Splitfire Sparkplugs
- Thread starter kdxgreece
- Start date
On my 87 CR250 with a procircuit mid pipe I could take a new NGK br8es and the splitfire 406c and swap them back and forth. With the stock NGK and the R series plug with the thin electrode, the bike would stop about 3/4 throttle in making power and just rev out basically. Swapped in the splitfire and it would pull all the way to WOT. that was the only change.
I installed one on the KDX250 and noticed a bit more hit from it. Enough to notice.
The only bad side I have found on them is if you dont gap both electrodes the same, it will only fire on one side until the gap erodes equal to the other side. Thus you get a normally firing plug. Also when they foul out, they seem to just die. Dont waste your time cleaning them.
I installed one on the KDX250 and noticed a bit more hit from it. Enough to notice.
The only bad side I have found on them is if you dont gap both electrodes the same, it will only fire on one side until the gap erodes equal to the other side. Thus you get a normally firing plug. Also when they foul out, they seem to just die. Dont waste your time cleaning them.
The engineering behind that plug allows it to last longer without fouling. It provides more surface area thus allowing for more of an area to provide a spark. The only problem is that if you have a motor that is fouling plugs, this plug will foul also. You just have more surface area to foul. It is mainly a marketing tool. I have seen side by side test of many spark plugs. The spark always follows the path of least resistance. Anyway, a standard NGK plug will do you fine.
I always run my mains a bit rich in the summer, so I go through a few plugs a season but I figure it is cheap insurance.
You may want to read this:
http://performanceunlimited.com/illustrations/sparkplugs.html
They do not praise the splitfires, but I have liked them in my bikes. The sidegapping is what I do to my extra plugs.
You may want to read this:
http://performanceunlimited.com/illustrations/sparkplugs.html
They do not praise the splitfires, but I have liked them in my bikes. The sidegapping is what I do to my extra plugs.
clutchcover
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- Feb 21, 2002
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I couldn't throw my last splitfire far enough. I couldn't keep them from fouling in my four stroke let alone my 2 stroke. I would stick to ngk. But hey, if they work, and apparently for some they do, and you like them, use them. I had nothing but problems. Try them, but at the price I will stick to the ngks.
canyncarvr
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- Oct 14, 1999
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Rich R., where are you? :) I may 'memmer incorrectly...but I recall him having some hilarious input on splitfires??
...along the lines of clutchcover's point of view.
The advantage of a splitfire is....more ground electrodes? Uh...there's generally a problem GROUNDING arcs? There's a joules build up problem cuz they've got nowhere to go? More gound paths provide more spark?
Not that I know of.
The 'easier to spark' part comes from the CENTER electrode...thus fine wire, FINER wire, platinum, iridium plugs and such.
THAT said, if it works for you, that's great! I've got a few of my own 'works for me!' ideas that are not commonly subscribed to, and that's fine by me.
...along the lines of clutchcover's point of view.
The advantage of a splitfire is....more ground electrodes? Uh...there's generally a problem GROUNDING arcs? There's a joules build up problem cuz they've got nowhere to go? More gound paths provide more spark?
Not that I know of.
The 'easier to spark' part comes from the CENTER electrode...thus fine wire, FINER wire, platinum, iridium plugs and such.
THAT said, if it works for you, that's great! I've got a few of my own 'works for me!' ideas that are not commonly subscribed to, and that's fine by me.
jaguar
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I would think that a double spark would double the total spark area but would also make the spark weaker since it's dividing the same electrical current into two. Maybe good, maybe not.
canyncarvr
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- Oct 14, 1999
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double the spark?
In a word........no.
Most ignition systems spark once (if they spark at all). Not possible for it to happen twice. The field builds in the coil until it breaks down over the spark gap (or other lesser restriction..or not at all if there's nowheres to go), and then it's done. Finito. ...til next cycle.
Well, except in an MSD equipped bike, which IS a possibility.
(Multiple Spark Discharge, made by Autotronics. Works terrific...in my car, anyway ;) )
In a word........no.
Most ignition systems spark once (if they spark at all). Not possible for it to happen twice. The field builds in the coil until it breaks down over the spark gap (or other lesser restriction..or not at all if there's nowheres to go), and then it's done. Finito. ...til next cycle.
Well, except in an MSD equipped bike, which IS a possibility.
(Multiple Spark Discharge, made by Autotronics. Works terrific...in my car, anyway ;) )
canyncarvr
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- Oct 14, 1999
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I read somewhere (it being tradmarked, I can't "" exactly ;) )
The closer 'sharp edged' surfaces will more easily propagate the initial spark.....
