Spark Plugs
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 4:11 pm
A spark plug (sometimes in British English a sparking plug, colloquially a plug) is a device for delivering electric current from an ignition system to the combustion chamber of a spark-ignition engine to ignite the compressed fuel/air mixture therein by means of an electric spark, while containing combustion pressure within the engine. [Wikipedia]
When we are getting the car from showroom, that there are inside the engine the most typical spark plugs, which serve at the standard situations very well.
However if, need to increase horse power and torque of your vehicle by tens of HP, special spark plugs are needed to be installed.
There are many OEM spark plug producers that are offering plugs for your vehicle, but sometimes terminology may confuse you.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]363[/ATTACH]
Double Platinum
Laser welded platinum tip on centre electrode and platinum tip on the ground electrode. The centre electrode is taper cut which aids in focusing the spark while reducing the voltage necessary to start the combustion process; this will provide better throttle response, improve efficiency and allow a smoother idle. Stainless steel washer reduces plug self-backing.
Platinum
It offers the performance and durability of platinum at a competitive price. The centre electrode is fine wire platinum for better starts, superior acceleration and better fuel economy. Trapezoid cut ground electrode to reduce quenching, is made from a nickel alloy.
Iridium
The iridium centre electrode is both stronger and harder than platinum. This allows an ultra-fine (0.6mm) centre electrode reducing the voltage requirement for spark. This allows for a brighter, stronger spark from your existing ignition system. The ground electrode has a tapered cut at the firing end which reduces quenching for better flame core growth and increased ignitability. The combination of fine wire centre electrode and tapered cut ground will increase performance, improve acceleration, and fuel efficiency.
Iridium vs. Platinum
Iridium is a precious metal that is 6 times harder and 8 times stronger than platinum, it has a 1,200°(F) higher melting point than platinum and conducts electricity better. This makes it possible to create the finest wire centre electrode ever. However platinum alone is no longer enough, ultra long life spark plugs and smaller centre electrodes required harder and stronger precious metals. The strength, hardness and high melting point of iridium makes it very well suited for a fine wire plug and for ultra long life spark plugs. Though better, iridium's not perfect, it is very expensive, and at higher temperatures it oxides, thus rendering pure iridium as an expensively poor choice for spark plug construction. However when blended with other precious metals such as Yttria, Rhodium or Platinum, you can enhance those metals advantages with the superior strength and hardness of Iridium. DO NOT BE FOOLED, ALL IRIDIUM PLUGS ARE NOT THE SAME. Iridium content varies some other brands of iridium plugs are priced lower, (usually due to lower iridium content).
Heat Range
The term spark plug heat range refers to the speed with which the plug can transfer heat from the combustion chamber to the engine head. Whether the plug is to be installed in a boat, lawnmower or race car, it has been found the optimum combustion chamber temperature for gasoline engines is between 500°C–850°C. When it is within that range it is cool enough to avoid pre-ignition and plug tip overheating (which can cause engine damage), while still hot enough to burn off combustion deposits which cause fouling.
The heat range numbers used by spark plug manufacturers are not universal; a 10 heat range in Champion is not the same as a 10 heat range in NGK. Some manufacturers numbering systems are opposite the other, for manufacturers (Champion, Autolite), the higher the number, the hotter the plug. For NGK, the higher the number, the colder the plug.
Typically spark plug needs wrench tool 5/8" (16mm) hex size, long; be sure what the length is needed for your car. In some engines, the coil is directly mounted to plug, so you’ll need also wrench 10mm hex size typically, again long. All the tools should be made from chrome-vanadium metal.
In any case, when you are choosing high performance spark plugs, check with your manufacturer’s handbook (yes, you have it in your car), what they suggest. The information is typically mentioned at the end of the book, at the section related to engine specification.
This is the example for Nissan Pathfinder:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]364[/ATTACH]
Before buying some spark plugs at the local market, check at OEM website, if this plug fits to your engine. You probably very well know the situation at the market, where traders are trying to sell you everything, what they have in a stock.
