Like the oil thread,... what plugs u running?

[NIKwoaC]

Autolite 25's "Side Gapped" (I've noticed a slight difference in response and the 20+ MPG on highway is nice too!"


Although, I am also running an MSD Coil, and 6al box

I want to know more about side gapping... I'd like to experiment with it on my car.

 

[N8Dogg98]

I want to know more about side gapping... I'd like to experiment with it on my car.

+1 I'm going to give this a try next time I change plugs on my car

Performance Unlimited 4-Wheel & Off Road Center - Hartford, Wisconsin - USA Technical Documents

 

[mob]

I feel like that side gapping thing is a gimmick, the picture looks cool but I dont see how that would actually increase the amount of spark. The same amount of spark is still going to com into contact wit the same amount of fuel. I dont see why they wouldn't just make it like that out of the factory if it was so much better.

 

[aar0s]

hell, i might just change the plugs just to try it. would be interesting to run a plug for 5k miles then a side gapped one for 5k and see how much different they wear.
I can see how it would work, the electrode arm isn't shielding the spark so much as the normal plug arm is, just because it sounds like it would work dont mean that it does though.

 

[93project]

I think if you had 7 out of 8 porcelains cracked or shattered on the plugs, that it just might have been an install problem, you would have noticed cracked and shattered porcelain when you gapped and held the spark plugs. It's easy to crack a plug if you don't have the socket on perfectly straight when tightening the plugs down. I run ngk v gapped at .040 - .044 never had a problem yet.

I thought I might have screwed them up also, but I'd never done that in 20 years..... Holy crap I'm getting old...... :-( 35...

 

[90mustangGT]

As long as you aren't using those Quadruple Planuim-iridium-uranium-plutonium plugs with twenty electrodes. No really though, forget platnum as it is not a good conductor of electricity. They are only good in DIS ignition systems. Really, our car's have weak (I don't care how strong your MSD box is, it doesn't have anything on DIS or COP) ignition systems and the more basic the better. Mine have motorcrafts in there now, and they seem to be working as I'm running on all 8.

I feel like that side gapping thing is a gimmick, the picture looks cool but I dont see how that would actually increase the amount of spark. The same amount of spark is still going to com into contact wit the same amount of fuel. I dont see why they wouldn't just make it like that out of the factory if it was so much better.

Side gapping is similar to indexing as it prevents the electrode from shrouding the spark. On indexing, you point the electrode towards the squelsh area, usually towards the intake. Side gapping is an easier way to do this as it makes it almost impossible to shroud the spark.

Is it nessasary? No. Does it make a big difference? No. It's just one of those little things that are easy to do, that can give you a little edge. Do you think the NASCAR and NHRA guys just throw a set of plugs in their engines? I think not. Tiny things add up.

I had some indexing washers once. They were just a set of different size washers that replaced the one that went on your plugs, plus they were copper so they had could squish to where you wanted them. Working at a shop, I always would just go to the back, grab a case of them, and try them out until I got a set that was indexed. Now adays, we don't stock plugs anymore....

oh but with the mention of brand: For imports and most smaller engines, it's NKG all the way. For Chevy's, it's AC Delco. For Ford it's Autolite, Motorcraft or Champion. Using anything else on imports you are asking for trouble. Using anything but AC Delco on a chevy is asking for it. My chevy has them, and they are $12 a plug. Damn iridium.... but I'm yet to see a bad plug on a LSx engine.