Spark Plugs w/ Cobb Stage 2

[MattSin97]

Hey everyone, I was going to get my spark plugs changed this weekend to the NGK 1 step colder plugs. I know that Cobb specified their OTS tunes with OEM plugs, but I was wondering if the tune would be okay with the NGKs? I'm currently in the process of setting up a day with Ryan from PD Tuning, so I wanted the colder plugs for his tune (his recommendation). Any information is appreciated, thanks.

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[FreePenguin]

NGK 90495 oem heat. its what me and many here are running. gap at 0.028 use this for Cobb.-- oem heat for Cobb 1/2/3

just rock what you have til you get pro tune, colder plug isn't going to harm it, may foul up a bit earlier than normal. but no big deal

 

[TeeLew]

Matt, Penguin has a hard on over colder-than-stock plugs, doesn't use them and never shuts up about it (or anything else for that matter). He has zero tuning experience of his own, but the advice on 'what you should do' never bloody stops.

If you're running a COBB tune (going past the #1 map seems suspect, but you do you) then do what COBB says to do with the rest of the engine. If you're having Ryan tune your car, then do what Ryan says to do with the rest of the engine. It's really not all that tough.

 

[FreePenguin]

I only repeat what COBB told me. They said do not use colder plugs, use OEM heat for 1/2/3 that was its design for application. So 1/2/3 use oem.

Ryan/Adam, use colder as they tune for those. just as Cobb tunes for oem. I am not a tuner, but I can repeat what I was told, why would I ever recommend anyone to use colder plugs, when Cobb themselves was against it when I was having all my issues on the phone?

I repeat that info, and I will continue to advise the words from Cobb. Colder plugs on oem/ford/cobb will result in shortened plug life, fouling etc from not correct burning.

oem tune - oem heat
ford perf - oem heat
Cobb 1/2/3 - oem heat
Ryan/Adam - colder

 

[MattSin97]

I'm just wondering because I don't have an exact tune day set for Ryan yet. I am going to have a shop do my plugs. I doubt they are going to be able to have a smooth transition from getting my plugs installed and Ryan tuning on the same day. So I thought I would get the plugs put in firs so Ryan doesn't have to retune after the fact if I do the plugs after he does the tune. There is probably going to be a week in between when I put the plugs in and getting the tune. Just want to see if this is safe or not.

 

[FreePenguin]

I'm just wondering because I don't have an exact tune day set for Ryan yet. I am going to have a shop do my plugs. I doubt they are going to be able to have a smooth transition from getting my plugs installed and Ryan tuning on the same day. So I thought I would get the plugs put in firs so Ryan doesn't have to retune after the fact if I do the plugs after he does the tune. There is probably going to be a week in between when I put the plugs in and getting the tune. Just want to see if this is safe or not.

you will be fine, colder plugs is a long term fouling. like every 10k miles people here replace those plugs on oem tunes from what I recall.- while oem plugs go 100k. quite a degradation on oem tune

dont sweat it.

 

[MattSin97]

Talked to Cobb, this is what they wrote

"Matthew,

Thanks for contacting COBB Support! We personally don't use colder plugs on any of our R&D cars, but it shouldn't affect anything negatively when used with an OTS map. They are supposed to dissipate heat faster, so they are less prone to knock events, but shouldn't affect any need for change in calibration.

Please let us know if you have any questions!"

 

[FreePenguin]

Talked to Cobb, this is what they wrote

"Matthew,

Thanks for contacting COBB Support! We personally don't use colder plugs on any of our R&D cars, but it shouldn't affect anything negatively when used with an OTS map. They are supposed to dissipate heat faster, so they are less prone to knock events, but shouldn't affect any need for change in calibration.

Please let us know if you have any questions!"

they just told me, use oem heat. dont bother with colder plugs for 1/2/3 that I was wanting to run.
I do read about people changing their plugs pretty often/low intervals on Ryan/Adam tunes. but I think they are being pushed pretty hard too. the gap opens quite a bit if I recall reading.

 

[TeeLew]

I'm just wondering because I don't have an exact tune day set for Ryan yet. I am going to have a shop do my plugs.

At least consider doing them yourself when the time comes. It's about as easy a job as you're ever going to attempt. If you're overly concerned about setting the gap, then get them pre-gapped from Parker Performance or someone similar.

 

[MattSin97]

Thanks guys, appreciate the help. Yeah, I think I might do it myself. Just need a few tools. Im not too mechanically inclined, but I'm trying to work a little here and there on the car. Earlier I installed the Airaid modular intake tube and it wasn't that crazy, might watch a few videos and attempt the spark plugs as well.

 

[Jaymar]

If you have a spark plug socket with an extension and you know righty-tighty you can do plugs on an I4. And don't sweat the heat range too much, the difference in 1 range colder is so much smaller than people make it out to be that it isn't even worth worrying about. Unless advised by a tuner for their tune to use a specific one, then an OEM/1 step colder isn't enough to even worry about. It won't foul up in 10K miles or anything near as drastic as that.

 

[VegasEcoboost]

1 range colder should not cause an issue with any tune. At worst you can end up with a slight idle stumble on cold starts. You should be checking your plugs religiously. It’s even more imperative once you’ve modded your car. Your plugs are the only way to get a true idea of what is happening in your engine. There are many places online that can tell you how to read a plug. If you’ve got the tools ready, you can pull all 4 in under 10 mins. 10k miles is a long time to run a plug on any modified engine without verifying their status.

I used to pull plugs every test pass on my nitrous LS1. Once used, any good plugs would be relegated to the spare parts pile. To truly read plugs, you need to put a fresh set in prior to making a pass, and shut the engine off right after the traps. Idk, but putting $40 worth of plugs in every 6 months seems like very cheap insurance to me.

 

[MattSin97]

1 range colder should not cause an issue with any tune. At worst you can end up with a slight idle stumble on cold starts. You should be checking your plugs religiously. It’s even more imperative once you’ve modded your car. Your plugs are the only way to get a true idea of what is happening in your engine. There are many places online that can tell you how to read a plug. If you’ve got the tools ready, you can pull all 4 in under 10 mins. 10k miles is a long time to run a plug on any modified engine without verifying their status.

I used to pull plugs every test pass on my nitrous LS1. Once used, any good plugs would be relegated to the spare parts pile. To truly read plugs, you need to put a fresh set in prior to making a pass, and shut the engine off right after the traps. Idk, but putting $40 worth of plugs in every 6 months seems like very cheap insurance to me.

Thank you for the info. I was able to change out the plugs myself thankfully. I just l received my first protune map from PD Tuning, so I will make sure to check them every 10 thousand or so.

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