Ok, I know that this is a lightning forum, and I dont have a lightning. But, I ordered an ATI procharger for my '02 and figured you guys are a little more knowledgable about this stuff. Well anyways, I obviously need to put on some colder plugs. But, should I put on any anti-sieze? Should I correctly torque the plugs? What are the torque specs? Im just trying my hardest to avoid a sparkplug blow out, and want any helpful advice about avoiding it. Thanks.

 

Some, including Sal , say "no" to anti-sieze. I, being a hard-head, used some on my plug change and they've been in for about 18,000 miles now. Run them down finger-tight, then 1/16th of a turn more. Too tight, and you could weaken the head's threads and---poof!

How much boost are you going to have? That's what determines the heat range you need. NGK TR6s should be OK for 10-11 lbs, NGK BR7EFs should be OK for 12-15 lbs of boost.

Dan

 

I was planning on running the NGK TR5s. I'm going to be running 9 lbs of boost. Some say I might hit 10 lbs. So, I should put anti-sieze on there? Also, I live down 17 miles of a rough dirt road, will that affect the spark plugs coming loose sooner? Thanks again.

 

Hey Offroad..Not trying to come off as a smart @$$ but don't get too freaked out about the plug issue..It's a known problem that we gotta deal with..Ford doesn't seem to want to do anything about it..I was once like you, worried about a plug shooting out and uncomfortable driving it..It's just something that can happen upon coincidence...The best thing I feel you can do is just keep check of them and like LightningROD mentioned install them right..Don't let this problem take away from you enjoying your truck man.. I had to toss the negativity outta my head..I payed megabucks for this truck and by Golly i'm gonna enjoy and have fun with it

You'll be fine

 

I wouldn't use the TR5s with that much boost as they are the same heat range as our OEMs. Some do use them with no problems and I got into the high 12s with a 3 lber on my OEMs. I just would like the extra 'safety' of the colder TR6s for your use..........

Dan

 

I use the TR5's on my truck, and I have about 10-11lbs of boost. With the tune I have the plugs are a very nice tanish tint. I say give them a shot, but keep an eye on them. If anything does not seem good then go to a cooler range like the TR6's.

As for anti-sieze, I wouldn't bother with it. Reason being, if you are running a supercharger then your are going to have to take even more care of the vehicle. Which SHOULD inlcude randomly checking the plugs every couple of hundred miles, and replacing them at much short intervals then you normally would. So most likely they will never sieze up in the heads.

 

OK.... I've got to get this off my chest...

7-8 months ago an NGK Tech Rep via telephone told me that the NGK TR-6 was actually the same heat range as the lightnings stock plugs... I recall very distinctly him saying this and even questioned him. Stating to him that many many lighting owners are writing in several different forums that the TR-6 is a heat range colder than the stock plugs... His response was that the tr-6 was infact the stock plug for the base 5.4 liter but that the lightning had a stock plug which was one step colder than non lightnings and that there for the tr-7 was actually one range colder than the stock lighting plug.....

Any body else heard of this....??

 

NEVER heard that one before ???

We have ALL always been told
TR5= Stock
TR6= 1 Range Cooler
BR7= 2

I like Dan have ALWAYS used Anti-Seize, all 4 times I've done mine. Now I have inserts in my Heads and Sal did not use it.

Putting TR-5's in would make so sense "IMO", (sorry Pete, I still Love You Bro) I'd go with at least TR6's, or BR7's.
Once you experience BOOST, believe me "YOU WILL TURN IT UP"

 

If you go to NGK web site it says tr-6 are stock for the Lightning
Mike

 

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