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Wow! What a nice "old school" reception, seems so rare these days. Thank you!
You Are Welcome!
We Are an old School Group Here! Some Started Here Almost 20 Years Ago, We are Here To Help and Support Our Mustang Family Members Here! We Are Right in the Middle of Cleaning Out Some of the Clutter and Trying to Be a Easy to Use and Friendly Place To Learn & Enjoy The Nice Things Our Cars Have to Offer and Get Over The Rough Patches when The Cars and or Owners Stumble!
Hello! My first name is Rocky and I received a PM from one of our Administrator's that you're seeking advice on replacement spark plugs for your 2008 supercharged Shelby with Kenne Bell supercharger... After reading your profile page, I noticed you have the 2008 Shelby GT with 4.6L 3v engine... So, here's my first question for you, was your car built after November of 2007? If your engine has brown coil boots, this means your car was in fact built after November of 2007 which Ford replaced the original head design with revised heads for standard 12mm one-piece design spark plugs... If, however, your car was built before November of 2007 and your engine has black coil boots? then unfortunately this means your car has the original/old style heads which have the dreaded two-piece, high threaded 16mm spark plugs...
The best advice I can provide is this... If you have the old-style heads which have the two-piece/high threaded 16mm spark plugs and don't have personal experience with changing them? I would highly recommend having an experienced technician perform the spark plug change for you and here's why... Those 16mm two-piece design spark plugs are well known for separating/breaking inside the head during the extraction process and God forbid if that happens, the only way they can be extracted is by using a spark plug extraction tool known as the Lisle spark plug extraction tool, but if the spark plug is separated below in the head to where the extraction tool is unable to reach, then the only other way to remove the broken spark plug is by uninstalling the head from the engine altogether...
Being as your Shelby GT is supercharged, your engine requires either a one-degree or two-degree colder spark plug... You more than likely will need to contact Kenne Bell and find out which spark plug they recommend, as I'm not very familiar with Kenne Bell superchargers... I have the Saleen series VI supercharger on my 2006 Mustang GT that requires one-degree colder spark plugs... Currently, I use Autolite Revolution HT0 one-degree colder spark plugs which are recommended by Saleen... Although Autolite claims their newest version of their HT0 spark plugs have been redesigned and improved to resist breakage, they are still nevertheless a two-piece design spark plug... Therefore, if you're going to DIY? I would highly suggest that you read the following extraction procedure instructions provided in the attachment link for the Ford TSB before proceeding... https://www.aa1car.com/library/ford_tsb_08-7-6.pdf
If you would rather not choose going the Autolite HT0 spark plug replacement route, there are also several aftermarket spark plug alternative options that are designed for supercharger applications which are a 16mm one-piece design... I've included the product links below.
Rocky, thx for the kind and competent feedback. No luck, 08/07 build date. Seller said he replaced the coil packs but never the plugs, so I guess we have our answer. I have since become aware of the spark plug issue. This will be cliche, I'm mechanical in that I do the easy work on my cars (water pumps, alternators, radiators, brakes, etc.) and I'm a cheap bastard! Have a DeWalt DCF889, 1/2" electric impact wrench so I'm more than tempted to attempt the hot engine impact route. Concerned that DeWalt 700 max ft-lbs may be too much(?). Geeze this spark plug extraction makes me anxious though.
Purchased Lisle 65700 in anticipation of surgery. I've read/watched almost every thread/video on the 4.6/5.4 3V spark plug debate. However, I'm brand new to this risk and if the odds of head removal are higher than I'm thinking, I'm not opposed to having Ford do it. Local Ford quoted $350ish + plugs. Which actually sounds reasonable if cost is a "sure thing". I didn't tip them off to my concerns and I'm not sure what happens if Ford breaks one off? This is sort of my life story though, wife will have it put on my headstone. : )
I must say, it's comforting to be able to share this mental obsession with the TMC genius network! Thanks again for taking it easy on me.
