Nitrous spark plug info

So with my recent changes and wanting to run a healthy dose of nitrous, I started doing some research on spark plugs. I got a buddy who does a lot of tuning on very high horsepower race cars using nitrous and the different forms of boost who kept saying it just doesn't make since that people recommend using a projected tip plug for this.

So I called NGK. I told the guy my plans and we discussed spark plugs. He said, "I'll put it to ya like this partner. Using a projected tip plug with nitrous is like sticking your arm in a fire, you're gonna get burned." I kinda laughed, but it made since. He was pretty amazed at the fact that so many people use and recommend the tr6 plug for use with nitrous and boost. The guy was very helpful and gave me a list of non projected tip plugs to use with out motors

For those of you who want a 6 heat range plug
BR6EF part #3177

BR7EF part #3346
B8EFS part #1049
B9EFS part #1085

Now for those who are thinking this guy is just trying to make the company more money by selling me a more expensive plug, not the case. These are the same price as a good ol tr55 or tr6. I've been driving around on the br7ef for a few days now and notice no ill effects, no bad gas mileage, no performance loss, just piece of mind. You can pick these up at your local parts store or I noticed our sponsor Nitrous Outlet has them as well. Just thought I'd share.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by parker

So with my recent changes and wanting to run a healthy dose of nitrous, I started doing some research on spark plugs. I got a buddy who does a lot of tuning on very high horsepower race cars using nitrous and the different forms of boost who kept saying it just doesn't make since that people recommend using a projected tip plug for this.

So I called NGK. I told the guy my plans and we discussed spark plugs. He said, "I'll put it to ya like this partner. Using a projected tip plug with nitrous is like sticking your arm in a fire, you're gonna get burned." I kinda laughed, but it made since. He was pretty amazed at the fact that so many people use and recommend the tr6 plug for use with nitrous and boost. The guy was very helpful and gave me a list of non projected tip plugs to use with out motors

For those of you who want a 6 heat range plug
BR6EF part #3177

BR7EF part #3346
B8EFS part #1049
B9EFS part #1085

Now for those who are thinking this guy is just trying to make the company more money by selling me a more expensive plug, not the case. These are the same price as a good ol tr55 or tr6. I've been driving around on the br7ef for a few days now and notice no ill effects, no bad gas mileage, no performance loss, just piece of mind. You can pick these up at your local parts store or I noticed our sponsor Nitrous Outlet has them as well. Just thought I'd share.

---

I've always heard the same thing, but I've had no issues with my TR6's.

Yeah me neither, and several thousand other people lol But anything I can do to help avoid detonation, I'll do it. Just some info I've picked up that I thought I'd share

Good info for sure... I've been using the B9EFS for awhile now, and even the R5724-10 #7993 for when the wick gets turned way up. I'll add that the plugs don't last long at that power level so stock up lol

It's all startin to come together now, very helpful. But I still don't understand the different heat ranges and where they come in for how much performance and boost you are looking for if that makes sense. I've always run tr6's but now I'm looking for a different plug. Can you explain this?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by emmerich5.3

It's all startin to come together now, very helpful. But I still don't understand the different heat ranges and where they come in for how much performance and boost you are looking for if that makes sense. I've always run tr6's but now I'm looking for a different plug. Can you explain this?

---

How much power are you making? On how much boost? Look at your plugs when you get a chance... where is the heat mark stop on the threads? The BR6's would prolly work for you, just giving you some things to check. You should check the plugs and tune accordingly by what they say... you could be leaving some safe power on the table or vise versa

My NOS plate recommended TR6...that's what I run. My plugs look pretty good running a 175 with a much smaller fuel jet then recommended. I'm sure other plugs work, but TONS of people with ls motors run tr6's. It's not just on HERE, the corvette/camaro guys do it too. I'm going to stick with the numbers on this one. Granted...I run my timing/fuel on the conservative side and I'm not pushing HUGE numbers. I'll sacrifice the few hp for the peace of mind. Keep us posted on how the plugs hold up. I know I ran 6 bottles through my tr6's and they looked practically brand new. I changed them for tr55's just because I won't be spraying for a few months, and like the gas mileage/throttle response of the hotter plugs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oleshifty

