Spark Plugs

[Young&Fast]

So what is the deal with all these new spark plugs that claim to all be way more powerful than each other? I'm thinking for both cars and bikes. I've always used NGK plugs but Ive been considering: Iridium IX, Denso Iridium, Splitfire and Diamondfire. Has anyone used these. Can you even feel a difference? But I'm thinking that running $12 plugs on a two smoke could get expensive fast. :eek:

[1450-ranger]

OE Motorcraft i have had best luck with.

[Bulldozer]

Expensive spark plugs won't make a noticeable difference in power IMO.

Maybe a 2% gain at very very most. And from my experience, most of the fancy schmancy plugs wear out very fast.

[DZT RCR]

I use the NGK iridium or ix and I think they are fantastic easier starting, no fouling, and i haven't worn out the first one yet. Oh yeah that is in a trx250 R , not a 4-poke.

[DZT RCR]

I forgot to mention I dislike splitfires in 2 smokes, have had terrible probllems in bikes and quads, but they worked ok in my truck.

[steveG]

At work we replace spark plugs with whatever came in the vehicle from the factory. We also never put a platinum, iridium, etc. spark plug in a vehicle that came with standard spark plugs. In my opinion that's just asking for trouble. Older ignition systems just aren't designed for them and they don't seem to work as well.

Of course an exception to this would be a custom built (or non-OE forced-induction) engine that requires a specific spark plug.

I don't have any experience with motorcycle engines.

[drsnutz]

imo sticking with what the manufacturer of your vehicle recommends is the best way to go.i used to work at jba racing and customers used to bring their cars to us saying they just did a tune-up on their car and now it runs like crap.9 out of ten people had put splitfires in and when i would tell them it's the plugs they were using is causing the prob they looked at me in disbelief."but i paid $12 apiece for them" and all i could say was you just learned an expensive lesson.manufacturers spend millions of dollars on r&d on our rides and they know far more than we do about what makes them run and sparkplug co. don't have the resources the manufacturers do.

[amr126]

I agree with the factory know's best, since they are the ones offering 100,000 mile warranties, not the spark plug companies.

[FABRICATOR]

The best plug for a 2-stroke is usually just a new one. I tried lots of things on 2-strokes and always ended up just using regular Champions (then) or NGK's (now), or equivalent. When I get 3 or so nice and carbony I bead blast them like new again. Takes about 4 seconds each. The factory recommended heat range is usually very close. Unless your last name is McGrath or something, I would spend the money on something else.

For a car or truck, some people swear by things like Splitfires but I have never been convinced they are really much better.

[Ramsey_ElWardani]

We were "sponsored" by Splitfire years ago (they gave us free plugs) and couldn't tell any difference on the Dyno or in the dirt in a 1600, but we told everybody they were awesome.

[Co-Dog]

I remember seeing Splitfires ads and they were deceptive. They would like you to believe that the spark is capable of splitting and giving you a hotter spark. They never actually said it, but they always had pictures that made people believe it.

Electricity only takes one path at a time. PERIOD. The one of least resistance is its favorite. If you gas or oil foul plugs a lot, then having two electrodes might help. Just splitting one electrode though isn't really changing much.

I believe the electrode gap is overlooked way too often. More often then not, I see plugs installed with the gap they came out of the box with. If that gap is right for your engine, then you just got lucky, but check the rest anyways. A little more or less gap can often produce a desired change. Always run the same fuel/octane once you get it dialed in.

[Co-Dog]

Electricity only takes one path at a time. PERIOD.

Just need to make clarification.

When voltage is high enough to jump an air gap, current will only flow in one path through the air at a time.

You can see lightning branch out sometimes, but what you're seeing is a second discharge using part of the same path. (happens so fast it appears to be one strike)

[rojodiablo]

Good points, Co-Dog. Another thing i have noticed wit my Toyota motor, is the factory calls for the dual electrode plugs. I looked into this, and it has nothing to do with the splitfire promos, showing potential for dual spark. It has everything to do with ignition shape and burn shape as the arc starts the fuel mixture burning. Much like the gas diffuser works with welding to shield the arc. And, for what its' worth, don't run any Bosch plugs in a Tacoma. Or, any plugs that have tiny little electrodes. They WILL burn up very quickly, many times to the point where you can't see any electrode at all.

[Bulldozer]

Good points, Co-Dog. Another thing i have noticed wit my Toyota motor, is the factory calls for the dual electrode plugs. I looked into this, and it has nothing to do with the splitfire promos, showing potential for dual spark. It has everything to do with ignition shape and burn shape as the arc starts the fuel mixture burning. Much like the gas diffuser works with welding to shield the arc. And, for what its' worth, don't run any Bosch plugs in a Tacoma. Or, any plugs that have tiny little electrodes. They WILL burn up very quickly, many times to the point where you can't see any electrode at all.

Don't run bosch plugs in general.

[1wayne]

Don't run bosch plugs in general.

Why!:confused:

[Bulldozer]

Why!:confused:

lol

I've had bad luck with them in go peds, dirt bikes and trucks. Maybe they just don't like me.

[1wayne]

lol

I've had bad luck with them in go peds, dirt bikes and trucks. Maybe they just don't like me.

Ya, I have bad luck with them in some vehciles but they work fine in my 4 seater,truck and street car.

[Lost Sheep]

We run a 4.5 v-6 ford in a 7 truck and it came from north carolina where the nascar boys build engines. They use autolite 472 plugs.... Who knows betters than nascar:D

[JONES PERFORMANCE]

i will use whatever plug i can get for my application. wether its autolite, ac chapion or delphi, ngk, etc. i typically use though ac and champion and ngk plugs since they are pretty easy to find everywhere. i have some delphi plugs that have no electrode on them, havent tested them on the dyno yet to see what they may do. im thinking if anyhting they moght give a few hundredths in the 1/4 drag car, maybe a tenth.