Omega Owners Forum - What plugs to fit in my 3.2?

aaronjb

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #45 - 11. May 2011 at 21:59

Lazydocker wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:16:

I stuck NGK single electrodes into the Omega (after LPGing it) once as a trial and there was no improvement over GM twins that were cheaper Wink

True, if GM twins are cheap you might as well use them

The Omega is hardly a highly tuned powerhouse Wink

even with LPG I doubt the ignition system is at all 'marginal'

I switched to NGK copper plugs in the other cars that specified (expensive!) Iridium or Platinum plugs, though

(those are also specified for service interval reasons only; they give a weaker spark than copper AFAIK)

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..and it went 'dugga dugga dugga dugga'..

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Andy B

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #46 - 11. May 2011 at 22:07

aaronjb wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:52:

... The spark is vertical between the centre electrode and a random ground prong, the other three ground prong ends are essentially shielding it from the cylinder.

(Well that's the theory, anyway)

Have never looked at a twin or quad plug then? You theory holds for the old style single earth plug, but the twin & quad plugs have the earth arranged around the outside of the central electrode so the spark is horizontal between the 2 or 4.
I'm with Chris (as long as he uses a bit of copper slip when he refits them Wink

) as the combustion chamber will see as much spark from a quad as it will see from a twin.
However when I removed my quads last year after a couple of years (20/25k miles??? Undecided

) they looked quite 'worn' so I replaced them with twins.

but WTF do I do ???? Undecided

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aaronjb Omega Baron Offline Posts: 3635 Bracknell, Berkshire Gender: Drives: '01 3.2 Elite (was '96 2.5TD CD), '02 MR2 Roadster (plus snail), '92 300ZX 3.0V6 TT	Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2? Reply #47 - 11. May 2011 at 22:31 I guess 'new' quads are different from the ones I looked at 10+ years ago then (which were exactly like I described).. does answer how they reduce wear on the centre electrode then (since you'd be eroding four sides of it rather than the top of it, IYSWIM)
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chrisgixer

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #48 - 11. May 2011 at 22:32

Lazydocker wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:49:

chrisgixer wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:42:

TheBoy wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:28:

kcl wrote on 11. May 2011 at 18:20:

why would GM put quad plugs in cars if twins were better?

To extend the plug life to a supposed 80k. Shame they are all loose by 60k...

So twins give 80k life? In theory?

I see the theory on doubling the number of electrodes to spread the wear over 4 instead of two. Got that, that's why i fit quads.

I have trouble understanding how a cylinder full of compressed fuel by a ratio of 11.1 or whatever it is will ignite worse with two extra electrodes.... ? the spark radiates around the four, facing the piston. I don't get it. The flame front starts with spark. Theres nothing between it and the piston crown.

Surely? What am I not seeing ? Undecided

Twins give 40k, quads give 80k... In theory Roll Eyes

Don't completely understand why it shields it, but that's the theory. In reality I don't really see much difference but as the twins are slightly cheaper and I change them annually I'll go with them Thumbs Up!

Yes, TB has it fuddled again. That was my point. Silly. Grin

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chrisgixer

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #49 - 11. May 2011 at 23:02

aaronjb wrote on 11. May 2011 at 22:31:

I guess 'new' quads are different from the ones I looked at 10+ years ago then (which were exactly like I described).. does answer how they reduce wear on the centre electrode then (since you'd be eroding four sides of it rather than the top of it, IYSWIM)

No mate, the spark is horizontal or parallel to the piston crown radiating out from the centre.

Theres nout there to shield the spark. Quads for me thanks.

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Andy B Over Active Poster Offline Posts: 21988 Bury Lancs Gender: Drives: 1999 3.0 Elite auto/TDM	Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2? Reply #50 - 11. May 2011 at 23:08 chrisgixer wrote on 11. May 2011 at 23:02: .... Theres nout there to shield the spark. Quads for me thanks. You'll be struck down for disagreeing with OOF hierarchy ...............
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Lazydocker

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #51 - 11. May 2011 at 23:14

Andy B wrote on 11. May 2011 at 23:08:

chrisgixer wrote on 11. May 2011 at 23:02:

....
Theres nout there to shield the spark. Quads for me thanks.

You'll be struck down for disagreeing with OOF hierarchy ............... Roll Eyes

Having said I'll go for twins, I might change my order to quads and we can do a side by side comparison with TB's... At the end of the day, it's only pennies in it price wise Undecided

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Whatever it is... I didn't do it

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chrisgixer

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #52 - 11. May 2011 at 23:48

Lazydocker wrote on 11. May 2011 at 23:14:

Andy B wrote on 11. May 2011 at 23:08:

chrisgixer wrote on 11. May 2011 at 23:02:

....
Theres nout there to shield the spark. Quads for me thanks.

You'll be struck down for disagreeing with OOF hierarchy ............... Roll Eyes

Having said I'll go for twins, I might change my order to quads and we can do a side by side comparison with TB's... At the end of the day, it's only pennies in it price wise Undecided

Not the money as you say. Just want to understand what we're talking about here. Logic, or my logic anyway, says quads all day.... For twice the miles...? In theory. Wink

Reality might be more 40k for quads, 20 for twins? ESP if lpg'd...? <- note. Question. Not a statement. I don't trust vx's desire to lengthen established service schedules to suit fleet managers budgets.

