The Great Spark Plug Debate:

[Turboomni]

http://www.lsxmag.com/tech-stories/...ark-plug-debate-separating-fact-from-opinion/

Per the article::

There’s a war being fought out over the internet right now – and the first victim in this explosive war of words is the truth. So we decided to talk to Director of Engineering for Autolite, Jerry Reeves, who not only knows this subject really well, but is a car guy, too. What we’ve learned will hopefully dispel many of the myths and old wives’ tales surrounding the spark plug.

One of the most contentious areas of disagreements surrounds fine-wire spark plugs. It seems that everyone has an opinion about platinum and iridium plugs compared to the standard copper-core version. We’ll just start by saying that there’s a good chance that whatever you’ve read or been told about fine-wire plugs is probably incorrect.

 

[jct]

I go with which ever plug makes the car the most happiest

 

[Mr C]

I've use Autolite and Champion over the years. I will say the build quality of the Autolite has gone way down...centre electrodes of varying lengths in particular.

 

[CBODY67]

Many people have claimed that "as long as it sparks . . . " what difference does it matter? But in looking at literature and engineering analysis pictures of flame "spread", that is one area where some definite difference in "quality of spark" happen.

Champion J-gap racing plugs from the '60s, which can be replicated on regular spark plugs, with the use of a pair of diagonal cutters and an ignition point file in an hour or so per set of 8. The ACDelco "RapidFire" plugs had all of the tricks at the time. Cut-back ground electrode, shape of the ground electrode, and flutes around the circumference of the center electrode, BUT no platinum, at that time.

I read that article earlier and it seems it's the "tuners" of higher horsepower turbo cars that are driving the debate. Little to do with normal daily-use vehicles or even factory HP vehicles.

ONE thing not mentioned is that the "Easy Pull" spark plugs for lawn mowers (starts on the first pull claim) are "fine wire" electrode plugs. That ought to tell them something! And, from my experience, are pretty much "as advertised". The easier the spark happens, the better. And that might not include the copper-core large electrode plugs. AND the longer the electrodes last, the more consistent the spark will be over the plug's life.

Also, IF the multiple-electrode plugs really significantly worked, the OEMs would be using them. I once bit the bullet and bought a set of SplitFires ($50.00 set!) and they had less durability and NO performance improvement over the Motorcraft plugs I'd been running (Chrysler 360 2bbl, 1980). Waste of money! Went back to NGK V-powers.

CBODY67

Read the article on how spark plug heat range affects exhaust emissions with the 5-gas emission tester!

CBODY67

 

[Turboomni]

Quote:I've use Autolite and Champion over the years. I will say the build quality of the Autolite has gone way down...centre electrodes of varying lengths in particular.QUOTE


Interesting I was expecting alot of guys slamming Champions and saying thank god the article was from the head of Autolite.

 

[Turboomni]

I read that article earlier and it seems it's the "tuners" of higher horsepower turbo cars that are driving the debate. Little to do with normal daily-use vehicles or even factory HP vehicles.

I would tend to agree.

 

[493mike]

I've always replaced plugs with the OEM supplied units and never had a problem for the last 50 years.
Mike

 

[65sporty]

Any more I put back in what came out, Motorcraft for Ford, AC/Delco for GM, Champion or NGK in Mopar, yes NGK I have seen some in the newer Mopars.

 

[CBODY67]

Any more I put back in what came out, Motorcraft for Ford, AC/Delco for GM, Champion or NGK in Mopar, yes NGK I have seen some in the newer Mopars.

NGKs have been in many ACDelco spark plug boxes for about the last 15 years, on many applications, more now than previously. Iridium too! ACDelco general markings on the insulator, but also NGK ID stamped into the metal around the circumference just below the hex.

CBODY67