Spark plug choices

[FlipFlopGriff]

What are the options? Standard is NGK B7ECS, BPR6ES have been mentioned on searches buy a few (but do you still need extenders?) and NGK Iridium - BPR6EIX or BPR7EIX (and again do you need extenders?)
Want to replace mine but not sure what to go for.
FFG

[dnb]

I wouldn't waste money on the BPR6EIX or BPR7EIX. I have used both of the B7ECS and BPR7ES with good results (same as the BPR6ES, but colder). I haven't done many miles on the BPR7ES, but so far, so good. If anything, the ECU & radio seems a bit happier with slightly reduced EM interference. Not that I have a way of measuring this at home!

All of them need the extenders, due to proximity of HT leads to manifolds but the BPR6ES have a resistor built in, so don't need the resistive extenders (the ones that are really difficult to get these days). Mind you, these days, the HT leads have enough resistance in them so it'll probably be OK.

[g8ape]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VULCAN-LAVA-PROTECTOR-SL...

The above could work to replace the extenders I have a set but not fitted them yet.

[Flying205nutter]

"I wouldn't waste money on the BPR6EIX or BPR7EIX" dnb please tell us why?

Yes they are twice the price but should outlast standard plug many times. I would have thought they would improve mpg slightly as well. Look forward to your answer.

[Pupp]

[Hoover.]

Pupp said:

as someone all ways interested in what you have to say ....talk ..lol

[dnb]

Flying205nutter said:

"I wouldn't waste money on the BPR6EIX or BPR7EIX" dnb please tell us why?

Yes they are twice the price but should outlast standard plug many times. I would have thought they would improve mpg slightly as well. Look forward to your answer.

Try 3x the price - £50 per set vs £16. My argument is all about price vs performance - I see no reason to expect enhanced performance, and little evidence to suggest they'll last 3 times longer in a Griff due to the antique fuel and spark control systems. A Griff is 1980s technology at best, controlling a 1950s era engine - so just putting in better plugs isn't going to do much. If you went with the Bosch Motronics system from a late model P38 you might have an argument for longevity of plugs. But all other things being equal it won't amount to much.

I haven't seen a problem using the cheap plugs - I see well over 300bhp & 350ftlbs and get the fuel economy I'd expect - so don't have combustion problems, even when experimenting with lean burn cruise for economy improvement. (OK, there are other problems with my car, but that's another set of stories )

[Hoover.]

dnb said:

Flying205nutter said:

"I wouldn't waste money on the BPR6EIX or BPR7EIX" dnb please tell us why?

Yes they are twice the price but should outlast standard plug many times. I would have thought they would improve mpg slightly as well. Look forward to your answer.

Try 3x the price - £50 per set vs £16. My argument is all about price vs performance - I see no reason to expect enhanced performance, and little evidence to suggest they'll last 3 times longer in a Griff due to the antique fuel and spark control systems. A Griff is 1980s technology at best, controlling a 1950s era engine - so just putting in better plugs isn't going to do much. If you went with the Bosch Motronics system from a late model P38 you might have an argument for longevity of plugs. But all other things being equal it won't amount to much.

I haven't seen a problem using the cheap plugs - I see well over 300bhp & 350ftlbs and get the fuel economy I'd expect - so don't have combustion problems, even when experimenting with lean burn cruise for economy improvement. (OK, there are other problems with my car, but that's another set of stories )

Dave... half with you on your reasoning... but surely there is a premium to pay for for old tech reliable components

[dnb]

There is indeed. For example, (going back a few years now) I wouldn't use rockers from certain sources even though they're half the price, neither would I use any old coil or stepper motor from Ebay.

As far as NGK plugs are concerned, the older designs don't appear to be inferior in terms of build quality and reliability. I should have added on my previous post that usually I find the plugs on mine get slowly fouled over over a couple of service intervals rather than wearing out by electrode erosion. I put this down to the engine burning a small amount of oil through the breather system and using a grade 7 plug when a 6 might be better for "daily grind" use but not for when I'm having fun - and the difference here is purely throttle position.

