1st Gen General Discussion The place for non-technical discussion about 1st Gen RX-7s or if there's no better place for your topic

Autolite plugs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-02-09, 01:42 PM
  #1  
Moderator

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,841
Received 2,604 Likes on 1,847 Posts
Autolite plugs

as long as we're talking about these, here is some more info.

there is an old paul yaw article floating around where he likes them with the MSD. that and the 2.89 price is good.

the BAD:

the parts store computer screen says these are pre gapped to .055". this would be nice if it was true, out of 8 plugs 2 were at .055, 3 at .047, 1 at .045 and 2 more were in the low .040's. so you have to match them up, the big ones can go in the trailing, its more shrouded there. small ones in the leading, you want them to actually fire.

also the threads on these things suck, would not be a bad idea to run it thru a thread die before you install them.

and also since its autolite, you need to triple check to make sure its the right plug, check the box, check the stamp on the plug, and then compare plugs!

all these things we take for granted with NGK
Old 10-02-09, 02:05 PM
  #2  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
diabolical1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 10,822
Received 307 Likes on 268 Posts
in the article, did he articulate why he felt that they were better with an MSD setup (other than price)? i'm just curious. i still wouldn't use them, but i'd like to hear if there was some quantitative finding on his part.
Old 10-02-09, 02:46 PM
  #3  
My 7 is my girlfriend.

iTrader: (5)
 
orion84gsl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Given that NGK's work, Mazda recommends them, and I want my next engine to last at least one week after it's finished, I'll just shell out the $100CDN for the 4 NGK's.
Old 10-02-09, 03:00 PM
  #4  
1st-Class Engine Janitor

iTrader: (15)
 
DivinDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 8,376
Received 26 Likes on 24 Posts
I used the autolites a few times back when I was poor & the -7 was my DD; they worked okay, but fouled quickly, IIRC. & I never relied on pre-gapping with gappable plugs; they'd often get smooshed in shipping. Always re-gapped mine.
Old 10-02-09, 03:04 PM
  #5  
Wrkn Toyota, Rootn Wankel

 
BlackWorksInc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: "Haystack" Hayward, CA
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I personally used the Autolites in my RX7 before I wrecked it, ran perfectly fine, though the plug fouling seems to be true.

My only concern and it was reinforced by another member, albeit his situation was different, that since they are traditional prong spark plugs they could, if improperly installed, wrong part, or god just hates you, take out the apex by accident.

I am going to run NGK Plugs from now on because I like how their design really eliminates the worry of that issue.
Old 10-02-09, 03:23 PM
  #6  
Stu-Tron Get Yo Groove On

iTrader: (4)
 
Jeezus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Huntsville AL
Posts: 8,405
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
I found autolites in the old SA when I bought it. It even had a FRAM oil filter.


I promptly cried.
Old 10-02-09, 03:24 PM
  #7  
RX for fun

iTrader: (13)
 
Siraniko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Socal
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 19 Posts
autolite race plugs here #2594 if my memory is correct as I havent used it since I last went to the track in 2005.
Old 10-02-09, 04:27 PM
  #8  
Moderator

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,841
Received 2,604 Likes on 1,847 Posts
http://www.rhinoracing.com/yaw/ignition.htm

Spark Plugs
I have been doing some spark plug testing recently, and have been surprised at the results. I have been doing this testing on my daily driver, a bridge ported 13B. Almost everything starts here, and then makes its way to the dyno if the results seem worthwhile. In this engine, I have had the best luck with the Autolite 2526. You know, those cheap nasty plugs that they try to sell you at the discount auto parts store. These plugs have only one ground strap, instead of four like the NGK, or ND plugs. If you look at one of these, it makes sense that they would produce more power because the spark is much less shrouded. This will allow the flame to travel more easily from the face of the plug to the combustion chamber which is a big problem with the rotary anyway.

I should mention that these plugs do not work well without an MSD. It seems that the gap is to great for the stock ignition system to fire consistently. I found that with an MSD on the leading, and stock ignitor on the trailing, that these worked better in the trailing position than the NGK's. However,a friend with a completely stock ignition found that they just plain didn't work as well as the NGK. Until I have a chance to check this out myself, I will not reccommend them for stock ignitions.
Old 10-02-09, 04:29 PM
  #9  
Moderator

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,841
Received 2,604 Likes on 1,847 Posts
Originally Posted by wackyracer
autolite race plugs here #2594 if my memory is correct as I havent used it since I last went to the track in 2005.
good call! the 2625 are stock heat range.
Old 10-02-09, 04:38 PM
  #10  
Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
rxtasy3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Posts: 9,320
Likes: 0
Received 258 Likes on 239 Posts
Originally Posted by wackyracer
....... if my memory is correct as I havent used it since I last went to the track in 2005.
Old 10-02-09, 05:00 PM
  #11  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
diabolical1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 10,822
Received 307 Likes on 268 Posts
thanks, j9fd3s. your last post gave a weird deja vu-thing. that was a pretty good read. i thought i had read all of Yaw's stuff, but i guess not. anyway, doesn't he go on to conclude that the NGK BP_ES shares a similar design, but was stronger?
Old 10-02-09, 06:00 PM
  #12  
1st-Class Engine Janitor

iTrader: (15)
 
DivinDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 8,376
Received 26 Likes on 24 Posts
Originally Posted by Jeezus
I found autolites in the old SA when I bought it. It even had a FRAM oil filter.


