I had Al tune my car back in September. He had originally asked that I bring a new set of plugs (NGK) so that he could replace them. I did, but he ended up not doing it (forgot his wrench and, more importantly, he said the stock ones were fine based on the readout on his laptop). I'm pushing 60,000 miles and am wanting to replace the plugs myself. So my potentially naive question is this: Is there anything that I have to consider while changing the plugs, given that my car has been tuned? I ask because during the process Al identified a little knock over 7000 RPM. After a little tweaking on his laptop, the knock was gone. Specifically, do the new plugs have to be gapped exactly like the OEM ones that are in there now and, if there is any difference in the gap, will that cause knock or anything else that's harmful? Or could I just throw the plugs in there right out of the box and forget about it? Thanks.

 

Wow!! You have 60k on the stock plugs!?! With just basic boltons and such, go with some BPR7ES gapped to .026 and you'll be fine

 

I didn't know that 60K was much of an achievement on the stockers. The thing is, they're probably fine (if I took them out and looked at them). But, I might as well make a clean start. So if I gapped the NGKs to 0.026, will that work? Or is the gap different for each brand of plug? I paid a little over $30 for the four and would hate to let them sit there.

By the way, I know these questions may be no-brainers for some people but I would rather be safe than sorry. Thanks...

 

I agree with the above, you can replace them and gap them as stated above and be fine. Gap is the same for each brand just how much is where you need to look. 26 is a good gap for the stock turbo.

 

I'd think even for a mildy modded car 60k is pushing it. I change mine about every 6k and some even do every oil change.

I'm guessing you bought the iridium stock like plugs if you payed over $30, which is fine if you want to use them, but the cheapo copper NGK plugs work just as well
and cost ~$7 for four, just for future reference

 

BTW, it might be worth mentioning if the plugs you bought are indeed iridium, then they shouldn't need gapping at all.

 

Thank you, everyone, for the replies.

 

You're welcome

 

some/most places suggest to change them every 3,000 with your oil... i kno i do


BTW theres no such thing as a dumb question/no brainers we all learned from some one/where/how

 

Dont worry - just change them -

I like the BR7ES myself

Al

 

+1 on that one, dont leave home with out them!

 

you cant change your plugs yourself?!?

 

some people cant dont have the macnhical skills nothing wrong with that.

 

Yes, I can. In fact I changed them a few weeks ago. No gapping - car runs great. The OEM plugs were fairly dirty, by the way. I'm thinking I'll change them every 30,000 miles from now on.

 

I keep a set in my car too. I switched from BPR7ES to BR7ES. They work much better in my 03 without the protruding tip. Smoother and no missfire codes that I used to see on occasion