[JOEFNB]

Can someone set me straight? Is Motorcraft SP-537 the stock plug and SP-527 is a step colder (equivalent to the ITV22?)
And then you have the ITV24 which are two steps colder than stock? Are the ITV24 only needed when you go big turbo or say stage 2 with custom tune?

 

[brian60]

Can someone set me straight? Is Motorcraft SP-537 the stock plug and SP-527 is a step colder (equivalent to the ITV22?)
And then you have the ITV24 which are two steps colder than stock? Are the ITV24 only needed when you go big turbo or say stage 2 with custom tune?

Stage 2 with custom tune I would imagine doesn't "NEED" 2 steps colder...I think that's more of a one-step colder situation (I'm stage 3 with one-step). IIRC two-steps colder is usually big turbo only, but it shouldn't hurt anything if you do.

Make sure they are gapped right.

 

[airborne]

Hi guys, still learning as I go. Hit stage 3 a few weeks ago with full supporting mods and am guessing I need to upgrade to step colder plugs. Which ones should I buy? If you have links that would be amazing. I am running COBB Stage 3 OTS 91 tune until the spring when I was get a stratified custom 93/91 tune.

 

[psilynt]

Can someone set me straight? Is Motorcraft SP-537 the stock plug and SP-527 is a step colder (equivalent to the ITV22?)
And then you have the ITV24 which are two steps colder than stock? Are the ITV24 only needed when you go big turbo or say stage 2 with custom tune?

My personal recommendation is to pick your heat range based on what intercooler you're running. If you're still running the wimpy OEM intercooler, go with two steps colder (ie. stage 1). If you've upgraded your intercooler then you only need one step colder. The logic is that if you're still on the stock intercooler, the in-cylinder temps will be higher and you should go with the colder plug to compensate. If you've upgraded your intercooler, the in-cylinder temps will be lower and you don't need to go as cold. It's my belief that this logic is why the FRPP tune comes with ITV24s, because they assume you will still be rocking the stock intercooler.

TLDR -
Stage 1 = ITV24 (two steps colder)
Stage 2+ = ITV22 (one step colder)

 

[JOEFNB]

Thanks for the help guys, I have FRPP tune and the 3.5" Depo Racing IC and picked up a set of ITV24s. Will be putting them in tomorrow.

 

[airborne]

Hi guys, still learning as I go. Hit stage 3 a few weeks ago with full supporting mods and am guessing I need to upgrade to step colder plugs. Which ones should I buy? If you have links that would be amazing. I am running COBB Stage 3 OTS 91 tune until the spring when I was get a stratified custom 93/91 tune.

Bumping again looking for advice from an member with more experience then myself.

Thanks

 

[JoshCrane1]

Hi guys, still learning as I go. Hit stage 3 a few weeks ago with full supporting mods and am guessing I need to upgrade to step colder plugs. Which ones should I buy? If you have links that would be amazing. I am running COBB Stage 3 OTS 91 tune until the spring when I was get a stratified custom 93/91 tune.

Bumping again looking for advice from an member with more experience then myself.

Thanks

Look 3 responses up

 

[lou5560]

I have a 2016 Focus ST which has an SCT X4 with Torries 93 tune, a Steeda FMIC, & MBRP cat back exhaust. Per the forum I put in Denso ITV22 plugs gapped at .026 & I have to say the car never ran better. Before I changed the spark plugs I ALWAYS had a very slight miss. The car runs so much smoother without a miss. I can really feel the throttle response. The car feels more powerful plus I'm actually getting a little better fuel mileage. Before the plugs I was averaging about 26-28 mpg on the highway. Now I'm averaging 29-30.9 mpg. The car just runs so much better.

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[djfourmoney]

I ran stock plugs all the way until the nitrous backfire.

When I ran E30/E40 I had no knock and no corrections happening so I didn't worry about it. There is nothing wrong with the stock plugs. That said if you are trying to maximize power on pump gas, 1 range colder is fine and I don't 2 steps colder isn't too aggressive either.

I will be going 2 step colder, as I really shouldn't see any knock with 100 octane.

 

[Jackyboy]

Hi guys, still learning as I go. Hit stage 3 a few weeks ago with full supporting mods and am guessing I need to upgrade to step colder plugs. Which ones should I buy? If you have links that would be amazing. I am running COBB Stage 3 OTS 91 tune until the spring when I was get a stratified custom 93/91 tune.

Bumping again looking for advice from an member with more experience then myself.

Thanks

Lots of us run NGK LTR7IX-11 (1 step colder) or the Denso ITV22's (also 1 step colder).

 

[whacka]

Lots of us run NGK LTR7IX-11 (1 step colder) or the Denso ITV22's (also 1 step colder).

What gap do you set?

 

[davesST]

What gap do you set?

