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NGK vs Champion part II

D

doug_bryant

Regular Contributor
"I have also been using NGK pl

"I have also been using NGK plugs without any problems in my 1987 Johnson 110 and before this motor I used them in my 1970 Johnson 85hp V4 with the original CDI ignition. There have been a few postings on this board about NGK plugs blowing power packs. I would like to know how that has been proven to be true. The disussions that I have had with people I consider to be knowledgable in this field including a prominent poster to this board, dispute the claims that NGK plugs damage power packs. 1) power packs are like anything else in this world, they break. 2) Bad grounds and dirty connections as well as poor maintenance will hasten the demise of a power pack. 3) I am pretty sure that engines that have been using Champion plugs also blow packs from time to time. Finally, the reason that I chose to switch to NGK from Champion is this: up here in the Puget Sound area the water is always 52 to 55 degrees. The Champion plugs just don't last as well as the NGK plugs. The Champion plugs tend to fowl more frequently and break down faster."
 
"I do not quite like Yoyr head

"I do not quite like Yoyr heading, but that is something else. There is nothing 'wrong' with NGK that gives reason for questioning them in general, but there are different types of them as there are differen types of other brands. The problems in Evinrude/Johnson applications (2-strokes) only concerns the 'R' types. Even in the old System Matched OMC catalog there was issued a warning about using 'R' type plugs in certain applications, mainly VRO engines as they could trigger false alarms. According to leading service officials in the old Belgium division of OMC the factory did not for leagal reason, dare to write: may dammage ignition systems!
What happends in short is that the 'R' pluggs severly encreases the voltage in the plug lead, and the original, black, plug leads are of quite a simple design without any form of shield.
You may get a wild spark jump to ground or other places. The worst case is if the spark jumps from secondary to primary on the coil. That is 25000Volts+ reverse into the power pack! Secondly the high voltage may cause misfireing to other cylinders by induction if the wires are clamped together, or induction into alarm wires.
I have had quite a number of incidents ( and made quite some money) due to 'R' plugs and damage to other components like power packs, VRO oil alarm units etc.
If You feel for it: Install champion 'Q' plugs, start the engine and grab the plug wire. You may feel the 'shocks' from the ignitions, but Your teeth may still have their fillings intact. Do the same with 'R' plugs installed, but do not send me Your dentist's or other bills!
With the normal (not 'R' plugs) there are not theese problems and as I mentioned in one answer to Menkard they may even perform more satifactory depending on usage and conditions. I did occasionally use the normal pluggs in 'comercial' (fishermen) applications just for the reason You mentioned. However I had to use different plugs summer and winter!
When it comes to 'lifetime' of 2-stroke plugs You may be shocked to know that it is only around 25 hrs! Use a colder plug, and lifetime encreases and the NGK cross normally leads to plugs that are colder than the relevant Champion. It works at load and high speeds, but vey often with reduced idling caracteristics."
 
OK...What about gap ??? I hear

OK...What about gap ??? I hear .030 and hear .040...What seems to be the best for my 74 70hp ER ??
 
"They are pre set from factory

"They are pre set from factory, no need to change normally. I am most used to mm and normally have them at 0,8 - 1,0 which means that both works!"
 
"Arguing spark plug brands is

"Arguing spark plug brands is typical mechanical mythology. The name brands are competitive. If you asked me to pick the best production plug I'd say probably NGK. There is no such thing as a "super plug". Pay attention to the proper application, heat range, resistor ect."
 
My 2 cents. After ten years of

My 2 cents. After ten years of R&D on other 2 stroke products we found that the NGK did work and last the longest of the brands we tested and had the least amount of problems with the electronic's on the equipment. This testing was done on PWC and snowmobiles with a few ATV's thrown in for the fun of it. We did find how ever that if we used splitfire plugs we gained 200hp in the same engine. So there is a super plug.Just ask splitfire.In my opinion after some 40 years working with engines I feel that a plug is a plug if it is the correct one for the engine it is used in. Except champion spark plugs.They should only be used in lawn mowers. Since the mower does not get much use the plugs last a few years. Please remember this is my opinion and that doesn't mean much.
 
doug_bryant said:
"I have also been using NGK pl

"I have also been using NGK plugs without any problems in my 1987 Johnson 110 and before this motor I used them in my 1970 Johnson 85hp V4 with the original CDI ignition. There have been a few postings on this board about NGK plugs blowing power packs. I would like to know how that has been proven to be true. The disussions that I have had with people I consider to be knowledgable in this field including a prominent poster to this board, dispute the claims that NGK plugs damage power packs. 1) power packs are like anything else in this world, they break. 2) Bad grounds and dirty connections as well as poor maintenance will hasten the demise of a power pack. 3) I am pretty sure that engines that have been using Champion plugs also blow packs from time to time. Finally, the reason that I chose to switch to NGK from Champion is this: up here in the Puget Sound area the water is always 52 to 55 degrees. The Champion plugs just don't last as well as the NGK plugs. The Champion plugs tend to fowl more freq
guest said:
My 2 cents. After ten years of

My 2 cents. After ten years of R&D on other 2 stroke products we found that the NGK did work and last the longest of the brands we tested and had the least amount of problems with the electronic's on the equipment. This testing was done on PWC and snowmobiles with a few ATV's thrown in for the fun of it. We did find how ever that if we used splitfire plugs we gained 200hp in the same engine. So there is a super plug.Just ask splitfire.In my opinion after some 40 years working with engines I feel that a plug is a plug if it is the correct one for the engine it is used in. Except champion spark plugs.They should only be used in lawn mowers. Since the mower does not get much use the plugs last a few years. Please remember this is my opinion and that doesn't mean much.
Click to expand...

uently and break down faster."
Click to expand...
I have a 77 Johnson 85hp and it refuses to run at all on NGK'S. Which i don't understand NGK makes the best 2 stroke plugs. It doesn't like anything but Champions.
 
If you use NGK plugs in place of Champions do not use resistor plugs . ie those with an R in the number (eg BR7HS-10 ) in place of Champions with a Q in the number eg ( QL77JC4 ). They are often quoted as equivalents but they are not

The Champion "Q" plugs are inductively suppressed.
Inductively suppressed NGK plugs Have a "Z" in the number ( eg BZ7HS-10 ).

You can of course use unsuppressed plugs (eg B7HS-10 ) except in engines with VRO or OMS
 
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