does spark plug indexing actually make any proven power gains? i'm getting my heads for my soon-to-be 355 soon, and i wanted to know if i should buy an index kit and do it before i bolt them up.

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1987 Trans Am
"Tired, old 305"
4 barrel
700R4 + B&M stage 2 Transpack
Thinkin' 'bout a 355

 

I used Moroso's indexing washers once; I noticed such a small butt-dyno gain that it could've been all in my head. I didn't use 'em again.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Not worth the trouble. Indexing sparkplugs is mainly for very high powered engines in bracket/drag racing where every 1/10th of a second counts. I doubt you'd feel any difference in power on a mild or stock engine.

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'92 RS, ZZ4 10:1 350, Edelbrock 6085 heads, Crane 208/214 467/482 cam, GM/LT4 1.6 true roller rockers, Holley Projection TBI intake, Holley 670 TBI, SLP/Jet-Hot 1-5/8" headers, Catco 3" cat, Flowmaster 3" catback, Hughes 2500 stall converter, stock 700R4, Auburn Pro posi w/3.42, 17x9" SS rims w/BFG tires, Medium Quasar Blue w/white SS stripes, 48,000 miles....

 

I've done mine in the past. I believe in the "every little bit helps" axiom. It's a pain but I did get a basically stock L98 to run 13.81 in my 89RS. I'll be doing it again on my ZZ4 when I install the headers and change plugs.


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Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI
92Z28convt5spd
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!

 

i've always done it on methanol powered go karts and it does seem to help, but that's a very differant set up than a SBC. if you're looking for every last hundreth of a second i'd do it, other wise not.

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-=ICON MOTORSPORTS=-
1st & 3rd

 

One Friday this past summer, after our first time trial, "Phil" popped the hood and started pulling out the plugs he had just put in the week before. He hadn't indexed them, and one cylinder wasn't firing. He found it, the ground electrode was bent over onto the center electrode on that cylinder.

Of course, this is a low-11-second back-halved Monte Carlo with a 14:1 454...

Like they say above, you won't notice it, especially on a tired old 305. "Phil" is a different story.