[SkyylerGXP]

I have a 2008 Solstice GXP with 35,000 miles with a 5 year 70K warranty still in effect and installed a Trifecta full tune on 11/7/2013. Everything was great and the car performed amazingly. Completed the data log and received confirmation on the data log back on 11/26/2013 stating:


Eddie Casselman,

A customer support staff member has replied to your support request, #582385 with the following response:

Everything is running to spec, no adjustments needed. For the backfiring, if you are using stock plugs at stock gap then a little backfiring can be considered normal.

We hope this response has sufficiently answered your questions. If not, please do not send another email. Instead, reply to this email or login to your account for a complete archive of all your support requests and responses.

http://badnewsracing.net/datalogs/[email protected]&a=f0d9c7c68af1a31e37af7a1a0c149b32

End of Response.

_______

As of 11/30/2013 I got a CEL and two codes of P0300 & P0304 for Misfire cylinder 4. I checked the plugs and coils and everything is in place and clean. I upgraded the spark plugs from the stock plugs to the NGK Spark Plugs LTR5IX-11 they were installed in the car back on 8/22/2013. Now when I drive the car normally under normal speeds you can't tell that there is anything wrong with the car. But when I step on the gas and the turbo spools, as soon as I reach 4K-5K RPM and turbo PSI reaches 19-23 then the car loses power and starts to stutter and I hear a popping sound coming from under the hood and some backfiring from the exhaust in the rear. As soon as this happens, the CEL lights up and blinks a few times then will stop blinking and stay on. Is there any advice you can send my way?

 

[wspohn]

Turbo engines normally require a smaller plug gap than NA.

NGK has in the past also recommended the ILTR6A-8G (3787) plugs for this engine and suggested reducing gap to .027-.028" if they start missing. Have you tried that on your plugs? Reduce the gap and see what it does. If it does nothing, I suggest that you contact NGK - they have an excellent technical advice department (I've always used their plugs for racing and they've been helpful).

 

[The_Ghost]

You should be using the normal OEM plugs (AC Delco). I use them, I'm pushing 22psi of boost, no issue.

 

[SkyylerGXP]

Thanks Bill that is good advice. will try and close the gap when I get home and see if that works out. If not I will contact NKG to see if I need to switch to a different plug.

 

[Seltzinator]

Its been said numerous times by knowledgeable people on these forums that there is no reason to run anything other than the OEM plugs, and that aftermarket plugs will either be the same, or get you in trouble.

Try a set of OEM plugs.

 

[SkyylerGXP]

Ok sounds like I have a couple of things to try here. I see it 50/50 on the forum with AC Delco and NKG plugs. But most say with a stock GXP run Delco plugs and tuned GXP say run high heat NKG plugs. Glad you gentlemen are here to help with all the good advice.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

I have always ran NGK plugs with no problems whatsoever. my brother and I raced motocross for years and NGK's were the only thing you could rely on so I have been sold on them for 30 years. The last thing you'd want is to be committed to a tripple jump out of a turn and have your bike bog. I've trusted my life with them. I'd swap that #4 plug with another cylinder, run it and see what you get then. if anything , that will rule out the plug itself. I'd for sure check the gap too. over gap will cause backfiring all day long.

 

[L-N-F'n]

Next time you have your plugs out, do a compression test. Cylinder 4 is the most likely cylinder to have cracked ring gland. Dose the "loses power and starts to stutter and I hear a popping sound" stop when you turn your tune off? If you cant turn your tune off, can you reinstall your stock tune, to see if the problem continues?

 

[SkyylerGXP]

Found my issue...got a reply back from a rep @ Bad News Racing and they said that it absolutely sounds like I had spark blow out and they are not tight enough, they need to be gapped at .030 or .032. So I removed my plugs and re-gaped them using a high-performance spark plug gaping tool at exactly .30 and BOOM, my baby is back. Car is running perfectly and engine is singing loudly. Thanks Ashley @ Bad News Racing. Engine even running smoother than what I was use to. Glad it was a easy fix.

 

[kwtoxman]

Good info to share with the forum. And enjoy the tune! Trifecta are the shiz, imo.

 

[SkyylerGXP]

This is true my friend

 

[Gerry11363]

Thanks Ashley @ Bad News Racing. Engine even running smoother than what I was use to. Glad it was a easy fix.[/QUOTE]


I'm about to do the trifecta tune from Bad News Racing
I spoke to Ashley last week.
Did you get the budget or full price trifecta?

 

[boboborino]

Yes definitely great info!

Bert