbus Georgia
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have always used colder plugs with blower's or nitrous with a smaller gap so the force of air flow would not blow the spark out.
never thought about with just headers and a tune.
never thought about with just headers and a tune.
#4
Safety Car
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
if you're prone to detonation or you experience moments of ping on the top end, 1 step cooler should resolve it.
personally, i'd go 1 step cooler before i went with a 160 therm.
i've run one step coolder (ngk's) but opened the gap instead of closing it.
plug heat ratings are simply a method to classify how much heat the plug will transfer or remove heat from the combustion chamber.
too much heat causes detonation, too little heat causes fouling.
edit: from ngk's website.
"A colder heat range is necessary when the engine is modified for performance, subjected to heavy loads, or is run at a high rpm for a significant period of time. Colder spark plugs remove heat quicker, reducing the chance of pre-ignition/detonation."
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinf...000&country=US
personally, i'd go 1 step cooler before i went with a 160 therm.
i've run one step coolder (ngk's) but opened the gap instead of closing it.
plug heat ratings are simply a method to classify how much heat the plug will transfer or remove heat from the combustion chamber.
too much heat causes detonation, too little heat causes fouling.
edit: from ngk's website.
"A colder heat range is necessary when the engine is modified for performance, subjected to heavy loads, or is run at a high rpm for a significant period of time. Colder spark plugs remove heat quicker, reducing the chance of pre-ignition/detonation."
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinf...000&country=US
Last edited by Zig; 02-02-2007 at 09:57 AM. Reason: added link to more info.
#6
Former Vendor
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: Lewisville TX
Posts: 16,898
Received 406 Likes
on
300 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
There is no need to drop to a colder plug. Stock or TR55 plugs for header only cars. When going to one of our cam kits we do go to a TR6 plug which is one step colder.
#7
A general rule of thumb is one step colder for every 100hp over stock. It doesn't matter if its from nitrous, blower, or N/A.
Also, you're better off to err on the cold side of things.
That said, you won't NEED the TR6 plugs with just headers, but if you do put them in, it won't hurt anything.
Also, you're better off to err on the cold side of things.
That said, you won't NEED the TR6 plugs with just headers, but if you do put them in, it won't hurt anything.