SparkPlugs.com is holding a spark plug contest! You will find a spark plug quiz below, all of the answers can be found on our website. Please e-mail your answers to Natasha@SparkPlugs.com. The contest is open until December 22nd. Any member with 25 posts or more can participate. Whoever gives the most accurate answers, or gets the most correct, will receive one set of NGK iridium spark plugs on the house. The winner will then need to do an installation and product performance review within 2 weeks after they receive the plugs. The review should show their installation process and a review of their impression of the product and its performance. Let me know if you have any questions!
Spark Plug Quiz:
1. What are the 9 product brands carried by SparkPlugs.com?
2. How many of those are spark plug manufacturers?
3. What are the three precious metals premium spark plugs are made out of?
4. Are standard spark plugs made with copper or nickel?
5. What does RFI stand for, and how do you prevent it?
6. Can Platinum plugs be used with nitrous?
7. Can Iridium plugs be used with nitrous?
8. What are 5 types of modifications that may make it necessary to change your spark plug heat range?
9. What is the heat range vs. hp increase rule of thumb?
10. Is it better to have too hot or too cold a plug? Why?
11. Do “fine wire plugs” refer to the ground electrode or center electrode?
12. What are two benefits of fine wire plugs?
13. What are the two precious metals used on fine wire plugs?
14. How is iridium superior to platinum?
15. Why is iridium used on fine wire plugs?
16. Which plug manufacturer makes the thinnest fine wire iridium center electrode?
17. Should Iridium plugs be gapped?
18. How long do iridium plugs last?
19. Why should I always check the gap before I install new plugs?
20. How can I find the proper gap for my motor?
21. What is the maximum I can open or close the gap?
22. How do I properly gap a plug?
< Message edited by Sparkplugs.com -- 12/7/2006 3:22:14 PM >
Just checking to see how long it would take to fine the answers on sparkplugs.com. I learned a new things about Iridium plugs. I cant see why those that say they would not put them in there Mustang. They have the less amount of resistance Zach.
It took me about 5 minutes to answer 5 questions. I think I might go ahead and enter. As for the review, sure I'll give them a review.
i think that the price you pay for Ir plugs is very high for the small perfomance gain you may recieve and i just stick with bosch super+ great plugs at .99cents
Just checking to see how long it would take to fine the answers on sparkplugs.com. I learned a new things about Iridium plugs. I cant see why those that say they would not put them in there Mustang. They have the less amount of resistance Zach.
It took me about 5 minutes to answer 5 questions. I think I might go ahead and enter. As for the review, sure I'll give them a review.
Iridium plugs have a lot more resistance then copper plugs.
Zach I hope you don't drive while you are high. The top of the line plugs from most of the plug manufaturers are iridium. This is due to the fact that they are fine wire. Get it, least resistance?
One other not about sparkplug.com, they do not list a plug for the 06 Mustang GT.
Bosch Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion™. Fusion features a patented, fused iridium and platinum center electrode, combined with exclusive surface air gap firing technology to produce a longer, more powerful spark. Its four yttrium-enhanced ground electrode design outperforms OE iridium plugs by significantly reducing gap wear. This means less stress on the ignition system for quicker starts, more efficient fuel combustion, and a longer performance life. In addition, Fusion's voltage requirement increases less over time versus other iridium plugs for longer reliable performance of the vehicle's ignition system.
Autolite For Xtreme Performance and Xtreme Value, Autolite® XP™ Spark Plugs offer an iridium-enhanced .6mm finewire with better overall ignitability and durability in a Hi-Performance category. In addition, the Revolution HT™ spark plugs are specifically designed for Hi-Performance deliverance in Ford Motor Company®'s 4.6L, 5.4L, and 6.8L 3-valve engines.
Champion Champion iridium spark plugs offer maximum performance regardless of engine or ignition type. Each plug has an extremely fine-wire iridium center electrode that is “laser-locked” to the center electrode, and a platinum V-trimmed ground electrode to ensure the longest life and greatest erosion resistance. Champion iridium plugs come with our exclusive Heat-Active™ alloy to reach operating temperatures quickly and maintain stable operating.
NGK Iridium IX Spark Plugs are the most technologically advanced high performance plugs available. Featuring a 0.6 mm iridium center electrode tip, they offer superior ignitability without sacrificing durability. The tapered ground electrode increases flame kernel expansion, while the superior heat range design is ideally suited to the demands of high performance environments.
Thanks for the offer and it seems you could learn alittle something, but if I did happen to win I wouldnt be able to do the installation and review within 2 weeks, got alot of important stuff to do over the next couple of weeks, so sorry. Whoever wins be sure to post it up on here how the plugs are and how the installation went.
Posts: 2972
Joined: 12/15/2006 From: Lafayette/Gulf of Mexico, LA Status: offline
Well I actually did fill this thing out and it was kinda cool to have to look all the stuff up and learn something. So I'm curious now and hope I win so I can get these suckers in the car and see how they perform.
i think that the price you pay for Ir plugs is very high for the small perfomance gain you may recieve and i just stick with bosch super+ great plugs at .99cents
Than you wasted your money. Autolite coppers or the original ford ones unless you are running a blower.
I thought i'd post the answers to the quiz for any who are interested. The short, simple answer is first, with a more detailed explanation below it. You guys found some loop-holes and trick questions that i didn't even know i created, so i hope this answers any questions!
