Spark plug Question.... long post
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Spark plug Question.... long post
Hi,
What is the difference between all the spark plugs? They are just used to ignite the gas in the cylinder. Say I have 3 cans and each one has a little gas in them. I use a wooden match to ignite one can, I use a hand tourch to light another one of them and use a cigarette lighter to light the third one, they all ignite so what is the difference with spark plugs? Don't they jusy put the spark there to ignite the gas. Won't all the gas burn no matter how it's lit? I know the gas is under pressure but does that make any difference. I see spark plugs for $1.59 eack and some for $20.00 each, what is the difference? thanks in advance.
What is the difference between all the spark plugs? They are just used to ignite the gas in the cylinder. Say I have 3 cans and each one has a little gas in them. I use a wooden match to ignite one can, I use a hand tourch to light another one of them and use a cigarette lighter to light the third one, they all ignite so what is the difference with spark plugs? Don't they jusy put the spark there to ignite the gas. Won't all the gas burn no matter how it's lit? I know the gas is under pressure but does that make any difference. I see spark plugs for $1.59 eack and some for $20.00 each, what is the difference? thanks in advance.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination. But I know that the material they are made from has alot t odo with the cost. Some platinum plugs are made to run for 60,000 miles, where as some plugs are made to be changed after say 12,000 miles. I think once you get into high HP engines you need plugs that can stand the temperature. Also I know that when running NOS it is very important that the plugs do not glow and cause pre ignition.
I am sure someone will be able to answer your question more fully than me.
I am sure someone will be able to answer your question more fully than me.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Yes compression ratio has something to with the how much spark is needed to light the mixture. That said any mild street car will run fine on 99 cent plug. The reason for the higher priced plugs is not for performance ( except if it's a race plug, forced induction etc. ).
For the most part your local parts store will have some higher priced plugs made out of materials that will last longer and therfore you will have to change them less often.
Which helps because of the ridiculous positions they put the plugs in the motors and the orientations of motors themselves in the engine bay that make it near impossible to change the plugs unless you have a trained monkey handy
For the most part your local parts store will have some higher priced plugs made out of materials that will last longer and therfore you will have to change them less often.
Which helps because of the ridiculous positions they put the plugs in the motors and the orientations of motors themselves in the engine bay that make it near impossible to change the plugs unless you have a trained monkey handy
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Concord ca
You should try these and let me know how they are.
http://www.pulstar.com/index.html
$25 per plug at kragens.
http://www.pulstar.com/index.html
$25 per plug at kragens.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
I have used champion for ever, but just the cheepoes, work just fine.
any OEM spec plug will work just fine
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
You should try these and let me know how they are.
http://www.pulstar.com/index.html
$25 per plug at kragens.
http://www.pulstar.com/index.html
$25 per plug at kragens.
over 10 pulls there was no difference.
Now if you have a full race plug (not those cheesy pulse plug things) and a race engine, that is another story.
Last edited by Bowerss2; Jan 18, 2009 at 11:15 PM. Reason: i cant spell
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I don't know if it makes a difference in cars driven everyday but I have some cranes with 350 Chevy engines running AC Delco plugs and since they are seldom used long enough to fully warm the engine, they will file the plugs about every six months. I think the heat range of the plug is the only thing that makes a difference on how long the plug will last but go too hot on the heat range on something that is used for racing or used everyday and you could burn a hole in the piston. .