NoBalt123

I have a set of NGK 1 step colder plugs on the way, and I was wondering what I should gap them to. I know that with my current setup, I don't really need the plugs, but for 15 bucks shipped, I figure why not?

So with just a stage 2 and airbox mod, what should I gap my plugs to?


Thanks for any helpful replies..

Archie

Just gap them to stock, 42 I believe for the SS/sc(about 80% sure). 40 for the ss/na and 2.2L. It doesn't acually help our cars, unless you have a stronger ignition source.

I gapped my plugs to .45 when I first got my car, thought I noticed a sound change in the exhaust, but figured out later my cat was finally breaking in. (Never had a car w/ a cat b4)

RedlineBrian

I put in the NGK's with stage 2 and i gapped them to .40. The car ran well.

BLKblurr06

the N/A motors should have a larger gap, at least a 45-50, stock SS/SC gap is 45 (think I read that on NGK wite)and if you plan on going with a smaller pulley later I would gap at 40 which is what they will probably be set at when he gets them, but one should still check the gap

Area47

stock plugs are gapped to .036. {unless gm changed mine for some reason}

run the largest gap that you can run without blowing the spark out. or causing detonation.

yellowcobaltss05

for stage 2 you should gap them to .045

Archie

Looks like we got a whole bunch of different answers.

The manual says:

2.2L .040 (1.01mm)
2.4L .040 (1.01mm)
2.0L .039 (1.00mm)

I would just go with what the manual says for the n/a's, but then again this thread isn't about the n/a's.

But listen to area47, that's what I did on my other car. But .045 sounds about right for being safe with Stg 2.

mrphoto103

It is highly recommended that when you go stg2 (especially if running a smaller pulley of 3.0 or less) that you use these plugs. As for gap, I went with .40 and it's running great. I will probably be inspecting them again here shortly and see how they look.

SPLREDLINE

I have them gapped at .035 and they have been running great. i got a fullspooner tune put on my car about a monthe ago. And I was showing about 5 degrees of knock in third at about 6000 rpm. Put these plugs in gapped them to .035 and now no knock all the way up tp 7150 rpms. By the way I have 42lbs injectors a 3 inch pulley stage 2 belt heat exchange and a thermal muffler and a K&N cold air intake. It is a 2004 redline. Hope this helps.com

NoBalt123

Thanks for the replies guys. Lots of different answers, but it seems like closer to .45 is the answer.

Keep the advice coming... The plugs havn't gotten here yet

Red2.4SS/SC

hey i have ngk bkr7eix are those safe to run with a 2.6

QuikSilverSS

Best plugs for modded SS/Sc are the Zex plugs, I had NGK BKR7E's at 0.040 and the Zex are way better trust me, car is so much smoother and feels more pwerful

cobaltstg2

were can you get these zex's plugs at??????? can they be pick up at the local auto store or what?

IonFeright

ZEX.com

BlAckOnBLaCK

Do you gap the ZEX plugs or do they come pre-gapped?

martinsmu

So should I change my gap from .35 to .45 them?? I dont want to back the timming..

BallsoutBalt

THEY ARE PRE-GAPPED. I believe They have 3-4 conductors on top.

syP

i dont really want to start a new thread.. so i will just ask in here...


with my current mods (in sig) what would be a good gap suggestion for a BKR7e plug (that i have on order)


thanks in advance fellas

Area47

syp. see above.

NoBalt123

So I just installed them, and I think I noticed a change in exhaust. When I rev the engine it sounds normal, but then when I let off and the rpms drop, there is a little backfiring, or rumbling. Maybe that had always been there and I just didn't pay enough attention, but I'm pretty sure the rumble isn't normal. I like the sound actually, it sounds good, but I just wanted to make sure that everything is ok.

I have stock exhaust, and I gapped the plugs to .042

Performance wise, the car seems smooth, although there might be a bit more ticking from the engine than I normally hear.

As you can tell, I'm a noob, so I don't know much about knock/detonation, so I guess I may need to regap these plugs... Anyone got some advice?

BLKblurr06

Those may be ok, Those are what I run with 2.85 pulley, Cobalt Addiction recommends 2 steps colder for that small of a pulley though, but I think it will be ok, what octane do you usually run? if its 93 I wouldnt worry about it as long as you dont "race" your car for long periods of time in hot weather or in dense atmosphere( at sea level or below)


agree

martinsmu

So what are yours gapped Blackblurr?

NoBalt123

I'm bringing this thread back because I recently had to change them out, for the stock ones I had. I think I gapped them to large because I started getting wicked bad spark knock. Or atleast I think that is what it was. The car was studdering like crazy, and almost stalled out once. So I put the stock ones back in.

I ended up gapping them to .42(or as close as I could get with that crappy gapping disc), and after 2-3 weeks, that studdering started to happen. Was the gap too large? Or did I probably just do a crappy job gapping?

Like I said, I have the stock ones back in, but I want a new set of plugs within a week, and since I can't seem to get a part number for the stock ones, I may try a new set of the bkr7e. What do you guys think?

QuikSilverSS

Trust me go with the ZEX plugs, they are pregapped for nitrous, turbo and supercharged applications, i have had the BKR7E's gapped at all kinds of gaps and not once did any of them run better than the ZEX plugs, they are more expensive but worth it on a modded Balt

NJBLUESS

.035 MAX. people! Trust me! Stock is .035. Anything more you risk a misfire up top around 6300- 7k rpm.