[Grabber523]

Anybody running aftermarket coils? I have been fighting spark blowout since I installed my charger and I'm to the point where I'm upgrading the coils, wondering how everybody likes the ones they have...not stock...only people running aftermarket coils, please...

[1FastFox]

Im pretty sure just about everyone has the stock ones. I know Im running 8-10 psi out of a procharger and have been having no problems what so ever...

[Grabber523]

I switched to 0 heat range plugs, they worked great for a week until I started to get the lurching from misfire...switched back to the stock heat range and that made the lurching go away..that worked for a few months, now the lurching is back. I've ohmed the coils to check for defects...nothing. The spark is just too weak. I haven't really heard anyone needing to run hoter colis on here, but I need a stronger spark on the colder plugs...so...anyone who has aftermarket coils...

[MaverickMLFD371]

I'd check your tune to see what kind of advance spark is on the KB tune, cause the 0 degree plugs are suppose to really benefit forced induction and nitrous applications, not hurt it, or fail after a month. I'd make sure everything is tweaked right on your tune before going to spend $350 on coils. cause people have installed coils on their blown applications and hurt their power as well. I dont want you end up like them.

[Grabber523]

The KB tune is optimized for 24 degrees btdc...the code that i pull out is a misfire code...I found the misfire code when I got a MAF code...the MAF code was caused by the misfire, too much unburned fuel through the o2 sensors, which created a lean mix...and threw the MAF code...changing plugs fixes it. I've checked the plugs for coloration, the mixture seems fine (verified by aem wideband), just runs like crap under a load...because it's misfiring...

[07BossGT]

24 BTDC? Wow that seems really Advanced. No?

[Emay]

Grabber, I have to start small so don't be offended, but did you gap your hto's as needed?

Check all the connectors, I just had a guy stop buy this week for a mis on an 07 and one of the pins in a coil plug was bent causing an intermitant check engine light.. code showed coil failure, only reason I found the bent pin was because it plugged in with more friction to it than the others.

I just did a KB 2.6 on an 06 gt and to date there are no problems with spark blow out. I have a hard time believing your so in the minority with spark blow out without being outside the stock internals thresholds. Usually this surfaces up in the 575 to 600 hp ranges.

If your running the KB canned tune, go get it looked at with your local tuner, I know first hand how bad the canned tune is. It's pretty poor / and way conservative.. Every car is different and your just might not like the canned parameter. Do yourself a favor and at the least flip for a single pull to see where everything is at.

I'm running 11# on my procharger and have no issues with the stock coils or HTO's. I'm pressing the motor pretty hard and to day not a single issue..

Just tryin to save you money..

[Grabber523]

Emay,
Don't get me wrong, I'm not offended by your suggestions...I do have quite a bit of automotive experience, and i appreciate your inputs, and I'm looking for any help i can get. With that being said, let's figure this out.

1. How do you gap a full-strap plug?? I looked at the suggested gap on the KB website, and it's the same gap that those plugs come with out of the box...so yes, the gap is proper.

2. I've had the coils and plugs out at least 6 times shooting this problem, along with the MAF, TB, etc...all the connections are perfect. I'm a 9-year aircraft mechanic by trade, so checking pins and triple-checking conections is second-nature to me...as is checking continuity across every pin before hooking up connectors, just to be sure it's not a wiring problem.

3. I'm not denying that this is a rare problem, I've even contacted Kenne Bell about it, and they're still running stock coils on thier mules, and they can't seem to put a finger on my problem.

4. I'm in North Dakota, so there are no local tuners at all. I'm running the canned tune, which I've checked as best I can on a dynojet. A/F ratio was 11.5 throughout the pull at 8 lbs of boost and 60 lbs of fuel pressure, but I have no way of checking spark advance, which is the reference I've used to tune a/f ratios on my pervious tuner projects...that would definitely help me out. I've heard that the tune is too aggressive, which seems to be the case as 24 degrees of advance seems like a lot. You're right though, every car is different, and nobody gets it right the first time evey time...but the tune seems dead on based on a/f ratio vs. load.

So there you have it. I'm at my wit's end with this. The only thing I can think is that I got a weak coil from Ford which caused my misfire code...what else could it be?? I hate to spend as much on a datalogger as I would just to get the coils.

[Emay]

Grabber, good to see your in this open minded. Sounds like you've done nearly everything you can to this point. Datalogging the car is probably your last item to do just to send you in the right direction without throwing parts at the car. I'm guessing your using a KB black box xcal unit? Zero logging capability. So you do have a dilemma here, because the cost of coils and the cost of a data logging programmer are nearly identical.

