"twin maggies" - Translation: 2 spark plugs per cylinder

MrShadow · 20-03-2003, 04:22 AM

[color=#000000

ost_uid9]Would having two spark plugs per cylinder make much difference in a car engine? *I know in an aviation piston engine, you get considerably more power running two sparks per cylinder (then again, we red line at around 2,500 RPM). *It's not like it would weigh much (if you can get it into an aircraft, where every gram counts, I'm sure you could get one into a car no probs). *I'm just wondering, cause it would be easy for manufacturers to to do. *I know of only one [b

ost_uid9]production[/b

ost_uid9] car that uses this (a recent model Alfa). *Any ideas?[/color

ost_uid9]

Cosmo Dude · 20-03-2003, 04:59 AM

[color=#000000

ost_uid0]The Nissan Z series engine had twin spark (also some CAs).
They were in Pintaras, Vanettes and utes with four cylender engines, also the Jap Bluebird Z-18 Turbo. The engine output was increased slightly and emisions cleaned up a bit more but nothing to write home about. ???
All of these engines were SOHC as it would be more difficult to put in twin-cams.

Rod[/color

ost_uid0]

ABC · 20-03-2003, 11:17 PM

[color=#000000

ost_uid0]yeah, I would have thought that having an extra spark would increase the efficiency by having a more complete burn but wouldn't have thought that the power increase would be all that much.[/color

ost_uid0]

MrShadow · 21-03-2003, 08:06 AM

[color=#000000

ost_uid0]In the aircraft I fly, you generally get an extra 50 RPM bu running both, but that is a fair amount of power difference, you'd definatley notice it if one failed on take-off...[/color

ost_uid0]

BigMal · 21-03-2003, 08:38 AM

[color=#000000

ost_uid1]Similar effect to running the multi-tip spark plugs with
4 contacts to spread out the spark. Problem was that
unless you run individual coils to each cylinder and have
a large alternator etc all it did was quarter the spark
of that made by a normal spark plug so the gain through
better flame front was minimal performance wise.
Think same applies here that unless all the electronics
are beefed up then you will be wasting your time and money.

Regards

Mal[/color

ost_uid1]

MrShadow · 22-03-2003, 01:03 AM

[color=#000000

ost_uid0]Oh, yeah, of course. I mean, we run two independant magnetos, and I'd expect you'd do soemthing similar (or run a VERY big alternator). Although, we run two mainly for safety reasons, not perfomance.[/color

ost_uid0]

Cosmo Dude · 22-03-2003, 05:22 AM

[color=#000000

ost_uid0]The first step in creating a stronger spark would be to pay a lot of attention to earthing the engine and supplying power to the coil/spark-pack/dizzy.
The less resistance and more copper in the circuit the better the spark.

Rod[/color

ost_uid0]

20-03-2003, 04:22 AM	#1
MrShadow Senior Time-waster Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Airborne somewhere in Aus... Car: 2005 SP23 Hatch Posts: 1,779 View Photos By: MrShadow	[color=#000000ost_uid9]Would having two spark plugs per cylinder make much difference in a car engine? I know in an aviation piston engine, you get considerably more power running two sparks per cylinder (then again, we red line at around 2,500 RPM). It's not like it would weigh much (if you can get it into an aircraft, where every gram counts, I'm sure you could get one into a car no probs). I'm just wondering, cause it would be easy for manufacturers to to do. I know of only one [bost_uid9]production[/bost_uid9] car that uses this (a recent model Alfa). *Any ideas?[/colorost_uid9] __________________ Gimme a caffeine drip and I'll be right.... Confuscias say "man who go to sleep with itchy bottom, wake up with smelly finger"

