Easily Add Power with Tunit Tuning
Tunit provides an efficient and adaptable method of enhancing a vehicles performance (power and torque) without the need to alter the vehicles original equipment or programming. The advantages of the Tunit are; adjustment for optimum efficiency (both manually, by the customer and electronically, via a PC by a distributor), flexibility, as in movement from one vehicle to the next and ease of installation. The principle of Tunit is to provide all these advantages that previous methods of tuning such as EPROM replacement and "flashing" or OBD tuning could not. [Complete Article]
The following article was originally found on the NGK web site here.
Spark plugs are one of the most misunderstood components of an engine. Numerous questions have surfaced over the years, leaving many people confused.
This guide was designed to assist the technician, hobbyist, or race mechanic in understanding, using, and troubleshooting spark plugs. The information contained in this guide applies to all types of internal combustion engines: two stroke engines, rotary engines, high performance/racing engines and street vehicles.
Spark plugs are the "window" into your engine (your only eyewitness to the combustion chamber), and can be used as a valuable diagnostic tool. Like a patient's thermometer, the spark plug displays symptoms and conditions of the engine's performance. The experienced tuner can analyze these symptoms to track down the root cause of many problems, or to determine air/fuel ratios.
SPARK PLUG BASICS: The spark plug has two primary functions:
* To ignite the air/fuel mixture * To remove heat from the combustion chamber
Spark plugs transmit electrical energy that turns fuel into working energy. A sufficient amount of voltage must be supplied by the ignition system to cause it to spark across the spark plug's gap. This is called "Electrical Performance."
The temperature of the spark plug's firing end must be kept low enough to prevent pre-ignition, but high enough to prevent fouling. This is called "Thermal Performance", and is determined by the heat range selected.
It is important to remember that spark plugs do not create heat, they can only remove heat. The spark plug works as a heat exchanger by pulling unwanted thermal energy away from the combustion chamber, and transferring the heat to the engine's cooling system. The heat range is defined as a plug's ability to dissipate heat.
The rate of heat transfer is determined by:
* The insulator nose length * Gas volume around the insulator nose * The materials/construction of the center electrode and porcelain insulator
A spark plug's heat range has no relationship to the actual voltage transferred though the spark plug. Rather, the heat range is a measure of the spark plug's ability to remove heat from the combustion chamber. The heat range measurement is determined by several factors; the length of the ceramic center insulator nose and its' ability to absorb and transfer combustion heat, the material composition of the insulator and center electrode material.
Heat rating and heat flow path of NGK Spark Plugs Heat Rating and Heat Flow Path
The insulator nose length is the distance from the firing tip of the insulator to the point where insulator meets the metal shell. Since the insulator tip is the hottest part of the spark plug, the tip temperature is a primary factor in pre-ignition and fouling. Whether the spark plugs are fitted in a lawnmower, boat, or a race car, the spark plug tip temperature must remain between 500C-850°C. If the tip temperature is lower than 500°C, the insulator area surrounding the center electrode will not be hot enough to burn off carbon and combustion chamber deposits. These accumulated deposits can result in spark plug fouling leading to misfire. If the tip temperature is higher than 850°C the spark plug will overheat which may cause the ceramic around the center electrode to blister and the electrodes to melt. This may lead to pre-ignition/detonation and expensive engine damage. In identical spark plug types, the difference from one heat range to the next is the ability to remove approximately 70°C to 100°C from the combustion chamber. A projected style spark plug firing tip temperature is increased by 10°C to 20°C.
Tip Temperature and Firing End Appearance Tip Temperature and Firing End Appearance
The firing end appearance also depends on the spark plug tip temperature. There are three basic diagnostic criteria for spark plugs: good, fouled and overheated. The borderline between the fouling and optimum operating regions (500&def;C) is called the spark plug self-cleaning temperature. The temperature at this point is where the accumulated carbon and combustion deposits are burned off.
Bearing in mind that the insulator nose length is a determining factor in the heat range of a spark plug, the longer the insulator nose, the less heat is absorbed, and the further the heat must travel into the cylinder head water journals. This means the plug has a higher internal temperature, and is said to be a hot plug. A hot spark plug maintains a higher internal operating temperature to burn off oil and carbon deposits, and has no relationship to spark quality or intensity.
