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spark plug opinions

P

prixstyle

New member
have an 04 GTP, 3.4", cai, headers, tuned pcm, 160 therm
currently running zzp wires and ngk tr55 plugs .059 gap with msd coil packs.
thinking of swapping back oem coils and wires with tr55????
any opinions? best setup? should i try running tr6s?
 


Personally I would not suggest running that cold of the Tstat. I'd bring that up to a 180F
Which ZZP wires, the bad ones or the bad ones? Supposedly only the originals and latest batch are good.
MSD coils, known to have spark issues at high rpm in as short as 3-6 months.
TR55's, iridium or copper, you can get both.

I'm thinking you are having some issues and that's why you are asking. The coils and wires are suspect. Running too cold is also an issue, as is running nearly a stock gap on a 3.4" pulley.

Gap should be smaller
Thermo should be 180F
Coils should be stock
Wires should be good (ZZP or whatever, but a good set)
 
id have to reprogram the pcm to go back to 180. zzp wires bought on 10/11 10mm zzp. i already have 3 stock coils otw. smaller plug gap... like .057? and tr55 copper is in there now
 
I have never had those coil packs so I can't speak from experience, but everything I have read says stay away from them...

That cool of a thermostat, in my opinion, is bad. If you are opening the thermostat to soon/to often, the coolant is not sitting in your engine long enough to absorb the majority of the heat. The sensor reads coolant temp, not engine temp. Coolant could be 160* but your motor could be a lot hotter. If this makes sense? Something to think about...

I'm running standard copper Autolite's in my car, have for 4-5 years now on stock wires. I have to change them more often, but not had issues. Gapped at .050ish... :D I'll upgrade wires eventually, just like the lifetime warranty on the stock replacements..
 


Ok.. since you say there's an issue and the programming to overcome. I'd suggest taking this one step at a time.

Change only the MSD's. See if the issue still exists.
Change your gap, so there's no worry about blow out. See how that goes.
Then wires
 
im not a master tech nor a virgin or "noob" lmao. this is not intended to be condesending so please dont take it this way. the prix has +200k miles on it. been running 160* since 120k miles no issues. i do know what the sensor reads (db) i appreciate the advice on the running temp, however engine temp is not the root of my current discussion. just seeing what people either run, or suggest to run on that platform. probably going with tr55 copper gapped at .050-.055, stock coils. plug wires im up in the air on, not a big fan of the zzps seemed homemade when i got them. before anything going to get fuel injectors cleaned and combustion chamber cleaning.

used to run this car down the track now shes just a fast grocery getter...
 
yea its past remodding, if i could do it again i wouldve done it differently trust me. and thats the plan billboost. coil, gap, wires. thanks everyone
 
BillBoost37 said:
an issue is running nearly a stock gap on a 3.4" pulley.
Gap should be smaller
Click to expand...

I have yet to get an answer from anyone as to how this helps anything at all. I've yet to see anyone have an issue (and how would that issue manifest?) with stock gap on a 3.4" setup. But I see daily recommendations for smaller gap from people who have never experimented with gap. Any chance you can lay down some knowledge?
 
SlowNA06 said:
I have yet to get an answer from anyone as to how this helps anything at all. I've yet to see anyone have an issue (and how would that issue manifest?) with stock gap on a 3.4" setup. But I see daily recommendations for smaller gap from people who have never experimented with gap. Any chance you can lay down some knowledge?
Click to expand...

More boost from a smaller pulley will be more likely to blow out the spark and create a misfire. Tightening the gap will prevent this. I run AL104's at .050 and change them every other oil change.
 


Anthony Smith said:
More boost from a smaller pulley will be more likely to blow out the spark and create a misfire. Tightening the gap will prevent this. I run AL104's at .050 and change them every other oil change.
Click to expand...

Just as the MSD coils fail, the factory coils can fail. Many of the factory coils have well over 100K and have been through 10-15 years of bumps.

Just another thing to consider.
 
Just curious since everyone else is going off track but generally doesn't everyone say 3.4 is too small with headers on 04+? What octane are you running and any kr?
 
Also agree if your not getting blow out no need to decrease. However gm across the board last time I knew decreased gaps from 60 to 45 due to better idle quality and no loss anywhere as far as performance... but maybe I'm wrong... I'm always open to opinions
 
Reverant GTP said:
generally doesn't everyone say 3.4 is too small with headers on 04+?
Click to expand...

I've seen a 3.4 run without knock with plog+3"dp on 04+. I'm sure it was tuned pig-rich, but it ran. The tune can make up for some naughty modding. That kind of stuff is probably the vast majority of canned tune business.
 


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