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Spark plug choice and gap question HELP!

Old Jan 18, 2009 | 04:44 PM
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Default Spark plug choice and gap question HELP!

Not sure if this is the right section or not but I was going to get a re-tune on some new parts and I was told to replace my plugs and put a tighter gap on them. I have tr55 in there now at a .051 gap and was told to switch to a tr6 at a .035 gap. The car does'nt have nitrous on it and has full bolt-ons with 90/90 and a ms4 cam. I've did a lot of reading on here and am totally lost as to why he would recomend a tr6. All i've read on here says that tr55 are good for all motor stock temp cars (like mine) and tr6 are recomended for nitrous cars (not mine). I asked him why and he just said that the new vettes come with a .035 gao and that you need a tighter gap for higher rpms. My car does turn to 6600so I kinda see where he is going with that but what about the tr6? Any input on this would be GREATLY HELPFUL because right now it is driving me nuts trying to figure it out. What is your input on the gap/plug choice?
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 04:59 PM
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He's wrong.

TR5 or TR55's, whichever, they are 100% identical plugs. Gap them to .050-.055 and you'll be good.
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 05:00 PM
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Also, tell him you don't have new Vette lol

High rpm's, who is that boob?
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 05:03 PM
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Thinks for the reply man! Id rather not mention any names for obvious reasons lol
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 05:13 PM
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TR5 gapped to .044". The tuner is trying to make absolutely sure that your engine does not pre-detonate by suggesting .035" & TR6. However, you should do well w/ the TR5 gapped to .044". .050"-.055" is too wide for your mods & if you keep this gap, the tuner will have to pull timing in order to eliminate the pre-detonation (knock) that will be caused @ higher RPM's during WOT.
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 05:18 PM
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Well he told me I could pick up as much as 8 hp off of gaping my plugs down. So are you saying I should just gap down my tr55 that are in there now and be done with it?
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 05:48 PM
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bump, i am also curious
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 05:50 PM
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I had to gap my new plugs to .35 after my header install to get it to stop missing.
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 05:59 PM
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I run the TR6 currently N/A...nitrous not being used yet. The gap is set @ .035 per request of my tuner....I would assume for the pre-detonation theory as well, as the tune is on the ragged edge. The car runs fine and no KR to speak of.
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by CayenneRedV6
I had to gap my new plugs to .35 after my header install to get it to stop missing.
Which plud were you running? I think im gonna give texas speed a ring in the morning and see if any of those guru's have any input. I'll be sure to post what they said. In the mean-time keep the input coming!
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by SS1875
I run the TR6 currently N/A...nitrous not being used yet. The gap is set @ .035 per request of my tuner....I would assume for the pre-detonation theory as well, as the tune is on the ragged edge. The car runs fine and no KR to speak of.
Did he tell you to use the tr6 because you said you would be runing nitrous soon or because it's better for a n/a car?
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by speedfreak2685
Did he tell you to use the tr6 because you said you would be runing nitrous soon or because it's better for a n/a car?
Yes because of the Nitrous but also because of the tune he was going to put in the car. He has it on the ragged edge to squeeze as much as he can out of it NA and he didn't want it to go Boom. I had been running TR55 IX up until my cam change and retune.
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by SS1875
Yes because of the Nitrous but also because of the tune he was going to put in the car. He has it on the ragged edge to squeeze as much as he can out of it NA and he didn't want it to go Boom.
hmm. this makes me think a little. I don't know a whole lot about this stuff so please forgive me if I say something totally stupid but is it possible to run a
tr6 at a .035 gap so it will be less likely to detonate and add timeing and make more power that way?
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by speedfreak2685
hmm. this makes me think a little. I don't know a whole lot about this stuff so please forgive me if I say something totally stupid but is it possible to run a
tr6 at a .035 gap so it will be less likely to detonate and add timeing and make more power that way?


That is my assumption...all though I must say I get confused by it all as well.
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by speedfreak2685
Well he told me I could pick up as much as 8 hp off of gaping my plugs down. So are you saying I should just gap down my tr55 that are in there now and be done with it?

Your tuner obviously has a plan. Why not just go with it? If he wants TR6's gapped to .035", then that's what you should do. Personally, I could get more out of plugs with a larger gap, but everyone tunes differently & I'm talking about my own personal car. I know my car & have weeks to dial in a tune. Tuners have cars for an hour or so. Therefore, they need to go with what they know will work; trust what he is telling you. It would be interesting to see the dyno curve w/ A/F plotted. Will you post it afterwards?
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by LS1-450
Your tuner obviously has a plan. Why not just go with it? If he wants TR6's gapped to .035", then that's what you should do. Personally, I could get more out of plugs with a larger gap, but everyone tunes differently & I'm talking about my own personal car. I know my car & have weeks to dial in a tune. Tuners have cars for an hour or so. Therefore, they need to go with what they know will work; trust what he is telling you. It would be interesting to see the dyno curve w/ A/F plotted. Will you post it afterwards?
Im going to take his advice I recon. Im just one to always play devils advocate and want to know why if you know what I mean and from everything I read just did'nt make sense. I will definatly post up a graph after I get it tuned. It will be probably another 2 weeks but I will pm you when I get it on the dyno and let you know. Thanks for the advice!
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 09:07 AM
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I emailed NKG a while back and they suggested a car making 400 rwhp would benefit from the TR6. I'll try and find the email. Later
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 10:35 AM
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Here ya go. These are replies from their tech. support. I asked the gap question for the TR55. Days later I asked another question because the TR55 idled like **** and mileage was horrible. I had already purchased the TR55 and was half way done with plugs. So kept them. Not sure what I will use next time.


"With that much power I would suggest going to a heat range colder TR6
stock# 4177, the TR6's come factory gapped to .040", I would suggest
opening the gap to about .045". Hope this helps, thank you.

Best regards,"

"If looking for a plug to help with idle and economy issues I would
suggest either the platinum TR6GP or the iridium TR6IX. Both of these
have a .6mm center electrode that will help improve idle quality and
should help with gas mileage. The G-power platinum is a good deal at
only about .60 cents more a plug. Hope this helps, thank you.

Best regards,"
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 10:41 AM
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Does this help anyone?
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 07:30 PM
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Yes it does, thank you! I called Texas Speed today and talked to Mark and he recomended a tr55 at a .050 gap.
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