Ritch
I'm a Firm Believer in Letting the Chemical do the Work! Use The Process, Don't Rush and a Successful Job is Achievable! Soak, Soak and Soak! Think Positive Relax and Work the Job. Don't Let it Beat you Mentally before You Even Do the Job! See it Work in Your Head before you Start! Visualize it Going Well. If One Happens To Break Move on To The Next and Keep Going!
SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,644
Likes: 2,509
From: Carnegie, PA
Originally Posted by dryhero
Rocky, thx for the kind and competent feedback. No luck, 08/07 build date. Seller said he replaced the coil packs but never the plugs, so I guess we have our answer. I have since become aware of the spark plug issue. This will be cliche, I'm mechanical in that I do the easy work on my cars (water pumps, alternators, radiators, brakes, etc.) and I'm a cheap bastard! Have a DeWalt DCF889, 1/2" electric impact wrench so I'm more than tempted to attempt the hot engine impact route. Concerned that DeWalt 700 max ft-lbs may be too much(?). Geeze this spark plug extraction makes me anxious though.
Purchased Lisle 65700 in anticipation of surgery. I've read/watched almost every thread/video on the 4.6/5.4 3V spark plug debate. However, I'm brand new to this risk and if the odds of head removal are higher than I'm thinking, I'm not opposed to having Ford do it. Local Ford quoted $350ish + plugs. Which actually sounds reasonable if cost is a "sure thing". I didn't tip them off to my concerns and I'm not sure what happens if Ford breaks one off? This is sort of my life story though, wife will have it put on my headstone. : )
I must say, it's comforting to be able to share this mental obsession with the TMC genius network! Thanks again for taking it easy on me.
Ritch
Hi Ritch! And thank you for the very kind words, as it means a lot to me... After just reading over your reply, I couldn't help but notice that you may be considering using the impact/hot engine extraction method? Don't get wrong, as I'm not attempting to tell you what to do with your car, but if this were my car, I would not under any circumstances risk using an impact wrench for extracting the spark plugs... If you read the link, I provided for the Ford TSB spark plug extraction removal, it clearly states against using an impact wrench and especially on a warm or hot engine, as doing so may risk potential damage to the threads on both the heads and spark plugs... I had a friend of mine who is an experienced technician change my spark plugs twice on my 2006 GT by using the recommended Ford TSB extraction procedure and none of my spark plugs had ever broken... Therefore, I strongly recommend that you follow the Ford TSB procedure to the letter by only using hand tools on an engine that is at room temperature... I would also recommend that you change out your spark plugs every 12k miles or every 3 years in order to prevent carbon from building up onto the spark plug shafts which cause them to seize up inside the heads... It's also recommended due to increased cylinder pressure from running a supercharger... If you follow this 12k/3yr maintenance schedule? the risk of spark plugs seizing up inside the heads become significantly reduced... As much as I love the retro styling of the 1st generation 2005-09 S197 Mustangs, I'll never figure out the reason behind the Ford engineers designing such a bone-headed 16mm two-piece high threaded spark plug, to begin with... At any rate, I am seriously considering making the switch to either MSD or Accel one-degree colder spark plugs that have a one-piece design when it comes time to replace my current Autolite HT0 spark plugs...
In the meantime, thank you once again for all your kind words, Ritch and I really hope I've been able to provide you with some very valuable information that you'll hopefully find as useful...
-Rocky
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; Sep 28, 2023 at 06:24 PM.
