LongBoardLarry

I was just wondering if anybody was using the side fire plugs talked about on Mazspeed.com
Is there any acceleration improvements with these?
I have 4 post around the electrode this I would think would be better than one.
It is time for some new plugs, do I go by side fires of make them my self?

peejay

I didn't notice any real improvements from it, they're just easier to change than the stock plugs because the stock plugs require a modified spark plug socket to remove/install, whereas if you use plugs with a 5/8" hex you have no problems changing plugs using normal tools.

Note that my '80 engine didn not have the shrouds around the plugs, so it didn't matter on that engine.

I tried modifying and using the NGK plugs they recommend... I found that the plugs would last approximately 2 1/4mi passes and then they'd be severely worn/melted, had no problems with the stock BR8ET plugs. I tried modifying Autolite 3923 plugs, and had good success, which is to say they didn't burn away like the NGK's did, and have the desirable 5/8" hex.

I think the BR8ET would be a nice improvement over the oddly-designed BUR8EQ or whatever is spec'ed for '81-up models. The BR8ET has three well-spaced ground electrodes, instead of a ring around the center electrode. The -Q's seem like they were DESIGNED to foul.

Felix Wankel

I've never had a problem changing plugs with a regular 13/16 plug socket...

peejay

Hmm. On my '84 engine the hex of the spark plug recedes into the shroud. You can't even SEE the hex. The only way to remove/install them is either with a special socket bought from RB or making your own by taking a normal socket and grinding it down literally until it's paper thin, only then will it fit!

Interestingly, the plugs on my '85 GSL stick out past the shrouds so you can grip them with a normal socket. Maybe the problem doesn't exist with the factory-recommended BUR8EQ (or whatever)? I never ran those plugs in my '84 engine and I've never tried running BR8ET's in this engine... yet.

Felix Wankel

I've used the FC BUR9EQ's and the FB plugs (forget the #) and they have always cleared the shroud. But I have heard of this problem before....

I did have to make a socket to put my Panasports on. The lug bolt hex is just barely smaller than the hole

peejay

Hmm... maybe the BR8ET's (which are '80-specific and were never spec'ed for FBs) have a different shell length?

I have some FC plugs in the garage and some BR8ETs around here SOMEwhere... think I'll do a little comparison!

LongBoardLarry

So it was a more of a ease of removal than performance.

Thanks

1stand3rd

The way I'm reading this is that the BR8EQ-14 (stock plugs for 81-85 12A) do not require this special socket, but the ET plugs do?

Is this assumption correct?

1stand3rd

I think I just answered my own question. Directly from the RB website:

Thin Wall Spark Plug Socket

Racing Beat's special Thin Wall Spark Plug Socket is specifically manufactured to allow the
installation and removal of spark plugs other than the factory recommended plugs in all 1981
and later engines [except spark plug Part No. 11547, (NGK R6725-11.5): no special socket is
required].

The thin wall construction of the socket allows it to slip inside the raised boss casting found on
the rotor housings to drive the spark plug hex.

SilverRocket

I've never had any problem using a standard socket on my 82, with both stock and FC plugs.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

The only time you need the stupid thin socket is if you're using stupid autolite plugs and if you use them, you're probably rotarded.

Even champion plugs, which are no good for rotaries, reach above the edge.

I like NGK's and NipponDenso's. Give you a bit more power and less popping out the exhaust.

peejay

Hey my '84 engine CAME WITH Champion plugs in it, and I was able to knock $100 off the price of the engine becase we couldn't pull the plugs to check compression

The stock FC plugs are almost identical to the stock FB plugs... they have a similarly long shell. SA plugs do not... and I was running SA plugs. I have one here, and it's about 14-15mm between the gasket surface and the top of the hex. That puts the top of the hex FLUSH with the collar in an FB engine.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

Rotarded owners put cheap American spark plugs in their rotary engines.

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

I got a regular socket and didnt have a problem either

FuLLsMoKe

I always wondered about that "special" socket... It looked just like the one I bought at a local store and used... In my 85, the plugs clear the shroud...

smnc

I had no problems with a regular sparkplug socket with both the old BREQ and new BUREQ plugs in my '85 -SE

I'm thinking of trying the BUREQP (platinum) plugs next time... Not sure yet tho...