[FlipFlopGriff]

I've put some BPR6ES plugs in. The old B7ECS plugs were as black as antyhing and it was hard baked on. The pre cat does run rich so maybe the hotter plug will help. Also changed the rotor arm, dissy cap and vac advance piep but still rough at idle and still stalling when you dip the clutch.
AFM & coil swap next. Then ignition module.
FFG

[Discopotatoes]

FlipFlopGriff said:

I've put some BPR6ES plugs in. The old B7ECS plugs were as black as antyhing and it was hard baked on. The pre cat does run rich so maybe the hotter plug will help. Also changed the rotor arm, dissy cap and vac advance piep but still rough at idle and still stalling when you dip the clutch.
AFM & coil swap next. Then ignition module.
FFG

Clean the stepper motor and get some injector cleaner in the tank and give it a good blast keeping the revs high and get it nice and hot, bpr6es are fine and will work better than 7 s IMO but the best way to tell is to read the plugs properly

[FlipFlopGriff]

Discopotatoes said:

Clean the stepper motor and get some injector cleaner in the tank and give it a good blast keeping the revs high and get it nice and hot, bpr6es are fine and will work better than 7 s IMO but the best way to tell is to read the plugs properly

I've changed the stepper as it broke in 2 when I was taking the old one out. Injector cleaner will go in (got some ready but haven't filled the tank for over a year), may get some bigger (Vectra) injectors rather than clean the existing ones.
FFG

[s p a c e m a n]

You've got year old fuel in your tank, or you just havent filled it right up in over a year?

[A500TVR]

Platinum Plugs or Not - A Dyno Run to see the difference...

A Tread from March this Year.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Regards

Steve

[FlipFlopGriff]

A500TVR said:

Platinum Plugs or Not - A Dyno Run to see the difference...

A Tread from March this Year.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Regards

Steve

Not worried about the dyno as the old girl was pushing out good numbers on the old plugs - 278.6 bhp and 313 torque. Just need to stop this damn stalling.
FFG

[rigga]

Discopotatoes said:

Clean the stepper motor and get some injector cleaner in the tank and give it a good blast keeping the revs high and get it nice and hot, bpr6es are fine and will work better than 7 s IMO but the best way to tell is to read the plugs properly

Addatives in modem fuel makes old style plug readings irrelevant, .

[Discopotatoes]

rigga said:

Discopotatoes said:

Clean the stepper motor and get some injector cleaner in the tank and give it a good blast keeping the revs high and get it nice and hot, bpr6es are fine and will work better than 7 s IMO but the best way to tell is to read the plugs properly

Addatives in modem fuel makes old style plug readings irrelevant, .

How so? It's a heat reading, and a mixture reading its got nothing to do with type of fuel just mixture strength and heat

Edited by Discopotatoes on Monday 24th June 18:57

[A500TVR]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Not worried about the dyno as the old girl was pushing out good numbers on the old plugs - 278.6 bhp and 313 torque. Just need to stop this damn stalling.
FFG

Hi,

The Dyno run was all part of a Mark Adams chip set-up, to be honest I had no idea what I was in for, so was surprised that most of the time was spent making sure the important components were all ok!

In fact another owner who asked how I got on with Mark Adams wrote this post after his set-up session:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=127...

Not all Dynos are the YouTube 'Strap in Down, Run it Flat Out and Print it Out...' that I thought they were...

Regards

Steve

[FlipFlopGriff]

A500TVR said:

Hi,

The Dyno run was all part of a Mark Adams chip set-up, to be honest I had no idea what I was in for, so was surprised that most of the time was spent making sure the important components were all ok!

In fact another owner who asked how I got on with Mark Adams wrote this post after his set-up session:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=127...

Not all Dynos are the YouTube 'Strap in Down, Run it Flat Out and Print it Out...' that I thought they were...

Regards

Steve

Need to get it running normally before I get to worried about fine tuning.
FFG

[EGB]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Not worried about the dyno as the old girl was pushing out good numbers on the old plugs - 278.6 bhp and 313 torque. Just need to stop this damn stalling.
FFG

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=9&t=1201646&mid=246207&nmt=sudden+engine+misfire+and+self+cure
SEE OVER PAGE. PH sometimes B.... missfires.

Paul, sorry you are still having stall. Did you try this. After 2 years still working fine for me. Old School 2mm plastic. Tick over 900. Stepper and ECU sometimes 'lazy' together.

Edited by EGB on Tuesday 25th June 10:04