Power Adders Getting a Supercharger or Turbocharger? Thinking about using Nitrous? All forced induction and N2O topics discussed here.

spark plug gap for turbo

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Old Aug 1, 2005 | 02:52 AM
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ttypecamaro's Avatar
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From: Baltimore, MD
Car: 09 Cobalt SS Sedan. 92 Z28 vert
Engine: 2.0T EFR6758; 5.0TT T3/T4 8psi
Transmission: F40; 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.76 LSD; 3.23 posi
spark plug gap for turbo

For a forced induction (turbo) engine is it better to have a small sparkplug gap(035-045) or a wider one(050-060)? Does it depend on the temp of the plug or what? I want to use Bosch Platinums.
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Old Aug 1, 2005 | 09:21 AM
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Car: 1982 Camaro Z28
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smaller because it reduces blow out of the spark.....
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Old Aug 1, 2005 | 11:37 AM
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Car: 89 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: Intercooled Twin Turbo LQ4
Transmission: Tremec TKO 600
WHat does the car fell like when the spark gets blown out? I'm assuming you get high speed mifires, but is there any other signs?

Oh yes, I second the what you said about the tight gap. I run my TT IROC down to .030", even with an MSD. Have never tried larger gaps though (I may be able to open them up a bit for my mild boost).
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Old Aug 1, 2005 | 02:03 PM
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Car: 1982 Camaro Z28
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it feels like a mild version of fuel cut, or if you put a few of the plug wires on in the wrong place and tryed to run high rpm
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Old Aug 1, 2005 | 09:16 PM
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Car: 89 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: Intercooled Twin Turbo LQ4
Transmission: Tremec TKO 600
Originally posted by browncamaroz28
it feels like a mild version of fuel cut, or if you put a few of the plug wires on in the wrong place and tryed to run high rpm
I got a little of that drag racing my Turbo Z24 the other night. It also popped a ittle out the exhuast. The problem only seems to be present at above 8psi of boost and high RPM. I was thinking it may be 'blown out' spark. I'm def going to wide-band it again- if the AFR is cherry, I'm going straight to the plugs. I was running .040" for over 5k miles now on the 3400, so I'm thinking some ignition misfires may be occuring.
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Old Aug 2, 2005 | 02:28 AM
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Originally posted by 89JYturbo
WHat does the car fell like when the spark gets blown out? I'm assuming you get high speed mifires, but is there any other signs?
exactly, it feels like a high rpm misfire with all the symptoms, popping out the exhaust, power loss…

Oh yes, I second the what you said about the tight gap. I run my TT IROC down to .030", even with an MSD. Have never tried larger gaps though (I may be able to open them up a bit for my mild boost).
I know a few serious (fast) forced induction guys that swear by .022-.026” gaps, even with aftermarket ignitions…. Gaps that small will tend to misfire slightly at idle, but will run fine when pushed. The other side effect of small gaps is that the plug runs hotter, so you really don’t want to run a smaller gap then optimal either.
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Old Aug 2, 2005 | 08:17 AM
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Car: 1982 Camaro Z28
Engine: electric
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Axle/Gears: 10 bolt
Originally posted by 89JYturbo
I got a little of that drag racing my Turbo Z24 the other night. It also popped a ittle out the exhuast. The problem only seems to be present at above 8psi of boost and high RPM. I was thinking it may be 'blown out' spark. I'm def going to wide-band it again- if the AFR is cherry, I'm going straight to the plugs. I was running .040" for over 5k miles now on the 3400, so I'm thinking some ignition misfires may be occuring.
speaking of your turbo z24, my friends and i put a t4 on a 3400 grand am.... we should exchange info and what not, i would like to see what your set up involves.
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Old Aug 2, 2005 | 06:26 PM
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Car: 1990 Camaro IROC-T
Engine: L98 Turbo (GT40)
Transmission: THO400
Axle/Gears: Forged axles, 3.23 rear
So for say around the 6psi mark on a stock-ish motor, we are agreed on about 0.030"?
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Old Aug 9, 2005 | 08:21 PM
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Sounds reasonable I think.

I run .028 in my Talon with up to 24 psi, but it's stock ignition system is fairly healthy from the factory.
I was blowing out the spark occasionally at 7000+ rpm on 21 psi when I had worn plugs that had opened up to ~.032.

I know it's not a small block Chevy but good for reference anyway. I'd think an MSD setup on a small block should be at least as strong as my Talon's stock ignition.
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Old Aug 9, 2005 | 09:51 PM
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6 psi... with an ignition box, probably somethign in the 32-36* range.
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Old Aug 9, 2005 | 10:42 PM
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Car: 1990 Camaro IROC-T
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and what on a about stock ignition setup?
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Old Aug 10, 2005 | 02:12 AM
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that really depends on the rpm that you intend to turn. Sub 5500, I'd say that you'll be OK with somethign in the .028-.034" range.
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