Conversely, a cold spark plug has a shorter insulator nose and absorbs more combustion chamber heat. This heat travels a shorter distance, and allows the plug to operate at a lower internal temperature. A colder heat range is necessary when the engine is modified for performance, subjected to heavy loads, or is run at high rpms for a significant period of time. The colder type removes heat more quickly, and will reduce the chance of pre-ignition/detonation and melting or damage to the firing end. (Engine temperature can affect the spark plug's operating temperature, but not the spark plugs heat range).
Below is a list of some of the possible external influences on a spark plug's operating temperatures. The following symptoms or conditions may have an effect on the actual temperature of the spark plug. The spark plug cannot create these conditions, but it must be able to cope with the levels of heat...if not, the performance will suffer and engine damage can occur.
* Rich air/fuel mixtures cause tip temperature to drop, causing fouling and poor driveability * Lean air/fuel mixtures cause plug tip and cylinder temperature to increase, resulting in pre-ignition, detonation, and possibly serious spark plug and engine damage * It is important to read spark plugs many times during the tuning process to achieve the optimum air/ fuel mixture
Higher Compression Ratios/Forced Induction will elevate spark plug tip and in-cylinder temperatures
* Compression can be increased by performing any one of the following modifications: a) reducing combustion chamber volume (i.e.: domed pistons, smaller chamber heads, milling heads, etc.) b) adding forced induction (Nitrous, Turbocharging or Supercharging) c) camshaft change * As compression increases, a colder heat range plug, higher fuel octane, and careful attention to igni-tion timing and air/fuel ratios are necessary. Failure to select a colder spark plug can lead to spark plug/engine damage
Advancing Ignition Timing
* Advancing ignition timing by 10° causes tip temperature to increase by approx. 70°-100° C
Engine Speed and Load
* Increases in firing-end temperature are proportional to engine speed and load. When traveling at a consistent high rate of speed, or carrying/pushing very heavy loads, a colder heat range spark plug should be installed
Ambient Air Temperature
* As air temperature falls, air density/air volume becomes greater, resulting in leaner air/fuel mixtures. * This creates higher cylinder pressures/temperatures and causes an increase in the spark plug's tip temperature. So, fuel delivery should be increased. * As temperature increases, air density decreases, as does intake volume, and fuel delivery should be decreased
Humidity
* As humidity increases, air intake volume decreases * Result is lower combustion pressures and temperatures, causing a decrease in the spark plug's tem-perature and a reduction in available power. * Air/fuel mixture should be leaner, depending upon ambient temperature.
Barometric Pressure/Altitude
* Also affects the spark plug's tip temperature * The higher the altitude, the lower cylinder pressure becomes. As the cylinder temperature de-creases, so does the plug tip temperature * Many mechanics attempt to "chase" tuning by changing spark plug heat ranges * The real answer is to adjust jetting or air/fuel mixtures in an effort to put more air back into the en-gine
Types of Abnormal Combustion
Pre-ignition
* Defined as: ignition of the air/fuel mixture before the pre-set ignition timing mark * Caused by hot spots in the combustion chamber...can be caused (or amplified) by over advanced timing, too hot a spark plug, low octane fuel, lean air/fuel mixture, too high compression, or insufficient engine cooling * A change to a higher octane fuel, a colder plug, richer fuel mixture, or lower compression may be in order * You may also need to retard ignition timing, and check vehicle's cooling system * Pre-ignition usually leads to detonation; pre-ignition an detonation are two separate events
Detonation
* The spark plug's worst enemy! (Besides fouling) * Can break insulators or break off ground electrodes * Pre-ignition most often leads to detonation * Plug tip temperatures can spike to over 3000°F during the combustion process (in a racing engine) * Most frequently caused by hot spots in the combustion chamber. Hot spots will allow the air/fuel mixture to pre-ignite. As the piston is being forced upward by mechanical action of the connecting rod, the pre-ignited explosion will try to force the piston downward. If the piston can't go up (because of the force of the premature explosion) and it can't go down (because of the upward mo-tion of the connecting rod), the piston will rattle from side to side. The resulting shock wave causes an audible pinging sound. This is detonation. * Most of the damage than an engine sustains when "detonating" is from excessive heat * The spark plug is damaged by both the elevated temperatures and the accompanying shock wave, or concussion
Misfires
* A spark plug is said to have misfired when enough voltage has not been delivered to light off all fuel present in the combustion chamber at the proper moment of the power stroke (a few degrees before top dead center) * A spark plug can deliver a weak spark (or no spark at all) for a variety of reasons...defective coil, too much compression with incorrect plug gap, dry fouled or wet fouled spark plugs, insufficient ignition timing, etc. * Slight misfires can cause a loss of performance for obvious reasons (if fuel is not lit, no energy is be-ing created) * Severe misfires will cause poor fuel economy, poor driveability, and can lead to engine damage