Spark Plug Quiz:
1. What are the 9 product brands carried by SparkPlugs.com?
AFX Air/Fuel Ratio Monitors are a product made by NGK
2. How many of those are spark plug manufacturers?
5
Autolite, Denso, NGK, Champion, Splitfire
3. What are the three precious metals premium spark plugs are made out of?
Gold Palladium, Platinum, Iridium
4. Are standard spark plugs made with copper or nickel?
Nickel
All spark plugs (iridium, platinum, standard, etc.) have a copper core running through the center. When we're talking about plug types or metal types (platinum, iridium, nickel) we're referring to the material the electrodes are made of. Copper is too soft to use on any exposed part of the plug, so the electrodes on standard spark plugs are made with nickel. No one understands why standard plugs are referred to as "copper plugs" - this designation is inaccurate.
5. What does RFI stand for, and how do you prevent it?
radio frequency interference - and you can prevent it by placing a resistor within the spark plug.
6. Can Platinum plugs be used with nitrous?
No. There have been instances where the platinum tip has lost its bond to either the center or the ground electrode when used with nitrous.
7. Can Iridium plugs be used with nitrous?
Yes, according to the techs, there have been no reported problems with using iridium plugs with nitrous (or a blown alcohol motor.)
8. What are 5 types of modifications that may make it necessary to change your spark plug heat range?
If you make modifications such as a turbo, supercharger, increase compression, timing changes, use of alternate racing fuels, or sustained use of nitrous oxide, these can alter the plug tip temperature and may necessitate a colder plug.
9. What is the heat range vs. hp increase rule of thumb?
A rule of thumb is, one heat range colder per modification or one heat range colder for every 75–100hp you increase.
The most accurate rule to go by would be one heat range colder for every 75-100hp you increase, as some mods do not increase horsepower, and therefore do not neccesitate a change in heat range.
10. Is it better to have too hot or too cold a plug? Why?
When making spark plug heat range changes, it is better to err on the side of too cold a plug. The worst thing that can happen from too cold a plug is a fouled spark plug, too hot a spark plug can cause severe engine damage
11. Do “fine wire plugs” refer to the ground electrode or center electrode?
Center Electrode
There are many variations to the center electrodes and ground electrodes that come under a variety of names. Specialized center electrodes may be called Fine wire, tapered point, ultra-fine electrode, taper cut electrode, necked down electrode, v-power electrode. Specialized ground electrodes may be called V-trimmed, trapezoid cut, cut back ground, fine wire ground, wedge shaped ground, inverted v-tip, tapered cut, trimmed side electrode, angled ground strap, u-groove. The ground electrode features add slight benefits to the plug, however, the family of fine wire center electrodes bring great improvements and the term "fine wire plugs" refers to plugs with a fine wire center electrode.
12. What are two benefits of fine wire plugs?
A spark plug with fine wire electrodes will perform better than a traditional plug. First, because the smaller center electrode requires less voltage to jump the gap. This means fewer misfires, which should be seen in higher mileage and more horsepower. Second, the smaller center electrode reduces quenching.
13. What are the two precious metals used on fine wire plugs?
Platinum and Iridium
The smaller center electrodes require exotic metals such as platinum or iridium so they can still maintain (and sometimes surpass) the longevity of a traditional spark plug.
14. How is iridium superior to platinum?
Iridium is a precious metal that is 6 times harder and 8 times stronger than platinum. It has a 1200 degree higher melting point than platinum and conducts electricity better.
15. Why is iridium used on fine wire plugs?
The strength, hardness and high melting point of iridium makes it very well suited for a fine wire plug.
16. Which plug manufacturer makes the thinnest fine wire iridium center electrode?
Denso
Standard spark plugs have a 2.0mm-2.5mm center electrode. NGK and Champion's iridium plugs have a .7mm and Autolite's iridium-enhanced (not considered a true iridium plug) is .6mm and Denso's is .4mm.
17. Should Iridium plugs be gapped?
No, but yes. :)
The manufacturers say No. Most people don't know how to properly gap a spark plug, and the center electrode on fine wire plugs can easily snap if mishandled. Manufacturers will not warranty spark plugs that have been broken while gapping. That being said: spark plugs will run at their optimum performance if they are gapped properly. This is a general rule no matter what type of spark plugs you use. I personally wouldn't pay the extra money for iridium plugs and not do everything i can to get all the benefits they can offer. Therefore, if you decide to gap your iridium plugs, we strongly recommend using the gapping instructions on our site. By following these proper gapping instructions, you should be able to gap your plugs, getting the most benefit from them, without breaking them.
18. How long do iridium plugs last?
40,000 - 80,000 miles
A traditional iridium plug such as a Denso IK20 or NGK ZFR6FIX-11 both have iridium center electrodes, however the ground electrodes are the traditional nickel construction. The ground electrode will wear out first. The manufacturers are saying 40,000 to 60,000miles on iridium plugs. But they have to temper their projections as driving conditions and motor modifications differ. Typically we have found you can expect 60,000 to 80,000 miles on an unaltered motor.
Both Denso iridium racing plug and some NGK Iridium racing plugs have iridium center and a platinum ground electrodes. If installed to a regular engine they would likely last longer than most people keep their car (barring any motor problems that can cause premature plug death). But, these usually come in heat ranges too cold for an unaltered motor and are usually used in racing applications where all bets are off.
For the traditional automotive market, the longest lasting plugs are the NGK "IFR" series and the Denso "SK" series. These have Iridium center and platinum tipped ground electrodes, however these are extremely limited in application as they only manufactured these in a couple of heat range configurations.
19. Why should I always check the gap before I install new plugs?
Many plugs are pre-gapped for their most popular applications, however, the gap can be altered if the plug is dropped or mishandled in packing/shipping.
Printable Version
FREE Iridium Plug contest!!! - 
