I’m confused. I see all kinds of opinions about iridium and platinum spark plugs versus the normal copper plugs. Some say they’re good while others say not to use them because they’re only for late model cars that are concerned with emissions. I like the idea of spark plugs that could last longer. I have
Do you have enough voltage reaching your spark plugs? The voltage required to light your plugs is constantly changing and can range from 5,000 volts to 40,000 volts and higher, depending on your engine setup. That’s why many high performance engines use a high-output ignition coil to deliver the voltage needed. The job of the
Your spark plugs are like a cipher. And to read a cipher code, you usually need a cipher key. That’s what this is—a cipher key that is going to help you “read” your spark plugs and understand what they’re telling you about how your engine is running. Is your engine running too rich? Too lean?
In junior high science class, you probably learned about the three states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. Chances are you didn’t spend as much time talking about the lesser-known fourth state called plasma. Plasma, which is created by subjecting gas to a large amount of electrical energy, isn’t a new concept. However, plasma-assisted combustion is a
What type of spark plugs do I use on my ZZ3 motor? I know that there are a lot of different spark plugs but what type do I use in my engine? I have some plugs that have a lot of threads and I have a set with short threads. Which ones do I use?
MSD’s entrance into spark plug manufacturing felt a little bit to us like Nike’s decision to start making socks to complement its shoe business. What took so long!? MSD has been a leader in ignition performance for more than 40 years, and now the company has taken all that knowledge from years of research and
In this Summit Racing Quick Flicks video, Al will show you how to replace spark plugs in late-model F-150 pickup trucks with modular engines. Because standard spark plug sockets won’t fit properly, the risk of breaking a spark plug is higher without knowing what to watch for. Particularly tricky is reaching the #4 and #8
Got questions? We’ve got the answers—Mondays when the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re reading spark plugs. J.B. • Houston, TX Q: I’m having a problem with my 1980 Ford 1/2-ton pickup. I put in fresh spark plugs and after 250 miles, I removed one and it was covered with black,
Spark plugs that are not properly gapped can lead to a misfiring, inefficient engine. Whether you’ve made serious performance modifications to your vehicle or simply enjoy your daily driver running right, it is important to gap your spark plugs correctly. What is the proper gap for your spark plugs and vehicle application? That depends. If
Got questions? We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re dialing in timing and straightening out a few cam/valvetrain issues.. D.B. • Basom, NY Q: I own a 1977 Chevy 1/2 ton 4×4 with a 350 engine. I’ve had the engine bored .030 inches over, installed flat top
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