I hear people say get a colder spark plug or a hotter spark plug. Why does it matter and can you request these different temps at a local autoparts store such as autozone of napa.

 

A colder plug removes more heat from the combustion chamber than a warmer one. For nitrous, SC, Turbo or highly modifed NA motors the combustion temps rise quicker and you need the colder plug to help compensate. Most auto part stores will not be able to help you.

 

Colder plugs make the engine run colder. Hotter plugs make the engine run hotter. Too hot of an engine create detonation. Not good for the head gaskets or the piston. Engine runs hotter with force induction or nitrous.

 

So where can I get colder spark plugs at when I need them.

 

NGK PFR6B-11 1 Step colder You can get these from NAPA.

 

im about to do my 60k tuneup this weekend..i hope. i have an intake and exhaust, should i still stay with the stock setup? if so, what plugs, with part numbers, do you suggest? thanks

 

Stock plugs for sure, Just go to the dealer $$$ or try a NAPA and ask for the stock plugs, they should be ~$10 each.

 

FWIW, I asked this same question of Daniel B. Martin during the testing of the new forums (all threads posted during those sessions have since been deleted). He advised me to stay with the specified heat range of the stock NGKs, which is PFR5G-11 for both 4th and 5th gens. One colder is PFR6G-11, and one hotter is PFR4G-11.

To this end, let me plagiarize from NGK's excellent write-up on spark plug technology:

"It is a common misconception that spark plugs create heat. They don't. A heat range refers to how much heat a spark plug is capable of removing from the combustion chamber.

Selecting a spark plug with the proper heat range will insure that the tip will maintain a temperature high enough to prevent fouling yet be cool enough to prevent pre-ignition. While there are many things that can cause pre-ignition, selecting a spark plug in the proper heat range will ensure that the spark plug itself is not a hot spot source."

Click here to find out more about the effects of an improper heat range.