Engine missing?
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Engine missing?
I just changed my plugs and my engine sound different (rougher idle) to me. I tried to make sure that I got all the plug wires seated well both to the plugs and the other end (points I think?) I used NGK TR6 with a .035 gap. When idling the RMP fluctuate slightly (less than 100 RPM). Is there anyway that I can tell if the engine is hitting on all cylinders without going to GM dealer to get hosed? Thanks
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Freehold NJ
Re: Engine missing? (ccajun4real)
Just for the record.. my car does the same exact idle fluctuation. From 600-800 rpm from time to time. Oh, and you mentioned the gap of the plugs you got, but did you actually check the gap yourself on each plug before you installed them?
I never trust the pre-gap measurement. I've seen some come straight out of the box with no gap at all..!!
I never trust the pre-gap measurement. I've seen some come straight out of the box with no gap at all..!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 51
From: New Milford CT
Re: Engine missing? (ccajun4real)
I had a miss in my engine, turned out to be a loose connector tip on several spark plugs, one had completely unscrewed itself, but the spark plug wire boot held all the pieces together and so it was an intermitant but noticable miss.
Also you should be using NGK TR55 plugs at their stock .057 gap with your mods, TR6's and .035 gap are for a 500rwhp car.
Also you should be using NGK TR55 plugs at their stock .057 gap with your mods, TR6's and .035 gap are for a 500rwhp car.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Re: Engine missing? (dpd)
So are these plugs hurting the car? I was told by the guy I got them from that they would be just as good as any other plug and that they would not help or hurt performance. He told me to gap them at .035. So are you saying that I just wasted some money here? :confused:
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 0
From: bloomfield nj
Re: Engine missing? (ccajun4real)
IMO,you wasted your money,unless you are running high compression,nitrous
,or a supercharger,you are running too cold of a plug.eventually you are going to foul out.the heat range of a spark plug doesn't mean a hotter/colder spark.it's the plugs ability to disipate heat into the cooling system[as the plug fires,the heat has to travel up the center and into the cylinder head coolant jacket to cool off.the heat range is determined by the length of travel from the center of the electrode to where the base of the plug.the shorter the length,the cooler the plug,the cooler the plug,the cooler the tip,too cool of a tip=misfires,rough running].
,or a supercharger,you are running too cold of a plug.eventually you are going to foul out.the heat range of a spark plug doesn't mean a hotter/colder spark.it's the plugs ability to disipate heat into the cooling system[as the plug fires,the heat has to travel up the center and into the cylinder head coolant jacket to cool off.the heat range is determined by the length of travel from the center of the electrode to where the base of the plug.the shorter the length,the cooler the plug,the cooler the plug,the cooler the tip,too cool of a tip=misfires,rough running].
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Re: Engine missing? (dpd)
Okay so what is the ideal plug for my application? Is a spark plug going to help HP and TQ? Or is it just a matter of plug life and smooth idle issues? Thanks for all the help :yesnod:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 0
From: bloomfield nj
Re: Engine missing? (ccajun4real)
i run the ngk's-tr55's or the iridium IV's.gm just came out with their 985's[new "updated plug"].some guys like the denso's.whatever you use,use the correct heat range.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: FT Bragg North Carolina
Re: Engine missing? (ccajun4real)
Ccajun4real I bought the NGK TR55's here in Fayetteville at the advance auto on raeford RD if you need some help let me know. I did mine 2 weeks ago, car runs smother the gap was .55 I believe :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Re: Engine missing? (msghuff)
Ccajun4real I bought the NGK TR55's here in Fayetteville at the advance auto on raeford RD if you need some help let me know. I did mine 2 weeks ago, car runs smother the gap was .55 I believe :thumbs:
I will run by there and get some tommorow. Damn I hate to go through all of that again. :nonod: Took me almost two hours and some sore hands to do those plugs. Oh well guess it has to be done. Kinda upsetting that a guy I trusted led me wrong though :yesnod: and cost me some money.
Anyone want some NGK TR6 plugs used for two days and about 6 miles. :D
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Re: Engine missing? (ccajun4real)
First off I doubt the TR6's are causing your engine to misfire. Most likely you did not properly seat a plug wire on the coil pack. Remember one click on the plugs and two clicks to the coil pack. I do agree that TR55's are better for your set up. Second a plug change should take only 40 minutes tops. Number seven is obviously the hardest one so I star there first with a swivel and 3inch extension in front of a 6 inch extension placing the 6 inch on only after seating the socket w/3 inch on the plug first. Thirdly it's difficult to have sympathy for someone owning a $50,000 car with thousands of $$$ in mods complaining about $17.00 in plugs. Sorry not bashing here just trying to make a point .........if your gona play your gona pay. I have pissed away more $$$ on mistakes than I wish to admit. :reddevil
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Re: Engine missing? (ccajun4real)
No wonder your engine is not running right. Your gap is WAY too small!!! You should regap them to .54 and your problem will be gone.
I just changed my plugs and my engine sound different (rougher idle) to me. I tried to make sure that I got all the plug wires seated well both to the plugs and the other end (points I think?) I used NGK TR6 with a .035 gap. When idling the RMP fluctuate slightly (less than 100 RPM). Is there anyway that I can tell if the engine is hitting on all cylinders without going to GM dealer to get hosed? Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury NC
Re: Engine missing? (ccajun4real)
I thought that the reason you were using that plug was for the nitrous coming soon. You should probably check the tips on the plugs and make sure they are tight. Also make sure the wires are seated good.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Re: Engine missing? (goodhands)
Thirdly it's difficult to have sympathy for someone owning a $50,000 car with thousands of $$$ in mods complaining about $17.00 in plugs. Sorry not bashing here just trying to make a point .........if your gona play your gona pay. I have pissed away more $$$ on mistakes than I wish to admit. :reddevil
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Re: Engine missing? (1SGRET)
I agree with the NGK TR555 and a gap between .55 and .60 for a smooth running engine.
Good Luck,
Top (Ret.)
Good Luck,
Top (Ret.)