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Frequently Asked Questions
Silver Spark Plugs
- Why are Silver spark plugs "the best spark plugs in the world"?
- Aren't platinum or Iridium spark plugs the best?
- Isn't copper a good conductor?
- Doesn't a silver electrode melt?
- Why is heatrange so important?
- Won't a "hotter" spark plug make a hotter spark?
- Do I need to change spark plug heatrange when I use Nology Silver?
- I noticed that Silver spark plugs are only available in a few heatranges?
- The Silver spark plugs recommended for my engine look like they are a much hotter heatrange than the spark plugs I normally use?
- Isn't a split electrode or a fine wire electrode better?
- Is there a noticeable improvement if I use Nology Silver, and if yes, why?
- Are there any other reasons why Silver spark plugs are superior?
- How long will Nology Silver spark plugs last?
- What about spark plug gap?
- What's the best way to gap spark plugs?
- Why do I need resistor plugs?
- So non-resistor spark plugs are better for performance?
- Why do car manufacturers recommend resistor spark plugs?
- How tight should spark plugs be?
- I read something about antiseize and silicone grease. What are they for?
- Question:
- Why are Silver spark plugs "the best spark plugs in the world"?
- Answer:
- A spark plug has only one function. Deliver a spark to the combustion chamber to initiate combustion. A stronger spark means improved combustion. If the metal used for the center electrode is a poor electrical conductor, such as platinum or nickel-alloy, some of the energy is lost and the spark is weaker. A weaker spark could mean lost performance. Silver is by far the best electrical and thermal conductor of any metal. Using a large silver diameter center electrode, can mean up to 137% more spark power and therefore increased engine performance. Nology Silver spark plugs out-perform all other spark plugs and deliver the most powerful spark. That's why Nology Silver spark plugs are the best spark plugs in the world.
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- Question:
- Aren't Platinum or Iridium spark plugs the best?
- Answer:
- No. As a matter of fact, Platinum and Iridium are some of the worst metal conductors. The reason why Platinum and Iridium spark plugs are used is for longevity only. They can last up to 100,000 miles. If you are looking for longevity, they are for you. If you are looking for performance, choose silver.
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- Question:
- Isn't copper a good conductor?
- Answer:
- Yes, but not the best. Silver is the best. Also, the electrodes of spark plugs with so called "copper electrodes" are not solid copper, they are copper core. This means, an electrode made out of a poor conducting material, usually nickel-alloy, with a copper core. This only benefits heat dissipation, not performance.
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- Question:
- Doesn't a silver electrode melt?
- Answer:
- No. Just like conventional spark plugs, Silver spark plugs are available in different heat ranges. If the correct heatrange is chosen, thermal problems won't arise.
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- Question:
- Why is heatrange so important?
- Answer:
- If a spark plug doesn't have the correct heatrange for the engine, engine failure can occur. A spark plug that is too cold won't reach optimum operating temperature and could experience carbon build-up or oil-fouling. A spark plug that is too hot can overheat and melt the electrode.
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- Question:
- Won't a "hotter" spark plug make a hotter spark?
- Answer:
- No. A hotter, or colder spark plug refers only to the ability of the spark plug to dissipate heat. A colder spark plug dissipates heat faster than a hotter spark plug.
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- Question:
- Do I need to change spark plug heatrange when I use Silver?
- Answer:
- No. Spark plug heatrange stays the same.
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- Question:
- I noticed that Nology Silver spark plugs are only available in a few heatranges?
- Answer:
- Yes, that's correct. Silver is also the best thermal conductor of any metal. In managing the ever changing combustion chamber temperatures, caused by different engine and load conditions, silver is unsurpassed. To prevent plug fouling, optimum operating temperature is reached shortly after start up, yet under full throttle, when things really start to get hot, heat is dissipated rapidly. Silver spark plugs provide the widest heatrange latitude and therefore cover all heatranges with fewer models.
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- Question:
- The Nology Silver spark plugs recommended for my engine look like they are a much hotter heatrange than the spark plugs I normally use?
