A basic guide to Spark Plugs.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown, VA
+1 to czar. Any of the multi-prong plugs are pregapped and should not be adjusted. Just observe if any of them appear to be way out of place (i.e. plug was banged or dropped).
If memory serves, the Bentley manual states single-prong plugs should be .028-.032 gap.
Got my Brisk DOR14LGS plugs in today. Man, these things are bad! Definitely looking forward to putting them in. Gonna hit the dyno here in the next couple of weeks.
If memory serves, the Bentley manual states single-prong plugs should be .028-.032 gap.
Got my Brisk DOR14LGS plugs in today. Man, these things are bad! Definitely looking forward to putting them in. Gonna hit the dyno here in the next couple of weeks.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 127
Likes: 1
Aha! Now I understand why everyone likes Brisk plugs. They make them with a silver core.
From what I have researched, they have the same lifespan as copper plugs. For anyone interested:
Standard Cooper/S: BRSK-DR15S (non-projected tip), BRSK-DR15YS (projected tip)
Cooper S w/JCW or 15% pulley: BRSK-DR14S (non-projected tip), BRSK-DR14YS (projected tip)
Two ranges colder: BRSK-DR12S (non-projected tip), BRSK-DR12YS (projected tip)
Here is a Brisk products page with links to cross-reference charts: http://www.briskusa.com/products.htm. The DR series do have resistance built-in.
Here is a Nology cross-reference page: http://www.nology.com/crossref.html. Many of the Nology silver plugs are non-resistor style for maximum performance. This means you may get some noise from the engine in your stereo.
From what I have researched, they have the same lifespan as copper plugs. For anyone interested:
Standard Cooper/S: BRSK-DR15S (non-projected tip), BRSK-DR15YS (projected tip)
Cooper S w/JCW or 15% pulley: BRSK-DR14S (non-projected tip), BRSK-DR14YS (projected tip)
Two ranges colder: BRSK-DR12S (non-projected tip), BRSK-DR12YS (projected tip)
Here is a Brisk products page with links to cross-reference charts: http://www.briskusa.com/products.htm. The DR series do have resistance built-in.
Here is a Nology cross-reference page: http://www.nology.com/crossref.html. Many of the Nology silver plugs are non-resistor style for maximum performance. This means you may get some noise from the engine in your stereo.
So what it the difference between a projected vs non-projected tip?
Last edited by mellanor; Oct 28, 2010 at 02:39 PM. Reason: spelling
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Iridium Plugs
In response to your posting I wanted to mention that a reputable tuner told me not to use iridium or platinum plugs in my 2006 Cooper S because it can cause detonation. He recommended I switch to a $2.00 copper core plug. My only mods are a Dinan CAI and a WMW 17% pulley. I have not had the ECU tuned.
Can you and anyone else throw some comments to me on this.
Can you and anyone else throw some comments to me on this.
In response to your posting I wanted to mention that a reputable tuner told me not to use iridium or platinum plugs in my 2006 Cooper S because it can cause detonation. He recommended I switch to a $2.00 copper core plug. My only mods are a Dinan CAI and a WMW 17% pulley. I have not had the ECU tuned.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Can you tell me what is stamped on the plug for pert number info. It looks to me that these are what I pulled out to put in the iridiums. If so, I will just put them back in since they are still quite clean. Mine have NGK N5 BMW on the insulator, but I don't remember the exact NGK product number that is stamped on the lower body of the plug.
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4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 30
From: UK
No spark plug will or should come loose, if correctly torqued with NO anti-seize compound applied to the threads, this is a BIG NO and should always be the case, as well as ALWAYS install spark plugs into a cold or very cool engine, remember the basics of heat expansion and contraction!
One of the other most common causes of spark plug loosening is, heat harmonic vibrations, heat harmonic vibrations are caused when a cylinder has a lean situation, this increases the frequency of the explosion impulse, and generates irregular heat vibrations, and in turn this can and does loosen the spark plug.
One of the other most common causes of spark plug loosening is, heat harmonic vibrations, heat harmonic vibrations are caused when a cylinder has a lean situation, this increases the frequency of the explosion impulse, and generates irregular heat vibrations, and in turn this can and does loosen the spark plug.