If you’re running a tune set them for .025/.026. If you’re not tuned .028. Don’t believe there’s much benefit to going 1 step colder on a non- tuned motor (I could be wrong). I prefer the Denso plugs, as you don’t have to close the gap so much. I chewed the strap on my NGKs’ trying to get them down to .026.

 

[whacka]

If you’re running a tune set them for .025/.026. If you’re not tuned .028. Don’t believe there’s much benefit to going 1 step colder on a non- tuned motor (I could be wrong). I prefer the Denso plugs, as you don’t have to close the gap so much. I chewed the strap on my NGKs’ trying to get them down to .026.

Thanks dave, running an e30 tune so I'll assume to run .025 then?

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[davesST]

Thanks dave, running an e30 tune so I'll assume to run .025 then?

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I'd verify it with your tuner, but it seems more often than not it'll be .026/.025.

 

[FWD_Fracas]

So I'm swapping the plugs out at like 40k here (manufacturer-mandated interval seems a little...long) and plan on gapping them at .28. Using stock heat range plugs since I'm not currently tuned (upgraded IC is on though) and when I tune it'll only be the Cobb OTS stage 2 for a while. Plan on pulling plugs and re-gapping to .26 whenever it is I actually get around to tuning the car. Seems like from what I've read in here that the stock heat range plugs are fine until you start getting into big turbo setups or custom tunes where they want you to use colder plugs.

Sound about right?

 

[BetaST]

So I'm swapping the plugs out at like 40k here (manufacturer-mandated interval seems a little...long) and plan on gapping them at .28. Using stock heat range plugs since I'm not currently tuned (upgraded IC is on though) and when I tune it'll only be the Cobb OTS stage 2 for a while. Plan on pulling plugs and re-gapping to .26 whenever it is I actually get around to tuning the car. Seems like from what I've read in here that the stock heat range plugs are fine until you start getting into big turbo setups or custom tunes where they want you to use colder plugs.

Sound about right?

SOunds about right! I have slight bolt-ons and am not tuned yet, I went with the NGK LTR6IX-11 and gapped them to .30. I was thinking about going to .28 but everything seems to be fine (someone can chime in here and tell me why .30 is good or bad). I plan to just run these until I get tuned either next year or later this year. I also am at about 40k on her, they were a tad hard to get out but have been running fine every since I swapped them out!

 

[brian60]

So I'm swapping the plugs out at like 40k here (manufacturer-mandated interval seems a little...long) and plan on gapping them at .28. Using stock heat range plugs since I'm not currently tuned (upgraded IC is on though) and when I tune it'll only be the Cobb OTS stage 2 for a while. Plan on pulling plugs and re-gapping to .26 whenever it is I actually get around to tuning the car. Seems like from what I've read in here that the stock heat range plugs are fine until you start getting into big turbo setups or custom tunes where they want you to use colder plugs.

Sound about right?

You're correct in believing that the stock interval is way too high. Our plugs don't hold proper gap that long anyway. The stock car is borderline for needing a step colder plugs already...simple bolt ons and a tune puts you deeper into that borderline..hence why tuners recommend them for precaution and to remain smooth with power delivery. If you're getting tuned with bolt ons...not just Big turbo...then it's good to get them and gap them to whatever your tuner desires. .025-.026 is Stratified Auto's recommendation...but other tuners like .026-.028 pretty commonly also. Just run it by your tuner and see if a- you need the plugs and b- what gap they want you to run.

Hope that helps.

 

[JoshCrane1]

If you are unsure if you need step colder plugs or not just inspect them, everyone's driving habits are different and someone who sits in their car idling all day vs the 'to and fro work racecar dude' may need different plugs.

Inspecting the discoloration on the grounding strap will tell you a lot.

 

[brian60]

If you are unsure if you need step colder plugs or not just inspect them, everyone's driving habits are different and someone who sits in their car idling all day vs the 'to and fro work racecar dude' may need different plugs.

Inspecting the discoloration on the grounding strap will tell you a lot.

This man speaks the speak of truth.

I do hope though, that no ST owner "sits in their car idling all day" because that poor car will absolutely be blown up at 140k

Edit: The local pipeliner sites have an overnight dude at each site that's job is literally to sit in a running F150 for the entire night shift making sure nobody touches anything...

First of all...talk about BORING. Second of all...that poor 2017/2018 F150 probably has so much sludge lmao.

 

[JoshCrane1]

This man speaks the speak of truth.

I do hope though, that no ST owner "sits in their car idling all day" because that poor car will absolutely be blown up at 140k

Edit: The local pipeliner sites have an overnight dude at each site that's job is literally to sit in a running F150 for the entire night shift making sure nobody touches anything...

First of all...talk about BORING. Second of all...that poor 2017/2018 F150 probably has so much sludge lmao.

Ive on occasion sat for a few hours idling, beats burning up in the sun; but definitely knew doing so isn't the best for our motors, it's not a diesel.