so my plugs look really not so good and its time to replace, they are 1 step colder then stock already, but would i benefit from going two steps colder, better performance?, better gas mileage?

im already running fairly rich and wondered if they would do me anygood

current mods are
m7 16% pulley, milltek header, milltek catback, m7 ddm intake,m7 dfic, kingsborn splugs, stock coil



thanks for the help
chris

 

what no one running two steps colder, maybe i should stay away lol

 

I don't know what to tell you, I would know more if I knew how the plugs were fouling (Fuel fouling vs. carbon fouling). Have you tried to go back to the stock plugs?

I'm thinking (based upon no info) if the plugs are fouling it could be:
1. A computer issue causing too much fuel to enter the combustion chamber; possibly caused by a bad sensor

2. Clogged air filter causing the mixture to be too rich

3. Poor or weak spark


If going back to the OEM plugs doesn't rectify the problem, start troubleshooting.

 

 

here is the thing they came with the car, i was changing out my intercooler yesterday and was there so i checked, they look pretty nasty, i am running way rich, and im sure my filter could use a wash? ( would the k&n cleaner work?) i have no codes, just a rich car. and the biuld up looks more like fuel then carbon, they are just heavily black, and no real thick build up. the electrode has turned a nice horrible gray

 

Your plugs are not allowing proper combustion before the valves are opening to let the exhaust gasses out.

You went the wrong way buddy, you (previous owner?) should have went one step hotter, not colder, than the orginal only if you've increased the amount of fuel by running a chip or aftermarket computer set-up.

You should always try to maintain the stock rating on the plugs, but if they are not keeping up the even burning then you go one step hotter. If you go two steps hotter, you actually run the risk of bringing in additional problems.

If your intent was lower your engine temp to produce .0001% more horsepower, then we need to talk about thermostats.

Lose the cold and bring on the heat. Only good thing the cold can do is when it's brought in through your air intake.

Please PM me after you switch them and let me know how much performance gain you get!

Good luck,
Krafty

 

I'd like to know as well. I agree you need a hotter plug, but I would at least try the OEM plugs first to better gauge what the next step should be.

Definitely clean the K&N filter, no telling when it was done last (should be done at least every 6 months or more depending on conditions).

 

Plugs always seem to pop up here on NAM ? The truth is you can speculate all day long which plug to use. But unless you do an actual plug reading at load/speed then you really have NO idea how the plug is truely working. This is not my opinion but mere fact. I often read the "recomended" plug when you do a few mods is to go to a colder plug? Every MINI is different along with enviroment and how you drive your MINI all play a part in what plug to choose. Do yourself a favor put the OEM plugs back in your engine and start fresh.