[alecm2]

Decided I should go Stage 2 instead of Stage 1 , using BM3. I am due for new spark plugs, can I run OEM? wanted to utilize FCP Euro's warranty program.

[nioh_lbbm2]

Yes

[Wheats1]

I didn't notice a difference till I went to stage2 plus ( bootmod3), Had a few misfires doing pulls.. Anyway, upgraded the plugs and she runs like a scared cheetah.. zero misfires

[alecm2]

Originally Posted by Wheats1

I didn't notice a difference till I went to stage2 plus ( bootmod3), Had a few misfires doing pulls.. Anyway, upgraded the plugs and she runs like a scared cheetah.. zero misfires

upgraded to what plugs ? oem?

[Dartz188]

Protuningfreaks actually recommends using the NGK 97506 spark plugged for tuned cars. I'm waiting on my intercooler to come in the mail before going stage 2 but I've installed the NGK plugs on the car the other week and thus far they have been running great gapped at .023.

Here's protuningfreaks post on the NGK's:
https://bootmod3.atlassian.net/wiki/...+and+which+gap

FCP Euro also has the plugs on their site too and you can get their lifetime warranty for the plugs.

[cecaa850]

Originally Posted by Dartz188

Protuningfreaks actually recommends using the NGK 97506 spark plugged for tuned cars.

So does Bend Calibration (ECUTEK).

[F87source]

No no no, stock plugs stock gap unless datalogs and reading of the plug conditions justify otherwise. If you run too cold or too small of a gap you will get incomplete combustion and misfires and or stuttering.

[nioh_lbbm2]

Originally Posted by Dartz188

Protuningfreaks actually recommends using the NGK 97506 spark plugged for tuned cars. I'm waiting on my intercooler to come in the mail before going stage 2 but I've installed the NGK plugs on the car the other week and thus far they have been running great gapped at .023.

Here's protuningfreaks post on the NGK's:
https://bootmod3.atlassian.net/wiki/...+and+which+gap

FCP Euro also has the plugs on their site too and you can get their lifetime warranty for the plugs.

For the regular N55 on other platforms (335, 135, etc).

The M2 N55 already uses the same plugs as the F8X S55 engine which are already very good. No need to change what's not broken. Log it first then change IF necessary. regurgitating plug changes with 0 basis is what's wrong with the tuning community now.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2

For the regular N55 on other platforms (335, 135, etc).

The M2 N55 already uses the same plugs as the F8X S55 engine which are already very good. No need to change what's not broken. Log it first then change IF necessary. regurgitating plug changes with 0 basis is what's wrong with the tuning community now.

+1

Plus the stock S55 and m2 n55 plugs (and gap size) are used on the more powerful cars like the m4 gts and m2 cs at 450 - 500 whp without any issues.

[cecaa850]

Originally Posted by F87source

+1

Plus the stock S55 and m2 n55 plugs (and gap size) are used on the more powerful cars like the m4 gts and m2 cs at 450 - 500 whp without any issues.

If a tuner with 20 years experience tuning BMW's for track and street tells me to swap plugs for a colder one I'll do it. Not going to argue with him or think I know more than he does.

[Wheats1]

I went with NGK after installing upgraded hpfp(stage2 plus)and it totally eliminated misfire and studder..
I probably should have waited on the plugs before I received the great info here. But, it worked for me and my issues when using stage2 plus map.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by cecaa850

If a tuner with 20 years experience tuning BMW's for track and street tells me to swap plugs for a colder one I'll do it. Not going to argue with him or think I know more than he does.

Well that's up to you, but these plugs are already 1 step colder than the n55 plugs and 2 steps colder than the n54 plugs so there is no reason to go colder.

Also when Zm2 had stuttering issues this summer it was determined to be because he gapped his plugs down too much, and he did it according to PTF. This is not to say that every thing needs to be run at stock sizes or PTF's advice is bad, no that's not the case. What needs to be understood is every car/situation is a bit different so you must check to see what your car likes in your instance and not follow generic recommendations.


Here's what Justin from twisted tuning said about plugs:

"Just recommending someone go to a one or two step colder plug because of a changed tune is not best practice. Poor combustion and misfires can occur.
The stock heat range in the N55 is fine to 700whp or so. One step colder than N54 stock. And the same heat range as nissan GTR stock plugs. GTRs run the stock heat range to 800whp or so.
The old recommendation of one step colder per 100whp is also not accurate. I mention this because ive seen it spewed on a lot of these groups. By that recommendation people would be looking for 6 step colder plugs in some cars.
Also, which is a slightly different topic (has nothing to do with your post) but people need to stop immediately recommending .018 plug gaps just because a car is tuned.
Ideally you want the largest gap possible for a setup that promotes complete combustion without blowout (failure of the spark to jump the gap).
Long story short.... proper spark plug recommendation should come from reading the plugs for a specific setup. Not a blanket recommendation from something you’ve seen people do.
IE- my A90 supra for instance. I’ve seen some tuners already recommended colder plugs or gapped down plugs for immediate process after tuning. Well, my car... stock plugs, stock gap. At over 700whp and 720wtq and reading the plugs show no issues. And the car has not skipped a beat or misfired at all."

[F87source]

Originally Posted by cecaa850

If a tuner with 20 years experience tuning BMW's for track and street tells me to swap plugs for a colder one I'll do it. Not going to argue with him or think I know more than he does.

BTW I have suspicion that maybe he is just recommending plugs that alot of m2 owners are using and seems to be having good success with, but unless you sent him images of your plugs for him to read your plugs to see if it is worth going colder it is still just a guess. However that being said, colder plugs seem to be ok with most applications on these engines and they seem be tolerated ok, but gap sizes are the real problem makers with these cars. That being said I have nothing against bend, I highly respect their tuning and know they do a damn good job with tuning. The only thing I disagree with is the plug recommendation.


