Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

Cold Spark Plugs Vs. Hot Spark Plugs

Old 10-25-2000, 11:01 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
ChevypickupTPI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: TN
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cold Spark Plugs Vs. Hot Spark Plugs

I am sure this question comes up a lot. But i need to know, what the differences are between the two. Right now im running accel u groove plugs with sucess. But the are the equivilent to a R45s AC plug. So I went and bought some R43s plugs. I want know what to expect. I have mallory promaster coil, accel cap rotor, plug wires, headers, edelbrock performer rpm intake and holley 600cfm 4bbl. If any of that makes a difference. And if it makes a difference in performance, where will it be like top end or bottom end.
Old 10-26-2000, 09:51 AM
  #2  
Supreme Member

 
TomP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
The "path" the heat takes inside the spark plug is different for hot & cold plugs.

For a cold plug, the heat path is shorter (more direct) from the center electrode to the head. Heat gets sucked into the engine's head quickly.

For a warm plug, the heat path is longer inside the plug, which keeps the plug hotter. I had a website with a great diagram of this, but lost it- anyone know what site that was?


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
Old 10-26-2000, 10:42 AM
  #3  
Supreme Member
 
RB83L69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Loveland, OH, US
Posts: 18,457
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Car: 4
Engine: 6
Transmission: 5
A cooler plug will allow more ignition timing under heavy loads without detonation, especially in a high-compression motor, since the plug is one of the hottest things in the cylinder. A hotter plug will run cleaner longer, and will fire better at medium to high RPM under light load (cruising). Just as a general guide, hotter plugs usually go in lower-compresion, lower-performance motors. There's no "magic number" though; every motor combo is different. You will probably notice no difference in performance or longevity with the change you are making.



------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
86IROC112
TPI
12
08-21-2015 07:20 PM
Bryan F
Tech / General Engine
2
08-18-2015 02:28 PM
eightsixseven
Tech / General Engine
1
08-14-2015 03:09 PM
Armored91Camaro
DIY PROM
3
08-12-2015 09:41 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Cold Spark Plugs Vs. Hot Spark Plugs



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:56 AM.