spark plug indexing

[NorthWisBanshee]

I was wondering if anyone out there indexes their spark plugs and if they do where do you place the electrode. I was thinking it would be best, if it faced directly backwards facing the intake ports? What do you think?

[BdBanshee]

The gap should face the exhaust port. Try marking the plug with a marker and threading several in until you find 2 that are close or right on when torqued correctly. Otherwise you have to use the index washers.

[NorthWisBanshee]

Thanks for the reply. I have some indexing washers and will give it a try.

[BansheeBrian]

Never heard of indexing. What advantage is achieved?

[KlotzBanshee]

A guy I work with (who is a hardcore snowmobiling freek) asked me if I indexed my plugs in my shee? I'd never heard of it before, but when he briefly explained it to me, it makes sense. So naturaly I wondered if any of you guys do, or know about indexing spark plugs. I did a search, and this thread (old 2004 posting) is all I found (not real helpfull). So...any takers?

[KlotzBanshee]

So nobody knows shit about spark plug indexing huh?

 

Does anyone even know what I'm talking about? If so, does it work? Waist of time?

 

NGK's site says "for racers only" ...won't see significant power gains, but will get a cleaner burn?

 

F it...I'm trying it anyway, let you guys know what happens later.

[gipperz]

Yep, Ive heard of it, more in the muscle car scene then small engine, its worth a shot.

[BansheeBrian]

Anyone know anymore on this? I'm kinda interested.

[JKJK]

The reasoning behind this thoery on a four stroke is to expose an unobstructed spark to initiate the flame front across the head in the combustion process.For the banshee's center located sparkplug(hemi design).This is not as critical.A plug with a strapless electrode might be the ultimite plug if the same theory is applied.

[Fireroad Express]

there is two different schools of thought on this. some point the electrode towards the intake some point it towards the exhaust.saw it in an artical in snowtech magazine so i tried it on a 800 tripple ski-doo. didn't notice any difference in power either way.it would give you something to do if you were really bored i suppose. although some hardcore racers swear by it.

[md7571]

Basically what you are trying to do is get your spark plug electrodes lined up equally in different cylinders. By doing this it is supposed to give a more consistent burn across all cylinders. As stated above though, with the type of head used by a banshee it is not as critical. I did it on a Rice Rocket Civic owned by my buddy with Nos on it. Stock it ran no different. With the nos it seemed to pull harder. But maybe I just knocked some crap loose in it.

 

I wouldn"t waste your time on a 2 stroke doing it.

[lonestar]

I've tried it I didn't feel any difference

[2twin350s]

Anyone know anymore on this? I'm kinda interested.

514271[/snapback]

this is a performance trick used buy drag racers and muscle car guys for years. the theory is that, by placing the electrode in the combustion chamber,nearest the exhaust port,you get a more complete fuel burn out of the combustion process. the fuel enters the intake port and when ignited,the burn starts at the intake side of the cylinder.buy placing the electrode at the exhaust side,the burn is getting a complete circular burn from the intake over to the exhuast. it helps burn ALL the fuel mix more productively buy doing this. in other words,by setting the electrode at the exhaust side,this is the last spot that the fuel is ignited.it would start the burn at the intake side and burn in a circular pattern from intake to exhaust.if you can see it happen, it would like like water draining in a bathtub in a tornado spiral effect. it is supposed to help burn the complete fuel mix instead of some being wasted in a uncomplete burn. it also is supposed to be a little less harsh on your piston tops,by a smoother burn in the cylinder.this does make a difference in a muscle car motor that is built for performance,you get a little more crisp throttle to the car.it does make a difference on a v8 muscle car. if i had to guess,maybe a 2-3 horsepower difference in a car. i have thought of doing this to my bikes but has slipped my mind.as far as a noticeable difference in a shee.i would say MAYBE a little more crisp low end throttle feel.a word of cuation though, make sure you are jetted slightly rich. by moving the electrode toward the exhaust side in a shee,i would think this might cuase a slight higer temperature in the exhaust side of the piston. we all know that that is the hottest part of the cylinder in a 2 stroke. so if you run lean and try this mod,you could thoeretically melt the exhaust side of the piston. keeep in mind that muscle cars and drag car engines are set to run rich. and the parts are much stronger than bike engine parts.