1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
The fact that you modified the ECU will have very little effect. One does not spend much time on boost. And when you modify for more power, you are on boost for shorter runs as you get to speed faster and there are speed limits.
Of greater consequence is the heat range of the plug, the brand of fuel that you use. Number of cold starts and short trips. Amount of stop and go traffic VS highway runs etc.
So forget the power mods.
There are two limits to plug life. If the plug gets fouled with deposits, the plug can start to track and miss at higher boost pressures. With higher boost levels, you system will be more sensitive to this than with stock boost pressure. With a NGK BCPR6ES11, it will generally run hot enough to burn off cold start and on-boost deposits and will remain almost white and pretty well deposit free. The result does depend on some constant speed running, like on the highway, for the burn off to occur.
The other issue is the spark gap. The electrodes will erode open. The spec gap is a nominal 1.0mm /.039" but is really 1mm -.2 +.1. With a .035: gap setting the plug will perform well for a long time as the gap erodes towards .039 then onwards. Starting at .039 gets you into gaps that don't run well. With .035 you should be able to get 20K of trouble free performance. You can often regap if the plug looks decent, never had problems with that.
Now if you are driving a long distance at well over 100mph, I would look at the result on the plugs. For severe loading the #7 heat range may be more suitable. Ditto for lots of mountain driving or towing. You have to examine the plugs and judge for your self. Nothing replaces pulling and reading your plugs. The condition of the plugs provides lots of information that is specific to your fuels and driving profile. Without looking at the plugs you have very little information to work with.
I am suspecting that the T7 vehicles will run the plugs cleaner than the T5's, but I have no real evidence for that other than the obvious improvements in MPGs of the T7 vs my experiences with the T5. - my opinion -
posted by 207.43.195...
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |