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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:08 PM
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Default NGK spark plugs

Im confused as to which spark plugs are needed.

Ive been told that either TR5 or TR6, but when I go to my parts store, neither show up as listed for an LS2 vette

When they search NGK this comes up:


NGK TR6 V power, # 4177

NGK TR5, # 2238


Are these the correct ones? neither are listed for the corvette but this is what they have from NGK.


Also, my car is getting full exhaust and tune, nothing else. thanks
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:16 PM
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For what you have planned the TR-55 #3951's will more than suffice. I get mine at Advanced and just have them pull up the 3951 part number.
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:26 PM
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Originally Posted by LETHL_C6
For what you have planned the TR-55 #3951's will more than suffice. I get mine at Advanced and just have them pull up the 3951 part number.
Why the TR55? According to an email NGK sent me, their website incorrectly listed the TR55 for the Corvette. They told me the TR5 is the correct plug for the Corvette.

The difference is the gap. The TR5 are designed for a .040" gap while the TR55 is .059" gap. The factory spec is .040" gap.

If you want to gap your plugs at .040" use the TR5 and TR55 if you want a gap ~.060".
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by LETHL_C6
For what you have planned the TR-55 #3951's will more than suffice. I get mine at Advanced and just have them pull up the 3951 part number.
Hmmmm, when I look it up online, it says "This part does not fit your 2005 Corvette"
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:31 PM
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I pulled up this part number, but the autozone and advancedauto websites both say this part does not fit a 2008 c6. Does it fit just the ls2 or are these also the plugs that I need? I have headers and C/A intake on the LS3 if that info is needed. Thank you
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:32 PM
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You want the TR 5 or stay with the stock plug for replacement.

Good luck with the new found power, I am sure you are going to enjoy the upgrades!
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:40 PM
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Ok, yes the Tr5 show they do fit....

One last question, what is the benefit o having a colder plug like the TR6?? ive heard that one is better for performance? Is that true?
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:42 PM
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Is it worth paying for the Iridium IX or should I just go with the V powers?
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Mez
Why the TR55? According to an email NGK sent me, their website incorrectly listed the TR55 for the Corvette.
That would be why lol. Looks like I need to swap mine out!
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by getburnt
Is it worth paying for the Iridium IX or should I just go with the V powers?
Most feel that the V powers (copper I believe) are actually a better performing plug than the more costly and longer lasting Iridiums but I'm sure the difference is minute.
If you're not all that concerned about extracting every last bit of horsepower from your car and would also rather not change the plugs quite as often than the Iridiums might not be a bad move.
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 11:10 PM
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Thanks for the info!
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Old Apr 2, 2011 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Mez
Why the TR55? According to an email NGK sent me, their website incorrectly listed the TR55 for the Corvette. They told me the TR5 is the correct plug for the Corvette.

The difference is the gap. The TR5 are designed for a .040" gap while the TR55 is .059" gap. The factory spec is .040" gap.

If you want to gap your plugs at .040" use the TR5 and TR55 if you want a gap ~.060".
Exactly correct! I also spoke with NGK over the phone and got the same information.

Originally Posted by getburnt
Is it worth paying for the Iridium IX or should I just go with the V powers?
I paid the $7 per plug and the car drove around town fine but hated life at WOT. I actually lost power from a brand new set of NGK Iridiums. Left the car on the dyno and put new V-powers back in and all was good again.

Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Most feel that the V powers (copper I believe) are actually a better performing plug than the more costly and longer lasting Iridiums but I'm sure the difference is minute.
If you're not all that concerned about extracting every last bit of horsepower from your car and would also rather not change the plugs quite as often than the Iridiums might not be a bad move.
Advertising suggest they should perform better but that wasn't my experience. I really hoped I would have seen the benefits they advertise.
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Old Apr 2, 2011 | 01:44 PM
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The iridiums are for long life, the copper for power. A well respected tuner for the LSA and LS9 engines has stated he can add two degrees of timing to a tune for a car with NGK TR6's compared to stock iridiums. The stock iridiums have a very small diameter center electrode which is prone to stay hotter than the copper electrodes and can cause knock under WOT.
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Old Apr 2, 2011 | 02:39 PM
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When I spoke to NGK they advertised them(iridium) as their "peak performance plug" which differs from what you note above. ^^

Knock was more prone with the iridium's though from what I recall.
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Old Apr 2, 2011 | 03:08 PM
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I run TR6's just fine.
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Old Apr 2, 2011 | 03:16 PM
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^^^What mods do you have?

I'm thinking of giving the 6's a try since I'm pushing 150rwhp more than stock. I hear 75-100hp gain should call for a 1-step colder plug.

I did some research and found that my TR5's are burning very well though so I'm torn. May test it out one of these days and see which the car prefers.
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Old Apr 2, 2011 | 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 6Speeder
The iridiums are for long life, the copper for power. A well respected tuner for the LSA and LS9 engines has stated he can add two degrees of timing to a tune for a car with NGK TR6's compared to stock iridiums. The stock iridiums have a very small diameter center electrode which is prone to stay hotter than the copper electrodes and can cause knock under WOT.
i did not know that,i thought the irridiums were supposed to be the bomb...... silver is even more conductive than copper why isn't it better also just being able to add timing doesn't always add power.

Last edited by da vette guy; Apr 2, 2011 at 10:33 PM.
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Old Apr 3, 2011 | 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by da vette guy
i did not know that,i thought the irridiums were supposed to be the bomb...... silver is even more conductive than copper why isn't it better also just being able to add timing doesn't always add power.
GM installs iridiums because they last a long time. Aftermarket companies love to sell them because they're rare metal, and can get a big premium price for them.

If you're happy with how your car runs stock, great, leave them in. But, just know, our engines are designed to run on the edge of knocking all the time, that's where they are the most efficient. If you monitor your engine when driving you will see times when the best amount of timing for power/efficiency/mpg will cause knock and the ECM will pull timing (knock retard). If you install copper plugs you will probably see less periods of KR. Some people have reported dynoing their car, changing to TR6's while still on the dyno, and then doing another pull gaining 20 rwhp because of less/no KR. The for sure downside: They don't last as long. I change my NGK TR6's every 12,000 miles. They cost less than $2 each and the job is easy. The maybe downside: Some cars (not all) get an occasional code and "service charging system" report because the different plugs put out electrical noise which can confuse our very sensitive PCM controlled alternator/voltage regulators.
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Old Apr 3, 2011 | 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by 6Speeder
GM installs iridiums because they last a long time. Aftermarket companies love to sell them because they're rare metal, and can get a big premium price for them.

If you're happy with how your car runs stock, great, leave them in. But, just know, our engines are designed to run on the edge of knocking all the time, that's where they are the most efficient. If you monitor your engine when driving you will see times when the best amount of timing for power/efficiency/mpg will cause knock and the ECM will pull timing (knock retard). If you install copper plugs you will probably see less periods of KR. Some people have reported dynoing their car, changing to TR6's while still on the dyno, and then doing another pull gaining 20 rwhp because of less/no KR. The for sure downside: They don't last as long. I change my NGK TR6's every 12,000 miles. They cost less than $2 each and the job is easy. The maybe downside: Some cars (not all) get an occasional code and "service charging system" report because the different plugs put out electrical noise which can confuse our very sensitive PCM controlled alternator/voltage regulators.
What about the silver plugs?anyone have a HP difference or problem with these type of plugs? what i'm wondering though if you don't have any KR is there any advantage in hp with copper vs irridium?
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