At 22psi, it sounds more like spark blowout rather than fouled plugs. You might want to look into that and gap the plugs down a bit. I had the same problem with my 3000GT VR-4 after raising the boost (as do most VR-4 owners).

 

What's an appropriate gap for 1.3 - 1.4 bar????

Mike

 

I'm not sure what stock plug gap is at. Ideally, you should use the largest gap that does not create spark blowout with the boost setting you use.

For example on my previous turbo car, a 3000GT VR-4, the stock spark plug gap is between 0.039 to 0.043 in. The plug gap should be decreased to between 0.028 and 0.034 in. for running higher than stock boost levels.

Ken, are you getting stock blowout? Perhaps. Are you running lean and timing is being pulled? Perhaps as well. Are the recent plugs that you pull fouled? If they are fouled (very dark), then you are probably running too rich. If they are white, then you are probably running too lean. It could be any number of things.

 

Stock plugs are gapped at .026 - .032. The electrodes are so thick that they're very difficult to adjust.

 

Wow, that's low. It's probably not spark blowout, then.

 

I think the side gap helps prevent spark blowout too. However since they're not platinum the gap will increase with use.

 

it takes once to overboost to foul a plug. I have a manual boost controller and billet 1 bar actuators(wastegates).. these things kick out 1.6 bars if I let them. all this was happening when I still had a problem staying under 1.4 bars. Now that I use a manual boost controller I can dial in exactly what I want boost to be. its a $35 unit.
b4 whe I kept blowing the plugs I was boosting 1.5 regularly.

 

All is well in Hotlanta.

TOD?? We really do need to have another go at it. Maybe this fall?