[CTWoody]

Hello all,

I have a 2011 FX2 that just rolled 100k. The only thing I have done to it is add a 4" exhaust from AE Power...everything else bone stock. I changed the plugs on it with SP-534's at 75k. Within the past month, when I put heavy load to get on highway etc. it shutters real bad and goes into limp mode. I drilled the weep hole in the inter-cooler thinking it was moisture but that did not help. I called dealership and they recommend I put new plugs and coil packs in it. They offered to do it for $800 and change. NO THANKS.

My question - can I use SP-534 plugs if I buy aftermarket MSD coil packs? Some suggest a 'one heat range colder' copper core plug and some say the SP-534's are fine at a .030 gap. Any advice? Anyone have any success or bad luck with MSD coil packs? Any input is greatly appreciated in advance. Need to fix asap...the limp mode is not fun on the highway:/

 

[greg hazlett]

Stick with OEM coils, all the aftermarket ones do is lighten your wallet, create issues and eventually back to the OEM coils.

 

[noodles]

I would just stick new SP534 plugs in it. If it's good after that, no need for new coils.

 

[fastenova]

I'd also suggest replacing the small rubber boots that fit onto the end of the coil packs at the same time. Should be around $5 apiece. And put a dab of dielectric grease on the inside of each one.

 

[winchested]

Um iridiums plugs don't even last 40-50k on these trucks. Id imagine copper plugs to last 5-10k max.

 

[BAD454SS]

I was a bit skeptical on the MSD coils , I have been running them since April. I paid 200 bucks for them with summit bucks so it wasn't too worried if they sucked ,because i can put the OEM coils back in. January I was coming up on my 10,000 mile routine plug change running msd coils for 8000 of those. What i noticed since last plug change as i only lost 2 thousands gap this time around. Previous set same exact plugs i lost 7 thousands gap in 10000 miles. Denso ITV22 Only thing different is the coils. I'm not sure what to make of it. Did the Coils make my plugs last longer???? I heard good things about the Accel copper plug specifically for ecoboost. So i gave them a shot what i like about them, the ground strap only covers half the center electrode , what the old timers used to call side gap spark plugs. Set them at 28 thou gap been running last 500 miles. butt dyno acceleration feels really good.Pulls really hard. My truck 2nd to 3rd shift would kinda chirp the tires previous, to this plug change , with the Accel plugs 2nd to 3rd shift hit hard and chirps hard. I can say the MSD coils handled 120 summer heat with no issues. I think they are a solid replacement for OEMs .

 

[CTWoody]

Thank you for the input gentlemen. I'm definitely going to look into replacing the plugs and the rubber boots on my current OEM coils. Definitely much more cost effective if I'm not going to see much difference by switching to aftermarket coils. I guess the question is...what is the average life of the coils on these Ecoboosts?

 

[BAD454SS]

Here is a Pic of side gap plugs , how long they last remains to be seen , $24 for a set of 6 even if they last 5000 miles. If you google side gap plugs , a lot of history in turbo cars , buicks and such. Smokey Yunick Pretty interesting.

https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/spark_plugs/parts/578C1

 

[TX-Ripper]

Welcome to the forum

Stock plugs gapped to .028-.030

 

[CTWoody]

I just replaced my plugs with .030 gap Motorcraft plugs and replaced all the rubber boots with new. Kept the stock coil packs in. My truck is running like new with no misfire at all and has great power. Turbos are really spooling again. Two of he old plugs looked powdery white and bad. Might be my imagination but I think the new boots I put on the bottom of the coil packs look to have a smaller spring hole which I'm hoping will help keep moisture off the plugs. Thank you for all of your suggestions. I'll keep track as to how long these plugs last!

 

[TX-Ripper]

Winning

 

[travr6]

I had similar issues and it ended up being my ECU not allowing two of the coils to fire.

 

[Envious]

I was a bit skeptical on the MSD coils , I have been running them since April. I paid 200 bucks for them with summit bucks so it wasn't too worried if they sucked ,because i can put the OEM coils back in. January I was coming up on my 10,000 mile routine plug change running msd coils for 8000 of those. What i noticed since last plug change as i only lost 2 thousands gap this time around. Previous set same exact plugs i lost 7 thousands gap in 10000 miles. Denso ITV22 Only thing different is the coils. I'm not sure what to make of it. Did the Coils make my plugs last longer???? I heard good things about the Accel copper plug specifically for ecoboost. So i gave them a shot what i like about them, the ground strap only covers half the center electrode , what the old timers used to call side gap spark plugs. Set them at 28 thou gap been running last 500 miles. butt dyno acceleration feels really good.Pulls really hard. My truck 2nd to 3rd shift would kinda chirp the tires previous, to this plug change , with the Accel plugs 2nd to 3rd shift hit hard and chirps hard. I can say the MSD coils handled 120 summer heat with no issues. I think they are a solid replacement for OEMs .

I have a set of the accel plugs in as well. One step colder and I love them. Gapped to .028 as well. I took them out at around 5k miles and they looked decent I would run them for another 5k.

 

[blackjack]

I'm running msd coils with E3 plugs i put in tonight. Truck has 110,000 miles and I've only put 1000 on it since I bought it couple weeks ago. Tried denso iridium with msd and thought they were good but not great. Changed over to E3 tonight and short drive to fill up tells me they are way better than denso with msd coils. still have slight hint of vibration however but dyno says wow! Tires chirp every time I take off now. This weeks commute will show whether mileage is up from 15-16mpg at 55-65. Will post results this week. I recommend msd coils on Amazon for about $280.

 

[Arkansas Eco]

You will 100% have better luck with Motorcraft plugs and Motorcraft coils.

 

[blackjack]

I think your correct Arkansas eco. I have a slight vibration at idle that won't go away. Dealer found misfire on 1 n 4 cylinders. New msd coils were missing springs inside boots. He put new boots on msd coils and swapped those 2 spark plugs to Motorcraft sp580. Said it was fixed but I still have a vibration. Suggested swapping remaining plugs to Motorcraft and going back to stock coils I had on truck. Getting second opinion from private shop to see their thoughts. I don't see why these trucks are suppose to be ok when they have a detectable vibration in drivers seat at idle. Dealer said they couldn't detect it. See what other shop says.

 

[Arkansas Eco]

Every 3.5 Ecoboost has that warm low idle vibration. It is a nature of the beast and has to do with block design and firing order. Does your tachometer needle move at low warm idle ? Mine is steady as a rock and the vibration is there. Otherwise, I wouldn't know it was running. Clean the intake sensors, but on MC coils, SP580's gapped at .030, make sure all the coil boots have springs, try the new brown PCV valve.

 

[blackjack]

I'll swap my factory Motorcraft coils back in and a set of mc 580 plugs and see if it makes a difference. Also ill get a pcv valve. I've cleaned the sensors. After doing an intake cleaning I noticed my weep hole left a puddle of oil on my driveway. I think a large catch can is next on the list.

 

[SrpRacing]

I would do everything you just said but hold off on the catch can. The brown pcv fixes the issue of oil in the intercooler. It was caused due to increase crankcase pressure as the original black pcv leaks boost into the crankcase.

The brown pcv corrects flow thru the crankcase while preventing the crankcase from being pressurized.