Reason: typo error correction
Hi Ritch! And thank you for the very kind words, as it means a lot to me... After just reading over your reply, I couldn't help but notice that you may be considering using the impact/hot engine extraction method? Don't get wrong, as I'm not attempting to tell you what to do with your car, but if this were my car, I would not under any circumstances risk using an impact wrench for extracting the spark plugs... If you read the link, I provided for the Ford TSB spark plug extraction removal, it clearly states against using an impact wrench and especially on a warm or hot engine, as doing so may risk potential damage to the threads on both the heads and spark plugs... I had a friend of mine who is an experienced technician change my spark plugs twice on my 2006 GT by using the recommended Ford TSB extraction procedure and none of my spark plugs had ever broken... Therefore, I strongly recommend that you follow the Ford TSB procedure to the letter by only using hand tools on an engine that is at room temperature... I would also recommend that you change out your spark plugs every 12k miles or every 3 years in order to prevent carbon from building up onto the spark plug shafts which cause them to seize up inside the heads... It's also recommended due to increased cylinder pressure from running a supercharger... If you follow this 12k/3yr maintenance schedule? the risk of spark plugs seizing up inside the heads become significantly reduced... As much as I love the retro styling of the 1st generation 2005-09 S197 Mustangs, I'll never figure out the reason behind the Ford engineers designing such a bone-headed 16mm two-piece high threaded spark plug, to begin with... At any rate, I am seriously considering making the switch to either MSD or Accel one-degree colder spark plugs that have a one-piece design when it comes time to replace my current Autolite HT0 spark plugs...
In the meantime, thank you once again for all your kind words, Ritch and I really hope I've been able to provide you with some very valuable information that you'll hopefully find as useful...
-Rocky
You convinced me to follow the TSB, I appreciate the nudge! I feel so much better.
Rocky, thx for the kind and competent feedback. No luck, 08/07 build date. Seller said he replaced the coil packs but never the plugs, so I guess we have our answer. I have since become aware of the spark plug issue. This will be cliche, I'm mechanical in that I do the easy work on my cars (water pumps, alternators, radiators, brakes, etc.) and I'm a cheap bastard! Have a DeWalt DCF889, 1/2" electric impact wrench so I'm more than tempted to attempt the hot engine impact route. Concerned that DeWalt 700 max ft-lbs may be too much(?). Geeze this spark plug extraction makes me anxious though.
Purchased Lisle 65700 in anticipation of surgery. I've read/watched almost every thread/video on the 4.6/5.4 3V spark plug debate. However, I'm brand new to this risk and if the odds of head removal are higher than I'm thinking, I'm not opposed to having Ford do it. Local Ford quoted $350ish + plugs. Which actually sounds reasonable if cost is a "sure thing". I didn't tip them off to my concerns and I'm not sure what happens if Ford breaks one off? This is sort of my life story though, wife will have it put on my headstone. : )
I must say, it's comforting to be able to share this mental obsession with the TMC genius network! Thanks again for taking it easy on me.
Ritch
Hey Rocky!
Sorry to bother you, have a question if you have time. Spoke to a sales rep at Brisk Racing. He had only one recommendation for spark plugs. However, he also said the Mustang guys are pretty educated on this. Would you mind giving an opinion on this plug?
SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,644
Likes: 2,509
From: Carnegie, PA
Originally Posted by dryhero
Hey Rocky!
Sorry to bother you, have a question if you have time. Spoke to a sales rep at Brisk Racing. He had only one recommendation for spark plugs. However, he also said the Mustang guys are pretty educated on this. Would you mind giving an opinion on this plug?
Ritch! It's never a bother at all... Therefore, don't ever feel that way for one moment because providing feedback and support is the most important reason for our forums to continue to thrive and grow... We are always here to help whenever in need.... Meanwhile, regarding Brisk racing spark plugs, if they are NOT specified as one-degree colder spark plugs, designed exclusively for forced induction applications? I would not recommend them and unfortunately, I was not able to find definitive information on their website about neither the Brisk Racing 3VR17C or Brisk Racing 3VR17YS spark plugs they list for 2005-09 Mustang GT applications... If you want my honest recommendation, I suggest going with either Accel HP Copper Spark plug #8160 or MSD Iridium spark plugs #37164 which are both designed exclusively for forced induction applications that are a one-degree colder spark plug... However, I would lean more towards the MSD #37164 as their constructed from Iridium vs Copper with the Accel #8160... Anyway, the links for the MSD and Accels are attached on post #38 of this thread...
Ritch! It's never a bother at all... Therefore, don't ever feel that way for one moment because providing feedback and support is the most important reason for our forums to continue to thrive and grow... We are always here to help whenever in need.... Meanwhile, regarding Brisk racing spark plugs, if they are NOT specified as one-degree colder spark plugs, designed exclusively for forced induction applications? I would not recommend them and unfortunately, I was not able to find definitive information on their website about neither the Brisk Racing 3VR17C or Brisk Racing 3VR17YS spark plugs they list for 2005-09 Mustang GT applications... If you want my honest recommendation, I suggest going with either Accel HP Copper Spark plug #8160 or MSD Iridium spark plugs #37164 which are both designed exclusively for forced induction applications that are a one-degree colder spark plug... However, I would lean more towards the MSD #37164 as their constructed from Iridium vs Copper with the Accel #8160... Anyway, the links for the MSD and Accels are attached on post #38 of this thread...
SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,644
Likes: 2,509
From: Carnegie, PA
Hey there, Ritch! Just following up and hope everything is going well since you were last on here over 8 days ago as to which spark plugs you decided to go with...
Ritch! It's never a bother at all... Therefore, don't ever feel that way for one moment because providing feedback and support is the most important reason for our forums to continue to thrive and grow... We are always here to help whenever in need.... Meanwhile, regarding Brisk racing spark plugs, if they are NOT specified as one-degree colder spark plugs, designed exclusively for forced induction applications? I would not recommend them and unfortunately, I was not able to find definitive information on their website about neither the Brisk Racing 3VR17C or Brisk Racing 3VR17YS spark plugs they list for 2005-09 Mustang GT applications... If you want my honest recommendation, I suggest going with either Accel HP Copper Spark plug #8160 or MSD Iridium spark plugs #37164 which are both designed exclusively for forced induction applications that are a one-degree colder spark plug... However, I would lean more towards the MSD #37164 as their constructed from Iridium vs Copper with the Accel #8160... Anyway, the links for the MSD and Accels are attached on post #38 of this thread...
-Rocky
That's good to hear because I found a killer deal on the Accel plugs and bought them.
I'm Really Proud of Rocky as a Moderator. He Does His Best To Help & Be Welcoming! Exactly What We Need These Days!
The Staff as it Were Here, are All Dealing With Health & Time Allocation Issues, it Be Our Own or Caregiving to Family Members. So we are Spread Thin. I Do Manage to get the Spammers at the Gate So Unlikely to See any Spam Posts Other Than Old Ones That Got in Years Back!
Thankfully we Have a Very Well Behaved Group of Loyal Posters.
Thank You To Everybody!
Remember You Old Time Posters It's You That Keeps this Thing Going, Not Like The Old Days But it is Good People Helping Others and That is What it's All About! We All Have Some Skills To Share Whether it Be Hands On or Just The Skills To Find The Answers Here or Elsewhere and Post a Link. It's Easy To Forget Not Everybody Has Been Here Absorbing Knowledge for Some 20 Years. Some People are To Coin a Phrase Just Off the Boat as Far as Mustangs and The Quirks We Take For Granted on Our Cars that We Know About!
The Nice Thing is The Teasing of Old is Gone. I'm Talking About a Newbie Posting in the Wrong Section Etc. And Getting Dogpiled. Many Got that Experience and Their First Post Was Their Last. I Found So Many of those in Old Posts. Many Were Dealt With.
A Little Teasing Between Friends is Fine and Fun. Because We Know The Other Person To Be Clear!
Anyhoo, I Had a Sick Day Yesterday and Spent The Day Sleeping and Here I Am Up Getting up at 1:30 A.M. Cause I Slept So Much!
SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,644
Likes: 2,509
From: Carnegie, PA
Originally Posted by rocknrod
That's good to hear because I found a killer deal on the Accel plugs and bought them.
