All about Spark Plugs - Courtesy Fairsale Autos

[ahsontariq]

Installing spark plugs

Torque is one of the most critical aspects of spark plug installation. Torque directly affects the spark plugs' ability to transfer heat out of the combustion chamber. A spark plug that is under-torqued will not be fully seated on the cylinder head, hence heat transfer will be slowed. This will tend to elevate combustion chamber temperatures to unsafe levels, and pre-ignition and detonation will usually follow. Serious engine damage is not far behind.
An over-torqued spark plug can suffer from severe stress to the Metal Shell which in turn can distort the spark plug's inner gas seals or even cause a hairline fracture to the spark plug's insulator...in either case, heat transfer can again be slowed and the above mentioned conditions can occur.

The spark plug holes must always be cleaned prior to installation, otherwise you may be torquing against dirt or debris and the spark plug may actually end up under-torqued, even though your torque wrench says otherwise. Of course, you should only install spark plugs in a cool engine, because metal expands when its hot and installation may prove difficult.


Gapping

Since the gap size has a direct affect on the spark plug's tip temperature and on the voltage necessary to ionize (light) the air/fuel mixture, careful attention is required. While it is a popular misconception that plugs are pre-gapped from the factory, the fact remains that the gap must be adjusted for the vehicle that the spark plug is intended for. Those with modified engines must remember that a modified engine with higher compression or forced induction will typically require a smaller gap settings (to ensure ignitability
in these denser air/fuel mixtures). As a rule, the more power you are making, the smaller the gap you will need.
A spark plug's voltage requirement is directly proportionate to the gap size. The larger the gap, the more voltage is needed to bridge the gap. Most experienced tuners know that opening gaps up to present a larger spark to the air/fuel mixture maximizes burn efficiency. It is for this reason that most racers add high power ignition systems. The added power allows them to open the gap yet still provide a strong spark.
With this mind, many think the larger the gap the better. In fact, some aftermarket ignition systems boast that their systems can tolerate gaps that are extreme. Be wary of such claims. In most cases, the largest gap you can run may still be smaller than you think.

Indexing

This is for racers only !!

Indexing refers to a process whereby auxiliary washers of varying thickness are placed under the spark plug's shoulder so that when the spark plug is tightened, the gap will point in the desired direction.

However, without running an engine on a dyno, it is impossible to gauge which type of indexing works best in your engine. While most engines like the spark plug's gap open to the intake valve, there are still other combinations that make more power with the gap pointed toward the exhaust valve.

In any case, engines with indexed spark plugs will typically make only a few more horsepower, typically less than 1% of total engine output. For a 500hp engine, you'd be lucky to get 5hp. While there are exceptions, the bottom line is that without a dyno, gauging success will be difficult.

Heat Range selection

Let's make this really simple: when you need your engine to run a little cooler, run a colder plug. When you need your engine to run a little hotter, run a hotter spark plug. However, FAIRSALE AUTOS strongly cautions people that going to a hotter spark plug can sometimes mask a serious symptom of another problem that can lead to engine damage. Be very careful with heat ranges. Seek professional guidance if you are unsure.

With modified engines (those engines that have increased their compression) more heat is a by-product of the added power that normally comes with increased compression. In short, select one heat range colder for every 75-100 hp you add, or when you significantly raise compression. Also remember to retard the timing a little and to increase fuel enrichment and octane. These tips are critical when adding forced induction (turbos, superchargers or nitrous kits), and failure to address ALL of these areas will virtually guarantee engine damage.

An engine that has poor oil control can sometimes mask the symptom temporarily by running a slightly hotter spark plug. While this is a "Band-Aid" approach, it is one of the only examples of when and why one would select
a hotter spark plug.

Using "racing" spark plugs

Be cautious! In reality, most "racing" spark plugs are just colder heat ranges of the street versions of the spark plug. They don't provide any more voltage to the spark plug tip! Their internal construction is no different than most standard spark plugs.

There are some exceptions, though. Extremely high compression cars or those running exotic fuels will have different spark plug requirements and hence FAIRSALE AUTOS deals in spark plugs that are well-suited for these requirements. They are classified as "specialized spark plugs for racing applications". Some are built with precious metal alloy tips for greater durability and the ability to fire in denser or leaner air/fuel mixtures.

However, installing the same spark plugs Kenny Bernstein uses in his 300+ mph Top Fuel car (running Nitromethane at a 2:1 air/fuel ratio and over 20:1 dynamic compression) in your basically stock Honda Civic (running 15:1 a/f ratios with roughly 9.5:1 compression) will do nothing for you! In fact, since Kenny's plugs are fully 4 heat ranges colder, they'd foul out in your Honda in just a few minutes.

