This is how they look after 1000 miles...Looks like I am running rich...


Rat

 

Hell, 2 of my spark plugs look absolutely brand new, but I'll be damned if they will spark! They absolutely refuse to spark, any other plug on the same wire will spark just fine. You should see skippydog's plugs, they're pretty damn hideous!

 

i heard they can look new but still be fouled.

 

Yeah, I've tried cleaning them with every method known to man, and they're just not firing, going to pick up some new ones tomorrow.

 

I was firing just fine, just looks like they are carbon-fouled...

 

Yeah, I'm not sure what the problem is with my plugs, they keep dieing on me!

 

damn mine have about twice that much carbon on em, i must be running hella rich

 

They are burning better then my last engine...But I was under the impression that black plugs means you are too rich.... Maybe its normal...?

 

I'm pretty sure that is generally normal. I don't think the 'normal' piston engine rules apply here due to the fact that our engines intentionally burn oil, I think yours look pretty good myself.

 

Yeah, I didnt think about that.. I am not burning too much oil, and no smoke on startup... I should consider myself lucky since I swapped the motor out of a donor car. Plus the pull in second gear is really hard! Probably not as good as a TII, but its enough to give me an adreline charge..

Rat

 

Well, all the better then, since the engine's burn oil I'm guessing they are going to have more buildup than a piston engine will, so I doubt you'll get the light brown look you do on a piston engine, I think your plugs look quite well, in the three rx7 plug sets I've seen, those are the best looking

 

Thats good to know, since I am going up against the emissions station very soon...

 

That reminds me. I've been pre-mixing for the last 6000km's. When I started I changed my Oil and Spark Plugs. Since I will be changing my Oil tomorrow, I should see how clean my Plugs are, since I'm pre-mixing which should leave them non fouled.

 

J-rat - those 550cc secondaries are killing ya. Go back to 460's.

Also, I don't recommend cleaning plugs - I've NEVER had good results doing so. If they're fouled, pitch 'em.

On NA's, make sure you're running 7's in the leading and 9's in the trailing - all 9's are way too cold, and you'll foul those suckers out quick.

High mileage NA's that have oil seals that are going/gone also foul out plugs a lot easier. Don't forget, normal plug maintenance is like 15,000 miles for changing them for optimum power.

Anyhow, there's some food for thought .

Dale

 

I agree, spark plugs only cost a few dollars a piece. If you can't afford that, I don't think you can afford to maintain a 7

 

Actually, going to 550s made a big difference, especially since the 6-ports are wired open anyways. And I change myplugs about every 5000 miles. THis motor is fairly new, so I just wanted to get a look at what was going on inside.

I do know what plugs go where...I am not a newbie!!..

 

Who is cleaning thier plugs?

 

I'm not sure but several people mentioned cleaning plugs and whatnot. Just pointing out that it doesn't make much sense.

 

If 550's made a difference, something is really wrong. NA's don't use the full potenial of the 460's to begin with, and don't come close to pegging out the airflow meter either. You might have had badly clogged secondary injectors, which is not uncommon.

On the plug issue, I was wanting to make sure no one is trying to put all 9's in an NA motor - that's a common turbo trick. 9's are too cold for an NA in the leading - they'll foul out really quick.

Dale

 

I was in agreement though, I always just get new ones...I had not seen the posts that said that people were cleaning them..

rat

 

I have tons of injectors, the primaries could be clogged, thats a good point. I just havent sent any of mine out to RC to be cleaned and flowed. I will be taking the top half back down soon (seems like every other week) in order to straighten some things up, so I can install a better pair of primaries. I just noticed a really good "kick in the pants" at 3800 when I put the 550s in. Plus it gets better the more intake/exhaust mods I do. I dont like the fact that my 6-ports are wired, but I just havent fixed them yet, I have been working on other stuff.

I was hassling you about the plugs...I run -7s and -9s like a good little boy...

and i leave the crush washers on too..

Rat