Avoid Multi Prong Spark Plugs
03-30-06, 10:14 PM
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Avoid Multi Prong Spark Plugs
Q8. Why do some spark plugs have multiple ground electrodes?
A8. This is an attempt by the manufacturers to increase the service life of the spark plug. The ground electrodes can wear down rapidly in some engines. Tiny particles of metal are removed from the ground electrode each time the plug fires hence they gradually wear away. There is a misconception that a multi ground plug will produce mutiple sparks - this is not true, only the nearest electrode to the centre (i.e. currenty the longest) will spark, as that becomes worn, another electrode will become the longest and replace it as the sparking electrode.
Q9. Do my multi ground electrode plugs outperform single ground plugs?
A9. In most cases, no. The additional electrodes disturb the flow of gases around the spark plug tip and performance may even be reduced. In addition, for high performance applications the additional metal within the combustion chamber will retain more heat and may be more prone to detonation/pre ignition.
http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/t..._plugs_faq.htm
Makes sense, the more ground electrodes the less space for the air/fuel and flame.
A8. This is an attempt by the manufacturers to increase the service life of the spark plug. The ground electrodes can wear down rapidly in some engines. Tiny particles of metal are removed from the ground electrode each time the plug fires hence they gradually wear away. There is a misconception that a multi ground plug will produce mutiple sparks - this is not true, only the nearest electrode to the centre (i.e. currenty the longest) will spark, as that becomes worn, another electrode will become the longest and replace it as the sparking electrode.
Q9. Do my multi ground electrode plugs outperform single ground plugs?
A9. In most cases, no. The additional electrodes disturb the flow of gases around the spark plug tip and performance may even be reduced. In addition, for high performance applications the additional metal within the combustion chamber will retain more heat and may be more prone to detonation/pre ignition.
http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/t..._plugs_faq.htm
Makes sense, the more ground electrodes the less space for the air/fuel and flame.
03-30-06, 10:47 PM
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[QUOTE=toy4two]
I agree, that is true -- only the nearest electrode to the center will spark.
I generally don't recommend multi-ground spark plugs as an upgrade, but certain vehicles do specify OE (Denso or NGK) dual-ground electrode plugs such as the 1995-up Toyota 5VZFE engines and 95-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2.0 Turbo. (Also of note are the triple and quadruple ground electrode plugs of the ancient Mazda RX7s 
) Of note, the plugs with the worst feedback I hear are the Bosch Platinum +4s, especially when installed in Honda engines. People complain of misfires and unstable idling.
Thanks for sharing this interesting info. Reminds me of those Splitfire plugs (are they even still around?) I remember reading about legal issues related to unsubstantiated claims or something like that.
There is a misconception that a multi ground plug will produce mutiple sparks - this is not true, only the nearest electrode to the centre (i.e. currenty the longest) will spark, as that becomes worn, another electrode will become the longest and replace it as the sparking electrode.
Q9. Do my multi ground electrode plugs outperform single ground plugs?
A9. In most cases, no. The additional electrodes disturb the flow of gases around the spark plug tip and performance may even be reduced. In addition, for high performance applications the additional metal within the combustion chamber will retain more heat and may be more prone to detonation/pre ignition.
A9. In most cases, no. The additional electrodes disturb the flow of gases around the spark plug tip and performance may even be reduced. In addition, for high performance applications the additional metal within the combustion chamber will retain more heat and may be more prone to detonation/pre ignition.
) Of note, the plugs with the worst feedback I hear are the Bosch Platinum +4s, especially when installed in Honda engines. People complain of misfires and unstable idling. Thanks for sharing this interesting info. Reminds me of those Splitfire plugs (are they even still around?) I remember reading about legal issues related to unsubstantiated claims or something like that.
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