SPARK PLUGS!!!! ARE THEY A HYPE OR ARE THEY FOR REAL?

[jimberg]

Im not seeing this for some reason. Spark is triggered at a precise time, at which high voltage is sent down the plug wire, making the plug spark at a predetermined "advance timing degree before TDC" if you will.

There is a specific amount of energy necessary for electrons to bridge an air gap to create the spark. This amount of energy is fairly constant for the given gap distance and the electrode design (probably varies more with the typical plug we use since there is more surface area to the electrode allowing for more variations in the path of least resistance). Once the correct amount of energy hits the electrode, it will spark.

I think this is an important thing to note since it also helps us understand better how to get the most out of an aftermarket ignition and coil. It's the gap size with electrode design that will determine how intense the spark is. By increasing the voltage with a better coil and ignition alone, you don't really change the spark much other than its reliability. But, since you have more voltage available, you can increase the gap which will increase the intensity of the spark and maintain the reliability you had at a smaller gap.

now, if were on the same page, your saying the coils are tuned for platinum plugs, having a lower voltage to compensate for the lower voltage "firing" characteristics of platinum plugs?

What I'm saying is that since platinum plugs require less voltage to fire, the coils used with them don't have to produce as much voltage. This does not mean that the coils are of a lower quality or anything, just wimpier as far as how much voltage they put out. They will probably last longer, too. It does mean that if you try to use regular plugs at the same gap as platinum plugs with these coils, you may not get enough voltage to generate a spark which will increase the likelihood of misfires.

I know a lot of this stuff seems trivial, or some people may think, "who cares", but I believe if we understand more about how and why things work the way they do, we wouldn't buy stuff like Bosch+4s or Splitfire spark plugs. The more information someone has, the better decisions they make.



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351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible