What plugs to use for a 514 crate motor?

[Tom Wells]

Anyone have any experiences to offer as to spark plug make/model and gap?

I'm using the standard 514 crate motor, 9.8:1 Ford aluminum heads etc...

I could use some pointers as to where to start fro street use mainly.

Tom

[cwmcobra]

Tom,

You must be getting close to firing the engine. What a rush!

I have no road experience yet, but I can tell you that the boys at Ford Racing Techline recommended the AGSF-32C Motorcraft plugs for the 514. I can confirm the engine runs with them, but no performance experience.

When does it come to life?

Chuck

[Back in Black]

I assume that it will be delivered with the motorcra* (or similar) plugs, which is fine for break-in, but I will go with a splitfire or other dual spark plug, when change time comes, BECAUSE I will have the (awesome) MSD ignition, with the MSD Blaster high output coil.

The point is, your coil, etc... are mostly what should determine if it's worth the money for the higher end plugs...standard type ignition/coil, use the motorcra* plugs...
the MSD can literally jump several inches of gap, I have seen them demo'd...and they can do this at over 10,000 RPM! So it can really use a splitfire/etc.. and a MUCH larger than standard gap. This gets a lot more fire into those monster lungs

Yahoo!

[dalola]

Tom,

The Motorcraft plugs are a good choice, especially if you change them every season like most folks do. No need for those expensive platinum plugs, unless you want to run them for a long time.

The 32's are probably your best bet, although I've good luck with 42's as well(slightly hotter heat range). If you are running an MSD or similar ignition, you will need to open the gap up in accordance with your compression ratio. Check your ignition manual for the specs. If you are running a stock ignition, use stock spec gap. Another good trick, buy two sets of plugs and index them. Usually worth a couple horsepower, and two sets will usually yield one set of indexed. Also, don't overlook good plug wires! I personally like MSD, but any high quality(ie:$$) set is good.

Good luck!

Dave

[cwmcobra]

BinB,

What's the status of your West Coast? I talked to Vern last week and he told me they are spending a lot of time on it. When's the ETA?

What wheels and tires have you selected? I'm about to order mine and have done a lot of measurements to be confident I can fit 17's in the wheel wells. About to buy some wheels and dry mount to confirm the fit.

I'm trying to get my West Coast finished in time for the DVSF II. Tall order, but I'm giving it a shot.

Chuck

[Back in Black]

We are progressing nicely, and I expect the car sometime in May. Vern is giving the car the needed extra attention, since it is so custom. Spared no expense in making it a hot street rod !

When it arrives, as soon as I can sleep again, and wipe the silly grin off my face, I will begin reviewing the car and accessories here !

The wheels are the current issue...at this point, we are trying to order from Billet Specialties...they have a snakey looking version of the Torque Thrust 2 design, called the *REBEL* (perfect for me ) Plan is for 17 x 9.5 inch size, and approx 12 inch wide low profile tires.

http://www.billetspecialties.com

The backspace/offset is going to be 5.5 inches. Tires to be Michelin Pilot XGT Z rated low profile.
Ooops, forgot to mention, they have to be special ordered for this offset. Ask Billet Specialties for the nearest distributor.

[cwmcobra]

BinB,

If leadtime is an issue for the wheels, here's a tip (I think). I've just completed measurements on my West Coast and have determined that the Torq Thrust II wheels that are made for the late model Mustangs should fit the exact backspaces and frontspaces needed. Email me if you need more info. Since these are not custom backspace, they are available in a matter of days. Mine will be here by the end of this week.

I'm planning 17x9.5 fronts with 275/ZR4017 tires and 17x11 rears with 315/ZR3517 tires. The tires will be Michelin Pilot Sports, apparently, the best dry traction tire that Michelin makes in these sizes.

Chuck

[Tom Wells]

Hi cwmcobra,

Thanks for the plug number.

Interestingly the tire/wheel combo I'm using is identical to yours except for slightly different model Michelins for the front - couldn't resist a bargain.

Hope to have it fired up before the end of the month!

dalola,

I have the MSD 6AL setup so I'll look for gap recommendations there. I wrote down the warmer plug recommendation too even though I doubt I'll ever notice plus/minus a few HP!

Since I have a hydraulic roller cam, I've decided to set the maximum rpm at 5500.

Tom

[Jahred]

Black on Black. Tell me more about your EFI. I didn't think there was an EFI around for the 514/460. Where do you find it? What do they run? How much difference in HP? Is the CFM adjustable with EFI? Whats the range?

Re changing the GAP on plugs and running splitfires......how much HP added here? Does it make engine ignite differently? Hotter? Colder? Anything else need to be adjusted or any risks with this modification?? Thanks.

What RPM do you intend to run at?

[Back in Black]

But will adapt directly to a Ford intake if it has FI *bosses* (female ports for the injectors)

It is a Holley 1000 CFM throttle body with 36 lb injectors, rails, and the Commander 950 computer module. Vern at WCC is currently about finished milling the (high polished aluminum) intake for the injectors. I THINK the intake we are using is the Edelbrock Performer, but truthfully I plumb fergot. It is a single plane type, with relatively low rise...the same type of intake that Holley makes standard for the 454 rat motor assembly (WHY , oh WHY Holley makes a Chevy version, and NO complete Ford 460 assembly, I do not know) I assume that we will gain about 5% HP, which would be 30 more HP...the main benefits are the better cold starts, smoother throttle response, and no need to adjucst for altitude or other factors...fire, tune in with a laptop, and forget.

The Victor JR that came with the motor (514 crate) has bosses already milled in, but would have required a larger hood scoop.

There are several (throttle body) CFM options from Holley

All I can say about plugs, is that on my motorcycles I have owned over the years, I have noticed that plugs can really make a difference in power and especially cold starts, IF you have aftermarket high output ignition. The idea of the splitfire plugs is that you get two seperated sparks, for better and more full ignition...if you have seen the MSD *live* displays at an auto store, you know that it can jump several inches with a REAL spark !

The hotter and more high performance a motor is, the more it needs a good spark. If a motor runs well, then it will run cooler than if it has ignition problems. One plug brand I NEVER use is *champion*...mostly because I have seen them last 40% of the time that an NGK (Japanese) plug does, in a hot air cooled bike motor. Good test bed ! Auto engines are more forgiving, generally.

As to HP, it's probably not much by itself, but if you have the MSD ignition, why not get all you can out of it? Again, for sure get a high output Blaster or similar coil...makes cold starts nicer, and WILL increase HP!

The only really important thing safety wise, is to make sure that the plug you choose is for your app...if it is too long, it can actually hit the piston, etc... If it's too short, it would not ignite correctly. And to get the right heat range for your motor and it's condition...for instance, a motor using some oil should have a hotter range plug installed, to burn the oil off better.

[Jahred]

Back in Black. Thanks for the info. I have most of a spare 514 after my little mishap. The old one blew two rods. Presume if I revive it I will go with a new short block. Think the heads are ok after just a few miles without a lot of oil pressure? Can have them tested I guess. But the EFI sounds great if I get another project started.