I use a B8EG specifically for that reason. If you don't mind the $, something along the line of B(R)8EV-X would be an improvement over the 'ES' oem style.
Indexing plugs has been a 'trick' of the trade forever, too. That method involves marking the porcelain of the plug to determine which direction the gap 'faces', installing the plug with washers required to ensure the gap faces INto the chamber..not AWAY from the chamber.
In a hemi head engine (your kdx), there isn't any 'into' and 'away' or pocket to worry about.
The point is, 'tricks' not withstanding, most importantly, the spark has to HAPPEN in the first place. Total loss systems (magnetos in dirt bikes) are iffy in the first place, so use a plug that has firing advantages ON THE CENTER ELECTRODE or path construction.
Like the above mentioned NGKs.
imo and all that...........
The closer 'sharp edged' surfaces will more easily propagate the initial spark.....
I use a B8EG specifically for that reason. If you don't mind the $, something along the line of B(R)8EV-X would be an improvement over the 'ES' oem style.
Indexing plugs has been a 'trick' of the trade forever, too. That method involves marking the porcelain of the plug to determine which direction the gap 'faces', installing the plug with washers required to ensure the gap faces INto the chamber..not AWAY from the chamber.
In a hemi head engine (your kdx), there isn't any 'into' and 'away' or pocket to worry about.
The point is, 'tricks' not withstanding, most importantly, the spark has to HAPPEN in the first place. Total loss systems (magnetos in dirt bikes) are iffy in the first place, so use a plug that has firing advantages ON THE CENTER ELECTRODE or path construction.
Like the above mentioned NGKs.
imo and all that...........
canucklehead
Member
- Apr 13, 2000
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You mean, I've been running a 200 Hemi this whole time? Wait'll I tell my friends! :confused:
Junk
There is always a chance of the ground strap comming off of any plug and fouling up your piston and cylinder wall. The splitfire doubles that chance with NO addtional perfomance gain of any sort. Like, Gladiator stated...The spark will always follow the path of least resistance.
There is always a chance of the ground strap comming off of any plug and fouling up your piston and cylinder wall. The splitfire doubles that chance with NO addtional perfomance gain of any sort. Like, Gladiator stated...The spark will always follow the path of least resistance.
Technical theory/thought with out a lot of research to back this up. Here goes:
First a MX bike has a weak ignition stock. So anything that can be done to help it will gain more performance from the motor. Basically a thinner wire plug like the Iridium or IX series NGK plugs is what they recommend for most bikes because you get a hotter, more efficient spark.
When we asked NGK about the +4 type of plug in a bike, they said it would actually lose power cause of the additional grounds.
Since I am one of the few that have seen a gain in power on a 2 stroke with a splitfire - never in any 4 strokes - I have an idea why. Like said with a 4 stroke indexing the plugs can help you make more power caues you are pointing the spark towards the fuel. Think about a 4 stroke OHV head. you have a plug that is facing down in the cylinder which unless indexed will be point away from the fuel and valves. As the fuel is drawn into the chamber is is drawn down with the movement of the piston and then compressed back up towards the plug. Apply the same indexing theory on a 2 stroke and since there are no valves you would want the plug to fire straight down at the piston and fuel. with the V in the splitfire plug it allows the spark to fire down into the combustion chamber instead of sideways. Sidegapping the plug would have about the same effect also.
Comments on those ideas......?
First a MX bike has a weak ignition stock. So anything that can be done to help it will gain more performance from the motor. Basically a thinner wire plug like the Iridium or IX series NGK plugs is what they recommend for most bikes because you get a hotter, more efficient spark.
When we asked NGK about the +4 type of plug in a bike, they said it would actually lose power cause of the additional grounds.
Since I am one of the few that have seen a gain in power on a 2 stroke with a splitfire - never in any 4 strokes - I have an idea why. Like said with a 4 stroke indexing the plugs can help you make more power caues you are pointing the spark towards the fuel. Think about a 4 stroke OHV head. you have a plug that is facing down in the cylinder which unless indexed will be point away from the fuel and valves. As the fuel is drawn into the chamber is is drawn down with the movement of the piston and then compressed back up towards the plug. Apply the same indexing theory on a 2 stroke and since there are no valves you would want the plug to fire straight down at the piston and fuel. with the V in the splitfire plug it allows the spark to fire down into the combustion chamber instead of sideways. Sidegapping the plug would have about the same effect also.
Comments on those ideas......?
Only way you saw a performance gain from that plug was if the plug you changed out was crap.
jaguar
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I'm thinking about ordering a Triple Platinum splitFire for $6.