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4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 30
From: UK
Can you tell me what is stamped on the plug for pert number info. It looks to me that these are what I pulled out to put in the iridiums. If so, I will just put them back in since they are still quite clean. Mine have NGK N5 BMW on the insulator, but I don't remember the exact NGK product number that is stamped on the lower body of the plug.
Part No on the lower body is, V 7534226
No spark plug will or should come loose, if correctly torqued with NO anti-seize compound applied to the threads, this is a BIG NO and should always be the case, as well as ALWAYS install spark plugs into a cold or very cool engine, remember the basics of heat expansion and contraction!
One of the other most common causes of spark plug loosening is, heat harmonic vibrations, heat harmonic vibrations are caused when a cylinder has a lean situation, this increases the frequency of the explosion impulse, and generates irregular heat vibrations, and in turn this can and does loosen the spark plug.
One of the other most common causes of spark plug loosening is, heat harmonic vibrations, heat harmonic vibrations are caused when a cylinder has a lean situation, this increases the frequency of the explosion impulse, and generates irregular heat vibrations, and in turn this can and does loosen the spark plug.
I can't remember what it is called but I remember a technique when owning my Spec V was that you find out where the fuel injetor is and aim the open end of the spark gap is. I know it is going to gain any kind of power but it will at least make it a tid bit more effiencent.
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4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 30
From: UK
What your referring too is, commonly known as indexing, this is where you try to align the electrode gap, in the orientation of the Inlet valve/s, it can and does help with the ignition of the fuel charge mix.
Some spark plug manufacturers, are now experimenting to supply future spark plugs, that when installed will be correctly indexed, to optimise the fuel charge mix.
Some spark plug manufacturers, are now experimenting to supply future spark plugs, that when installed will be correctly indexed, to optimise the fuel charge mix.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown, VA
Porthos, fuel injectors should spray an even cone atomized mixture. If they are not doing that, they need to be removed and cleaned, put a bottle of fuel injector cleaner into the fuel tank, or use Sea Foam.
czar, +1 to indexing comment. With the overhead cam head design in the MINI engines, the spark plug is placed evenly between the intake and exhaust valves (easily done since it is a 4-valve design). I believe this is one reason the Brisk plugs are recommended. They have four side electrodes that are evenly spaced around the center electrode. One of the Brisk plug designs does away with the side electrode(s) completely.
czar, +1 to indexing comment. With the overhead cam head design in the MINI engines, the spark plug is placed evenly between the intake and exhaust valves (easily done since it is a 4-valve design). I believe this is one reason the Brisk plugs are recommended. They have four side electrodes that are evenly spaced around the center electrode. One of the Brisk plug designs does away with the side electrode(s) completely.
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4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 30
From: UK
czar, +1 to indexing comment. With the overhead cam head design in the MINI engines, the spark plug is placed evenly between the intake and exhaust valves (easily done since it is a 4-valve design). I believe this is one reason the Brisk plugs are recommended. They have four side electrodes that are evenly spaced around the center electrode. One of the Brisk plug designs does away with the side electrode(s) completely.
I have to confess a little here, I do have a vested interest in Brisk spark plugs here in the UK.
I also design, machine and build racing engines, as well as many other race components.
Last edited by czar; Dec 22, 2010 at 11:58 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown, VA
Yes, NGK BKR series have four prongs. So, you get that from the factory. 1st-gen MCS come with BKR5s or BKR6s, depending on the destination climate. Not sure about 2nd-gen MCS, but I would bet money it's the same.
1st-gen MCS come with BKR5s or BKR6s, depending on the destination climate. Not sure about 2nd-gen MCS, but I would bet money it's the same.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Gig Harbor, WA
I am having a 15% pulley installed on Tuesday. I also purchased an MSD coil pack, new wires and the Brisk silver plugs from ALTA. Did I read in an earlier post that I should wait a while after the pulley install to install the ignition items? If so how long? Or can I do it all the same day?
I am having a 15% pulley installed on Tuesday. I also purchased an MSD coil pack, new wires and the Brisk silver plugs from ALTA. Did I read in an earlier post that I should wait a while after the pulley install to install the ignition items? If so how long? Or can I do it all the same day?
I am having a 15% pulley installed on Tuesday. I also purchased an MSD coil pack, new wires and the Brisk silver plugs from ALTA. Did I read in an earlier post that I should wait a while after the pulley install to install the ignition items? If so how long? Or can I do it all the same day?