Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 11, 2002 | 06:56 PM
  #1  
Matt 01SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: St Louis Mo
Default Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

I'm out in the garage doing a plug change and would like to know the best gap on TR6's. I just have your basic bolt on's, Lid,filter, exhaust and so on. No bottle or anything. I thought I'd check here and see what the experts think.
Thanks
Matt
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2002 | 07:03 PM
  #2  
Pro Stock John's Avatar
LS1Tech Co-Founder
20 Year Member
Community Influencer
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,311
Likes: 1,748
From: Chicago, IL
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

I'd go .050 personally.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2002 | 07:05 PM
  #3  
mmiller's Avatar
Texas Director
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,044
Likes: 0
From: Deer Park, Texas
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

I agree with John. .050" <img src="graemlins/camaro.gif" border="0" alt="[Chevrolet]" />
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2002 | 07:08 PM
  #4  
Matt 01SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: St Louis Mo
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

Thanks for the quick response guys!! I'm headed back out to the garage, boy that passenger side sure is fun.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2002 | 07:09 PM
  #5  
Colonel's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

It's not critical. The stock gap of .039 works well but for NA applications some might open them up as much as .050. I always ran them at .037 when I was on the bottle but they also ran fine NA and idled great.

TR-55s are generally considered to be the better NA plug (might last a little longer without carbon buildup.)
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2002 | 07:11 PM
  #6  
Colonel's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

I should also add that I have known of people that ran these plugs at .050 and complained of a slightly rough idle. After taking them back down to the preset .039 or thereabouts they reported smooth idleing. Again, at .037 mine idled smoother than stock...no exageration.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2002 | 08:32 PM
  #7  
VINCE's Avatar
Shorty Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 4
From: Valrico, Florida
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

I agree with Colonel. I tried .050 and my idle sucks.. I put it back to stock and the car is smooth.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2002 | 08:36 PM
  #8  
2000SS's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

[quote]Originally posted by vmoore:
<strong>I agree with Colonel. I tried .050 and my idle sucks.. I put it back to stock and the car is smooth.</strong><hr></blockquote>

EXACTLY!!!!!!

wayne
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 11, 2002 | 10:53 PM
  #9  
Matt 01SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: St Louis Mo
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

Well I went back out in the garage before I saw the other post's. I gapped them at 50 and the idle does seem just a little rough,but not bad though. I will take it for a spin in the morning and see how it does. You guys said the stock gap is 39, are you refering to the stock plugs or a stock tr6?? My stock plugs that I pulled out,with 16000 mile, were all between 55 and 60. The only reason I went with the 6's instead of the 55's was because I had a very slight ping every once in a while and i thought a colder plug might help it out. I guess it's time to buy A-Tap so I can see what's really going on. Be patient with me guys this is my first computerized performance vehicle, I'm used to the old school stuff where you get out the timing light and the holley jet box, but they don't do a bit a good with this thing. Thanks for your input.

Matt
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2002 | 11:52 AM
  #10  
Team ZR-1's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
From: USA
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

IMHO,
your asking for trouble setting the gap larger then within .0008 of what the plug was designed at.
A TR-6 was designed for about .035, thus going .015 wider is beyond the specs and will cause the plug to fire where the outside prong is no longer straight but now angled outwards.
If you have to run .050 gap then its not a TR-6 you want. Also since TR-6 is a colder plug,you might check to see if your getting any misfire from using them.

QUOTE]Originally posted by Matt 01SS:
<strong>Well I went back out in the garage before I saw the other post's. I gapped them at 50 and the idle does seem just a little rough,but not bad though. I will take it for a spin in the morning and see how it does. You guys said the stock gap is 39, are you refering to the stock plugs or a stock tr6?? My stock plugs that I pulled out,with 16000 mile, were all between 55 and 60. The only reason I went with the 6's instead of the 55's was because I had a very slight ping every once in a while and i thought a colder plug might help it out. I guess it's time to buy A-Tap so I can see what's really going on. Be patient with me guys this is my first computerized performance vehicle, I'm used to the old school stuff where you get out the timing light and the holley jet box, but they don't do a bit a good with this thing. Thanks for your input.

Matt</strong>[/QUOTE]
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2002 | 07:59 PM
  #11  
Matt 01SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: St Louis Mo
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

Well I had to go with the majority on this one. I pulled them back out tonight and gapped them at .039 just to be on the safe side. Some of you mentioned that the tr6's might not last as long as the 55's. How many miles do you think I should go before checking them??

Thanks again

Matt
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2002 | 10:17 PM
  #12  
Colonel's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

When they start getting close you'll feel it in the idle smoothness.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2002 | 12:07 AM
  #13  
Colonel's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

Yes, when I said stock gap of .039 I was speaking of TR-6s being .039.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2002 | 05:00 AM
  #14  
Patman's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

The TR6s in my 98 Formula were all done by 13k, I got a real bad high rpm hesitation that just showed up all of a sudden. Fresh TR6s cured it, even though the old ones didn't look as bad as I thought they would. The more idling you do the less mileage the TR6s will last, but I'd say changing them every 10k is about right.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2002 | 05:15 AM
  #15  
VINCE's Avatar
Shorty Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 4
From: Valrico, Florida
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

So do you want to gap the TR6's at the stock .039?
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2002 | 05:21 AM
  #16  
VINCE's Avatar
Shorty Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 4
From: Valrico, Florida
Default Re: Spark Plug gap??..some quick help Please

I forgot to put "or what?" Try gapping at stock like I did and you should not have a problem..
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:54 PM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE