Another Spark Plug Question
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 36
From: Silver City, NM
Another Spark Plug Question
My 95 Z28 has a 383 in it, with some unknown parts since it was built before I got my hands on it. So having some issues as I'm fixing gremlins left behind by the po.
What plugs should I run in a 383 with a mild cam? Special Gap? I put 8mm wires on it, and am getting ready to do the plugs, and all the other standard maint stuff. But I want to make sure I run the right plugs
What plugs should I run in a 383 with a mild cam? Special Gap? I put 8mm wires on it, and am getting ready to do the plugs, and all the other standard maint stuff. But I want to make sure I run the right plugs
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 16
From: West Virginia
Re: Another Spark Plug Question
I know many people do not like the accel brand for whatever reason, but I run the accel silver shorty's. Due to header clearance issues mainly but I love them! I have put some decent miles on them so far and I have taken them out 2x to look them over. They have a perfect color, due to the tune mostly Im sure. I will probably never use a differant plug from here on out! Ive used ngk's, e3's, etc. but I love these!
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,942
From: Kissimmee, Fl, USA
Re: Another Spark Plug Question
A point of clarification on the NGK plugs. TR55 is the stock replacement, with the stock gap in a copper plug. The TR55IV is the iridium tipped plug and is the direct stock replacement...there is no platinum plug. The TR6 is a copper plug, one heat range cooler, with a gap of 0.035 from the factory.
You can change the gap on the copper plugs but you should very careful doing so on the Irdium tipped versions as the electrodes are pretty tiny and look like they could break off readily. That sucks on a $7.00 spark plug....
The rule of thumb, based on a real world experience (not mine...collective experience) is to use 1 heat range cooler per extra hundred horsepower. Since I can't imagine someone building a 383 and not ending up with a hundred more horsepower than a stock engine you should have a 1 range colder plug. If you go with an NGK plug, try the TR6, part number 4177
There is no real concensus on the best plug. Lots of guys use NGK, plenty use Autolite, some (apparently) use Accel plugs and other swear by the stockers. Do the research and come up with your own conclusion.....
You can change the gap on the copper plugs but you should very careful doing so on the Irdium tipped versions as the electrodes are pretty tiny and look like they could break off readily. That sucks on a $7.00 spark plug....
The rule of thumb, based on a real world experience (not mine...collective experience) is to use 1 heat range cooler per extra hundred horsepower. Since I can't imagine someone building a 383 and not ending up with a hundred more horsepower than a stock engine you should have a 1 range colder plug. If you go with an NGK plug, try the TR6, part number 4177
There is no real concensus on the best plug. Lots of guys use NGK, plenty use Autolite, some (apparently) use Accel plugs and other swear by the stockers. Do the research and come up with your own conclusion.....
Last edited by bw_hunter; Nov 11, 2010 at 10:28 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 226
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: Another Spark Plug Question
I'm running the platinum NGK plugs now after using the Autolite plats(AP106) for 35k miles. The NGKs are pre-gapped at .040 compared to the Autolites at .050.
ref: NGK TR5GP 3186
At 80k miles now and still stock, it's the smoothest its ever been. I left the gap at .040".
'96z28
ref: NGK TR5GP 3186
At 80k miles now and still stock, it's the smoothest its ever been. I left the gap at .040".
'96z28
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