Msp Spark Plugs

[14LBS]

OK.... I am curious to see if anybody has a good recommedation on a brand and type of spark plug to run? And will getting a step colder plug allow you to boost 10lbs with no problem?

[wolverine01]

Im using the NGK coppers with no problems. But im still pre-flash, and running stock boost.

[t3ase]

You can't just up the boost and have it be "no problem". However, the NGK plugs are colder and they will prevent (to a degree) premature detonation. Check my signature's bottom line for the model # of the plugs. I've had some ordered for someone at Napa for like three weeks now and they still cannot get them in stock for some reason.

[Flat Black]

Platinums are notorious for causeing pre-ignition issues.

[wolverine01]

I ordered mine from www.summitracing.com and they were at my door in like 2 days, course, summit is only a few hours away from where I live.. :)

[14LBS]

what kind did you order from summit? and how many lbs you pushin?

[14LBS]

im at 8lbs spiking to 9 91/2 and getting either a fuel cut or detonation.

[t3ase]

Detonation will not be felt, nor will it be heard in most cases. More than likely, you're hitting the fuel (or spark) cut. I was pushing around a bar (14.79psi or something) and would only hit the cut late at night when it was cold outside. Elevation & stuff will factor into that though so in Cali, you may hit it before I would here in Tejas. I dunno.

[14LBS]

yeah i usually hit it at night. so will the plugs help this out or not? what exactly will the plugs do for me and my orange beast???

[wolverine01]

Here is a link to the plugs on Summitracing:

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=search.asp&type=bysummitpart&searchtype=both&part=ngk-6097

[14LBS]

what kind do you have wolverine and how much are you boosting?

[t3ase]

Alright. Here's the deal.

Fuel cut is a ECU set cut depending on air density. Colder air is denser than hot air, which is why you hit the cut more at night than you do during the day. In order to prevent this, you may want to order JoeP's FCD (Fuel Cut Defender). I do not have one in my car, as I've just learned how to drive around it a bit. I hit it occasionally but it's just part of the car. This fuel cut is the massive "hit" you feel when you're accellerating quickly and the car feels like the motor just feel out for a second. Let off the gas and go at it again, just not so hard. You should be fine.

Detonation again will not be heard in most cases, nor will it be felt. I just check my plugs every other week to make sure they're not getting toasted but others (LinuxRacr & I can't think of the other Mp3 owner--TurboMatty maybe? I dunno) have a J&S Safeguard unit which monitors detonation and automatically retards the engine should detonation occur. Search around for "J&S" and you should find out more about it.

[t3ase]

Originally posted by 14LBS
what kind do you have wolverine and how much are you boosting?
Cooper plugs will greatly benefit ANY F/I engine when compared to platinum plugs. It doesn't matter how much boost you run. Even in "Maximum Boost" by Mr. Bell, this is mentioned.

[14LBS]

Hey thanks alot tease youve been a great help. 1 more thing i think im missing, but with the step colder plugs what will they allow me to do?

[t3ase]

Keep your engine.

[14LBS]

so are the copper better than the NGK BKR7E-11? and whats the difference between the 7E-11 and a 6E-11 cause my dealership has 6E-11 in stock?

[t3ase]

Seriously. Thanks to a few very knowledgable members on this board and my recent purchase of Maximum Boost, the plugs in this car definately need to be changed.

It's not that the plugs will ADD any power or whatever. It's that they add one more layer of safety when it comes to keeping your engine from blowing.

You have to consider, we just have a regular Protege motor with a tiny turbo slapped on it. This isn't a twin turbo 600+hp beast.

[14LBS]

True indeed. man i got my greddy profec b spec 2 BC put in and its lovely.

[t3ase]

Dude, if you're going to get that serious about turning up boost... Just get the 7E's. $8-10 for a set plus some labor time for just a bit more safety. Don't worry about what they add or don't, just do it.

[t3ase]

By the way, the install was a snap. I did mine at 2 or 3am in a car wash stall. :D

[14LBS]

coo thanks a lot, imma do it.....

[t3ase]

word.

[Apexi]

Originally posted by 14LBS
so are the copper better than the NGK BKR7E-11? and whats the difference between the 7E-11 and a 6E-11 cause my dealership has 6E-11 in stock?

for future reference ngk's site has a plug decoder..

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/spark_plugs/partnumberkey.pdf

[unwrittenLaw]

Originally posted by t3ase
Seriously. Thanks to a few very knowledgable members on this board and my recent purchase of Maximum Boost, the plugs in this car definately need to be changed.

It's not that the plugs will ADD any power or whatever. It's that they add one more layer of safety when it comes to keeping your engine from blowing.

You have to consider, we just have a regular Protege motor with a tiny turbo slapped on it. This isn't a twin turbo 600+hp beast.


I just received my copy of Maximum Boost..and its a really good book to educate yourself. I think anyone who wants to tune their cars should get this book.

[Apexi]

partially jackin this thread i apologize..but i was readin on that chart that -11 is a gap of .044..which seems a bit high for forced induction...the only other turbo i have to compare that to is my old turbo eclipse...which was .030 from the factory @12psi......what plugs are most of you runnin...and gaps if you know em...just bored curiosity

[unwrittenLaw]

I have the NGK copper plugs, and the guy who put them in used the specs out of his spark plug book, so I'm not sure. I think he said he it was the same as stock...

[Black Majik MSP]

http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_cross.asp?pid=BKR7E

[JMS'sMSP]

Originally posted by Apexi
partially jackin this thread i apologize..but i was readin on that chart that -11 is a gap of .044..which seems a bit high for forced induction...the only other turbo i have to compare that to is my old turbo eclipse...which was .030 from the factory @12psi......what plugs are most of you runnin...and gaps if you know em...just bored curiosity


The mazdaspeed owners manual add-on says to put the gap for our spark plugs at .028-.031

[lamp3]

was this add-on a extra book? If so i didn't get one =(.

[Chasehague]

I know this may sound dumb... but what in the hell is flash?

[t3ase]

Originally posted by Chasehague
I know this may sound dumb... but what in the hell is flash?
http://www.msprotege.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30901
It starts out just looking like a list of dealerships.. Just be patient and read through it all.