Pimp Your Ride by Modifying Spark Plugs

If you really want to perform some car modification,20,000 miles. However some manufacturers assemble
the best thing is to first take care of your enginespark plugs which have two or in other words
performance because car modification is not onlymultiple ground electrodes to enhance the life of a
about changing your car body kits and installing somespark plug. But it has been observed that it has some
sub woofers to add a groove in your sound. No carimplications on fuel injection of the car.
modification is completed if the car's performance is2) Spark Plug Gapping.
not state of the art. For this purpose, you may getThis is the most important factor of plugs
many advice. I would specifically refer to the car'sperformance. However people have different views
spark plugs and their impact on engine performanceabout the plug's gapping between ground and central
and how you can do some modifications either byelectrode. Some say that the more the gap, the
some spark plugs replacement or spark plug gappingbetter is the spark. Where as some say that small
or choose the right plugs for your car by assessinggap is good as it requires small amount of voltage to
and reading spark plugs requirements for your car.create the spark. Normally a plug requires a very high
Many of you car enthusiasts must know the purposevoltage of about 40,000 to 100,000 volts to cover
of spark plugs and how do they work. So I will notthe gap. I am open here for suggestions. Tell me if
go into a detail. Just a quick review.you have any suggestions regarding this topic.
Purpose Of A Spark Plug, How Does A Spark PlugHowever if you really want to make the gap larger
Work?or smaller you can use a very fine nosed pliers as a
The plugs actually causes an ignition through itsplug gapper or spark plug gap tool. To enlarge the
ignition coil in the internal combustion chamber of thegap, pull the ground electrodes outwards using pliers.
engine which creates a small spark. This when unitesHowever be extremely cautious here and make sure
with the air and some drops of fuel, it creates ayou do not apply pressure on the center electrode
perfect combination for a small explosion. This smallor it may damage the plug.If you want to make the
explosion creates a pressure which causes thegap smaller, gently tap the ground electrode on a
pistons in the engine's cylinders to move andhard surface. You can use a feeler guage to measure
eventually creates a torque to move the cam shaftthe gap between center and ground electrode.
and ultimately the car starts to move. As simple as3) Voltage Provided
that.As described above the plugs need a very high
So the role of plugs is integral in moving a car.amount of voltage to create a spark so use a good
Obviously if the spark is of not a good quality therequality car batteries to make sure that appropriate
would be implications on the car's engine performancevoltage is provided to create the spark.
so to perform some car modification pertaining to4) Altitude And Temperature Of The Location
plugs, one has to make sure that the plugs are ofThe altitude where your car operates and the
good quality which produces a better spark to ensuretemperature in which your car operates is crucial for
swift movement of a car. Now coming to the plugsthe performance of your plugs. For this reason the
modification or replacement, let us first analyze thatspark plugs have been divided into two kind which
what effects the performance of the spark plug.are:a) Hot Plugs:
Their performance is effected by following factors.Hot plugs are the plugs in which the surface area of
1) Wear and Tear of plugs.ceramic exhaust coating contacts less with the metal
2) The gap between central and ground electrode.part of the spark plug thus exhausting less heat. I am
3) Voltage provided.saying the ceramic insulator as an exhaust because
4) Altitude and temperature of the location.the ceramic insulator coating works as a heat
To alter the performance or efficiency of plugs, oneexhaust. So hot plugs are good in low performing
should try to alter the above factors or if he is goingcars or in cold areas. Similarly they are good at high
to perform some plugs replacement, he should keepaltitude areas where oxygen is less to burn the
the above factors in mind. Now let's see how thefuel.b) Cold Plugs:
above mentioned factors effect the efficiency andThese plugs have larger surface area of ceramic
how you can modify or use the above mentionedinsulator coating thus exhausting more heat and
factors in better performance of plugs and ultimatelykeeping the plugs cold. Cold plugs are best for high
of the car.performance engines or turbo charged engines. If
1) Wear And Tear.you are looking forward for engine upgrades then I
Spark plugs have to go through series of smallreckon you should also pay some consideration
explosions in order to be functional thus making themtowards your plug replacement.
more prone to wear and tear. So definitely aAbove mentioned factors are helpful in assessing and
damaged plug or a plug having a lot of carbonreading spark plugs requirements for your car. You
deposited at its tip will not perform adequately, somay have come to know how spark plug can be
make sure that plugs are always in a good conditionmodified by changing spark plugs gapping as well as
in order for your car as whole to be efficient orwhat spark plugs would be better for your car's
perform well. Generally a plug's life is about 10,000 tospecific requirements.