Curious about the growing number of people running tunes and shifting away from SP534 at 0.030 to SP542 at 0.028. The tunes and mods being used in conjuction with the plugs are not even what I consider "HOT", but seem to be welcomed in case of mysterious KR, for example. AFAIK, these folks are using Top Tier fuel too.
For a long time, Livernois has held the SP534 at 0.030 as a gold standard for the tuned SHO. Unleashed has differed only in using plugs with a 0.028 gap. Is spark blowout a real phenomenon with engines making "only" 400+ AWHP? Is it only if you are running methanol or/and ethanol?
Thoughts? Links to literature?
I most recently installed the NGK 97177 LTR6CI-8 Laser Iridium Plugs and immediately noticed a much more smoother idle than ever before IMHO!
The NGK 97177 precious metal plugs are a bit more expensive than the Motorcraft SP534 & SP542 which are a re-branded version of the NGK and are indeed made by NGK!
There is nothing wrong with expermnting a bit if you don't mind swapping your plugs as in my case. Z :)
Just went through this...
I called LMS to speak them directly about this. They told me SP-534 is still the recommended plug UNLESS you are heavily modified then a step cooler plug is recommended. They didn't specify what heavily modded means. They also recommended stock coils since they have been able to produce well over 600hp with the above combination.
I spoke with Matt Robinson about this too... he recommended the SP-542 gapped at .026 for my setup for a more efficient burn and to avoid spark blow out. He said my current power out put which should be around 500tq doesn't need MSD coils with my plugs gapped at .026 and to save the money.
Matt said the MSD coils produce 15% more power to the plugs. Not a whole lot.
Real world feel? I would say that Z is right, initial warm up and idle is much smoother. The higher RPMs are smoother but that could be the tune. I'm getting very minimal KR... I think they are worth it.
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Z is running methanol and you are on E30 right? Wonder if someone on 93 and tune would notice similar benefits. Any effect on fuel consumption? Does the fuel trim run richer?
Its only been a few days with the new plugs,but think my fuel consumption is up a bit @ 17.4 mpg with mostly city driving. Z
AJP tuned and I run the 534's. Fuel quality might be the issue for most I would think compared to spark plugs. My fuel is super good according to him and he let the spark go. No KR or pinging at all then.
E30 tune the same. Says I have great fuel and the SHO was easy to tune.
Car is so much faster than stock.
With my mods I'm averaging 21mpg on 93. I tend to drive like an a-hole and mostly hilly back roads 35-55mph zones.
Ha! E30 with the HPFP on SP-542's I'm gettjng 18 avg... that's up from LMS which had me at 16avg...
Changes were plugs and tuner though.
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Thanks guys for all your input! Keep it coming in :D
Quote from: SHOdded on September 30, 2018, 07:07:39 PM
Thanks guys for all your input! Keep it coming in :D
Are you considering changing plugs?
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Hair plugs, yes. Spark plugs, no. No SHO, no need LOL. It just seems like more people have chosen this as a goto for the very real issue of KR, so I am trying to ascertain if this is a viable longterm solution that does not end up creating another problem in the process. Treating the symptom vs the cause kind of thing.
Quote from: SHOdded on September 30, 2018, 07:13:18 PM
Hair plugs, yes. Spark plugs, no. No SHO, no need LOL.
Let us not talk about hair...... I dread going to the barbershop now... there is less hair they need to cut everytime....
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But they won't drop their rates, will they? In fact might even raise them, to account for the care taken in preserving the "remains". LOL.
Quote from: SHOdded on September 30, 2018, 07:16:10 PM
But they won't drop their rates, will they? In fact might even raise them, to account for the care taken in preserving the "remains". LOL.
I asked last time.. they said no sadly...
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I think you will need to inspect or replace the Boots (COP) depending on the year in conjunction with new spark plugs as per NGK! It also seems the Gaps have decreased from 0.035 to 0.032 from the factory throughout the years! Dunno! Z
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ICexOws0fQXxAu7O9vPDRBrGWKEj4sj6/view
Quote from: SHOdded on September 30, 2018, 07:13:18 PM
Hair plugs, yes. Spark plugs, no. No SHO, no need LOL. It just seems like more people have chosen this as a goto for the very real issue of KR, so I am trying to ascertain if this is a viable longterm solution that does not end up creating another problem in the process. Treating the symptom vs the cause kind of thing.
