New spark plugs, more power

[Firetodd]

Thought I'd share. I talked with Ron previously and he suggested NGk xr5 plugs. I had noticed that my 383 had seemed sluggish and with less power recently. In fact, I could no longer smoke my tires.  this concerned me.

So today I picked up some NGk 3332 XR5 plugs and swapped them for my Autolite plugs. My old plugs looked brown and not fouled. Well NAPA only had 6, and had to order in the other two. Anyway, I swapped them and laid two 30 foot rubber marks on my residential street that my wife does not appreciate as much as I do.

[firefighter3931]

I swapped them and laid two 30 foot rubber marks on my residential street that my wife does not appreciate as much as I do.

Are we having fun yet ?

It's allways nice when you unleash newfound power......tuning, tuning and more tuning 

Good work Todd 



Ron

[hemi68charger]

Very nice Ron.  ....... maybe I'll get a set for the ole' Hemi when I fire her up for the first time soon.......   

[Firetodd]

Ron,
I ordered in the Brad Penn 20/50 oil and the NAPA gold filter as well. They are sitting in my garage waiting for me to change the oil. Can't wait to do that as well! Yesterday was 92 outside and she really is running hot. My son was uncomfortable as I turned the heat on to try to bring temp down a bit.

Next week I'll post pics of my old plugs and the group can chime in as to whether I'm perhaps running a bit lean.

[Firetodd]

I changed the oil and filter today. I did make a little mess getting that filter out! It was 91 today, so the test drive was fun!

[c00nhunterjoe]

Makes me almost want to swap out my autolites....lol

[green69rt]

I don't know the diff between the two plugs but the effect of a longer electrode is to increase the advance as the spark is further into the combustion chamber.  Maybe the new plugs are longer.  These are tiny distances but they do matter.  Maybe you need a tuneup on the distributor as well??

[c00nhunterjoe]

I cant see how a simple plug change can result it that much of a horsepower increase, given there was nothing wrong with the old ones.there had to be another underlying issue.

[cudaken]

Ron or Todd, any details as far as why the plugs woke up the Mopar?

Far as prices, I just goggled them and highest prices was $3.50 a plug and lowest was $1.45. For a $1.45 it be worth trying after I get some details.

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts/ngk_v-power_spark_plug_-_xr5/23558/ngkng3332-.aspx#

Link to lowest prices.

Cuda Ken

[billssuperbird]

I did the same in my 440.   thanks Ron.

[firefighter3931]

I changed the oil and filter today. I did make a little mess getting that filter out! It was 91 today, so the test drive was fun!

Good stuff Todd....your engine is now well protected with the BP lube & Napa Gold (Wix) oil filter. Best stuff out there for our flat tappet engines....bar none 

Ron or Todd, any details as far as why the plugs woke up the Mopar?

Ken, the NGK plugs are fantastic....they just flat out work.  My guess is that Todd probably had too cold of a plug in his engine. Increasing heat in the chamber will certainly affect power production. The results indicate we made a step in the right direction. Gap, condition and heat range all affect performance.  Todd had recently installed a Firecore ignition system and adjusted it to where i had recommended and the results were an improvement but not as much as i would have expected. The last piece of the puzzle was the sparkplug(s) and he nailed it with the XR5's 

I did the same and my 440.  thanks Ron.

You're welcome Bill....the "right" plug and some tuning can make a huge difference. Good to hear your car is running better 



Ron

[myk]

Hmm....I've got Bosch's in mine-couldn't hurt to try out the NGK's.  Is there a ballpark number for plug gap and heat range we should first try out?

[firefighter3931]

Hmm....I've got Bosch's in mine-couldn't hurt to try out the NGK's.  Is there a ballpark number for plug gap and heat range we should first try out?

Hey Myk,

With the MSD box, you have lots of firepower to light the flame.  With pump gas compression i like to gap them at .040 which will work fine with the 6 series box. The XR5 matches up well with that compression ratio.

It wouldn't hurt to check the resistance on your ignition wires just to make sure all the available spark energy is making it's way to the sparkplugs. An ohm meter is your friend. I like to see less than 250 ohms/ft on ignition leads.

You can also ground an ignition wire to the engine and crank it over observing the spark. The color of that spark will tell you a lot. A nice blueish/white spark show's a healthy ignition system. A dull orange/yellowish spark indicates excessive resistance.


Ron

[Firetodd]

Here is a picture of my old plugs:

[firefighter3931]

Todd,

What is the # and manufacturer on those plugs ?

Looks rich to me and possibly the wrong heat range  If the heat range is too cold the plugs will foul so it's not necessarily a jetting issue. 


Ron

[Firetodd]

My old plugs and the one in the pictures were AC Delco #7 rapid fire platinum.

[firefighter3931]

My old plugs and the one in the pictures were AC Delco #7 rapid fire platinum.

Hi Todd,

I had to do some research on that plug....not much information out there but i did find one GM forum that was discussing heat range parameters with the rapidfire's.

Seems like the concensus was that a #5 was the preferred choice for pump gas type street builds. The #7 appears to be an incorrect choice according to that information and based on the improved performance with the new NGK XR5's i would have to agree. 


Ron

[johnnycharger]

Here is a picture of my old plugs:

This is the same condition my Bosch platinum plugs are in. I have a stockish 383. Should I expect a good improvement if I switch to these NGKS ?

[PlainfieldCharger]

Curious, if the plugs pictured are running rich....will the replacement of the plugs cure this? Is this a carb adjustment or re-jet?

[firefighter3931]

This is the same condition my Bosch platinum plugs are in. I have a stockish 383. Should I expect a good improvement if I switch to these NGKS ?

Johnny,

It certainly wouldn't hurt to try a set of NGK's....i would do it 


Ron

[firefighter3931]

Curious, if the plugs pictured are running rich....will the replacement of the plugs cure this? Is this a carb adjustment or re-jet?

PFCharger ;

It could be an incorrect heat range plug, rich mixture or weak ignition system....or a combination of all three. In Todd's case we knew it wasn't ignition related and he had the carb nicely dialed in so that left the sparkplugs. 


Ron

[c00nhunterjoe]

Well i typically change my plugs yearly... do i need to? Nah, but its habit.... havnt swapped them out this yeat so i think i may give the ngk's a try.

[PlainfieldCharger]

I know I am burning rich, I feel I have things closer as it is running really well. I did put the NGK in it but have not removed them to check how she's burning now. Just looking for my next step, if needed....do the hi performance engines still burn the plug  to a nice tan color?

[firefighter3931]

Well i typically change my plugs yearly... do i need to? Nah, but its habit.... havnt swapped them out this yeat so i think i may give the ngk's a try.

What plugs do you normally run ?  Are they staying clean ? 

The XR5's seem to work very well with pump gas compression street/strip builds from my experience 


Ron

[firefighter3931]

I know I am burning rich, I feel I have things closer as it is running really well. I did put the NGK in it but have not removed them to check how she's burning now. Just looking for my next step, if needed....do the hi performance engines still burn the plug  to a nice tan color?

Time to pull a few and have a look see 

Often the idle mixture will be too rich. I use a vacuum guage and adjust for max vacuum and that ususally dials the idle circuit in just fine.

Ideally you want to see a little color ; light brown/tan is what i shoot for. 


Ron