MC Hammered

I am currently running a beta APR K04 91 octane file with Chevron 92 octane gas.

I replaced the OEM plugs with NGK BRK7E's gapped at 0.030"

The car idles smoother, feels a bit peppier on acceleration and most of all the odd pinging I would get under hard acceleration is now gone.

I'll see how these copper plugs fare before I make a decision to install the Bosch F5DPOR platinum unit which are a lot more $$$

FoKai

? - why did you decide to gap at .030 vice .028?

MC Hammered

Well I originally had them at 0.032 and still had misfiring issues but I wasn't sure if it was software, the new plugs or failing coilpacks.

I decided to reinstall my OEM plugs as I wasn't sure if my K04 software was working properly or not so I needed to eliminate anything new so I could troubleshoot.

Now that I have a stable K04 beta file I put the new plugs back in.

0.028 seems to be too small a gap for maximum performance and 0.032 is the maximum recommended gap. I decided on 0.030 as it is right in the middle and I could always open up the gap to 0.032 when I install the new plugs to see if there is any difference.

Am I pushing the car hard enough to notice the 0.002" of gap? Probably not.

MikTip

The Copper plugs are by far the best deal for your dollar, however I dont relish the idea of changing them every 5000 miles. Especially in aluminum heads.

I'd rather pay the same money for a substitute plug, like the Bosch F5DPOR's, which perform better than the OEM, but lasts 30,000-40,000 miles.

Your looking at changing those copper plugs 8 times, in 40,000 miles.

Allot more time, money and effort, for a simular result...

FoKai

Word on the 30-40,000 miles. I had my plats for over 40K miles and they've been running strong.

MC Hammered

If there isn't a performance gain running new coppers I would seriously consider running the F5DPOR's

MikTip

Except in 40,000 miles you will have changed the coppers 8 times. How much you pay for the coppers? Times that by 8.

Also remember your pulling the coils out more, and threading an aluminum head. How many people out there actually use a torque wrench to install their spark-plugs?

Plus for those folks who dont DIY their plugs, theres even more expense.

QuattroFan02

I use a torque wrench every time.

MikTip

I'm sure many do not.

They depend on the "calibrated elbow" method of torque. Or the German "Goot-n-tight" method.

On aluminum heads that can have bad results :O(