I promptly cried.
We all start off ignorant, Stu... the trick is to not end up that way.
Old 10-02-09, 11:32 PM
  #13  
Full Member

 
spottedfrog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Grand Junction Colorado
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Right now I'm running NGK BR_EIX it's the Iridium. It has a single electrode, and a very thin center electrode. they are supposed to spark very easy and resist fouling.
what are the thoughts on these. so far the are doing well for me. '85 GSL 12A.
Old 10-03-09, 09:06 AM
  #14  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
diabolical1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 10,822
Received 307 Likes on 268 Posts
Originally Posted by spottedfrog
Right now I'm running NGK BR_EIX it's the Iridium. It has a single electrode, and a very thin center electrode. they are supposed to spark very easy and resist fouling.
what are the thoughts on these. so far the are doing well for me. '85 GSL 12A.
well, it's one of the plugs that i use and have been doing so since about 2002. i can vouch for them being more foul-resistant than the stock plugs. i think they are phenomenal.
Old 10-04-09, 07:31 PM
  #15  
Moderator

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,841
Received 2,604 Likes on 1,847 Posts
Originally Posted by diabolical1
thanks, j9fd3s. your last post gave a weird deja vu-thing. that was a pretty good read. i thought i had read all of Yaw's stuff, but i guess not. anyway, doesn't he go on to conclude that the NGK BP_ES shares a similar design, but was stronger?
hmm, the its not in that link i posted, so i dunno. its obviously not very current. the bp_es plugs are cool cause they come in a bunch of heat ranges
Old 10-05-09, 10:45 AM
  #16  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
diabolical1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 10,822
Received 307 Likes on 268 Posts
sorry for the long quote, but at the bottom of your link he says this:

ANOTHER Spark Plug Update 6-22

OK, here we go again. As I mentioned before, the Autolite didn't last long. The Champions were even worse, and turned out to be quite fragile. I finally scrounged an NGK Sportline Catalog from a local motorcycle shop, and guess what I found. A 14mm., .750 reach, extended tip plug. BP-ES Pay dirt! Same design and dimensions as the Autolite and Champion extended tip plug. After performing the same modifications I installed them, and beat them to death. They are very tough. Just to be sure, I installed a BP7ES in the leading position which is a bit hot for an extended tip plug. I have driven around with these 7's installed for nearly a month now, and even gave them the torture test by running 90mph on the freeway for several miles. This is normally no big deal, but since the plug is too hot for this application it really put them to the test. After this I examined the ceramic with a magnifying glass, and could see no signs of cracking. The performance is the same as the other extended tip plugs, but they are much more durable. They are available at most motorcycle shops in two different heat ranges. BP7ES, and BP8ES. A BP9ES is also available, but the local shops do not stock it. They can be ordered however. The only downside is that they are a 13/16 short shell plug, and you will need a Racing Beat spark plug socket to install them.
Old 10-05-09, 12:53 PM
  #17  
Lives on the Forum

 
Kentetsu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Grand Rapids Michigan
Posts: 11,359
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Seems I remember that he modified his plugs by cutting the strap to create a "side fire" plug. Is that correct, or am I thinking of someone else?

"After performing the same modifications I installed them, and beat them to death"
Old 10-05-09, 12:53 PM
  #18  
Stu-Tron Get Yo Groove On

iTrader: (4)
 
Jeezus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Huntsville AL
Posts: 8,405
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Originally Posted by DivinDriver
We all start off ignorant, Stu... the trick is to not end up that way.


True. But I will STILL never ever ever get a FRAM filter to save my life.
Old 10-05-09, 01:04 PM
  #19  
Moderator

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,841
Received 2,604 Likes on 1,847 Posts
whats wrong with these? http://www.ngk.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=2410

$7 each... come in cold heat ranges

Part Number: R6254E-105
Stock Number: 3949
Old 10-05-09, 02:00 PM
  #20  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
diabolical1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 10,822
Received 307 Likes on 268 Posts
they sound like they'd be great to try in turbo and race engines. i'm skeptical about them being hot enough for lesser applications. however, that's just conjecture since i've never used them.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
HalifaxFD
Canadian Forum
126
05-09-16 07:06 PM
betes
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
8
09-27-15 08:25 AM
ZacMan
Build Threads
4
09-19-15 09:20 PM
wretchedegg
General Rotary Tech Support
0
09-12-15 02:20 PM
Enzo1944
New Member RX-7 Technical
2
09-06-15 08:57 AM



Quick Reply: Autolite plugs



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:10 PM.