Google reading plugs if you don't understand why it is important. Essentially changing plugs without reading them is equivalent to tuning your car without looking at logs. You hope it is in the right direction, and it might be, but it could also not be.

[-Eidos]

Originally Posted by F87source

BTW I have suspicion that maybe he is just recommending plugs that alot of m2 owners are using and seems to be having good success with, but unless you sent him images of your plugs for him to read your plugs to see if it is worth going colder it is still just a guess. However that being said, colder plugs seem to be ok with most applications on these engines and they seem be tolerated ok, but gap sizes are the real problem makers with these cars. That being said I have nothing against bend, I highly respect their tuning and know they do a damn good job with tuning. The only thing I disagree with is the plug recommendation.


Google reading plugs if you don't understand why it is important. Essentially changing plugs without reading them is equivalent to tuning your car without looking at logs. You hope it is in the right direction, and it might be, but it could also not be.

Before Joseph calibrated my car, I worked with Ian on getting set up (cecaa850 's tuner). He asked for my mods list where one of the items were some new NGK 97506s that I purchased. Ended up asking for his gap size recommendation where he recommended .028'' to start with and to gap down from there if needed. It ended up being sufficient for at least 540whp at E40. So in my case, I was the one that chose to run the plugs from what I researched and Ian recommended the gap size to fit my goals.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by -Eidos

Before Joseph calibrated my car, I worked with Ian on getting set up (cecaa850 's tuner). He asked for my mods list where one of the items were some new NGK 97506s that I purchased. Ended up asking for his gap size recommendation where he recommended .028'' to start with and to gap down from there if needed. It ended up being sufficient for at least 540whp at E40.

And that is one of the marks of an experienced tuner you can trust.

Personally I wouldn't have went colder plugs straight out of the gun unless I needed it, otherwise it is a waste of money.

[alecm2]

Originally Posted by Dartz188

Protuningfreaks actually recommends using the NGK 97506 spark plugged for tuned cars. I'm waiting on my intercooler to come in the mail before going stage 2 but I've installed the NGK plugs on the car the other week and thus far they have been running great gapped at .023.

Here's protuningfreaks post on the NGK's:
https://bootmod3.atlassian.net/wiki/...+and+which+gap

FCP Euro also has the plugs on their site too and you can get their lifetime warranty for the plugs.

I ended up ordering OEM since they are in S55 but, i will run these if my logs dont look right ! thanks

[Leaveatrail86]

Originally Posted by F87source

No no no, stock plugs stock gap unless datalogs and reading of the plug conditions justify otherwise. If you run too cold or too small of a gap you will get incomplete combustion and misfires and or stuttering.

Are you fbo? I have this problem. What are you gapped to? I’m currently on the stg 2+ e30 map and I have misfires. Feels lethargic. I do have the dorch stage 2 and pr ignition coil kit, too. Dunno what else to try. Currently gapped to .22

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Leaveatrail86

Are you fbo? I have this problem. What are you gapped to? I’m currently on the stg 2+ e30 map and I have misfires. Feels lethargic. I do have the dorch stage 2 and pr ignition coil kit, too. Dunno what else to try. Currently gapped to .22

Your gap is too small, increase the gap size and test that. I've diagnosed this issue for many people now so it is a pretty common phenomenon.

Also with a coil upgrade there is zero need to run a small gap, the only reason why you gap down is if the spark is blowing out due to weak coils. Gapping down with a coil upgrade defeats the purpose. So in your case you should be more than fine with a stock gap size.

[Leaveatrail86]

Originally Posted by F87source

Your gap is too small, increase the gap size and test that. I've diagnosed this issue for many people now so it is a pretty common phenomenon.

Also with a coil upgrade there is zero need to run a small gap, the only reason why you gap down is if the spark is blowing out due to weak coils. Gapping down with a coil upgrade defeats the purpose. So in your case you should be more than fine with a stock gap size.

Definitely. I’ve noticed both you and zm2 have helped many with this issue. What gap do you recommend I try, 24 or 26?

Edit: you said try stock gap size. I think that’s .26

Thank you I’m advance for your help.

[Leaveatrail86]

Originally Posted by F87source

Your gap is too small, increase the gap size and test that. I've diagnosed this issue for many people now so it is a pretty common phenomenon.

Also with a coil upgrade there is zero need to run a small gap, the only reason why you gap down is if the spark is blowing out due to weak coils. Gapping down with a coil upgrade defeats the purpose. So in your case you should be more than fine with a stock gap size.

You’re correct on a smaller gap with a coil upgrade not being beneficial. I just figured I’d try it. A larger gap is desired for complete
combustion. You guys know best as you’ve tried and tested this. I figured things would change with the use of e85. I’ll try a larger gap.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Leaveatrail86

You’re correct on a smaller gap with a coil upgrade not being beneficial. I just figured I’d try it. A larger gap is desired for complete
combustion. You guys know best as you’ve tried and tested this. I figured things would change with the use of e85. I’ll try a larger gap.

I used to think stock was 0.028" but now I think it is actually 0.030", with upgraded coils I would go with 0.030" and if that blows out (I highly doubt it on a stock turbo and with upgraded coils) then I would go to 0.028".

[Leaveatrail86]

Originally Posted by F87source

I used to think stock was 0.028" but now I think it is actually 0.030", with upgraded coils I would go with 0.030" and if that blows out (I highly doubt it on a stock turbo and with upgraded coils) then I would go to 0.028".

.30?!

Wow. That’s a big difference.