Spark Plugs: Which heat range to buy and why.

[@christianmiller9039]

Danny, you have a wealth of knowledge about these cars man... I thought I knew a good bit about cars and performance, but every video you make teaches me something new. I appreciate the time you took to make this!

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Thank you for the comment. I deeply appreciate your feedback and support as you watch the videos

[@72marie]

I save all the good informative videos. My roommate and I changed the oil, drained radiator ,sucked out the power steering fluid and put in a thermostat & new radiator cap. I know that is considered easy to do but it was satisfying being a female and working on my own car. My roommate and I had no prior experience so it took us until midnight:)

[@willardleap1289]

So basically a lower horse power engine would like a hotter plug to burn off carbon deposits do to the engine running cooler compared to a supercharged or race engines which run hotter so with those you want a cooler plug so that the plug doesn't melt.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Willard Leap Yes, that’s the basic principle. Now, there could be exceptions like a turbocharged car that lives in Alaska where it’s super cold or something like that

[@MrNopehaha]

@Danny Alldata stated for my car the plug gap is .044", but then it stated if removed to clean, gap them to .051" Why would it tell me to gap it farther if removed to clean and how do you safely clean a spark plug?

[@cuda4094]

@@dannyjohnsonsgarage What about a 2 stroke engine? What is the best heat range?

[@johnnybauer8552]

Like your video. Just like to point out that NGK and BOSCH have different numbering systems to determine spark plug temperatures. NGK uses lower number = hotter. BOSCH uses lower number = colder.

[@kemosabegt350geuss6]

Motorcraft/Autolite the lower the number the colder. NGK the lower the number the hotter.

[@jamest.5001]

The insulation contacting the the inside of the threaded part determines heat, more contact more heat sinking in to the head!

[@ProjectMercuryMarauder]

I drive a 2003 Marauder that has the factory specs the same as your Mach 1 with the .054” but from what I have seen there a little bit more happier with .050“-.051” gap and that’s without any major power adders

[@jamest.5001]

Indexing the plugs where all the ground electrodes face the same part of the cylinder can help prevent fouling with cold plugs, or detonation with boost or high compression, preventing hotspots, in old Chevy's I put the ground tward the exhaust valve, the open side to the center of the bore!

[@darrylm3627]

Great Tips,Good Stuff😄👍🏿

[@jamest.5001]

A colder plug can foul the plug, if at idle alot, and low rpm in town use .

[@Drunken_Hamster]

I read that over 800 degrees on the plug was getting into knock/detonation territory, and that 500 degrees tip temp was all you needed for- Oh, you're talking Fahrenheit. Lol. 500 celsius is the minimum number (roundabout) that you wanna be at, so that would be about 930 degrees Fahrenheit. Max 800c or about 1470f

[@jamest.5001]

Not all heat ranges go hi cold low, hot, some are reverse, a ac 42 is fridged, a 45-46 would be in a truck or something, a 44 in a camaro or something more performance,

[@marchallaert7372]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@johnc7431]

Great video enjoy your knowledge I have a 302 naturally aspirated I'm trying to find the right plug over the weekend put nitrous on it still trying to find a ride plug to run any suggestions would be good

[@melodyscottland8316]

hey danny great video i have a 93 civic dx 1.5 non vtec can i use hotter spark plug i only drive it for work and what the normal gap is .028 or .030 let me know thanks.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

I would use factory spec and heat range

[@mjolly3024]

I have a 98 Lincoln mark 8 lsc with c heads from a 02 continental, my thing is this after I let the car warm up about 15mins every morning so that is sitting right at opt. temp for that 30 minutes of driving the car feels powerful like it was brand new, yeah I would give it the beans on and off but the car felt good. After that it seems like if I stop somewhere like to get some coffee or gas she seems not so powerful but average, why do you think that is? I blamed the motorcraft platinums getting to hot, there is no knocking, no CEL, or hesitation. Was told could be the trans getting hot to quick but I digress also after a good run the car would start weird like quicker then normal which makes me think the cylinders are too hot, I mean I would barely turn it over and it would start at a low rpm of the starter, it always starts though. I run 93 octane my motor calls for 91, my trans is a 4R70W with trans cooler not being ran thru radiator , I run 5w30 thru it, and 3.27 gears out back, just trying to get an idea about it

[@benson4u215]

M Jolly 302 motorcraft plugs are honestly hit or miss nowadays

[@tillman40]

Sounds like when it gets hot in the engine bay the motor pulls timing out. I found that ditching my metal intake and using a better vented hood seemed to help

[@dsruddell]

sitting idling for 15min is too long to warm it up. a minute or 5 max is all you need.

