hesitation after installing new plat sparkplugs (SR20)

[VQdriver]

i ordered 4 new ngk platinums specified for a twin turbo 300ZX. i gapped them to 0.29 and installed them in my redtop SR20DET. upon starting, i notice i have a lot more power, but i have a slight hesitation upon blipping the throttle when i'm in neutral. sometimes it can be felt in low gear at crawling speeds, then giving it moderate to hard throttle (such as rolling from a stop sign and then gassing it to merge with traffic). also, i noticed the old plugs i removed were ngk iridiums gapped to something rediculous like 0.44 or so. with this gap the car had no hesitation problems whatsoever. i just felt like i should replace the sparkplugs that came with the clip! can the gap make a difference in performance? i thought gapping them to oem spec 0.29 was ideal?!

[WAbernethy]

I had similar problems when I changed to lower heat range plugs for my KA. I gapped them to .32 and it idled roughly and had some serious hesitation. I regapped them to like .36 and it ran 100% better. If you were running .44 before and didn't have any trouble, I 'd open up the gap some on yours. Your engine will probably appreciate the extra spark.

[VQdriver]

but why is that? oem spec says 0.29 gap, but these iridiums were opened up considerably. the platinums are so much thicker than the iridium electrodes. weird. i guess i'll check the connections and tinker with the gap.

[Dattebayo]

My local mechanic tells me that platinum plugs are not as good for turbo as regular plugs, that hesitation is just what he mentioned to me. Just switch back (there is nothing bad about regular plugs).

[IvoryJ30t]

i was going to say the same thing. i never recommend platinum [unless OEM] or the like. the only advantage those plugs have is longevity. the copper plugs fire hotter and stronger. personally i couldnt care less if i have to replace 2 dollar copper plugs more often...

[VQdriver]

regapped them to .33 and still the same hesitation. ok this is what i have: NGK laser platinum PFR5B-11B stock# 2867...i've been searching all over freshalloy and have been coming up with different numbers. plus other people are recommending using '91 sentra SER copper plugs. now i'm thoroughly confused.

[WongFeiHung]

Just try the NGK V-Powers...

[VQdriver]

i'm coming up with different model numbers...i think i'm gonna try to return my platinums for 91 sentra SER spec plugs. any objections? it's either that or i will try NGK copper BKR 6E or 7E. does anyone know the difference between the 6E and 7E? anyway, i'm not gonna burn another $60 on plugs until i'm putting up some serious horsepower. if anyone here can post the model and stock # of plugs that will DEFINATELY work, i'd be glad to take your word for it.

[kbrunjes]

it's either that or i will try NGK copper BKR 6E or 7E. does anyone know the difference between the 6E and 7E?

that is the heat range. i think heat range 6 is stock and 7 is colder, or something like that. i "think" that the BKRs should "definately" work

[VQdriver]

the only mods i plan for the future before my high power rebuild is to add an elec boost control. 6 heat range is best?