I like how the spark has more direct exposure to the combustion area.
see picture at http://www.splitfire.com
from web site:
Now SplitFire's patented split "V" side electrode design is available with three separate points of platinum, substantially reducing electrode wear. What's more, the revolutionary platinum-tipped fine wire center electrode requires less voltage to fire. No other spark plug combines 3 platinum alloy points, the fine wire center electrode and the patented split "V" technology. No other spark plug provides more for the life of your vehicle engine!
ps- to OldMember: I didn't mean two sparks at different times, I meant two sparks at the same time.
I like how the spark has more direct exposure to the combustion area.
see picture at http://www.splitfire.com
from web site:
Now SplitFire's patented split "V" side electrode design is available with three separate points of platinum, substantially reducing electrode wear. What's more, the revolutionary platinum-tipped fine wire center electrode requires less voltage to fire. No other spark plug combines 3 platinum alloy points, the fine wire center electrode and the patented split "V" technology. No other spark plug provides more for the life of your vehicle engine!
ps- to OldMember: I didn't mean two sparks at different times, I meant two sparks at the same time.
canyncarvr
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- Oct 14, 1999
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It's 'path of least resistance', not 'paths of least resistance'.
I understood you to mean two sparks at the same time.
While you could make an eclectic argument that would theoretically make such an event possible, it isn't happening in reality.
Chili: re: 'drywall'
Thanks for looking that up. ;)
canuck: You bet'cha! (but...you knew that) You know what that means (equipped with this new bit of knowledge)...you gotta ride a WHOLE lot faster if you're on a HEMI!! There's a reason the 426CID was rated stock-outta-the-box @ 525BHP! ..well, by racing organizations that knew the 425BHP mfg rating was BS for the sake of winning races based on weight ratios!
Seriously....of course it is so.
I understood you to mean two sparks at the same time.
While you could make an eclectic argument that would theoretically make such an event possible, it isn't happening in reality.
Chili: re: 'drywall'
Thanks for looking that up. ;)
canuck: You bet'cha! (but...you knew that) You know what that means (equipped with this new bit of knowledge)...you gotta ride a WHOLE lot faster if you're on a HEMI!! There's a reason the 426CID was rated stock-outta-the-box @ 525BHP! ..well, by racing organizations that knew the 425BHP mfg rating was BS for the sake of winning races based on weight ratios!
Seriously....of course it is so.
canucklehead
Member
- Apr 13, 2000
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Canyncarvr, you continue to be a fount of knowledge for all things KDX...
Did you hear that starting next year, Mopar will be sellin crated Hemi engines for hotrod projects? Someone told me list price is $25,000! Dodge is planning a Hemi Dakota sometime soon too... sweet!
Thanks again for all the info!
Dave
Did you hear that starting next year, Mopar will be sellin crated Hemi engines for hotrod projects? Someone told me list price is $25,000! Dodge is planning a Hemi Dakota sometime soon too... sweet!
Thanks again for all the info!
Dave
canyncarvr
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- Oct 14, 1999
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Fount? Sounds kinda like 'expert'..which would be 'ex' as in 'has been' and 'spert' as in 'drip under pressure'!
Heavens no. Just an opinionated, crotchety a$$. Well...so I've been told.
Hope that crate hemi weighs something less than the gazillion pounds the iron one did.
Hemisperical heads aren't so uncommon any more, but there's something about a Hemi that's different from a hemi! ;)
Heavens no. Just an opinionated, crotchety a$$. Well...so I've been told.
Hope that crate hemi weighs something less than the gazillion pounds the iron one did.
Hemisperical heads aren't so uncommon any more, but there's something about a Hemi that's different from a hemi! ;)
Mopar Direct has been shipping crate Hemi motors for a couple of years now. 465hp 426 cubic inch versions start around $10K and they go up to a 610hp 528 cubic inch version with aluminum heads (saves about 60 pounds) for about $13K. It's only $25K if you order it with Splitfires pre-installed :confused:
jaguar
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Canyon Carver, were you saying that you think it's impossible for there to be two sparks at the same time? I think it's possible if the two points of the V are equidistant from the center electrode.
canucklehead
Member
- Apr 13, 2000
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:) :)
Good one Rich..
I think we're a bit behind the times up here in Canada! Didn't know they were already selling them down there. Still, $13K seems pretty decent for all that horsepower. Anyone know if I can fit the 528 in my Dakota 4x4? :confused:
Good one Rich..
I think we're a bit behind the times up here in Canada! Didn't know they were already selling them down there. Still, $13K seems pretty decent for all that horsepower. Anyone know if I can fit the 528 in my Dakota 4x4? :confused:
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