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Tuning by checking plugs

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Old 01-03-2007, 12:11 PM
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Default Tuning by checking plugs

I've heard of this method a few times but no one ever wants to elaborate on how its done. I realize it takes alot of skill and experience but I'm interested in what your looking for and just general info about how its done.

Anyone here ever do this?
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Old 01-03-2007, 12:24 PM
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http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinf...q/faqread2.asp
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Old 01-03-2007, 12:30 PM
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This could be intresting. I have always wondered how they tuned race cars before they had computers.
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Old 01-03-2007, 12:37 PM
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you need to read them for each enviroment.

If you want to make sure you aren't lean in boost: go out and boost to redline, then shut off the engine, coast to the side of the road and then pull them. Otherwise driving back to the garage and carbon can build back up over and disgue the results.

Do the same if you ping: cut the engine just as you are pinging and take a look at them....
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Old 01-03-2007, 01:15 PM
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Exactly. Tuning by plugs is OK for na vehicles with carbs. I wouldn't tune a forced induction, fuel injected motor that way.
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Old 01-03-2007, 02:24 PM
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no not at all. it's no fun.
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Old 01-03-2007, 03:45 PM
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I've been told by some of the fastest guys around here thats the ONLY way to tune a car properly.

A guy with a build talon, running 10's with 18'' street tires and rims full interior and IIRC around a 136mph trap, fastest street car in Alberta mind you. Said thats how he tunes everything (owns his own performance shop ofcoarse). Same with another performance shop owner...

So I'm thinking theres alittle more to it than it just being an old way of doing it..

Also what are you looking for?


edit: 138mph

Last edited by dc2696; 01-03-2007 at 08:36 PM.
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Old 01-03-2007, 03:47 PM
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No no no not "idiots guide to whats going on in my engine" everyone knows the idiot way to read plugs, I'm talking about professional tuning aspects.
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Old 01-03-2007, 03:57 PM
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I would tune with an AFR gauge on each cylinder and EGT gauge. Just cause they are fast doesn't mean they are right. I've had SPEC miata guys call me stupid for talking about putting a 1.8 rear on a 1.6.
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Old 01-03-2007, 04:02 PM
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That's ignorant.

I can use a hammer and chisel to write in a stone. Or I could pick up a pencil and scribble on a piece of paper.

Originally Posted by dc2696
I've been told by some of the fastest guys around here thats the ONLY way to tune a car properly.

A guy with a build talon, running 10's with 18'' street tires and rims full interior and IIRC around a 136mph trap, fastest street car in Alberta mind you. Said thats how he tunes everything (owns his own performance shop ofcoarse). Same with another performance shop owner...

So I'm thinking theres alittle more to it than it just being an old way of doing it..

Also what are you looking for?
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Old 01-03-2007, 04:06 PM
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Didn't mean to offend buddy. Not sure what else you're looking for, besides voodoo magic.
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Old 01-03-2007, 04:08 PM
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I'm not sure what the state of the plugs will tell you that AFR/EGT won't. The plug MIGHT tell you if you are rich or lean, but not HOW rich or HOW lean. Way too much room for interpretation and error.

I wonder if this is the same guy that was telling people that during autocross if you are doing it right your tires shouldn't squeel! It's either him or his business partner.

Dean, if you want to know the secret why not ask the guy who told you this?
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Old 01-03-2007, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Atlanta93LE
Didn't mean to offend buddy. Not sure what else you're looking for, besides voodoo magic.

Sorry man, I thought I was clear when I said tuning but this type of it is prolly new to most, not that I'm saying it isn't to me either.
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Old 01-03-2007, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by jayc72
I'm not sure what the state of the plugs will tell you that AFR/EGT won't. The plug MIGHT tell you if you are rich or lean, but not HOW rich or HOW lean. Way too much room for interpretation and error.

I wonder if this is the same guy that was telling people that during autocross if you are doing it right your tires shouldn't squeel! It's either him or his business partner.

Dean, if you want to know the secret why not ask the guy who told you this?
Jay the guys that have said are; Ron from revolution, Rob (fastest daytona), Martin from AFI, Blaine from Subracing, and Duane (h22 turbo ek)...

So I don't think their credability is an issue, I know Rob is an ******* but he is good at what he does so I think I'd take his word for it atleast..

I was just curious if anyone here had every heard of it/experienced/knows how to do it...
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Old 01-03-2007, 08:46 PM
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so people do things the old fashion way and are good at it. But to swear by reading plugs vs. something like logging actual fuel mixtures is silly.
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Old 01-03-2007, 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by braineack
so people do things the old fashion way and are good at it. But to swear by reading plugs vs. something like logging actual fuel mixtures is silly.
Sounds silly I know thats why I'm inquiring about it. Remember these guys are making more power and running much faster than us guys, so theres gotta b something to it...Just don't exactly know what...
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Old 01-03-2007, 08:54 PM
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they arent driving miatas.
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Old 01-03-2007, 08:57 PM
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There's a reason 99.9% of the tuners out there don't do it that way.
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Old 01-04-2007, 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Efini~FC3S
There's a reason 99.9% of the tuners out there don't do it that way.
You know this for sure? Then why do all the top tuners around here do this?
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Old 01-04-2007, 01:16 AM
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Originally Posted by dc2696
You know this for sure? Then why do all the top tuners around here do this?
Well now I'm embarrassed to live in the same City.

I can't comment whether or not this is true, but if it is we are in sorry shape. And this might be why people have flown in tuners from the US. Me I'll tune my own car.

I'm not sure what you are after Dean. You are arguing that it's a valid method of tuning, but you are only basing this on what the "top tuners" in the city have told you. If you beleive them why are you asking here?

Give ole Corky Bell a call and ask him what he thinks. He's well respected and certainly old school.
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