The official thread of worthless debates. Options

[njccmd2002]

Im amazed on the little nitpicky things that car guys debate BACK AND FORTH with a passion, lol

name your pet peeve..



THE SPARK PLUG DEBATE

THE ANTISEIZE CREAM

COLOR OF THE ANTIFREEZE

[Bitter]

But none of those are worthless.

Some spark plugs are actually better in some applications than others, for example a robust copper/nickel spark plug handles high boost applications better than an Iridium spark plug. This is because the fatter copper/nickel center electrode doesn't retain heat the same way the fine Ir center electrode does. Also the copper/nickel electrode is a solid lug of metal and can't be knocked off by knocking events like an iridium or platinum welded tip can be. It's a real thing! Not to mention appropriate reach, plug temp, etc are all critical in performance applications.

Anti-seize is a real debate too, lubricants change how much torque is applied to a fastener by as much as 50% in some applications! By lubricating the threads you're allowing more torque to be loaded onto the mating surfaces instead of being eaten by friction in the threads, but if the torque spec was created using dry threads you'll end up over torquing the fastener and breaking it or deforming it from elastic to plastic deformation causing it to be weaker than intended and unable to absorb additional stresses it should be capable of. The same is true if the spec was made with lubricated threads, torquing dry would end up under torquing the parts. Then there's torque to yield where the spec actually takes the fastener into plastic deformation and permanently stretches it some.

And yeah, anti-freeze color can matter but only cosmetically, the actual composition of the anti-freeze matters and often they use color as an easy differentiation between OAT, HOAT, phospate free, silicate free, etc. So yes, color matters. Some cooling systems are tolerant of anything, some are not. Systems with plastics should avoid using coolants with 2-EHA as it will soften nylons and other plastics over time at coolant system temperatures.


Worthless debate would be crunchy vs smooth peanut butter, they're both awesome because peanut butter.

[Box]

^That. Besides most any other things that get debated usually can be solved by physics and science, rather those involved choose to believe it or can understand it is another story.

Also on the subject on spark plugs, apparently NGK has started making ruthenium plugs that're supposed to have better life than iridium but also better ignition than copper: http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/ruthenium-hx

Plus the box is purple, that alone sold me. I'm intrigued though, as I noticed them looking through Rock Auto for Miata parts planning out what I'm going to do once I get one.

[njccmd2002]

lol, i see i stirred the pot.

I really dont care about spark plugs.

I go with whats recommended by the manufacturer, and not the fan boys.. lol....

long lasting, more power, less torque, more torque,. Gimmicks......

[SwissFerdi]

Can we debate if this thread is useful?

[cheela]

Can we debate if this thread is useful?

I can. this thread has gotten the most activity we've seen in months! so I therefore declare it useful.

[njccmd2002]

posted a pic, the thread is not worthless..

[Bitter]

^That. Besides most any other things that get debated usually can be solved by physics and science, rather those involved choose to believe it or can understand it is another story.

Also on the subject on spark plugs, apparently NGK has started making ruthenium plugs that're supposed to have better life than iridium but also better ignition than copper: http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/ruthenium-hx

Plus the box is purple, that alone sold me. I'm intrigued though, as I noticed them looking through Rock Auto for Miata parts planning out what I'm going to do once I get one.

Saw those too, interested but not interested enough to try them as I don't currently have a need. Sounds more like a gimmick but we'll see!

[Bitter]

lol, i see i stirred the pot.

I really dont care about spark plugs.

I go with whats recommended by the manufacturer, and not the fan boys.. lol....

long lasting, more power, less torque, more torque,. Gimmicks......

Those twin tip plugs are pretty legit, they're coming OE on all new Toyota and probably are what's in your 2GR already depending what year it was. I know that the 2ZR is using them for at least the last 10 years and they've been JDM used for longer than that under the Denso SIP (Super Ignition Plug) moniker for a while too, the TT is just a mass market re-name for the larger 14mm diameter where as the SIP was the 12mm diameter stuff.

[Box]

^Yup they started on Lexus and their Japanese market equivalents I believe.

I might give the ruthenium plugs a go on the Miata, since it originally called for copper and I wouldn't want to use anything that ignites worse. It'd be cool to have access to a dyno to test stuff like that; spark plugs, intakes, exhausts, other "bolt-ons" as it were.