builthatch

i guess i can use the tap method to close them, and needle nose on the side of the strap to open the gap?

boxed gap is .044, i need to bring it down 12 thou

thanks.

tony1

What is the part number on the plug and why do you need to go to .012"?

The only reason I could see for a plug gap like that is A LOT of boost. A lot of boost requires a cold plug, which will generally be gapped at .025" or less out of the box.

So, you sure you have the right plug for what you're doing?

Tap it down, use a feeler gauge. If you have to open it up, you have to pull on the ground strap, can't pry it off the electrode. Go slow so you don't have to go backwards.

builthatch

i need to bring it down 12 thou from .044, not TO 12 thou hahahaha

80lbs of boost!!!!!!!!!

but thanks man! that's what i'll do.

HiProfile

The iridium is really just the electrode material (groundstrap is plated at the most), so no special procedure is needed. People usually only use platinum or iridium for very long service intervals. The HP they are said to create is really just after thousands of miles VS fouled copper plugs. Much more people have had issues with them breaking (on turbo Hondas) than plain old plugs too.

My $.02

tony1

What plug are you using?

builthatch

oops tony, forgot you asked that hehe....

the NGK equiv to the denso ITV22, NGK 6510 aka LTR7IX-11. it's one step colder than my stock iridiums on my ms3. cobb recommends it with the more aggressive maps on the accessport.

HiProfile, you can't gap these plugs with a typical disc type gapper, as you can't apply pressure to the center electrode. it will break. in the late 90's, i tried it on the first version HKS superfires and one broke it with very little pressure...sucked too because at the time the stupid things cost like 25 bucks each.

turboteg2nv

Yeah, but can you use copper plugs with COP ignition systems (k-series)?

D-Rob

Sure can!

I ran normal BKR7E's (PN 6097) on my K20A2 when it was N/A with no issues.

I recently switched to BKR8EIX's (when I supercharged the car) because the R5671A-8's that we use on most B-Series applications are non-resistor plugs, which wreak havoc on K-Pro.

- Derek

builthatch

ok, i just got done gapping them. involved the usual tap-down method. i closed em down to 28 thou. two were a little too tight for my feeler to get in there, so i had to open them up a hair. i used pliers as recommended everywhere, pulling up on the strap slightly.

that put some bite marks in the ground strap. they are tiny sharp marks. i sanded them down to knock the sharpness off.

do you think that is necessary? would such marks cause hot spots?

HiProfile

No more than the sharp edges most stamped ground straps have. As long as you sand them down, it will be fine. If you looked at aftermarket pistons, they are usually stamped with the P#. All that's required to make them safe is few passes with a scotch-brite pad.

boostedcivicsir

you can use the tangs on the end to bend the electrode down. iridium plug straps are a little more resillient than regular plugs, but this method works. i have tried it.