[@jamesm.8392]

IMO . . . Space out your hood. You will have 60F cooler temps under the hood. 4 one inch thick nylon spacers and 4 longer hood hinge bolts. Pull the rubber gasket where the back of the hood meets the firewall Change it back in the winter.

[@efrensaclolo7021]

I noticed the new motor craft platinum has .030 gap compared to old platinum which is .050 gap.But I don't notice any difference on my truck .It even runs smoother with .030 gap.Anyone out there who can explain that?2004 Expedition 4.6 two valve 8cylinders.

[@mrvang8077]

What if your engine produces a lot of heat for a naturally asperated engine? Would it be best to go to the colder spark plug?

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

You can try them but see how it effects idle when warming up

[@captain052A]

Excellent video

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it

[@DrConvicted]

Hey Danny. Good video. If my car is running too rich and I’m using a ngk bkr9eix for a stage 3 tuned. Do you suggest I go hotter like a 8 or 7 ?

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

If it’s running rich it’s the tune you need to adjust or it will foul whatever plug you’re using. The only exception would be if you’re not getting a good burn from spark plug blowout from a boost application (supercharged/turbocharged) in which you’ll want to gap the plugs tighter. A colder range plug can make the car run tough until it’s warm. It’s only a must when producing a huge amount of heat kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp2penx7h5WBd8k

[@Will.GM11]

I have a 2011 Silverado V8 flex fuel with headers and mild cam. What do you think I should run

[@efrensaclolo7021]

I noticed the gap of a colder plug is narrower than the hotter plug. Is there an explanation to that?Also mostly on Imodium plugs.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

I can only imagine it helps when the engine is cold as I hear the cold plugs can cause a rough run until warmed up.

[@efrensaclolo7021]

@@dannyjohnsonsgarage On a stop my idle is not very smooth,But On a start up it is very smooth until it warms up and start shaking slightly.This happens intermittently,so I just ignore it for years now.

[@Orangelemonblue]

Thanks...i needed to watch this video

[@harrisjr9849]

Why is plugs wet with fuel i took ac delco out put egk 350 engine it runs great let run 3min top cause in garage but when check plugs wet with fuel can u explain why thanks

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

If the plugs are wet they may not be firing

[@harrisjr9849]

@@dannyjohnsonsgarage how is it running good one Guy ask me am i letting it warm up to operating température hé Said im not running engine long enph is that possible

[@kraigkern]

I can’t believe I just watched this on a Friday night. 😩 But it was fascinating. I just received a JB4 tuner for a Kia Stinger GT2 (3.3L twin turbo). Two step colder with a .020 gap is what I want to run. Do you agree?

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Kraig Kern You shouldn’t need to gap them that tight for just a tune. How much more boost over factory?

[@kraigkern]

Danny Johnson hey man, thanks for the quick reply. I’m not a complete newbie, but pretty close. I’d be running Map 2 for 93 octane. Gaines should be another 5 psi boost over stock. Pushing it +75 HP /+100 FP respectively. At least that’s what their marketing says. There’s a lot of misinformation out there so I was going by Burger Motorsport’s own website for the Denso plugs. Here’s what it says. “We suggest the Denso 5347 high performance spark plugs for aggressively tuned 3.3L applications gapped to 0.020".”

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Go with their recommendation.

[@kraigkern]

Danny Johnson for what it’s worth, I tend to agree with you. I would think no more than .024-.026. Terry Burger just wrote back, .022 is his recommendation. Still tight but better than .020. Thanks again. Great channel.