My NOS plate recommended TR6...that's what I run. My plugs look pretty good running a 175 with a much smaller fuel jet then recommended. I'm sure other plugs work, but TONS of people with ls motors run tr6's. It's not just on HERE, the corvette/camaro guys do it too. I'm going to stick with the numbers on this one. Granted...I run my timing/fuel on the conservative side and I'm not pushing HUGE numbers. I'll sacrifice the few hp for the peace of mind. Keep us posted on how the plugs hold up. I know I ran 6 bottles through my tr6's and they looked practically brand new. I changed them for tr55's just because I won't be spraying for a few months, and like the gas mileage/throttle response of the hotter plugs.

---

So you run tr6's with a 175 shot? Awesome!! I'd be willing to bet you don't know how to read plugs...

Here you have a thread with people trying to help and you want to be a sheep and follow the rest of the heard... I don't get it? You could switch to the BR6 plug and see no difference at all, just the correct plug for the correct application

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PurpleMinivan

How much power are you making? On how much boost? Look at your plugs when you get a chance... where is the heat mark stop on the threads? The BR6's would prolly work for you, just giving you some things to check. You should check the plugs and tune accordingly by what they say... you could be leaving some safe power on the table or vise versa

---

Can't say for sure about power haven't had it on a dyno yet. I'm on 13 psi I think 500 wheel is reasonable. Looking at a couple pics I have of the plugs looks like the heat marks go about 3/4 way down the threads.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PurpleMinivan

So you run tr6's with a 175 shot? Awesome!! I'd be willing to bet you don't know how to read plugs...

Here you have a thread with people trying to help and you want to be a sheep and follow the rest of the heard... I don't get it? You could switch to the BR6 plug and see no difference at all, just the correct plug for the correct application

---

I'm in no way/shape/form arguing with you. We've all seen the vids, you obviously know what you're doing. I know A LITTLE about reading plugs. Uncle has a 6 second drag car (was 2nd fastest on IL pinks) and he read them with his magnifying lense and said it was running little rich, but good enough for what I use the truck for. The timing marks were about right. My tune runs rich, so most likely where the problem is coming from. Plugs obviously weren't brand new before I made the run, but I did a 0-80ish street run on spray, let off spray, shut down truck, coasted, pulled 2 plugs, put them in a bag, brought them to him.

If tr6's were that bad, why would companies like NOS recommend them? Why would there be tons of LS guys running shots WAY larger then my 175 on tr6's/tr7's/tr8's, not breaking stuff constantly? It may be the sheep following the herd, but if 100 guys get in a boat to cross a river, and it works, I'm going to stick with them. The select few trying other stuff may be FASTER, but may also be spending more money experimenting.

The simple fact the NGK guy was "amazed by the fact" that people are using tr6's, makes me question his know-how. I work at a rinky-dink auto parts store, and 75% of the morons I work with, know that if someone asks for tr6s, they are probably running boost/nitrous, because all the rich kids come in asking for them in their loud ass gto/trans am/camaros. That is probably the ONE plug, that people know by "name".

Once again, not arguing, just trying to make a logical debate.

Maybe my plug should follow my tune instead of the other way around sense Nelson tunes it and I'm clear in salt lake. Or is that the total wrong way to be looking at things?

The reason people worry about the TR6 is because spraying makes the motor burn hotter. This increases the chance of burning up a plug tip, it breaking off, and ending up in your engine. Are TR6's right for nitrous? No. Do thousands run them? Yes.

