Let’s face it. All us tuners have thought at some point in time that the really important parts are the big parts. Yeah, we seldom divert our attention to the minute parts because we think them too insignificant to devote much attention to. This is far from the truth as it happens. In fact it is utter nonsense come to think of it. Like the spark plugs for one. These babies are not more than the length of your palm however these play an extremely important role in your car whether you race or not. Spark plugs help with the combustion to produce optimal outputs for our vehicles. Plus, even the most mundane task of starting up your car cannot be accomplished without a functional set of spark plugs. However, if you are a racer you might want to consider purchasing a specialized set for your vehicle.
For racing teams, using the proper race plug can mean the difference between finishing at the front of the pack and a DNF (did not finish).
There are three steps to consider when choosing a race plug.
Step One: Shell Design
Determine the plug type that the cylinder head/piston will accept. Factors to consider are thread diameter and pitch, thread length, shell seat and hex size.
Step Two: Electrode Design
There are a number of factors to consider regarding electrode design and configuration. Should the plug use a fine-wire center or standard electrode? Should the plug have a full-coverage “J-Gap?” Should the choice be a cut-back or an angled ground wire? Should the nose be projected or not? One rule of thumb is to attain as much projection into the cylinder as possible, although in some cases, piston clearance could prohibit the use of projected plugs.
Step Three:
Correct heat range is critical to maintaining peak performance throughout the event. A plug that is too hot can result in pre-ignition or detonation. A plug that is too cold could cause an engine to stumble, misfire or foul. Factors to consider when choosing the heat range of the plug include temperature, cylinder pressure, horsepower, fuel delivery (turbo, supercharged), fuel type and piston-to-head clearance.
Choose well and only from trusted brands and retailers so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. Opting for knock-offs could mean a loss for you or even damage to your car. So don’t be a cheap-ass miser. Get only the best for your ride!
