What are the pros and cons of clipping off the spark plug washers? I've seen a few people say it could possibly free up a horsepower or two... Are they just pulling this out of their ***? What would the disadvantages be? Could it eventually lead to screwed up timing or something?

 

They say that the plug being further in the hole slightly raises the compression and exposes more spark to the mixture. I personally am to scared to mess with it and figure the small posssible benefits are not worth the risk. However Ive personally seen that it will not protrude.

 

well, ive already done it. ive been running "naked" spark plugs for about a week and a half now. it seems about the same to me actually so i was just wanting some expert advice on wether i should keep it like this or not. if it will damage timing or if something else could slowly go wrong.

 

I would pull them out and see if any combustion has leaked past the spark plugs. Since they are crush washers they help seal the plug to the housing.

Just curious.

James

 

That would be my guess, the leaking would happen, if any gains in compression were to occur, they'd be lost from the lack of sealing. Besides the fact that if you've seen a rotor housing on the inside, you'd know that the face of the plug isn't open to the combustion chamber anyway.

 

Someone did this on the dyno...
It didn't do jack ****.


-Ted

 

Losing the washer ups the compression by what? .05

I wouldnt trust it. The washer is there for a reason

 

Ya think?!?!

LOL!! People will believe anything...

 

But the tornado actually does give you more horsepower and torque and better mileage. In bizarro land

 

I did the math on this a few years back in a thread, and determined that the gain was miniscule - changing compression in the 100ths or 1000ths place.

My thoughts on it:

The gains are miniscule, at best.
The potential losses from not having the sealing washer would easily counter this gain, if they were there.
Clipping the washers off is a PITA.

It's not something I'm going to do with my engine - it won't hurt it, but the PITA/reward ratio just isn't worth it.

-=Russ=-

 

it wasnt too hard. just use some sturdy clippers. i didnt notice a difference. i just got tool happy when i pulled them to deflood the engine