- Answer:
- Because the thermal conductivity of silver is so much better than that of any other metal, the physical appearance of Nology Silver spark plugs will be different.
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- Question:
- Isn't a split electrode or a fine wire electrode better?
- Answer:
- It depends on the application. Since the ionization voltage of spark plugs with split electrodes or fine wire electrodes is lower, they are perfect for older vehicles with weak ignition systems. But since spark voltage is lower, they are not desired for performance applications. In addition, electrical energy travels on the outside of a conductor and not through the middle as commonly assumed, and since a large diameter center electrode offers a larger surface area, spark carrying ability is increased when the center electrode has a large diameter. To put it simply, you can't fit a big spark through a tiny electrode.
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- Question:
- Is there a noticeable improvement if I use Nology Silver, and if yes, why?
- Answer:
- Yes. The combination of using silver and having a large diameter center electrode increases Nology Silver's spark carrying ability and spark power.
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- Question:
- Are there any other reasons why Nology Silver spark plugs are superior?
- Answer:
- Yes. Nology Silver spark plugs are manufactured to highest quality standards and are made exclusively out of top grade materials. The extra pure aluminum oxide insulator is of the purest material available. This gives Nology Silver spark plugs the highest reliability together with very good high voltage insulation.
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- Question:
- How long will Nology Silver spark plugs last?
- Answer:
- The spark plugs will last up to three times as long as conventional spark plugs. Silver is a precious metal and therefore extremely resistant to erosion, guaranteeing a virtually unchanged electrode gap for the life of the spark plug.
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- Question:
- What about spark plug gap?
- Answer:
- The spark plug gap is the same as the one recommended by the manufacturer of the engine in which the spark plugs are to be used.
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- Question:
- What's the best way to gap spark plugs?
- Answer:
- To gap spark plugs always use a spark plug gapping tool. Never pry the ground electrode with a screwdriver or similar object. This could permanently damage the ceramic insulator and the center electrode, making the spark plug inoperable and voiding the warranty.
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- Question:
- Why do I need resistor plugs?
- Answer:
- You don't always need to use resistor spark plugs. True, some electronic engine management systems are very sensitive to RFI or EMI and if non-resistor spark plugs are used the engine doesn't work properly. However, most engines will not experience any problems with non-resistor spark plugs, especially if there is some resistance in the spark plug cap or the wires.
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- Question:
- So non-resistor spark plugs are better for performance?
- Answer:
- Yes. If you are looking for performance you want to use non-resistor spark plugs. A resistor is exactly what the word implies. When the spark crosses the point of resistance some of the spark energy is lost. A resistor is like an electronic obstacle and could be the cause for a weak spark. Non-resistor spark plugs deliver a more powerful spark.
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- Question:
- Why do car manufacturers recommend resistor spark plugs?
- Answer:
- One reasons is actually emissions. Since the resistor is an obstacle it forces the spark voltage to be higher, assuring combustion in a lean mixture. Also resistor plugs are MUCH cheaper to produce. You will never find resistor plugs in serious race cars, yet these cars use some of the most sophisticated engine management and data acquisition systems. But these cars have no EMI problems. Why? The spark happens inside the combustion chamber where he is completely shielded by the metal cylinder head. No EMI can escape the combustion chamber.
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- Question:
- How tight should spark plugs be?
- Answer:
- This is a very important point. Most of the time spark plugs are too tight, (over torqued). This will result in a deformed spark plug, with the internal seal damaged. A spark plug damaged this way can lead to premature spark plug failure and even engine damage. For proper torque values, please check with the spark plug manufacturer.
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- Question:
- I read something about antiseize and silicone grease. What are they for?
- Answer:
- Before installing any spark plug always apply antiseize to threads. This assures easy removal of the spark plug and prevents corrosion and seizing. For best high voltage insulation, to prevent arcing-over on the outside of the aluminum oxide insulator and to repel moisture, always apply a high quality silicone grease to the inside of the spark plug boot.
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