I run them. I probably shouldn't, but I haven't changed them since I learned of this a few months ago. Next time I change I'll be going with the BR6.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oleshifty

I'm in no way/shape/form arguing with you. We've all seen the vids, you obviously know what you're doing. I know A LITTLE about reading plugs. Uncle has a 6 second drag car (was 2nd fastest on IL pinks) and he read them with his magnifying lense and said it was running little rich, but good enough for what I use the truck for. The timing marks were about right. My tune runs rich, so most likely where the problem is coming from. Plugs obviously weren't brand new before I made the run, but I did a 0-80ish street run on spray, let off spray, shut down truck, coasted, pulled 2 plugs, put them in a bag, brought them to him.

If tr6's were that bad, why would companies like NOS recommend them? Why would there be tons of LS guys running shots WAY larger then my 175 on tr6's/tr7's/tr8's, not breaking stuff constantly? It may be the sheep following the herd, but if 100 guys get in a boat to cross a river, and it works, I'm going to stick with them. The select few trying other stuff may be FASTER, but may also be spending more money experimenting.

The simple fact the NGK guy was "amazed by the fact" that people are using tr6's, makes me question his know-how. I work at a rinky-dink auto parts store, and 75% of the morons I work with, know that if someone asks for tr6s, they are probably running boost/nitrous, because all the rich kids come in asking for them in their loud ass gto/trans am/camaros. That is probably the ONE plug, that people know by "name".

Once again, not arguing, just trying to make a logical debate.

---

Why would you continue to run a projected tip? No one said the tr6 was a bad plug, just not the best for what we're doing. Anything you can do to keep away from detonation, the better off you are. I'm in no way trying sway you...I don't care what you do. I guarantee you you're uncle doesn't and wouldn't run a projected tip plug in his "6 second drag car". Like I said, this is just some info I've discovered and thought I'd share since there's not a lot of info on our truck sites about this subject.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PurpleMinivan

So you run tr6's with a 175 shot? Awesome!! I'd be willing to bet you don't know how to read plugs...

---

+2

Projected tip plugs have no business being used with Nitrous in any application. The non projected tip plugs are the same price if not cheaper. I think the last set of B8EFS I bought were less than 17.00 out the door at Oreillys. Anything with a 150 shot should be running a BR7EF plug. Unless you like playing with fire.

This is the first I've heard against the TR series. I don't have the bottle in the truck. The next set I get will probably be BR series, just to see how it acts. Like I said, I'm trying to get a logical debate. What's the downfall to BR plugs? I THINK the mustang guys use the same plugs as us, as do the camaros/firebirds. When I first stated I wanted to run nitrous, EVERYONE (on here, ls1 car forums, the NOS booklet, etc) told me TR6, TR7 with a bigger shot. If these were hands down better option, I would think more people would be running them/speaking up when others mentioned TR6. Projected has to have SOME benefit, non-projected has to have SOME downfall.

My truck runs like a total dog with the TR6 vs the TR5, I can only imagine running a 7 or 8 plug.

I daily drive on 8s and have no issues.. Did it with the 6.0 and with the 6.7. I didn't even think a TR7 existed.

There is no such thing as a tr7. The projected tip 7 range is the bp7efs and the non projected is br7ef.

I don't believe for a minute that you can tell the difference in performance driving around between a 55 and a 6. No way.

Like I said, I don't care what you do. I was just passing along what I thought was decent information that you don't hear much about. After really looking into this subject, if you continue to run a projected tip plug with nitrous, knowing there is a better option for the same price, I believe you're a fool

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by parker

There is no such thing as a tr7. The projected tip 7 range is the bp7efs and the non projected is br7ef.

I don't believe for a minute that you can tell the difference in performance driving around between a 55 and a 6. No way.

Like I said, I don't care what you do. I was just passing along what I thought was decent information that you don't hear much about. After really looking into this subject, if you continue to run a projected tip plug with nitrous, knowing there is a better option for the same price, I believe you're a fool

---

x2

ok this maybe a nob question but y does it matter if it has a projected ti. i mean what is the big risk of running it? Does it get to hot? do they burn off faster? what ? because i have heard of running the non projected tips but haven't really heard alot about them and are the br7ef's the plugs i should run because i just put a NX kit on my truck and im planing on spraying 250 to it

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by parker

There is no such thing as a tr7. The projected tip 7 range is the bp7efs and the non projected is br7ef.

