Spark Plugs

[little RZD]

I was just wondering the other day if changing spark plugs on my engine will increase the power output? If so what would be the ideal choice of plugs to use?

Cheers
Michal

P.S they would be going into a 1.4 Ford Zetec that will be run on 100 octane fuel - if that helps.

[little RZD]

Hi, yes the engine is 100% standard although the only modification that has been made is the addition of a Pipercross filter and also the use of a Pectel T2 motorsports ECU - which i don't think comes standard with a road going Ford engine
All i know about the engine is that it it is a Ford Zetec SE 1.4 16v, meaning it is a Sigma variant using standard leads and plugs, although i will check tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advice so far
Michal

[little RZD]

stevieturbo said:

Why such an expensive ecu on a standard engine ?

The engine is used in a Ginetta GT Junior which i race in the Playstation 2 Ginetta GT Junior Championship. Im not sure why that ECU was used, i think it could have just been that Ginetta got a good price for them or they tried to get as much power out of a reasonably cheap engine but i really am unsure.

Look on my profile for a bit more info.

Cheers
Michal

[little RZD]

Cheers for that Andrew!!

Mattyboy101 said:

What are you pushing with it at the fly then? Is it just the ECU that has been changed or have other little bits been done, or are any other things allowed?

Im not sure what it gets at the fly, but at the wheels at 5500rpm it gets 88 bhp and its power to weight ratio is 0.155 Bhp/Kg.
No other little bits have been done as all the cars and engines are meant to be equal and standard, although the plugs are the only items on the engine that can be changed.

Would the Bhp change if the fuel was changed? For example going from 95 octane to 100 octane or would the engine have to be re-mapped to gain any visable changes?

Cheers
Michal

[little RZD]

Mattyboy101 said:

Not familiar with your ECU but I doubt it, if you are racing I would have thought a standard fuel would be specified e.g. Optimax or Avgas etc. If you can get away with high octane race fuel then go for it (and get it mapped to suit).

Last year was the first year for this race series and we were told to run on standard 95, but this year it has changed as we will be all running on Sunoco RMR MSA 100 octane control fuel.
Although i don't think any plans have been made by Ginetta to re-map the ECU's.

Michal

[little RZD]

Mattyboy101 said:

Perhaps you should enquire as to whether such plans exist, or to whether you are allowed to remap to suit personally!

Have emailed Ginetta, i have a funny feeling that no plans have been made and nothing will be done. I dnt think i would be able to re-map the ecu everything on the cars is meant to be identical, which would mean that all the cars would have to be re-mapped too.

Michal