Murlo26's Build from Stock to FPblack time :)

[UT_EvoX]

Originally Posted by Murlo26

Do I need anything special to gap these plugs? MAP said they don't like to screw with the plug gaps on the X as the plugs are "easy to F up" basically (not their exact words). Do I just need to be careful? Can I get it done with just some feeler gauges?

I usually just tap them against a wooden table with fairly firm strikes to close the gap, measuring after every few taps with feeler gauges. You'll be surprised how much force it takes to close the gaps. Aim to have the gap fit a 0.018" feeler gauge loosely. You don't want to have to pry at a feeler gauge to remove it from the gap as that might damage the iridium tip.

If yours are 100% stock, you're probably sitting at 0.022-0.023" gap so you'll see improvement closing them up.

[joey]

I think I have mine set at 22-23

[jyamona]

hey murlo, do you know if your MAP mani is full equal length?

[Murlo26]

Originally Posted by jyamona

hey murlo, do you know if your MAP mani is full equal length?

I don't think it is, close probably, but one of my runners seems a bit longer.

However, my mani is MAP's rev 1 long runner, they redesigned it and shortened one, so maybe the new one is.

I am sure its as close as they could make it, but equal length can be tough with design constraints.

[Murlo26]

At my buddies, I pulled my plugs...






Some are a little white, from running a bit lean prolly...but they look ok I guess, no expert here though.

I used this to check gap.


It's my buddies, but I am not sure its accurate. according to this my plugs are already at ~.020.

I am going to get some new feeler gauges tomorrow morning before i put them back in, just the thin metal deals on the ring at different sizes. Maybe those will show I need to gap them down a bit. So suggestion for closing the gap...just tap down on wood or something?

[UT_EvoX]

Last plug looks a bit more exposed to miles than the other 3. Can't tell whether the brown ceramic insulator is from oil or just mileage, but from the pics it doesn't look like the other 3.

I'm guessing you don't have too many miles on these plugs. I would expect them to still have pearly white insulators, especially running on E85. A lean condition would be discoloring the ground straps chalky white, and those all look OK.

I think with proper feeler gauges, you'll find the gap a little larger than the spark plug gauge reads. Just tap each plug ground strap down on a wooden surface until the gap starts to close. Measure often and you'll have no complications.

[chkmgnt59]

Of significantly more importance, stop biting your fingernails

[hollywood_X]

Yeah! and push those cuticles back!

[HappyMint]

Just replaced my plugs today after ~15k miles. They looked quite a bit worse than that (more used). Those plugs look fine to me.

[sellout]

Can't "read" plugs in any way at all unless you shut down instantly after a WOT pass and then pull them, but trying to read them in a vehicle where you have the capability of monitoring a/f ratios and knock directly is a waste of time anyway.

The gap is never an issue until you start blowing the spark out. In fact the gap should actually be as large as you can make run smoothly. Don't start trying to close up the gap unless the motor's misfiring under boost.