Spark Plug Gap

[sx sonic]

I would like to add that I was expierencing what I have to determined to be spark blow out recently. At 3k-5k my car would cut out repeatedly and bang and pop, really bad. I fueled at a different gas station when it started to happen but after running it dry and using my usual shell 93 it still happened.

Pulled the plugs and brought them down from my previous .031" back to .028", I also noticed that the srping that contacts the plug terminal inside the boot was alil ****ed and not all the way down so I straightened that out with a touch of a pick and reinstalled. No problems since, and I am tuned.

So if your having issues, set your gap at .028" and make sure the spring inside the spark plug boot is positioned correctly and then see if its better.

-tyler

 

[Bogus]

Yeah max for 1.4 is .028

1.8 can go higher

 

[$ub$onic]

I'm running .035 on my 1.8 I love it

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[dvn]

I'm running .035 on my 1.8 I love it

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Can't get away with that on a tuned 1.4

 

[$ub$onic]

Sucks to be u

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[sx sonic]

yep it does suck, i'd rather have a .035 gap than an extra 40hp.

 

[$ub$onic]

That what she said last night

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[Bogus]

I'm running .035 on my 1.8 I love it

same here!

 

[Jeraime1741]

Ok....its set at .28 and ill check my plug boot

 

[1967stella]

I ve been reading on this for a while and i cant really find a definitive answer.. Im checking my gaps tomorrow morning. I have 1.4t 2.5 inch exhaust, dp, and intake. Would running a uniform .03 be ok/better. If they are all .028 then ill leave em but if i have to adjust would it be ok to do 3

 

[rdss]

There's only one way to find out of .03 will work. It's clear from earlier posts that.035 is to much for the 1.4 and Vince (Trifecta) highly recommends the factory .028.

 

[Sarcrasticar]

What would be the intended benefit of running a larger gap?

 

[rdss]

Large spark due to gap but you will have a higher chance of having spark blow out on the turbo.

 

[1967stella]

Yea ill just stick to 28 no nee to get the wife pissed about the sonic again

 

[sx sonic]

After my expierence i'd recommend .028". I had some other factors that may have caused my issue (plug boot wire not being seated correctly in 2 boots and silicone on plug terminals got real crusty) but .028" has been confirmed to work without issue and is Vince from trifectas recommendation for a tuned engine s1.4t engine.

It will probably be fine, so if you want to test it like I did go for it and if you have any issues just tighten the gap up alil

-tyler

 

[dvn]

.035 worked great before I was tuned. Seemed to improve low speed throttle response. After the tune I went back to .028

 

[theenico]

.028 is also GM's recommendation per the owner's manual in your glove box.

Just sayin'

The more you know.

 

[key1cc]

.028 is also GM's recommendation per the owner's manual in your glove box.

Just sayin'

The more you know.

I'm budget tuned and was factory set at 0.025. I ran 93 octane in my first tank without issue (once the car warms up) and plenty of power. I just filled up with my 2nd tank (since being tuned) which is 87 octane and I feel little if any reduction in power (it may be psychlogical because I am expecting to feel less). My Ultra Gauge gave me a peak boost of 22.6 with 93 octane after multiple attempts. I have only tried WOT once with 87 octane and I got a peak boost of 20.5.
I am very happy so far with 87 octane and the current gapping of my plugs and will likely stay there.
Key1

 

[Eric Smit]

Our, 1.4 owners', ignition system doesn't have enough power to push a strong enough spark across a 35 spark gap when tuned. The boost will literally blow out the spark, as if saying **** you spark. With upgraded ignition coils/coil pack, you'd be able to run a larger gap, which would result in a more complete burn. Since that item is not available yet, you have to run a smaller gap, which provides a stronger but shorter spark, to avoid blowout.


-Eric Smit

 

[Preloader]

Fearone mentioned that he upgraded the ignition coils and spark plug wires, probably to help the spark overcome the density with nitrous, I wonder if he can lead us in the right direction to stronger ignition.