Upgrading spark plugs won’t turn your daily driver into a hot rod, but replacing worn-out plugs can breathe new life into your engine There are plenty of ways to squeeze some extra horsepower from your engine. Obvious upgrades such as adding a turbo or supercharger or swapping out internals will certainly do the trick, but can simple parts bring extra ponies? One such idea — that has floated around for decades — is that spark plugs can increase your engine's horsepower. But can that actually work? The short answer is no. When an engine is healthy and running optimally, adding a trick set of plugs, no matter how great, isn't going to boost your engine's output. That being said, there may be times where new plugs might bring the perception of added power. Over time, even the best plugs in the world wear down and lose their efficiency, so whether a set is worn, fouled, or simply mis-gapped, the best a new set of plugs can do is bring back long-lost performance, which might make the car feel stronger. And since spark plugs can be one of the easier DIY fixes, it might be tempting to upgrade plugs in hopes of more power. Spark plug maker, NGK, explains that fresh plugs can restore a stock engine's efficiency, but it warns that "any company that tells you that their spark plug will provide significant gains in power in a stock or near-stock engine is making blanket statements that may not be supportable." Coming from a company that sells spark plugs, that should tell you all of what you need to know. Worn plugs take performance with them For those not in the know, spark plugs are the component that sets off the combustion cycle in a gas engine. When the spark happens, the air mixture in the cylinder ignites, and that combustion pushes the piston away and creates the energy output of the engine. All the spark plug does is ignite the fuel mixture, so with no other changes, a simple spark plug swap isn't going to add more power. Comparing new plugs to old plugs, though, is a different thing altogether. During the lifetime of a spark plug, it's exposed to extremely high pressure, heat, combustion deposits, and repeated electrical discharges. Over time the electrode can wear and enlarge the initial gap that the spark itself has to cross. Deposits can interfere with firing, too. It's no wonder that over time, a spark plug can lose its efficiency. That's where new plugs can make the biggest difference, but that shouldn't be shocking. Take just about any worn-out component of your car, and it's easy to see the difference once the part has been replaced. Now, if you're dealing with a high-performance engine or an engine that's been modified, you'll want to use specialized spark plugs. For a tuned engine, using a spark plug engineered for that sort of application can support the available horsepower. While it's not responsible for that power, without it, the power might not be fully available. Ultimately, all of this simply comes down to buying the right plug for the engine you have. If the engine in question is healthy and running efficiently, even the nicest new plugs probably won't do much good. If it's running poorly, improving ignition could make a serious difference. What about iridium? If you've recently shopped for spark plugs online, you've likely heard of iridium. It's a component of some plugs, and it's useful because it resists wear and allows manufacturers to use a finer firing tip. Essentially, it allows for a more reliable ignition over the length of the plug's life. That said, there's no established horsepower bump due specifically to the material itself. Keep in mind that plenty of engines already use precious metals as original equipment, so replacing an OEM iridium plug with the same can be important. The downsides of iridium are more practical than dramatic. Purchase prices are generally higher, and fine tips need careful handling. Denso advises against adjusting the gap on its iridium plugs, and NGK permits careful adjustment of applicable plugs by moving only the ground electrode. So, they're a bit more delicate during installation and adjustment. Ultimately, the best spark plug for your engine is the one that it's directly matched to in almost every case. There's one giant caveat to consider, but it'll only affect a small percentage of folks.
Liked by Olivia Lewis, Lily Johnson
Liked by Olivia Lewis, Lily Johnson
Liked by Olivia Lewis, Lily Johnson