FAIRSALE AUTOS as a fair and ethical parts supplier tries to stay clear of saying that a racing spark plug (or ANY spark plug) will give you large gains in horsepower. While certain spark plugs are better suited to certain applications (and we're happy to counsel you in the right direction) we try to tell people that are looking to "screw in" some cheap horsepower that, in most cases, spark plugs are not the answer.

To be blunt, when experienced tuners build race motors, they select their spark plugs for different reasons: to remove heat more efficiently, provide sufficient spark to completely light all the air/fuel mixture, to survive the added stresses placed upon a high performance engine's spark plugs, and to achieve optimum piston-to-plug clearance.

Some of these "specialized racing plugs" are made with precious metal alloy center/ground electrodes or fine wire tips or retracted-nose insulators. Again, these features do not necessarily mean that the spark plug will allow the engine to make more power, but these features are what allow the spark plug to survive in these tortuous conditions. Most racers know screwing in a new set of spark plugs will not magically "unlock" hidden horsepower.

Using high power ignition systems

Many of the more popular aftermarket ignition systems are of the capacitive discharge type. They store voltage, or accumulate it, until a point at which a trigger signal allows release of this more powerful spark. Companies like Mallory, MSD, Crane and Accel, to name a few, offer such systems.

They affect spark plugs in that they allow the gaps to be opened up to take advantage of the increased capacity. The theory is that the larger and the more intense the spark you are able to present to the air/fuel mixture, the more likely you will be to burn more fuel, and hence the more power you will make.

We encourage the use of such systems, but only on modified or older non-computer controlled vehicles.
In reality, computer controlled vehicles do such a good job of lighting off the air/fuel mixture (as evidenced by the ultra-low emissions), added ignition capacity would do little to burn more fuel since the stock configuration is doing such a good job. Older non-computer controlled vehicles or those that have been modified with higher compression or boosted (nitrous, turbo, supercharged) engines can certainly take advantage of a more powerful ignition system.

================================================== =======

FAIRSALE AUTOS

HIGH PERFORMANCE PLUGS AND WIRES

Since 1972

For Modified as well as CNG Cars. Complete range of Spark Plugs and Plug Wire Sets - from Lucas, Splitfire, Eyquem, ND to NGK, Bosch and Champion. Satisfying our valued customers since 1972.

Special High Performance Plugs and Wires remove the difference in pick between CNG and Petrol. You feel as if your'e driving on Petrol.

We deal in only genuine parts.


Contact Details:

24 Pilot House Plaza Square, Main M.A. Jinnah Road, Karachi.

Sales outlet: 021-2722680 / 2722994

Cell: 0321-8250197 (11am to 5 pm)

Mr. Tariq Mohsin
Proprietor

[farazahmed]

aoa this forum has been very informative. thanks to mr ahson tariq.


i am facing a problem with my platz since last few weeks. previously its mileage had always been awesome. it used to give me 150-160 kms in city on full tank. but now suddenly it has dropped drastically to 100kms. i have got the car tuned, changed the air filter etc, changed old spark plugs (the new ones are NGK, old ones were denso and had done almost 35000kms). but still to no use. the mechanic says that spark plug wires have to be replaced. but i doubt this thing.as there is not much difference in pick. please guide me ....


thank you anyways for your informative posts

[ahsontariq]

Reply By : CyberLord on 3/6/2009 12:26:39 AM

2day i went to FAIRSALE AUTOS n meet with Mr.Tariq Mohsin. He is aged person. but guides me well. n suggest me LOCUS 4tip plugs for Cuore CNG 2006, and he also suggest me that there is no need of replacing wires untill it fails. The shop is quite coplicated to locate in plaza but after an half n hour search i found it.

For all those who wants visit, call them b4.














Yes, that was a wise thing to do. Calling first always saves time, especially if you are going to a conjested area such as Plaza.

[noman111]

Hello Mr Tariq


I m using a Liana Rxi 2006 with non factory fitted CNG. My car has problem that after some time of driving in hot weather it starts dropping RPM and when AC is put on it also drops RPM, not only this it also requires more force to move i mean accelerator. After visiting lot of mechanics I was unable to resolve the issue. Now to save the engine i have removed the CNG, now car only drop RPM when AC is put on otherwise its OK.


I think you understood the problem and guide me well.

[zulfiqarrana]

I have honda city 2005 what plug do you suggest , presently I am using ngk , my car runs on CNG


and I would also like to know the recommanded Gap of Plugs and also brand if you suggest some.


Some one told me 4 pin plug give good performance in honda city 2004 -5

[sidrulz]

guyz i have a honda city manual 08,i recently installed bosch 4tip spark plugz FR78X and pick has increased noticably,ets jusht lyk m drivin on petrol...and bestest of all,my car is giving an awsum average...its doing 55kms within city on Rs.100 CNG!!





can sumone suggest me a good ignition coil and wires?

[sidrulz]

@ zulfiqar
go for 4 tip bosch FR78X

[ahsontariq]

In reponse to above queries re. plugs and wires:





Guyz you can call Mr. Tariq Mohsin between 11am and 5pm to get the relevant info.





Contact Details:

24 Pilot House Plaza Square, Main M.A. Jinnah Road, Karachi.

Sales outlet: 021-2722680 / 2722994

Cell: 0321-8250197 (11am to 5 pm)

Mr. Tariq Mohsin
Proprietor

FAIRSALE AUTOS - Specialists in Plugs and Plug wires since 1972





PAK WHEELS MEMBERS GET A 5% DISCOUNT ON ALL PURCHASES MADE DIRECTLY FROM FAIRSALE AUTOS.

[rockk]

i want to buyy pulgs for my cuore 07.. i mostly drive it on petrol..any1 using thm pls write ur comments n also let me knw whch1 is being used n cost n performance diiference

[wasay_ahmed]

For coure n mehran


NGK the Best

[SER_GTR]

For All Who Are Willing To Buy Plugs.....Just Keep My WORDS


Always Inspect Your Stock Plug NO...Compatiable With Your Engine And Then Get Iridium Platinum Or Wateve Of Its Class.....!! Don't Just Go For tips and iridiums without matching Plug No And Heat Range...


This Will Cause Not Any Increment But Decrement In Peformance...U Will Be Felling U R Better Running Stock Plug Rather Than Running This One....!!


So Think And Inspect No Before Spending Some Money...!!


Regards

[rockk]

@wasay_ahmed
r u talkn of ngk single tip platinum plugs???
wht abt the price???

[ahsontariq]

Originally Posted by SER_GTR

For All Who Are Willing To Buy Plugs.....Just Keep My WORDS


Always Inspect Your Stock Plug NO...Compatiable With Your Engine And Then Get Iridium Platinum Or Wateve Of Its Class.....!! Don't Just Go For tips and iridiums without matching Plug No And Heat Range...


This Will Cause Not Any Increment But Decrement In Peformance...U Will Be Felling U R Better Running Stock Plug Rather Than Running This One....!!


So Think And Inspect No Before Spending Some Money...!!


Regards

Very true.

[sufianmehmood]

hello Mr. Tariq,
what are your suggestions/reviews about these??

http://www.pulstar.com

they claim to be an innovative technology spark plugs, can you please shed some light on these?

[wasay_ahmed]

Yeah


Single tip Platinum


Using those plugs along with Simota airfilter for carby cars in friends car MahsaAllah it easily does 500km+ in a tank and he usualy drive hard..

[ToofaneBatameezi]

Allright great topic..!! Tariq saab I'll disturb you tommorrow!!

For reference, My Name is Baber.

[ahsontariq]

Originally Posted by fahdlovespak

ahsontariq bhai can u tell me which plugs and plug wires for mehran cng?and how much does it cost? i need for better performance

Brother, please call at the below contact details for answers to your queries:





So, unless you have modified your engine.... (and by modifying, I mean the complete works) do not waste your money on unnecessary performance products.

Hope this helps.

================================================== =======

FAIRSALE AUTOS

HIGH PERFORMANCE PLUGS AND WIRES

Since 1972

For Modified as well as CNG Cars. Complete range of Spark Plugs and Plug Wire Sets - from Lucas, Splitfire, Eyquem, ND to NGK, Bosch and Champion. Satisfying our valued customers since 1972.

Special High Performance Plugs and Wires remove the difference in pick between CNG and Petrol. You feel as if your'e driving on Petrol.

We deal in only genuine parts.


Contact Details:

24 Pilot House Plaza Square, Main M.A. Jinnah Road, Karachi.

Sales outlet: 021-2722680 / 2722994

Cell: 0321-8250197 (11am to 5 pm only plz.)

Mr. Tariq Mohsin
Proprietor





=====

[xalmanreyaz]

@Fair sale autos

M a bit out of topic can u plzz
tell me that do you the fake turbo whistler

[zulfiqarrana]

Originally Posted by sidrulz

@ zulfiqar go for 4 tip bosch FR78X

WHERE DO I CAN GET BOSCH FR78X IN ISLAMABAD

[wasay_ahmed]

^^ visit Babu bazar the auto market

[ahsontariq]

Originally Posted by xalmanreyaz

@Fair sale autos M a bit out of topic can u plzz tell me that do you the fake turbo whistler

No salman, we do not keep fake turbo whistlers in our inventory.