Question On Spark Plug Gap

e92Rithy · 01-15-2022, 10:28 AM

Hey all, I had recently gotten NGK 1 step colder plugs (NGK 97968) and was wondering what gap I should be using. I have read from BMS that I should be gapping at 0.022 for those running higher boost. I am currently on an MHD Stage 1+ map with upgraded charge pipe, intercooler and DCI. Should I also set the gap to 0.022?

Thanks for whoever has read it.

iqraceworks · 01-15-2022, 10:34 AM

.022" is pretty standard. Start there.

BSM n54iS · 01-15-2022, 12:24 PM

Soo that's actually where I started and I think it's too tight, I'm stage 2+ stock turbos.

I'm thinking now I'm going to go back up to oem gap of .0275"

https://bmwtuning.co/bmw-n54-spark-plugs-guide/

iqraceworks · 01-15-2022, 05:13 PM

If you are having misfires....you want to close the gap. It takes less power to jump a spark across a smaller gap. Some guys will run .018" if they are hitting the motor with a ton of boost.

Opening up the gap makes your coils have to work that much harder.....

lookalikehuuh · 01-15-2022, 07:40 PM

I actually tried the NGK colder plugs but my car didn't seem to like them as much on Stage 1+ E50 v9. I had a "jittery" idle. I went back to the stock Bosch plugs and car has rock solid idle at this point and no misfires or even timing corrections to speak of.

I am also using the Eldor coils if that makes a difference.

From what I have read it seems like you don't really "need" the colder plugs when you have upgraded turbos or single pushing significantly more boost.

KClemente · 01-17-2022, 09:38 PM

A lot of people are able to run larger gaps with less misfiring on Bosch S55 plugs than the NGK counterparts (97506, 95770)

bimmerguy1210 · 01-17-2022, 10:00 PM

For stock turbo application, OEM bosch plugs will work fine. I ran stage 2+ with no issues. You really only benefit from colder plugs with upgraded turbos and this is based off my experience. My 17t car didn’t like oem plugs. Car is much happier with 2 step colder NGK gapped at .020” and elder coils

01-15-2022, 10:28 AM	#1
e92Rithy Stage 2+ N54 8 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Question On Spark Plug Gap Hey all, I had recently gotten NGK 1 step colder plugs (NGK 97968) and was wondering what gap I should be using. I have read from BMS that I should be gapping at 0.022 for those running higher boost. I am currently on an MHD Stage 1+ map with upgraded charge pipe, intercooler and DCI. Should I also set the gap to 0.022? Thanks for whoever has read it.
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01-15-2022, 10:34 AM	#2
iqraceworks Brigadier General 2088 Rep 3,809 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	.022" is pretty standard. Start there.
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01-15-2022, 12:24 PM	#3
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2682 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	Soo that's actually where I started and I think it's too tight, I'm stage 2+ stock turbos. I'm thinking now I'm going to go back up to oem gap of .0275" https://bmwtuning.co/bmw-n54-spark-plugs-guide/ __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
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01-15-2022, 05:13 PM	#4
iqraceworks Brigadier General 2088 Rep 3,809 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	If you are having misfires....you want to close the gap. It takes less power to jump a spark across a smaller gap. Some guys will run .018" if they are hitting the motor with a ton of boost. Opening up the gap makes your coils have to work that much harder.....
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01-15-2022, 07:40 PM	#5
lookalikehuuh Lieutenant Colonel 997 Rep 1,513 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2007 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	I actually tried the NGK colder plugs but my car didn't seem to like them as much on Stage 1+ E50 v9. I had a "jittery" idle. I went back to the stock Bosch plugs and car has rock solid idle at this point and no misfires or even timing corrections to speak of. I am also using the Eldor coils if that makes a difference. From what I have read it seems like you don't really "need" the colder plugs when you have upgraded turbos or single pushing significantly more boost.
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01-17-2022, 09:38 PM	#6
KClemente Private First Class 112 Rep 187 Posts Drives: E90 335i E70 X5M F10 528i Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	A lot of people are able to run larger gaps with less misfiring on Bosch S55 plugs than the NGK counterparts (97506, 95770) __________________ Cars give me headaches.
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01-17-2022, 10:00 PM	#7
bimmerguy1210 Enthusiast 92 Rep 269 Posts Drives: E90 335i, E93 335i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	For stock turbo application, OEM bosch plugs will work fine. I ran stage 2+ with no issues. You really only benefit from colder plugs with upgraded turbos and this is based off my experience. My 17t car didn’t like oem plugs. Car is much happier with 2 step colder NGK gapped at .020” and elder coils
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