I've attached some photos of the full wrap sparg plug gapping tool I use. Basically the plug threads into this tool, and the allen screw thats threaded at the other end indents the wrap down to whatever your setting to. You can pick one up at PMPparts online, or tillman, and even dynojoe.

If your plugs have a small dent on the end then they should be gapped correctly, but if they aren't dented then they have not been.

I'll also get with my tuner and see if he's encountered anything similar, see if he has any insite..

[Grabber523]

Wow...that is pretty bad ass...didn't know they made a tool to change the gap on those...so is the new gap marked on the tool, or do you have to have a special feeler to check it? I'm guessing I should try setting the gap to .35 instead of the stock .45?

[Emay]

You have to have the feelers, the tool is not marked. I have seen one with maks on it, but I seem to remember it cost like 200.00 for the tool.

Your correct in the gap, remember on these you can't go backwards. So double and triple check you have the right gap prior to making the resize. Otherwise it ends up being an 8 or 9 dollar expense as we all know..

[Grabber523]

Yeah, i got a few extra sets of plugs to play with...cool. I ordered off PNP, hopefully it'll be here in a couple days...I appreciate the hookup on that tool...hopefully I'm not back on this thread again in a month!

[Grabber523]

OKAY!! so finally got the plugs gapped down...what a difference!! EMAY you are the man...I guess you can't always rely on what an aftermarket tuner's telling you to do...so here we go with the next question...

at .035 it's running MUCH better, but I'm still getting a tiny amount of bucking at higher rpms in 3rd and 4th...the car's cooling down right now before I pull the plugs again and close it up to about .032...how far is too far to take the gaps on these plugs before it's gonna hurt my cruising performance...I've got a 4000 mile road trip coming up next week, through the rockies and Idaho, and need all the goodness on tap, no matter temp, altitude, etc. It seems like the missing got worse as the outside temp decreased, air's more dense. I hate to be under the hood re-gapping plugs at 3 a.m. on top of a mountain in 30 degree temps...I've always got the track tools with me, but that's no fun...kinda like getting into a public shower with Redfire...

[Emay]

Grabber, I've seen 14# turbo cars gap down as far as .028 and run real well. I'm positive you won't need to go that far, just wanted to make you comfortable in the fact that you can go that far if necessary. Personally I would go to the .032 mark like your going to try and see how it goes, if there is still a hint of blow out continue with .002 increments until everything is gone. I know it's a pain, but that's the right way to do it and not go too far. Baby step method.

Glad to see it's working out.. Image how much fun this would be if there was no internet.....

[Grabber523]

I know, without your help, I wouldn't know about the full-strap plug gapper, since all the ford dealerships around here have no idea what i'm talking about...ever...about anything...I can't even get the winter beater I just bought running straight because they don't know how to check timing or hook up a vacuum tester...even longer story than this one... Ya I just wasn't sure if it was in my best interest to go past .030, but that's cool...figure an hour each time I pull them, not including driving and cool down, that's not terrible...and i can put this $600 back in my pocket for now...blow it on a full MAC exhaust...

[Grabber523]

Originally Posted by Emay I'll also get with my tuner and see if he's encountered anything similar, see if he has any insite..

I AM my tuner... I did everything but the gear install (didn't want to take chances with the whine or clunk)...I like to build my own cars, not throw money at someone else to do it for me...thanks again!!

[Emay]

yeah save them bucks...

FYI, just talked with Dyno Joe in Houston (discussing a 12 rib kit for my car) and he said they are pretty much having to gap nearly every charged car to .025-.028 due to blow out now. That of course is the HTO's. So don't go getting worried if you have to take it down that far. I'm fairly certain you'll be good at .032-.030 though.

[06RedfireGT]

Originally Posted by Grabber523 kinda like getting into a public shower with Redfire...

*bats eyelashes*

[Grabber523]

You love it Red...Anyways, I re-gapped them down to .030...and it goes like a bat outta hell...I think it's running stonger than it has since I installed it...can't wait to throw it on a dyno...see where I'm at...and now i have the tool, so this won't be an issue in the future (big sigh of relief)...thanks again for your help, Emay! Now on to Kenne Bell to update thier tech articles...after a couple beers...

[Emay]

good news grabber, glad I could help.

Now if someone could just make my bad day go away, I took a golf ball sized rock on the hood today. Thought since the season was coming to an end, taking the car out would be a good idea. Instead, my bad luck landed me some significant damage. Nothing like redoing paint work that was just done less than 8 months ago.. Boooooooo