Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons?
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From: Granby, MA
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Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons?
Saw that these are worth an extra 1mph or 10hp....my question is.....
Whats the downfall to these? Do they detonate or foul any quicker? Cause any harm to engine?
Just curious why nobody (manufacturer) has come up with the.....cut back electrode plug to try to make money off of.....seeing there's just about every other type of plug out there lol
Also if Iam seeing this done correctly then there is basically NO GAP? on these...I mean the electrode if cut back totally exposes the tip....this right? I checked out 65Z01 site and saw the illustration.
jeff :cool:
Whats the downfall to these? Do they detonate or foul any quicker? Cause any harm to engine?
Just curious why nobody (manufacturer) has come up with the.....cut back electrode plug to try to make money off of.....seeing there's just about every other type of plug out there lol
Also if Iam seeing this done correctly then there is basically NO GAP? on these...I mean the electrode if cut back totally exposes the tip....this right? I checked out 65Z01 site and saw the illustration.
jeff :cool:
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons? (XtremeVette)
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From: SE NY
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Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons? (XtremeVette)
The con to this mod is that the plugs in my Vette seem to need regapping about twice a year, at least that's how often I tough them up. I think this is the major reason that auto & parts mfgs don't offer a plug like this; neither the general public nor the Fed would like such a plug.
However, the IROC doesn't seem to need it but I no longer flog it down the 1/4mile regularly like I do the Vette. So the maintenance interval may well depend on how you use the engine.
I generally agree with JAKE in the above post on the benefits; for me the added HP is well worth the increased manitenance.
However, the IROC doesn't seem to need it but I no longer flog it down the 1/4mile regularly like I do the Vette. So the maintenance interval may well depend on how you use the engine.
I generally agree with JAKE in the above post on the benefits; for me the added HP is well worth the increased manitenance.
Thread Starter
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From: Granby, MA
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Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons? (65Z01)
not quite sure about the regapping thing.....does the spark now go diagonally to the ground electrode seeing that its not directly over the tip any longer and how do you regap if the tip doesn't line up any longer?
Does this hurt the engine at all...?.....I have read everything....and what I could see is basically it provides a better burn so if anything would be better for the engine? YES?....thanks guys....
Does this hurt the engine at all...?.....I have read everything....and what I could see is basically it provides a better burn so if anything would be better for the engine? YES?....thanks guys....
Team Owner
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From: SE NY
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Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons? (XtremeVette)
On my plugs I cut them back "almost" to the edge. The spark then will jump nealry straight up/down between the electrodes, with no shrouding from the ground electrode.
Indeed this provides a better (more complete) burn, which gives a little more power and cleaner exhaust.
Be sure to trim off any burs or sharp edges after cutting the plugs as these tend to promote pre-ignition (spark will jump from a point at lower voltage than from a smooth surface). This isn't too critical, just hit the cut edges with a fine file.
The center electode gradually wears away on the side nearest the cut back ground electrode, so yes then the spark tends to jump a little diagonally. It's best to use a wire gapping tool and just bend the ground electrode down a little to reestalish the chosen gap, stock for stock HEI and wider for hotter ignition.
Indeed this provides a better (more complete) burn, which gives a little more power and cleaner exhaust.
Be sure to trim off any burs or sharp edges after cutting the plugs as these tend to promote pre-ignition (spark will jump from a point at lower voltage than from a smooth surface). This isn't too critical, just hit the cut edges with a fine file.
The center electode gradually wears away on the side nearest the cut back ground electrode, so yes then the spark tends to jump a little diagonally. It's best to use a wire gapping tool and just bend the ground electrode down a little to reestalish the chosen gap, stock for stock HEI and wider for hotter ignition.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons? (XtremeVette)
Saw that these are worth an extra 1mph or 10hp....my question is.....
Whats the downfall to these? Do they detonate or foul any quicker? Cause any harm to engine?
Just curious why nobody (manufacturer) has come up with the.....cut back electrode plug to try to make money off of.....seeing there's just about every other type of plug out there lol
Also if Iam seeing this done correctly then there is basically NO GAP? on these...I mean the electrode if cut back totally exposes the tip....this right? I checked out 65Z01 site and saw the illustration.
jeff :cool:
Whats the downfall to these? Do they detonate or foul any quicker? Cause any harm to engine?
Just curious why nobody (manufacturer) has come up with the.....cut back electrode plug to try to make money off of.....seeing there's just about every other type of plug out there lol
Also if Iam seeing this done correctly then there is basically NO GAP? on these...I mean the electrode if cut back totally exposes the tip....this right? I checked out 65Z01 site and saw the illustration.
jeff :cool:
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons? (Wheelman)
I think the SplitFire is an attempt at a cut back plug (at unshrouding the flame front) but it's not very effective.
I I'm still running the cut back SplitFires in the IROC.
I I'm still running the cut back SplitFires in the IROC.
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Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Granby, MA
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Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons? (65Z01)
ok...well iam definitely now very interested in this little mod.....every little bit helps....i don't mind the extra maintenance....I can do plugs on my L-98 now in like 45 mins....(I have gotten pretty good at it....lol)...sorry to all those LT1 guys! :crazy: :jester
My question is....I just put in AC Delco Rapid Fires last week.....so should I keep those....seeing they are platinums....and buy a cheap set to cut back? or would it be better to use the platinums to cut back?....I know that platinums last longer so we are sorta defeating the purpose of them in this application (also why Iam questioning, cause 65Z01 said he took out his rapid fires and replaced them with Split Fires that he cut back)
thanks :cool:
My question is....I just put in AC Delco Rapid Fires last week.....so should I keep those....seeing they are platinums....and buy a cheap set to cut back? or would it be better to use the platinums to cut back?....I know that platinums last longer so we are sorta defeating the purpose of them in this application (also why Iam questioning, cause 65Z01 said he took out his rapid fires and replaced them with Split Fires that he cut back)
thanks :cool:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Shelton CT
Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons?
What does Autolite call their cut back plug?
Le Mans Master
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: (scorp508)
NGK's V-Power plugs also go by the same principle. From what I've read before, the spark likes to jump to a sharp edge. NGKs have a "V" groove cut in the middle of the center electrode, allowing the spark to jump to a sharp edge.
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St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons? (XtremeVette)
Since I am an idiot will someone actually explain how to cut back a plug? Is it just cuting back the end of the electrode thingy or what?
(If you are like me dumb and have to have everything explained to you, don't you just love this forum? :lol: )
(If you are like me dumb and have to have everything explained to you, don't you just love this forum? :lol: )
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Re: (scorp508)
so scorp....you never answered lol....what plugs did you cut back?....cheapo's....autolights....split fires?...how come you don't like platinums?
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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Cut Back Plugs: Pro's and Cons? (65Z01)
I have a pic of a cut back stock AD Delco plug along with my method on my site.
Very cool thank you for your help!
:cheers:
