Thread: Trying new plugs - Brisk

Originally Posted by archemedes

basically if you take the actual numbers away who cares how it's figured when you just want to know better or worse

That is all I care about. If I always get x, and after installing plugs I get x+2, then there is a gain. Now, if I always get x and I get x-2 afterwards, those plugs come right out.

As long as we give that same leeway to everyone here trying things out, thats fine, but Ive just come to expect from you a bit more exacting standards based on your posts, questions and so forth.

My experience has been that the DIC cannot be trusted all that much when combined driving is involved. That is to say city and highway. If you do all one or the other, it seems to be pretty darn close but doesnt handle combined too well, particularly the more miles you get on it from the last reset. At first reset it swings so much its hard to determine exactly what its telling you. So I dont really mess with mine anymore and just use manual calculations.

Without going to the trouble of using a truck scale, setting the cruise on 70 every morning, coming up with a way to account for traffic changes etc... there isn't going to be an truely accurate way to show real MPG differences. Plus those exacting numbers would only pertain to my car at it's current mod level.
I do like to have more tight standards when reasonable, but in the grand scheme of things, this testing is hardly worth it IMO.

I would have to say going from 25 MPG to a little over 27 was a gain either way and worth making note of.

I would be more than happy for someone younger with more time on their hands to do tighter testing. For me, this thread, for now, is more about taking notes. If I don't post as I go along, the thoughts may become skewed. At least I'm making an effort. If no one cares, then I certainly can keep it to myself and only mention it in "What Plugs?" posts.

In response to the maunal versus DIC:

I'm only going to give info on my trek to work each morning, pushing the reset as I hit the hiway, like always. Trying to stay consistant. Could we not assume that if the hiway MPG goes up, that the in town would likely do the same? Maybe not at the same percentage, but still following the pattern up, down or the same?

Originally Posted by IndeedSS

If no one cares, then I certainly can keep it to myself and only mention it in "What Plugs?" posts.

Well you surprised me again Lee. I did not expect you to fold with such minimal observational critiquing. But its your test and notes and do as you wish obviously. I was just simply trying to point out my own observations with using the DIC to calculate fuel economy.

If you do a manual calculation and the results follow then sure, you're on to something. I have stated for years and many times here that I believe the ignition system as a whole an overlooked area for fuel economy improvements and small power gains.

The obvious conclusion would be that if the manual calculation support your observation with the DIC then it must be surmised that you are running more efficiently and that generally tracks also with small power gains whether you can tell from just normal driving or not. However, you are correct in that there are always going variables in calculating fuel economy. Even the ASTM standardized test for fuel economy supports this. They merely provide a method in which the procedure is standardized so that each test can be conducted the same irregardless of vehicle, mod level or conditions.

But be that as it may, I too am interested in the results so I will stay out of its so as to not offer observations or opinions that would persuade you to discontinue posting what you are seeing. I personally think its fabulous that you are doing this, its nice to see someone else as much interested in this type of testings as myself. Ive been doing this kind of testing for the better part of 15 years. I probably watch my trip odometer and fuel gauge more than anything else on the road or in the car. Its just now becoming appreciated information due to gas prices. In the past I found few who even really cared until after Katrina hit and prices soared.

Anyway, good luck to ya. I'll will observe and silently draw my own conclusions with respect to what I have learned over the years.

I don't mind addtitional info added to the mix.Everyone should contribute . Any and all plugs welcome.

If the discussion becomes hostile or stressful and I perceive it to be that way then it's quiting time. It's no secret among the local members here that I had 6 bypasses when I was 35. So while it may surprise you when things become too much of a pain I step back, it won't surprise my friends.

This morning I kept to 70 mph and beat my "before Brisk at this mod level" average by 4 mpg. I hit 29.9 mpg his morning, at the normal place I check. Typically I've been in the 25's.

I really want to hate these plugs, but there does seem to be something to them. The idle still is pretty rough, but up to speed they appear to be quite efficient. I really need to get a WOT scan to see what's happening at that point.

I have two other sets of plugs to try, Nology Silver Racing and NGK TR7IX. But that will take some time.

I just threw in Brisk LGS14-Ts this afternoon after a few weeks of foot dragging.

Noticed the improved throttle response right away over the Autolite 103Rs that came out. Seems smoother overall. Power at full throttle, very hard to tell, the car honks, I don't think I'd notice a few wheel horsepower ontop of 350 but they certainly did no harm.

I'm currently running a 3.6" pulley on my M112, running "only" 10-11psi, but I'll turn that up next week after doing some more spring maintenance and see if they show any signs of blowout.

Still the only benefit I can definitely see, is improved gas milage. I've finished testing the LGS plugs.

At $1.35/litre for premium gas, I think I'll leave mine in!

Only way to test the increased power would be to throw it on a dyno and see, my butt dyno isn't sensitive enough. I don't have the secret handshake with any dyno operators in town anymore, but if I get an opportunity I will try.

How is your KR with the new plugs?

Originally Posted by WillOverkill

How is your KR with the new plugs?

I really don't like the idle, so I've not pushed it hard enough to check for KR. Tomorrow I'm putting in a new set of TR7IX plugs and calling it good. Slightly used LGS-T's will be up for sale.

If I'm up early enough I could go out and get a quick WOT run before switching back to NGK's.