New spark plugs needed for 5 star tune?

[scottdm]

I've reviewed the various tuning threads, but haven't noticed anyone discussing spark plug gaps needing to be changed when running a 5 star tune. Any idea if a smaller spark plug gap would be recommended?

 

[16plati]

I've reviewed the various tuning threads, but haven't noticed anyone discussing spark plug gaps needing to be changed when running a 5 star tune. Any idea if a smaller spark plug gap would be recommended?

0.028” and get step colder plugs than OEM

 

[Tom T]

Interesting @16plati

makes sense to run colder if you make more boost. But I did not see 5Star saying this explicitly. Do you have a link?

 

[95cobby]

5star has said .030 with only a tune.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[scottdm]

Looked over on the F150 forum, and it looks like the OEM plugs for the 2018+ 3.5 Ecoboost is Motorcraft SP550 (replaces Motorcraft SP534) with stock gap of .030". Will have to figure out the part number for one step colder. Not sure if there is a new part number for the equivalent of the Motorcraft SP542, which is one step colder than the SP534.

 

[16plati]

Interesting @16plati

makes sense to run colder if you make more boost. But I did not see 5Star saying this explicitly. Do you have a link?

Well I’m not just tuned, run a 2016 3.5 gen 1 ecoboost and that’s what they recommended I run

 

[scottdm]

I think it depends on who you talk to at 5 Star. The guy I spoke with today recommended stock plugs but with a 0.030” gap. Also recommended a new set of plugs every 20-30k miles. I suspect he’s used to the Gen1 Ecoboost stock plugs (SP534) that had a stock gap of 0.035”.

Is there any risk of running one step colder other than potential for carbon build up?

 

[16plati]

I think it depends on who you talk to at 5 Star. The guy I spoke with today recommended stock plugs but with a 0.030” gap. Also recommended a new set of plugs every 20-30k miles. I suspect he’s used to the Gen1 Ecoboost stock plugs (SP534) that had a stock gap of 0.035”.

Is there any risk of running one step colder other than potential for carbon build up?

I run 542s on gen 1 ecoboost. My tuner is Josh Newman, and he is the main calibrator.

 

[scottdm]

I run 542s on gen 1 ecoboost. My tuner is Josh Newman, and he is the main calibrator.

Thanks for the tip on talking with Josh. I'll see what plugs they've been running in the Gen 4 Expeditions that they've been testing/calibrating.

 

[Mike Wolfe]

I have never replaced the plugs in any of the 6 3.5L ECOBOOST vehicles I have owned
All were tuned
The 2011 F150 had 100k miles on the original plugs
All other vehicles had 70-80k miles on them when traded all with original plugs
Currently have a 2018 EXPY & 2018 F150 with the same engine
Both are calibrated with 5 star E30 tune
Have 18K on the EXPY & 5k on the F150
Both have original plugs never removed with factory gap
Vehicles run fine
Never saw the need to replace them
I know many folks do replace them but I have never felt the need to