One step colder on spark plugs --- Pros? Cons?
09-08-2002 | 07:24 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,122
From: Memphis, TN, USA
One step colder on spark plugs --- Pros? Cons?
Well, I'm trying to nail down my detonation problem and thinking about going a step colder on my plugs. I'd go with the NGK TR6.
What are the pros and cons of going with the colder plugs?
------------------
2001 TransAm WS6, M6 3.42
HPP, TBB, 160* t-stat, MTI Lid, Holley PowerShot, Flowmaster 80, Port/Polish MAF, !CAGS
www.BlackWS6.com
2001 Z28
-- R.I.P. - 06/25/02
What are the pros and cons of going with the colder plugs?
------------------
2001 TransAm WS6, M6 3.42
HPP, TBB, 160* t-stat, MTI Lid, Holley PowerShot, Flowmaster 80, Port/Polish MAF, !CAGS
www.BlackWS6.com
2001 Z28
-- R.I.P. - 06/25/02
09-10-2002 | 11:37 AM
#4
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 511
From: Soon to be Pensacola
Colder plugs
Pros:
Less detonation than hotter plugs.
Cons:
Less power potential than hotter plugs.
That's about the jist of it. But if your car is pulling timing due to detonation, then the power potential lost to one step colder plug might be a pittance compared to the power gained from timing put back.
I had detonation/KR problems too. Some important things to do to at least lessen the problems if not stop them are to cool the combustion chambers and cool incoming air.
I did the free thermostat mod, the auto fan mod to make my fans come on sooner, the TB bypass to cool incoming air, and the FRA to cool incoming air. I also did the Fernco in theory to get the cooler air in there faster, probably didn't mean a thing... but hey, why not?
Anyway, with these mods, and a lid of course that I had before my pinging... the detonation went away except on the hottest days. Another thing to remember, you probably know, but our owners manuals specificly recommend the use of premium unleaded fuel.
If you have ever had any coolant out of the engine for any reason, you must make sure you 'burp' the LS1 properly or you will have hot spots on the combustion chambers. This will can cause detonation too. Just a thought.
Dave
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Pros:
Less detonation than hotter plugs.
Cons:
Less power potential than hotter plugs.
That's about the jist of it. But if your car is pulling timing due to detonation, then the power potential lost to one step colder plug might be a pittance compared to the power gained from timing put back.
I had detonation/KR problems too. Some important things to do to at least lessen the problems if not stop them are to cool the combustion chambers and cool incoming air.
I did the free thermostat mod, the auto fan mod to make my fans come on sooner, the TB bypass to cool incoming air, and the FRA to cool incoming air. I also did the Fernco in theory to get the cooler air in there faster, probably didn't mean a thing... but hey, why not?
Anyway, with these mods, and a lid of course that I had before my pinging... the detonation went away except on the hottest days. Another thing to remember, you probably know, but our owners manuals specificly recommend the use of premium unleaded fuel.
If you have ever had any coolant out of the engine for any reason, you must make sure you 'burp' the LS1 properly or you will have hot spots on the combustion chambers. This will can cause detonation too. Just a thought.
Dave
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