Fouling
* Will occur when spark plug tip temperature is insufficient to burn off carbon, fuel, oil or other deposits * Will cause spark to leach to metal shell...no spark across plug gap will cause a misfire * Wet-fouled spark plugs must be changed...spark plugs will not fire * Dry-fouled spark plugs can sometimes be cleaned by bringing engine up to operating temperature * Before changing fouled spark plugs, be sure to eliminate root cause of fouling
Royal Mail (Recorded) – For UK customers only. This signed for service is for small items (e.g. keyrings, valve caps) under the value of £30.00. This service is NOT guaranteed next day delivery. Tracking numbers are available upon request. The price depends on the weight of the package, but is approximately £2.00 - £5.00
Parcel Force (UK) – For UK customers only. This method is for items over £30.00 in value. This is a signed for service and is guaranteed next day delivery (not including Saturdays). This is the most reliable UK service available. Tracking numbers are available upon request. The price for UK deliveries is £8.00.
Royal Mail International - Airmail (airsure) – This signed for service is for small items under the value of £30.00 only. Tracking numbers are available on request. The price depends upon the weight of the goods. You will be sent an e-mail with the delivery cost for your authorisation.
Available for the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Azores, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Canary Islands, Corsica, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madeira, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Slovak Republic, Spain, Spitzbergen, Sweden, Switzerland and USA.
Parcel Force (International) – For items over £30.00 in value. This signed-for service is the most reliable for international deliveries. Depending on the destination country, they aim to deliver within 2-3 working days. The price depends upon the size and weight of the goods. You will be sent an e-mail with the delivery cost for your authorisation
Product Use Notice:
When ordering, recognize that some products sold by Mini Mania may not be approved for highway use on public roads. These products are designed for show, off road driving or racing applications only. It is the buyer’s responsibility to ensure that their vehicle meets all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Buyer assumes all liability and risk associated with the use of high performance products and holds Mini Mania, Inc. harmless of any associated liability.
Important Note:
Products distributed by Mini Mania, but manufactured by others, are subject to their respective manufacturer's warranty. Contact that manufacture directly for warranty support. If results are less than satisfactory, we want to know! Contact us and we will be pleased to intervene on your behalf.
Maximum Performance with Mini-mum Stress Warranty backed performance
Mini Mania™ Limited Warranty The Mini Mania limited warranty is in effect for at least the remaining portion of your original new car limited warranty, often longer since it extends also for one year or 12,000 miles after you purchase the Mini Mania part or component. This means more miles, more coverage, more assurance that your MINI stays at peak performance miles beyond anyone else in the industry. Mini Mania stands behind its warranty. We have been in business since 1974. Mini Mania's customer service extends beyond the sale of the product. Our product warranty offers our customers the peace of mind that only product warranties can offer. Our intent is to back our products in a manner that protects you against product defects and damage caused by failure of a Mini Mania component. The Mini Mania warranty is intended to cover Mini Mania and/or ULTRIK manufactured products when they are used in the manner for which they were originally designed. Most Mini Mania parts and components will not impact your new car warranty. The warranty does not cover products subjected to improper installation, modification, misuse or customer neglect.
For MINIs covered under the Original Manufacturer's New Car Limited Warranty
If your MINI is currently covered by the new car limited warranty issued when the car was originally purchased, Mini Mania will warranty its Mini Mania and/or ULTRIK branded performance upgrades for the remaining term of the new car limited warranty up to 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Mini Mania warranties are transferable to subsequent owners of the car providing that the car falls within the original manufacturer's new car limited warranty criteria. To obtain service under the warranty, the vehicle must be transported to an authorized Mini Mania dealership or MINI dealership who will obtain authorization from Mini Mania to make the requested repairs. The facility will, with- out charge to the customer, either repair or replace the defective Mini Mania and/or ULTRIK branded part and/or the original vehicle manufacturer's part at the sole discretion of Mini Mania if it is determined that the Mini Mania and/or ULTRIK branded part caused the failure of the original vehicle manufacturer's part. Parts replaced by Mini Mania become the property of Mini Mania and/or the original vehicle manufacturer. In all cases, customers understand that a reasonable time period must be allowed to initiate and make warranted repairs to the vehicle.
