Colder Spark Plug Question
04-29-2009, 01:17 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pittsburg, CA
Posts: 186
Colder Spark Plug Question
Would running a colder range spark plug help reduce high rpm detonation? I have a ba-ma 91 race tune and I am getting some detonation at WOT and higher rpm. Im in CA too by the way. I hear the gas out here isn't that great so I know that could be a factor as well. I have been able to dial back the global timing and that has made it pretty good but I feel like I can get more.
My performance mods consist of only the 91 race tune, everything else is stock.
My performance mods consist of only the 91 race tune, everything else is stock.
04-30-2009, 08:16 AM
#3
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
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I would start by lowering the octane in your tune. Just because the pump says 91 doesn't mean its always 91. If that doesn't help you could try a colder spark plug, but if you go to cold you can also experience some detonation.
04-30-2009, 08:34 AM
#4
The Paranoid One
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 5,320
I would start by reading the threads on spark plugs breaking off in the cylinder head of our engines and find out the build date of yours to see if you are affected first.
(some 08's are and some are not)
(some 08's are and some are not)
04-30-2009, 11:43 AM
#5
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Location: Goodyear, AZ
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Try using fuel from a different station/brand. Being basically stock, you don't want to run a colder step plug. If the different fuel doesn't help (give it a couple of tanks to confirm), you will need to pull some timing out.
Casey
Casey
04-30-2009, 12:50 PM
#6
2nd Gear Member
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Location: Pittsburg, CA
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I have pulled some global timing ( 6 degrees ) and that cures it. I just feel like I'm missing out on something though. I have always put chevron gas in the car and started using 91 well before I ever got my tune, because I knew I would be getting a tune for 91 octane. Any suggestion on a better gasoline? I was under the impression that chevron was the best for the most part, but I am open to suggestion, maybe shell or 76 would be better.
04-30-2009, 03:44 PM
#7
I have pulled some global timing ( 6 degrees ) and that cures it. I just feel like I'm missing out on something though. I have always put chevron gas in the car and started using 91 well before I ever got my tune, because I knew I would be getting a tune for 91 octane. Any suggestion on a better gasoline? I was under the impression that chevron was the best for the most part, but I am open to suggestion, maybe shell or 76 would be better.
04-30-2009, 04:51 PM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pittsburg, CA
Posts: 186
That's affirmative, 91 is the premium octane here in CA. There are some stations that are 50mi+ away from me where I could get some race gas from the pump but its not really doable right now. Although I am going to do that in the future ( just to see).
04-30-2009, 05:57 PM
#9
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,860
i woldn't do race octane,imo......on a stock 3v
04-30-2009, 05:59 PM
#10
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Location: Goodyear, AZ
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You should also have parameters to pull timing in the low, mid and high rpm range. You can put some global (adds or pulls timing to overall commanded timing) back in and pull some from the mid and high rpm range. This way, you can still keep your low end torque.
Casey
Casey