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Are high performance spark plugs worth it?

High performance spark plugs are a scam

Some off-brand spark plug manufacturers classify their products as high performance spark plugs or racing plugs. However, if you compare engine performance and gas mileage between these so-called high-performance spark plugs to a new name brand high-quality new spark plug for the same engine, you’ll see there’s no difference in performance. The fancy high-performance spark plugs don’t produce any more power than the factory plug. None. Nadda.

So how can these manufacturers get away with making such outlandish claims? Well, you have to read the fine print. That’s where you’ll see that they’re comparing their spark plugs to conventional spark plugs. But, hello, no carmaker is equipping their engines with conventional spark plugs anymore. They’re all using precious metal spark plugs and the latest engines require the newer High Ignitability (HI) along with spark plug indexing.

In my opinion high-performance spark plugs claims are just B.S.

An ignition spark always jumps from the sharpest edge on the center electrode edge to the sharpest edge on the ground electrode. Back when spark plug electrodes were made from nickel-plated copper it made a bit of sense to consider an upgrade to a spark plug with electrode made from precious metals. Precious metals have a higher melting point, so they maintain their sharp edges longer than the traditional “copper” spark plugs. But since the 90’s most engines require platinum, double platinum, or iridium spark plugs because they maintain their gap longer and don’t need to be changed as often.

The bottom line is this: High-performance spark plugs don’t produce any more horsepower than a noble metal plug in good condition.

Iridium is the way to go

When it comes to spark plugs and achieving maximum power, the key is proper spark plug gap, sharp edges on the electrodes, and maintaining the sharp edges and gap for as long as possible. That’s where a iridium comes in. Iridium has the highest melting point of all metals used in spark plugs, so they maintain a sharp edge over the longest period.

Double fine electrode and Projected Square electrode are the latest designs

Let’s look at NGK newest Ruthenium HX spark plugs. They offer them in two electrode designs; double fine electrode and projected square platinum electrode. In both products, the center electrode is tipped with Ruthenium, another precious metal alloy. The HX series claims to have high ignitability for better starting in cold weather and quicker throttle response. That’s really important for the latest engines that have lean burn engines, which are harder to ignite. For more information on the HX spark plugs from NGK, visit their site.

high ingitability spark plug

NGK’s new Ruthenium HX spark plugs offer a DFE and PSFE electrode design

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Posted on by Rick Muscoplat



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