I don't believe for a minute that you can tell the difference in performance driving around between a 55 and a 6. No way.

Like I said, I don't care what you do. I was just passing along what I thought was decent information that you don't hear much about. After really looking into this subject, if you continue to run a projected tip plug with nitrous, knowing there is a better option for the same price, I believe you're a fool

---

ok. you're right. I'm wrong. Done trying to DISCUSS. If there was no power difference, everyone would be running 8 range plugs on all cars because it's 'safer'. My fuel economy suffered, and I lost ability to spin tires from a dead stop (not that I could ever really smoke the 36's..but can atleast break them loose with tr5s). With 'nitrous tune' it got even worse, but that's to be expected from lack of timing. That was with a tr6 gapped at .035 vs ac-delco platinums with about 60k miles on them gapped at .050 or whatever original gap gm recommended.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dropem

ok this maybe a nob question but y does it matter if it has a projected ti. i mean what is the big risk of running it? Does it get to hot? do they burn off faster? what ? because i have heard of running the non projected tips but haven't really heard alot about them and are the br7ef's the plugs i should run because i just put a NX kit on my truck and im planing on spraying 250 to it

---

I'm ASSUMING people are making a big deal because the plug can fall apart and the pieces can damage the engine. I pull my plugs and inspect them after EVERY bottle, and replace plugs after 3-5 bottles, so they don't really get a chance to 'wear down'. There is still a chance that something could happen, but there is probably a higher chance my fuel solenoid will fail and I'll run a large dry shot, in which case my plugs will be the least of my worries. A lot of things CAN go wrong...and obviously a 'non projected' tip is better. The drawbacks? No one has been able to say, my next day off, I'll try and get a hold of NGK. I'm sure there is SOME downfall. According to NGK's website iridium plugs are 'great for nitrous and race engines' but my nitrous kit says on it DO NOT USE A PLATINUM OR IRIDIUM PLUG. So who knows.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dropem

ok this maybe a nob question but y does it matter if it has a projected ti. i mean what is the big risk of running it? Does it get to hot? do they burn off faster? what ? because i have heard of running the non projected tips but haven't really heard alot about them and are the br7ef's the plugs i should run because i just put a NX kit on my truck and im planing on spraying 250 to it

---

Don't be afraid to ask questions ever... it's cheaper to ask then blow something up lol. Projected tip has less surface area which gets hotter. On a 250 shot, you wanna run an 8 series plug, it does not hurt to run around on them N/A and when you're ready to spray at any moment, they're in there ready to go. If you have bottle or boost... do you really run someone N/A? Whats that lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oleshifty

ok. you're right. I'm wrong. Done trying to DISCUSS. If there was no power difference, everyone would be running 8 range plugs on all cars because it's 'safer'. My fuel economy suffered, and I lost ability to spin tires from a dead stop (not that I could ever really smoke the 36's..but can atleast break them loose with tr5s). With 'nitrous tune' it got even worse, but that's to be expected from lack of timing. That was with a tr6 gapped at .035 vs ac-delco platinums with about 60k miles on them gapped at .050 or whatever original gap gm recommended.

---

We are only talking surface area here... safer! What was the gap on the plugs when you couldn't spin the tires? See above^^^. You can't optimal performance all the time. Arm yourself with the better plugs when you know there is a chance you might spray... only since you say you can tell a difference between a 55 and a 6 plug, hell that could have been anything... more humid/hotter that day, bad gas, many other variables. Don't get upset or feel you are getting flamed, it is a debate... just... you are losing lol J/K it's all in good fun. Take this info and use it, it's good stuff

Yeah, I ain't hatin on ya, just sayin...The drawbacks are, I would suspect, the plugs probably won't last as long. I didn't ask the guy I talked to about that because, I don't care. I bought one set of -7's and 100 -8's. Gotta pay to play and thats part of it.

