Not All Plugs Are Created Equal (Denso/Norenell Sparkplug Seminar)

Last week, my friend got invited to a spark plug seminar sponsored by Denso and Norenell's trading and I get to tag along :)

Since this was a sponsored event, I thought that it will be centered entirely around Denso Sparkplugs. But, to my suprise, the facilitators discussed a lot of things about sparkplugs in general.

It  it wasn't for that big tarpaulin up front, I might have even forgotten that the seminar (including our yummy and filling dinner at Max's) was sponsored by Denso and Norenells!

A gasoline engine needs 3 things to work - air, fuel and spark - and we all know where that spark comes from :) Now who would have known that this little plug can be so complicated. Here are some of the things I learned that night:

1. The difference between Hot and Cold plugs - hot plugs are often used for common cars (daily drivers) while cold plugs are used for high performance car (i.e. drag cars, race cars, etc.) since it can take the extreme amount of heat that modified engines generate. If hot plugs are used in race cars, it will get too hot and ignite the fuel before the spark is even fired, worst case, the plug might melt. TIP : Always refer to your car's manual (you can find a lot online) for the correct spark plug you should use.

2. Why are Iridiums better - All major SP brand have it - Bosch, Denso, NGK. But I've always wondered why Iridium is better than the normal plugs I buy - from what I understand, aside from having higher melting points, Iridium (and paladium and yttrium) are better because they can be cut thinner than the normal copper electrode therefore the spark produced is concentrated. They also last longer.

3.Sparkplug tips are important - as I've stated above, other plugs are better in the sense that they have better/thinner tips. I'm fond of cleaning sparkplugs in between oil changes. What I usually do is to soak them in fuel and clean them afterwards. I sometimes even use sandpaper to clean the electrode - now I know better. I believe there's nothing wrong with cleaning sparkplugs as long as the tip is not sanded down because it is shaped in such a way that spark is concentrated (from what they showed us, the tip is slighly rounded/curved along the edges). Sanding or filing it messes with the design :)

I've always used Bosch sparkplugs in everything. I've been using it ever since and I believe that if it works - then why change it. Of course, part of the seminar was for Denso to showcase its products (they paid for it anyway) . The U-groove technology that their plugs have is amazing! Again - how can something so simple be so complicated. Denso claims that the grooves in their plugs help produce better and more concentrated sparks.

What caught my attention is that it's so easy to tell if a Denso plug is genuine or not - if the terminal screws out - then its a fake - as simple as that. As far as Denso is concerned, all counterfeit Denso plugs have removable terminals. REMINDER: this only applies to Denso as genuine Bosch and NGK have removable terminals too. In a time when China has succeeded in copying everything - it's nice to know that we can still easily tell if a product is genuine or not.

Denso also offers a wide range of plugs from the convential ones to high performance finely tuned racing plugs specifically made for race cars (i.e. F1, Rally Cars, Nascar) . Now, before I end this post, let me share with you a question our facilator's question - referring to the table above, when do you think you should replace Denso Racing Plugs?

 

 

Thanks Denso and Norenell for organizing seminars like these. I really had fun! If I just had the money, I might even open up my own auto supply just to be in business with you guys. The umbrella and loot bag was nice (really handy in the rainy season). I will definitely try out Denso plugs next time I have my car serviced. :)

P.S. Of course, big thanks to Eugz for letting me tag along - sa uulitin pre :-D