That was my point on my above post. How many have fuel issues that the 542's seem to fix. Yeah I know that is a fix but when one motor does not need 542's because their 93 is great.......
KR is KR.
I noticed today after cold morning startup that the idle would settle @ 500-rpm with much added smoothness.... :)
The only time it would idle @ 500-rpm would be in Stock Tune IIRC!
In the past it would always hover above 700-750 rpm while being Tuned! Z
Is that enough RPM to drive the accessories at idle?
Interesting they de-rated the alternator starting partway through the 2014 MY
Generator (3.5L GTDI, early production)
Rating 200 amps
Output 109/191 amps (max) @ 600-2,000 engine rpm
Pulley ratio 2.66:1
Generator (3.5L GTDI, late production)
Rating 175 amps
Output 88/175 amps (max) @ 600-2,000 engine rpm
Generator (Police)
Rating 220 amps
Output 103/217 amps (max) @ 600-2,000 engine rpm
Pulley ratio 2.67:1
Ford DG1Z-10346-B
Alternator Assy
200 Amp
Fit Note: Heavy Duty Alternator, Standard Duty Alternator
Fitting Vehicle Options: (-) Police Version
Base Number: 10346
Callout Name: 10346
$565.36 $465.02
1
Ford DG1Z-10346-C
Alternator Assy
220 Amp
Fit Note: Extra Heavy Duty Alternator
Fitting Vehicle Options: Police
Base Number: 10346
Callout Name: 10346
Replaced by: GB5Z-10346-C
$781.29 $543.38
1
Ford DG1Z-10346-F
Alternator Assy
175 AMP
Fit Note: Heavy Duty Alternator, Standard Duty Alternator
Fitting Vehicle Options: (-) Police Version
Base Number: 10346
Callout Name: 10346
$398.73 $350.07
Quote from: SHOdded on October 02, 2018, 09:09:56 AM
Is that enough RPM to drive the accessories at idle?
Interesting they de-rated the alternator starting partway through the 2014 MY
Generator (3.5L GTDI, early production)
Rating 200 amps
Output 109/191 amps (max) @ 600-2,000 engine rpm
Pulley ratio 2.66:1
Generator (3.5L GTDI, late production)
Rating 175 amps
Output 88/175 amps (max) @ 600-2,000 engine rpm
Interesting indeed! The 2013MY alternator is rated @ 220 amps with a Build date of 11/12 IIRC! Z
The idle in park has been hovering @ 600-650 rpm as if late!
I am hoping other members will contribute to this Topic! TIA. Z :)
Quote from: ZSHO on October 05, 2018, 02:40:02 PM
The Rpm has been @ 600-650 rpm as if late!
I am hoping other members will contribute to this Topic! TIA. Z :)
That's where rpms sit when in drive. In park is slightly lower.
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Quote from: StealBlueSho on October 05, 2018, 02:41:43 PM
Quote from: ZSHO on October 05, 2018, 02:40:02 PM
The Rpm has been @ 600-650 rpm as if late!
I am hoping other members will contribute to this Topic! TIA. Z :)
That's where rpms sit when in drive. In park is slightly lower.
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I will check to see in Drive.
Edit - basically same here, thanks. Z
Quote from: ZSHO on October 05, 2018, 02:48:07 PM
Quote from: StealBlueSho on October 05, 2018, 02:41:43 PM
Quote from: ZSHO on October 05, 2018, 02:40:02 PM
The Rpm has been @ 600-650 rpm as if late!
I am hoping other members will contribute to this Topic! TIA. Z :)
That's where rpms sit when in drive. In park is slightly lower.
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I will check to see in Drive.
Edit - basically same here, thanks. Z
Interestingly enough... in the mycalibrator there was a PID (it has since been removed) that was labled "Desired RPM at IDLE"... LMS has this set to 600 RPMs based on the information from the tuning device.