I agree, it's hard to argue that the tr6 is a bad plug, thousands of people use them. But there are better options for nitrous and boost, especially when start using larger amounts of nitrous and more boost

I ran the tr6's for over a month, it felt weak off the juice the whole time. Was like driving a new truck when I put the tr5's and N/A tune back in. I realize you need to sacrifice some N/A to make the nitrous safer. Which is main reason it's off the truck now, and I have 2 tunes. I know I won't be using it for a couple months, so I wanted my N/A power back.

When I originally bought the nitrous kit, I was planning on running a 75-100 shot max....that went out the window pretty quick. I still think you 2 are a little more extreme, so what you require is different then 95% of the guys who will read this post. Someone running a basically stock motor, spraying a 75 shot once a week can get away with TR6's on a daily driver and have ZERO problems. Guys with huge cams, and 250 shots, should probably stick with the non-projected tip plug, huge timing cuts, and change plugs after every bottle. There is no perfect solution...I was just curious downside of the non-projected tip. I know going from platinum/iridium to a standard plug, you drastically cut the life down. Some people like only changing their plugs every 100k miles. With my body lift, I can change all 8 in about 10 minutes (including gaping/anti seizing the threads), so I don't mind doing it once a month.

It felt weak because you were obviously running your tune up for nitrous. Probably would have been able to break your tires loose if you would have put the timing back in it that you had pulled for nitrous.

You're getting defensive for no apparent reason. I found this information to be helpful and thought I would pass it on...You can take it or not, I still don't care.

As far as life span, I don't see there being any difference in the tr6 and the plugs I'm using now. If people can't afford to change plugs regularly(not saying you can't)then they should prolly find another hobby

Okay, I'm done arguing in this thread after this... I don't mind helping to the best of my knowledge for anyone else... but, a 150 shot on a stock motor is no "baby shot" and those pistons aren't as forgiving as say forged ones. Why risk it for no downfall? 50-75 shot... okay, I'm still running the br6's lol.

so are u saying i should run these? B8EFS part #1049

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dropem

so are u saying i should run these? B8EFS part #1049

---

probably not a bad place to start. get someone that is good at reading plugs and let them help you. the plug never lies. they'll be able to tell you if you need to go colder or hotter

You could try the 7's and check the heat on the plug about the time you got the timing and afr right to see if you would need to go to an 8... I'd be willing to bet you could get away with a 7 but an 8 wouldn't hurt. In other words right in the middle of plugs... Thats where I'm at with the 9's and 10's and the 10's didn't last very long on full boost runs and I started getting a miss... went back to 9's n just keepin an eye on them

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PurpleMinivan

You could try the 7's and check the heat on the plug about the time you got the timing and afr right to see if you would need to go to an 8... I'd be willing to bet you could get away with a 7 but an 8 wouldn't hurt. In other words right in the middle of plugs... Thats where I'm at with the 9's and 10's and the 10's didn't last very long on full boost runs and I started getting a miss... went back to 9's n just keepin an eye on them

---

I'm fairly good at reading the timing mark and rich/lean... How do you decide to go up or down a heat range?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pl4yboy

I'm fairly good at reading the timing mark and rich/lean... How do you decide to go up or down a heat range?

---

Looking at the outside threads and the heat mark it leaves on them... should only be on a few threads. If it goes all the way to the base, you need colder plugs. It may take a few passes/hits to show this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PurpleMinivan

Looking at the outside threads and the heat mark it leaves on them... should only be on a few threads. If it goes all the way to the base, you need colder plugs. It may take a few passes/hits to show this.

---

That's what I thought. It also means 6's are the correct heat range for me. I'm showing 3 threads.

How does it go the bigger the number the colder or opposite?

Correct.