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hotel21

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #53 - 12. May 2011 at 00:45

Andy B wrote on 11. May 2011 at 23:08:

chrisgixer wrote on 11. May 2011 at 23:02:

....
Theres nout there to shield the spark. Quads for me thanks.

You'll be struck down for disagreeing with OOF hierarchy ............... Roll Eyes

Hardly...

Personally, was giving an individual understanding, nowt else.

And I can do those smileys too....

Roll Eyes

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Tech 2 available in Scotland. click on ->

http://theboy.omegaowners.com

for prices.....

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Andy B Over Active Poster Offline Posts: 21988 Bury Lancs Gender: Drives: 1999 3.0 Elite auto/TDM	Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2? Reply #54 - 12. May 2011 at 01:26 hotel21 wrote on 12. May 2011 at 00:45: .... Hardly... Personally, was giving an individual understanding, nowt else. And I can do those smileys too.... I wasn't really thinking of you .....
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TheBoy

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #55 - 12. May 2011 at 08:12

Lazydocker wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:49:

chrisgixer wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:42:

TheBoy wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:28:

kcl wrote on 11. May 2011 at 18:20:

why would GM put quad plugs in cars if twins were better?

To extend the plug life to a supposed 80k. Shame they are all loose by 60k...

So twins give 80k life? In theory?

I see the theory on doubling the number of electrodes to spread the wear over 4 instead of two. Got that, that's why i fit quads.

I have trouble understanding how a cylinder full of compressed fuel by a ratio of 11.1 or whatever it is will ignite worse with two extra electrodes.... ? the spark radiates around the four, facing the piston. I don't get it. The flame front starts with spark. Theres nothing between it and the piston crown.

Surely? What am I not seeing ? Undecided

Twins give 40k, quads give 80k... In theory Roll Eyes

Don't completely understand why it shields it, but that's the theory. In reality I don't really see much difference but as the twins are slightly cheaper and I change them annually I'll go with them Thumbs Up!

I think quads are marginally cheaper, but the cost is not relevent here, as its only pence.

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If you are going to kick a car, remember to wear appropriate footwear
Any posts are the result of my own views as a member of OOF, which may or may not be the same as my views as part of the Admin Team.

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TheBoy

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #56 - 12. May 2011 at 08:16

chrisgixer wrote on 11. May 2011 at 22:32:

Lazydocker wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:49:

chrisgixer wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:42:

TheBoy wrote on 11. May 2011 at 21:28:

kcl wrote on 11. May 2011 at 18:20:

why would GM put quad plugs in cars if twins were better?

To extend the plug life to a supposed 80k. Shame they are all loose by 60k...

So twins give 80k life? In theory?

I see the theory on doubling the number of electrodes to spread the wear over 4 instead of two. Got that, that's why i fit quads.

I have trouble understanding how a cylinder full of compressed fuel by a ratio of 11.1 or whatever it is will ignite worse with two extra electrodes.... ? the spark radiates around the four, facing the piston. I don't get it. The flame front starts with spark. Theres nothing between it and the piston crown.

Surely? What am I not seeing ? Undecided

Twins give 40k, quads give 80k... In theory Roll Eyes

Don't completely understand why it shields it, but that's the theory. In reality I don't really see much difference but as the twins are slightly cheaper and I change them annually I'll go with them Thumbs Up!

Yes, TB has it fuddled again. That was my point. Silly. Grin

Eh? How can so many people misread that?

GM put quads in to extend the inteval from the (over optimistic) 40k to the even more over optimistic 80k....

....simples....

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If you are going to kick a car, remember to wear appropriate footwear
Any posts are the result of my own views as a member of OOF, which may or may not be the same as my views as part of the Admin Team.

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TheBoy Administrator Offline TBE has an MOT! Posts: 64817 Brackley, Northants Gender: Drives: 98 MV6, 03 Elite, 00 25, 89 ZX10	Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2? Reply #57 - 12. May 2011 at 08:19 I believe the theory is, the more bits sheilding the spark from the fuel in all directions, rather than just the downward side, the worse the plug is for its function. Note, LPG specific plugs, such as NGK Laserline, are single electrode...
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Marks DTM Calib

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Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2?
Reply #58 - 12. May 2011 at 08:20

Nobody has said it shields the spark, it does shield the flame front....

Given the denisty of fuel air mix once compressed there is always going to be something to ignite, its the speed that the flame can spread to the rest of teh mix that is impeded.

Just remember, these plugs were ONLY fitted to get the service interval upto 80K miles....i.e. above the 60K mile benchmark the fleet operators look at (similarly the twins were fitted to get the interval upto 40K)

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« Last Edit: 12. May 2011 at 08:22 by Marks DTM Calib »

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chrisgixer Omega King Offline Black ones are faster. Posts: 14570 Wokingham Gender: Drives: "Omega Black" 3.2 Elite. Thanks to Joshwyatt.	Re: What plugs to fit in my 3.2? Reply #59 - 12. May 2011 at 09:47 And we're discarding them over the benefits because of that...?
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