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Iridium or standard spark plugs?

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Mantzy
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Joined: 30 May 2004
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PostPosted: 12:13 - 18 Apr 2006    Post subject: Iridium or standard spark plugs? Reply with quote

Okay, I've read some bumpf that NGK iridium spark plugs have "Improved Ignition Efficiency, More Power, Better Acceleration, Lower Fuel Consumption, Smoother Engine Running, Longer Life" but is this true? They cost over a tenner (for four) more than standard ones and was wondering if it was worth it.

Thoughts?
R
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Robby
Dirty Old Man



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PostPosted: 12:57 - 18 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, its not worth it.
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feef
Energiser Bunny



Joined: 11 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 13:22 - 18 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

nope.. waste of money imho, sorry..

a spark's a spark, as long as the voltage and gap are correct.

a
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Phil_G
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PostPosted: 21:38 - 18 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

As long as its a clean, fresh and properly gapped NGK or similar then it should be fine. Id not bother with any of these fancy tips etc


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alains
World Chat Champion



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PostPosted: 22:30 - 18 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

all of you do not know enough about this kind of plug to have a serious opinion . i am a 3 years user's of those and i can tell that IT IS A REAL BENEFIT , but i can say for a 4 strokes engine it's not worth except for bikes having 1 or 2 barrels and they certainly are for 2 strokes .
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feef
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PostPosted: 10:11 - 19 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

alains wrote:
all of you do not know enough about this kind of plug to have a serious opinion . i am a 3 years user's of those and i can tell that IT IS A REAL BENEFIT , but i can say for a 4 strokes engine it's not worth except for bikes having 1 or 2 barrels and they certainly are for 2 strokes .


I studied mechanical engineering at university, and have been working on and rebuilding engines for years, on bikes, cars and boats for years.. the benefit is tiny, and can be compensated for with a clean, and properly gapped regular plug and some good leads.

so no. I maybe don't know enough.

when you change the plugs, you probable check the leads, timing, oil, etc.. so it's not JUST the plugs.. it's a general service that makes the difference.

what iridium DOES offer is a harder electrode, with a higher melting point so it wears less, keeping a point for longer, and we all know that pointy things initiate sparking better than rounded things, and it's the pointyness rather than the material itself that promotes the performance increase.

next time, clean and gap the existing plugs, and do nothing else, and you'll find just as much of an increase in performance as new plugs of any kind. It's only worth replacing a plug if the electrodes are worn.

iridium plugs may last longer, but the material itself doesn't make the performance difference, but just the shape of the electrode.. if you're servicing your bike regularly, and checking the shape/wear of the plugs electrodes and adjusting accordingly, then iridium won't offer a Huge benefit

a
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cliff
Doctor Sicknote



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PostPosted: 11:51 - 19 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Blokes from Ngk that came into merton college said you get more miles from them, but no real performance gain. So in those words, they probably exactly the same. Just use a standard plug, save yourself a bit of dosh.
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alains
World Chat Champion



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PostPosted: 12:13 - 19 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

i agree as above for 4 strokes engines , but not for 2 strokes , the benefit is real : smoother engine , spare petrol (yes 1/2 L - 3/4 L on each full tank , it's possible to mesure) . the people who say no do not have check that !
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puremagic72
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PostPosted: 17:13 - 19 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

I must say i agree with Alain, i changed my spark plug to BR9EIX, which is ngk, and starts much better and has saved some fuel, and runs better.

So for a 2 smoke, get one, if you have a 4 stroke, dont!!

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Richard1987
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Joined: 19 Feb 2005
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PostPosted: 18:36 - 19 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

is this also true with that expensive High performance petrol stuff vs normal unleaded petrol Smile
i seen some episode of 5th gear or top gear cant remember which, and they tested the normal petrol with the more expensive petrol to see if you got any performance increase

they tested it on 3 cars i think with different performance levels? ill say poor, medium and high performance on this post as i cant remember what cars were used
but the only noticeable increase was with the high performance car they tried it on ?

maybe it makes more of a difference on small 2 stroke bikes or any small bike in general ? high, quick revs etc ?
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code guru
Brolly Dolly



Joined: 25 Jan 2006
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PostPosted: 20:47 - 21 Apr 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote

i am getting one for my nsr ones i get my new engine but i bought one for my 4t dna 125 and it didnt whant 2 idle even at 3k revs it wanted 2 cut out for some reason but at high revs it woz fine i just bought the one that it said on the ngk website so it couldnt be wrong but gona get 2 for my nsr
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