[@CalaisRider]

Maybe I'm mixed up. A lower number is a HOTTER plug - is that right? My engine is n/a modded and big compression ratio due to the cnc ported heads but not forced induction, but it's plagued with ping/knock.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Lower number will retain heat, higher number will vent heat. The plug spark is the same. If you’re getting ping, try more octane or less timing in the tune

[@motomaniac-enduro]

Hey man! Great video, but I have 1 question. What do you mean increase ignition timing to make more HP? Does that mean that it ignites a bit sooner or a bit later? Thanks!

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

See my video on Ignition timing. It will shed some light on it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIS2hZKrmbRgbc0

[@johnnybauer8552]

Adding timing will increase power if your car/engine will take advantage of it. e.g. if you have decreased the weight of your car you may benefit from increasing the engine timing. Where and when of the engines RPM range is a nother story.

[@urenaanthony91]

Thank you!

[@MrChocolatethunder45]

I have a 350 CUI w/a 144 B&M blower, what number cold number do you recommend, 7, 8?

[@Joe-rx7ht]

I have a 1999 SVT Cobra with 80K miles. I recently bought new Motorcaft spark plugs from my local Ford dealership, but they are 9 thread plugs. The plugs currently on my Cobra are 4 thread. I’m afraid to put the 9 thread plugs in my engine, since nobody seems to carry the 4 thread plugs. Will the 9 thread plugs hit my pistons? I’m stuck not knowing what to do. Can anybody advise me on the correct spark plugs to use on my 1999? Thanks in advance.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Yes, they are fine. The plug stops when it reaches the last thread in the cylinder head so it doesn’t matter how many threads are on the plug. It won’t hit the piston as long as it gets tight after about 4-1/2 full revolutions with a ratchet kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn20dGuOjaefaLs

[@Joe-rx7ht]

Thank you, Danny. Much appreciated. Ford actually sold me the wrong spark plugs. They were for a 16 valve, GT motor. I guess they’re a different part number than the 32 valve, Cobra engine. I pick up my Motorcraft spark plugs and 8 new coil packs from a local parts distributor tomorrow. American Muscle is actually sold out of spark plugs at the moment. Cheers.

[@1alex1311]

Hey Danny, if that wasn't iridium what was it, silver?

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Usually copper

[@funcars_]

14:42 info on spark plug gap

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Bryan Villavicencio Depends on your application. Boosted cars should gap down to avoid spark plug (flame) blowout. I run .028, but that’s certainly too tight for n/a applications. Research what your application suggests

[@funcars_]

I’m wondering what is best for my application I do mess around sometimes I have a 2001 Ford Mustang Roush 3 supercharged at 6psi and I do feel a cut of when I switch gears at high rpms I was thinking about the TR6 gapped at .030

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Bryan Villavicencio That would be fine, even a little tight for only 6psi. If it’s cutting between gears it’s probably not the plugs, but more likely the pprv valve in the fuel tank. Try keeping the fuel supply constant (don’t lift off the gas between gears) and see if that helps. The valve can also be cut out but that can also cause starting delays. Research the positive pressure relief valve PPRV

[@funcars_]

Thanks buddy I will look into it👍 I’ll let you know of any changes when I remove it, I berly bought the vehicle 4 days ago and was neglected by the previous owner

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Bryan Villavicencio You’ll want one of these! kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXvdfGCHhMmCo68

[@1siksn95]

I just switch to NGK a day or two ago. Huge difference with power!

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

+1sik sn95 nice. I do enjoy these plugs. Been running them for awhile with no issues

[@willardleap1289]

Me too. Ngk rules!

[@efrensaclolo7021]

Just saw in KZbin that there are fake NGK laser iridium you buy from eBay or Amazon and I think I have it because it cost me $14.99 for set of 4 that is regularly $13 each at Autozone. I wondered if this is fake.

[@jamesm.8392]

I am waiting for a set of 4 now . . . and I Am Ready To Pounce. This crap has been going on . . . For YEARS. No Excuse.