Subaru spark plug life

A forum to alternate source of power to include Eggenfellner and other conversions.
Post Reply
User avatar
svanarts
Air Marshall
Posts: 1512
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 5:19 pm
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact:

Subaru spark plug life

Post by svanarts »

The Subaru Accolyte would like to know what our local Subaru Evangelist thinks about some of the claims on short spark plug life on subies? It's making me lose my faith in Subaru conversions.
Scott VanArtsdalen
Token Heretic
Nirvana Rodeo / Dudek Universal
S-6ES N612SV - GONE but not forgotten
RV-4 N311SV - SOLD

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

I have two thoughts on this...

First, even if they are going thru spark plugs in a hundred hours, each plug runs $5-10, and it needs six of them.

What are the typical life hours on an aircraft spark plug? 200 hours? 300 hours? (I honestly don't know...). They cost $30 per plug for regulars, and $45 per plug for fine wire plugs (if you need 'em). You'd need eight of those. We spent $240 on spark plugs (SPARK PLUGS!!!) right before we sold the Cherokee!! I about had a heart attack! :o

Second, there are several plugs to choose from for the Subaru with different heat levels. They'll find the right one's for the power levels being sustained in the 6 cyl.

Charlie Walker has 800 hours on his 4 cyl. Subie with the original plugs in it. Still look and work like new. The 6 is generating more heat, so the proper plugs need to be found for the power and heat.
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

They say the Finewire ones can go to TBO!

Dunno if I would do it, though.

:roll: CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
svanarts
Air Marshall
Posts: 1512
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 5:19 pm
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact:

Post by svanarts »

Cool. It sounded like that one guy didn't have too many hours on his before he had to replace his plugs. But you're right. I guess paying for all 6 plugs for about what you would pay for a single aircraft plug isn't all that bad.

Still not 100% there but slowly moving that way.
Scott VanArtsdalen
Token Heretic
Nirvana Rodeo / Dudek Universal
S-6ES N612SV - GONE but not forgotten
RV-4 N311SV - SOLD

User avatar
aerial
Class E
Posts: 143
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:33 pm
Location: OQ5

Post by aerial »

I just bought Autolite URHM40E (massive electrode) for the o-320 for $15.95/ea. from SkyGeek. I like their oil filter prices too.

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

aerial wrote:I just bought Autolite URHM40E (massive electrode) for the o-320 for $15.95/ea. from SkyGeek. I like their oil filter prices too.
That's STILL $128!! :o :wink:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

1:1_Scale
Class D
Posts: 279
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:23 am
Location: Central Oregon

Post by 1:1_Scale »

That's why I want a deisel- I'm too cheap to pay for spark plugs! :mrgreen:
Kelly
RV-7 Empennage done, wings done, fuselage to QB stage
1947 Stinson108-1 flying

User avatar
aerial
Class E
Posts: 143
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:33 pm
Location: OQ5

Post by aerial »

cjensen wrote:That's STILL $128!!:o
Yeah, but that's a lot of fire for $128 dollars. :x

It's a better deal than gas right now. It seems like it costs me $60 everytime I fire up the plane.

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

I'm still curious what the recommended spark plug life is for aviation plugs. Maybe there isn't one? As long as they are servicable maybe?

:?
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

Chad, google up "finewire plugs tbo" and you will see what I mean.
captain_john wrote:They say the Finewire ones can go to TBO!

Dunno if I would do it, though.

:roll: CJ
I would probably do like 1,000 hours and change them out.

:) CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

I did all kinds of Google searches the other day for standard plugs...didn't come up with anything.

Fine wires are too expensive to even think about. :roll:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

Post Reply