Another story is about ignition coils and cables, which might come later and has also tremendous impact on your engine power.
When we are getting the car from showroom, that there are inside the engine the most typical spark plugs, which serve at the standard situations very well.
However if, need to increase horse power and torque of your vehicle by tens of HP, special spark plugs are needed to be installed.
There are many OEM spark plug producers that are offering plugs for your vehicle, but sometimes terminology may confuse you.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]363[/ATTACH]
Double Platinum
Laser welded platinum tip on centre electrode and platinum tip on the ground electrode. The centre electrode is taper cut which aids in focusing the spark while reducing the voltage necessary to start the combustion process; this will provide better throttle response, improve efficiency and allow a smoother idle. Stainless steel washer reduces plug self-backing.
Platinum
It offers the performance and durability of platinum at a competitive price. The centre electrode is fine wire platinum for better starts, superior acceleration and better fuel economy. Trapezoid cut ground electrode to reduce quenching, is made from a nickel alloy.
Iridium
The iridium centre electrode is both stronger and harder than platinum. This allows an ultra-fine (0.6mm) centre electrode reducing the voltage requirement for spark. This allows for a brighter, stronger spark from your existing ignition system. The ground electrode has a tapered cut at the firing end which reduces quenching for better flame core growth and increased ignitability. The combination of fine wire centre electrode and tapered cut ground will increase performance, improve acceleration, and fuel efficiency.
Iridium vs. Platinum
Iridium is a precious metal that is 6 times harder and 8 times stronger than platinum, it has a 1,200°(F) higher melting point than platinum and conducts electricity better. This makes it possible to create the finest wire centre electrode ever. However platinum alone is no longer enough, ultra long life spark plugs and smaller centre electrodes required harder and stronger precious metals. The strength, hardness and high melting point of iridium makes it very well suited for a fine wire plug and for ultra long life spark plugs. Though better, iridium's not perfect, it is very expensive, and at higher temperatures it oxides, thus rendering pure iridium as an expensively poor choice for spark plug construction. However when blended with other precious metals such as Yttria, Rhodium or Platinum, you can enhance those metals advantages with the superior strength and hardness of Iridium. DO NOT BE FOOLED, ALL IRIDIUM PLUGS ARE NOT THE SAME. Iridium content varies some other brands of iridium plugs are priced lower, (usually due to lower iridium content).
Heat Range
The term spark plug heat range refers to the speed with which the plug can transfer heat from the combustion chamber to the engine head. Whether the plug is to be installed in a boat, lawnmower or race car, it has been found the optimum combustion chamber temperature for gasoline engines is between 500°C–850°C. When it is within that range it is cool enough to avoid pre-ignition and plug tip overheating (which can cause engine damage), while still hot enough to burn off combustion deposits which cause fouling.
The heat range numbers used by spark plug manufacturers are not universal; a 10 heat range in Champion is not the same as a 10 heat range in NGK. Some manufacturers numbering systems are opposite the other, for manufacturers (Champion, Autolite), the higher the number, the hotter the plug. For NGK, the higher the number, the colder the plug.
Typically spark plug needs wrench tool 5/8" (16mm) hex size, long; be sure what the length is needed for your car. In some engines, the coil is directly mounted to plug, so you’ll need also wrench 10mm hex size typically, again long. All the tools should be made from chrome-vanadium metal.
In any case, when you are choosing high performance spark plugs, check with your manufacturer’s handbook (yes, you have it in your car), what they suggest. The information is typically mentioned at the end of the book, at the section related to engine specification.
This is the example for Nissan Pathfinder:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]364[/ATTACH]
Before buying some spark plugs at the local market, check at OEM website, if this plug fits to your engine. You probably very well know the situation at the market, where traders are trying to sell you everything, what they have in a stock.
Another story is about ignition coils and cables, which might come later and has also tremendous impact on your engine power.