Congrats on finding that killer deal on the Accel plugs... We'll all be awaiting a follow-up on how well the Accel plugs are working out once they've been installed.
Originally Posted by 05stangkc
I'm Really Proud of Rocky as a Moderator. He Does His Best To Help & Be Welcoming! Exactly What We Need These Days!
The Staff as it Were Here, are All Dealing With Health & Time Allocation Issues, it Be Our Own or Caregiving to Family Members. So we are Spread Thin. I Do Manage to get the Spammers at the Gate So Unlikely to See any Spam Posts Other Than Old Ones That Got in Years Back!
Thankfully we Have a Very Well Behaved Group of Loyal Posters.
Thank You To Everybody!
Remember You Old Time Posters It's You That Keeps this Thing Going, Not Like The Old Days But it is Good People Helping Others and That is What it's All About! We All Have Some Skills To Share Whether it Be Hands On or Just The Skills To Find The Answers Here or Elsewhere and Post a Link. It's Easy To Forget Not Everybody Has Been Here Absorbing Knowledge for Some 20 Years. Some People are To Coin a Phrase Just Off the Boat as Far as Mustangs and The Quirks We Take For Granted on Our Cars that We Know About!
The Nice Thing is The Teasing of Old is Gone. I'm Talking About a Newbie Posting in the Wrong Section Etc. And Getting Dogpiled. Many Got that Experience and Their First Post Was Their Last. I Found So Many of those in Old Posts. Many Were Dealt With.
A Little Teasing Between Friends is Fine and Fun. Because We Know The Other Person To Be Clear!
Anyhoo, I Dad a Sick Day Yesterday and Spent The Day Sleeping and Here I Am Up Getting up at 1:30 A.M. Cause I Slept So Much!
Need to Try & Sleep So More!
Anyhoo, That's All For Now!
KC
Thanks for the very kind words, Kevin! I always try my very best to treat everyone in the very same way that I would expect to be treated in return.
Well here's a follow up so far. I removed all the old plugs, they were HT1's and should have been HT0's (Whipple Supercharged Intercooled). So I have the Accel 346C1's as they are a colder range for supercharged applications. The Whipple manual says to gap the FPP plugs to .032" - the Accel/Holley page doesnt give a gap recommendation.
So should I gap them the same? .032"?
As they sit I can't get a .030" wire gauge gap tool in there on any of them.
Last edited by rocknrod; Jul 15, 2024 at 05:02 AM.
SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,644
Likes: 2,509
From: Carnegie, PA
Originally Posted by rocknrod
Well here's a follow up so far. I removed all the old plugs, they were HT1's and should have been HT0's (Whipple Supercharged Intercooled). So I have the Accel 346C1's as they are a colder range for supercharged applications. The Whipple manual says to gap the FPP plugs to .032" - the Accel/Holley page doesnt give a gap recommendation.
So should I gap them the same? .032"?
As they sit I can't get a .030" wire gauge gap tool in there on any of them.
You always go by the recommended gap specs according to the supercharger manufacturer, not the spark plug manufacturer... If Whipple recommends gapping the spark plugs to .032" That is exactly what you gap them...
Originally Posted by 05stangkc
I Would Install As IS BTMO!
KC
I have no idea what BTMO stands for... However, you do not install as is... You must gap the spark plugs first before installing on a forced induction application and always gap the spark plugs according to the supercharger's recommended specs...
Originally Posted by rocknrod
Okay done.
I got the XL-2 Motorcraft High temp Nickel Anti Seize and will be coating the plugs per the TSB. None on the threads huh?, okay.
Postscript: After torque I was all pleased with myself and then it hit me these are one piece design. Did I need to use anti seize on the barrels?
Never under any circumstances do you apply nickel anti-seize anywhere but on the barrels, this also includes one-piece design spark plugs... Appling nickel anti-seize on the threads will effect the accuracy of the torque value.
