spark plug question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 876
Likes: 23
From: Prescott Valley, AZ
spark plug question
been awhile since I replaced spark plugs in one of my Vettes. what plug/s are people going with these days. my 08 has 65k miles and am thinking about new plugs. car runs fine just thinking from a maintenance point of view. also what is the proper gap? on another topic, are there any off the shelf injector cleaners that actually work? preferably the kind you just pour into the gas tank. having a problem believing simply pouring a solvent into the gas tank will effectively clean an injector. again, my car runs fine, just looking to keep it that way.
Last edited by mmorse; Apr 30, 2016 at 07:49 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 226
Likes: 14
From: Houston TX
I sensed there was an issue with my stock plugs so I switched them out for NGK TR5's just the copper ones not anything fancy. My stock plugs had what looked to be oil residue on the base. Car ran a little better after the change. When I installed headers I went a half step colder to NGK TR55's copper. The plugs are easy as can be to replace so I have no issues with running copper plugs, they are cheap and will not need to be changed for 2 or 3 years. Obviously, the stock plugs are just find for stock cars or near stock. Copper plugs do give the best performance but I don't think it's more than 0.00001 hp between the two. That's a little sarcasm there btw I have no data other than what I've learned about LS performance.
AC Delco makes great, long lasting iridium plugs. There isn't anything to gain going aftermarket except peace of mind. I only run AC Delco or NGK on my cars, they have earned my trust over the years for doing their job and never having any problems with either of them.
Hope this helps.
AC Delco makes great, long lasting iridium plugs. There isn't anything to gain going aftermarket except peace of mind. I only run AC Delco or NGK on my cars, they have earned my trust over the years for doing their job and never having any problems with either of them.
Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
To answer your question on cleaners for your engine , I use what many others on here use, "Techron fuel system cleaner" made by Chevron..I add a bottle to my tank 3 or 4 times a year...It's suppose to be the best ..WW
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 876
Likes: 23
From: Prescott Valley, AZ
I have used that also. recently saw a YouTube video of a guy who tested a bunch of carbon cleaners for the cylinder. he made before and after images of the top of each piston using a bore camera through the spark plug hole. even after two bottles of techron, there was very little difference. gum out no better. what did show some cleaning was sea foam. he couldn't speak to valve or injector cleaning as he had no way to confirm the results.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 876
Likes: 23
From: Prescott Valley, AZ
I sensed there was an issue with my stock plugs so I switched them out for NGK TR5's just the copper ones not anything fancy. My stock plugs had what looked to be oil residue on the base. Car ran a little better after the change. When I installed headers I went a half step colder to NGK TR55's copper. The plugs are easy as can be to replace so I have no issues with running copper plugs, they are cheap and will not need to be changed for 2 or 3 years. Obviously, the stock plugs are just find for stock cars or near stock. Copper plugs do give the best performance but I don't think it's more than 0.00001 hp between the two. That's a little sarcasm there btw I have no data other than what I've learned about LS performance.
AC Delco makes great, long lasting iridium plugs. There isn't anything to gain going aftermarket except peace of mind. I only run AC Delco or NGK on my cars, they have earned my trust over the years for doing their job and never having any problems with either of them.
Hope this helps.
AC Delco makes great, long lasting iridium plugs. There isn't anything to gain going aftermarket except peace of mind. I only run AC Delco or NGK on my cars, they have earned my trust over the years for doing their job and never having any problems with either of them.
Hope this helps.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
At 65 K miles with no performance problems, you are wasting your $ replacing plugs. IMHO wait till 90-95 K miles and then replace with OEM Delco Iridium and do a set of GM red performance wires at the same time. Over the years, I have found that wire deterioration causes more problems than plugs.
If you have the urge to do something, pull the plugs and put a light coating of anti-sieze on the threads. Corrosion between dissimilar metals - alum head and steel plug can make high mileage ones difficult or impossible to remove. If you get there, you are into some serious machine shop work after head removal.
If you have the urge to do something, pull the plugs and put a light coating of anti-sieze on the threads. Corrosion between dissimilar metals - alum head and steel plug can make high mileage ones difficult or impossible to remove. If you get there, you are into some serious machine shop work after head removal.
Last edited by CHJ In Virginia; May 1, 2016 at 10:18 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I agree with the others to wait on plugs. Considering your average annual use, you probably will be into a different car or 2020 before you hit 100K miles.
Chevron gas already contains Techron, so using it regularly or every 3-4 tanks will keep injectors clean.
Chevron gas already contains Techron, so using it regularly or every 3-4 tanks will keep injectors clean.
Last edited by HOXXOH; May 1, 2016 at 02:54 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Replacing plugs now is just needless maintenance. There are other ways to interact more with the Vette than replacing things that don't need replacing, but this is a forum pet peeve of mine.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 876
Likes: 23
From: Prescott Valley, AZ
I just pulled a plug in each bank and they look really good. virtually no carbon build up, just a very mild light tan. both gapped at .044. guess I'll leave them alone for awhile.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 876
Likes: 23
From: Prescott Valley, AZ
I have put in a couple bottles of techron in the past. I use mainly Mobil which also has extra detergent in it. got a couple bottles of chemtool to add to the gas. that is supposed to be really good at cleaning injectors and valves.
Last edited by mmorse; May 1, 2016 at 07:16 PM.