Plug Gap

[warsawdaddy]

After reading several posts here,I thought I would get a jump on things and change my plugs and wires (18000mi).I got the Crane Firewires and the NGK Iridium plugs.Car really runs super now,however,again from previous posts,I was going with a 45 degree gap.They told me that the plugs were pregapped to this,when I checked them for myself they were 41 degrees.I did not try to regap because I had read that the iridiums would break easily.Even tho it runs great,I worry about this gap.Is it too close and should I open it some or leave it? '05 Limited,non-turbo.Thanks

[Sci-Fi]

.040 is the Chrysler recommended gap now, so I wouldn't regap...you are close enough. The only Iridium plugs you really need to be extra careful with are the Denso's. The Denso iridium center electrode is very small (0.4) compared to NGK's 0.6 iridium center electrode and can easily break. Most Japanese SP's are already factory pre-gapped at around .040 anyways and could be why many "feel" their cars start easier and run better.

Iridiums are touted to require less voltage yet provide the same anti-fouling and longevity as platinum plugs. Iridiums come standard on many cars, mostly Japanese, and have the same change intervals as platinum plugs (90-100k miles) but most of those have the 0.6 tips.

[warsawdaddy]

Thanks sci-fi.I won't worry anymore.

[rszappa1]

That is the rec. gap only on the NON Turbo engine....Si Fi

[rszappa1]

FEEL...Sometimes it is all in your mind....and what you really want to believe....

[SteelBlueGT]

I have used NGK Iridiums in my 03GT for over 25,000 miles at the factory set gap and no problems at all. Call me stupid, but I think they make my car run smoother with less vibration and better acceleration at high speeds. I also changed my spark plug wires cause everyone here said the stock ones are junk. My gas mileage was not affected at all!

[rszappa1]

I dont think you are stupid...I have never seen a car that has so much talk about plug gap...there must be a zillion comments about using this or that for the gap...I use the factory Copper Plus set to the factory gap setting and have never had a problem....I have 42,000 on it and the plugs were changed at 36,000.....Origional wires are still on it....

[SteelBlueGT]

Do me a favor and change to a high performance plug wire set before you get to 65,000 miles. Daughters Neon started to run crappy on her Honeymoon and $300 later the stealer gave her a tuneup and new wires. She had 66,000 miles on her Neon.

[rszappa1]

I have already ordered the MSD wires for it and will change them at 50,000...as far as the plugs will continue to use the cooper plus with the factory gap...

[CREWZIN]

quote:Originally posted by rszappa1

I have already ordered the MSD wires for it and will change them at 50,000...as far as the plugs will continue to use the cooper plus with the factory gap...

rszappal,

It's that "factory gap" that most of want to get across to the owners that "do it themselves" that has changed. The non-turbo PT comes from the factory with too large a gap. Chrysler put out a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) to lower the gap to .042in to make the plugs last longer at peak performance. Most owners that want to change ignition parts don't know about the change. Sure copper wires will work and work well, but the better plugs will last longer. Also, a lot of problems (hesitation, rough idle, high RPM break-up) have been cured by putting in better wires. Chrysler used cheap parts...nobody can deny that and contrary to your always saying you wont "feel" the difference, your sure as heck will "feel" the difference if your having any of the problems stated above and change to decent ignition parts.