I'm looking at an evoms or softronic tune. In searching, many recommend colder plugs for softronic. Is this the same for all tunes? What happens if you stay with stock plugs. Appreciate your experience.

 

Typically you will run a range cooler plug (not necessarily always). What happens if needed and not changed is you get a CEL...And likely a sputter/misfire/miss between 3000-5000 RPMs....

Good luck

 

Softronic states, "Because of the increased horsepower and boost, the stock spark plugs may misfire at peak torque around 4000rpm. If you experience this problem, it will be fixed by installing the Denso IK22 1 step colder iridium plugs."

Tim

 

Nope

 

+1....Exactly my experience.

 

So other tunes dont need a plug change? This make the softronic tune somewhat more expensive (by the amount of $ for plug change) and increases the hassle factor of the tune install, doesnt it?

 

It could if your plugs are old. They wont stand up to the extra timing and mid range boost.

By the way, I still run factory plugs. You don't need to go colder, until you make over 100HP more, then you need to go one step colder. A tune and exhaust is around the 100 mark.

 

I had 20k on mucar when I got a GIAC tune, and things seem to be good so far. Not sure how long they will last though.

 

With any of our GIAC software, we never use anything other then the stock plugs, set to the stock gap.

In fact, even on our larger VTG builds and even our full 3.8L cars that make well over 800 whp....we still use the stock plugs.

This must be something unique to the particular software you mentioned.

 

I dont know about you guys but 10k out of stock plugs.... Honestly that is not right and it seems colder plugs are band-aid fix. This is actually why im going with GIAC. They always recommend stock plugs... and do not have problems/ misfires. That in itself speaks for its self.


Sure there are other tunes that are cheaper but then how much is a plug change?? how about and engine... I know i got 75k on my stock plugs/ stock tune before experiencing problems. now you add a little more hp and everything goes to ****... no thanks. I know the majority of people here have softronic but really its time to wake up and smell the coffee people!

 

Turbo cars are turbo cars no matter what type of vehicle it is. 996TT, 997TT, 997 with a Supercharger, STI with a GT35, EVO VIII with a GT40, 240sx, Nissan GTR, etc...

Anytime you increase boost and engine combustion, a colder plug is recommended or closing the gap of a stock one. Its common practice to do this and many tuners run colder plugs such as NGK or Denso. You can use the stock plugs on any vehicle, but misfires can occur because of the large increase in power. Misfires are not detonation but just as it sounds, mis firing. Top ECU tuners run a colder plug. Having personally owned 3 of these vehicles and have OBDII flashed 1000's of cars, this is for the benefit of the performance.

 

A misfire is a misfire... yes if your car doesn't misfire it preforms better...

How do you distinguish a top tuner? By the amount of revenue generated? Popularity on the internet? What?

Does a turbo S use the same plugs?... why is that? Should they not use a colder plug?

Yes you could argue colder plugs are better for performance. However you are not addressing the other issue as to why stock plugs misfire after 10k. Surly if stock plugs can handle 75k km without a tune then they should last more then 10k!!!

That would lead me to ask if other tunes really that inefficient?

 

Porsche recommends in the Turbo to change the plugs I think every 20 or 25K miles. Not sure the exact number as I have never left 1 stock! This will also be determined by your fuel, fuel additives, etc. For those that only get 91oct and might use octane booster, this is fun, but after alot of miles, it leaves a residue on the plugs. If you pulled one out it will look orangy like rust. So everyones case is different.

Because of the huge increase in performance with a ECU Flash, this is why you need colder plugs. If you want a less aggressive tune to keep stock plugs, sure thats possible, but I would want to think getting the best tune, the first time, that is most convenient for the buyer is best.

Either way, everyone is entitled to choose who they feel most comfortable with. At the end of the day, we put our information out there for people to digest. For those interested in why a colder plug should be used, here is a good read - http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/p...ugs-i-149.html

 

hello ,
we tuned maybe 45-50 996tt and 997tt from stage 1 till stage 4 by softronic tuning
we ran stock plugs but gapped them to .025 or we switch to ngk bkr7eix 2667 !!

both ran well

good luck sir

 

My B5 S4 is running just about 650awhp....up from 250chp stock. I run stock plugs. More performance, even massive amount more, do not require colder plugs per say. Just FYI.