What Is Good? Larger Or Smaller Spark Plug Gap?

[saadi123]

Does any one knows that if two identical cars having same features are taken.Only there spark plug gaps are changed. So which one will perform well. The one with larger or smaller gap?

 

[SkYwAlKeR]

the OPTIMUM gap one wins...

larger gap gives larger stronger spark but less efficient... u'll sometimes experience misfiring...

smaller gap reduces chance of misfiring... but smaller spark with less combustion efficiency...

 

[saadi123]

Thanks.
So the bottom line is that you cannot advice specifically to anyone to enlarge or make the gap smaller. It all depends on the conditions?

 

[hachiroku clan]

In laymans terms,
larger gaps: big but weak spark
smaller gaps: strong but covers only in a small area.
U need something in the middle, better stick to the manual, dont temper with it..

 

[donCityZ]

Follow car spec la... if u havent done anything to your engine, then there is no reason to change the gap. the manufacturer already study kaw kaw to make it optimum for u. why change?

 

[tigger5251]

answer is sidegap plugs

 

[tofu_manic]

"Always check that the spark plug gap is compatible with the engine manufacturers specification. A gap that is too small means that the spark duration will be very quick and the spark will be thin and weak. The consequences of this may be bad starting and high exhaust emission levels. This will result in an increase in fuel consumption. If the gap is set too large, the ignition system will not be able to cope with the demands and a misfire situation will occur. Some wide gap spark plugs have a longer ground electrode to accommodate a wide gap setting. These must be used where specified, as opening up a standard plug to a wider gap setting may result in the electrodes not running parallel to each other. This could result in abnormal and premature electrode wear." - from NGK site

anyways, u could try to open up the gap, mm by mm till u start experiencing misfires, trial n error hehe

OR go for a larger ignition coil + capacitive discharge ignition (e.g. msd 6a) then u can afford to make the gap larger

 

[tigger5251]

still, aswer is sidegap plugs, with thicker ignition cables and aftermarket ignition coils