20-03-2003, 04:59 AM	#2
Cosmo Dude コスモ Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location: Vic Car: Mazda '95 Astina I4, '86 B2K and '10 3 MZR-CD Posts: 7,888 View Photos By: Cosmo Dude	[color=#000000ost_uid0]The Nissan Z series engine had twin spark (also some CAs). They were in Pintaras, Vanettes and utes with four cylender engines, also the Jap Bluebird Z-18 Turbo. The engine output was increased slightly and emisions cleaned up a bit more but nothing to write home about. ??? All of these engines were SOHC as it would be more difficult to put in twin-cams. Rod[/colorost_uid0] __________________ My 'stina Hatch

20-03-2003, 11:17 PM	#3
ABC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Canberra Posts: 625 View Photos By: ABC	[color=#000000ost_uid0]yeah, I would have thought that having an extra spark would increase the efficiency by having a more complete burn but wouldn't have thought that the power increase would be all that much.[/colorost_uid0] __________________ ABC - Andy 1996 Manual V6 Noble Green Hatch FS: $11,500 1992 Manual SOHC Red BG Hatch

21-03-2003, 08:06 AM	#4
MrShadow Senior Time-waster Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Airborne somewhere in Aus... Car: 2005 SP23 Hatch Posts: 1,779 View Photos By: MrShadow	[color=#000000ost_uid0]In the aircraft I fly, you generally get an extra 50 RPM bu running both, but that is a fair amount of power difference, you'd definatley notice it if one failed on take-off...[/colorost_uid0] __________________ Gimme a caffeine drip and I'll be right.... Confuscias say "man who go to sleep with itchy bottom, wake up with smelly finger"

21-03-2003, 08:38 AM	#5
BigMal 1ST BA TURBO MEMBER Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sydney Car: BA Astina Turbo Posts: 4,195 View Photos By: BigMal	[color=#000000ost_uid1]Similar effect to running the multi-tip spark plugs with 4 contacts to spread out the spark. Problem was that unless you run individual coils to each cylinder and have a large alternator etc all it did was quarter the spark of that made by a normal spark plug so the gain through better flame front was minimal performance wise. Think same applies here that unless all the electronics are beefed up then you will be wasting your time and money. Regards Mal[/colorost_uid1] __________________ If you want wind in your hair add a Hairdryer !!!

22-03-2003, 01:03 AM	#6
MrShadow Senior Time-waster Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Airborne somewhere in Aus... Car: 2005 SP23 Hatch Posts: 1,779 View Photos By: MrShadow	[color=#000000ost_uid0]Oh, yeah, of course. I mean, we run two independant magnetos, and I'd expect you'd do soemthing similar (or run a VERY big alternator). Although, we run two mainly for safety reasons, not perfomance.[/colorost_uid0] __________________ Gimme a caffeine drip and I'll be right.... Confuscias say "man who go to sleep with itchy bottom, wake up with smelly finger"

22-03-2003, 05:22 AM	#7
Cosmo Dude コスモ Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location: Vic Car: Mazda '95 Astina I4, '86 B2K and '10 3 MZR-CD Posts: 7,888 View Photos By: Cosmo Dude	[color=#000000ost_uid0]The first step in creating a stronger spark would be to pay a lot of attention to earthing the engine and supplying power to the coil/spark-pack/dizzy. The less resistance and more copper in the circuit the better the spark. Rod[/colorost_uid0] __________________ My 'stina Hatch

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
NGK Iridium Spark Plugs on v6 - help --> maybe just a simple answer	Noble323	Performance & General Maintenance	4	07-09-2005 04:17 AM
GB: [QLD] NGK Iridium spark plugs - Another Twiggy Special!	twilightprotege	For Sale/Wanted	174	05-02-2005 09:33 PM
FS : NGK Iridium Spark Plugs	twilightprotege	For Sale/Wanted	17	14-09-2004 07:15 AM
Residue Oil when Replacing Spark Plugs - Any Ideas?	Tony	Performance & General Maintenance	6	07-10-2003 09:33 PM
What Haynes Auto Repair manuals really mean...	Rupewrecht	General Automotive Talk	7	17-06-2003 09:40 PM