For MINIs no longer covered by the Original Manufacturer's New Car Warranty
The Mini Mania limited warranty covers Mini Mania and/or ULTRIK branded products for two years, or 24,000 miles, from the date of the purchase, whichever is greater. Mini Mania's limited warranty is transferable to subsequent owners providing proof of original purchase can be presented. Mini Mania does not cover products subjected to improper installation, modification, misuse or customer neglect. In the event of a warranted claim, Mini Mania will, at its sole discretion, either replace or repair the failed component upon receipt of the Mini Mania and/or ULTRIK branded part. Labor charges associated with repair or replacement of a Mini Mania component will be reimbursed at the Mini Mania authorized standard rate based upon Mini Mania's schedule of flat rate labor costs. Mini Mania will not be responsible for consequential effects or damage to other components or systems. The defective Mini Mania part must be presented to Mini Mania or Mini Mania representative to verify defect and authorize repair or replacement.
Mini Mania's Limited Warranty Exclusions:
• Any vehicle operated in any competitive event; • brake rotor warp; • custom-designed competition parts; • damage attributable to negligence, improper installation, improper treatment or treatment contrary to the instructions in the owner's manual from the original vehicle manufacturer or Mini Mania's product instructions; • damage due to the failure to perform maintenance services at the specified intervals or in accordance with the instructions in the owner's manual from the original vehicle manufacturer or Mini Mania's product instructions; • damage occurring through corrosion resulting from weak or improper coolant; • damage resulting from environmental influences, flood, accident, fire damage, or road salt corrosion; • damage resulting from the unauthorized modification of a Mini Mania part or assembly; • damage resulting from the use of improper or contaminated fuel; • damage resulting from the use of other manufacturer's products in conjunction with Mini Mania products or systems; • damage to a component or assembly due to the installation of replacement parts with specifications that differ in any material respect from the original vehicle manufacturer's or Mini Mania parts; • damage to a Mini Mania component as a result of a collision or improper collision damage repairs; • damage to the clutch due to power shifting or abuse; • drive-belts; • engine damage resulting from altered boost pressure beyond that provided by Mini Mania products; • friction materials; • incidental and/or consequential damages, including loss of time, inconvenience or loss of the use of the vehicle; • light bulbs; • maintenance services and parts when replaced during maintenance such as spark plugs, lubricants, fluids, engine tune-up parts, replacement of filters, coolant and refrigerant; • mechanical adjustments or repairs which result from normal wear and tear; • towing charges; • return shipping charges. This warranty shall be null and void if the vehicle identification number has been altered or cannot be read; if the odometer has been replaced or altered and the true mileage cannot be determined; if the vehicle has been declared a total loss or sold for salvage purposes; or if the vehicle has been used in any competitive event.
General
The duration of any implied warranties, including the implied warranty of merchantability, is limited to the duration of the express warranties herein. Mini Mania, Inc. hereby excludes incidental and consequential damages, including loss of time, inconvenience, or loss of the use of the vehicle, for any breach of any express or implied warranty, including the implied warranty of merchantability, applicable to the product. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty applies to all Mini Mania and/or ULTRIK branded products purchased on or after July 1, 2004. Mini Mania, Inc. reserves the right to modify this warranty at its discretion and without notice. Mini Mania™ and the Mini Mania logo are trademarks of Mini Mania, Inc. ULTRIK and the ULTRIK logo are pending trademarks of Mini Mania, Inc.
Rev. 20041028A
Our Guarantee: Mini Mania will match the published price of any supplier in the USA! If you find an item advertised at a lower price from another US supplier, call us! We'll TRY to match that supplier's price -- see details below.
Quality, Service & Price Mini Mania, Inc. has been supplying parts and accessories Mini owners for over 30 years and we are proud to continue to offer you the best guarantee in the market.QualityProducts sold or designed by Mini Mania are chosen for the quality of performance, looks and price. If for ANY reason you are not 100% satisfied we gladly accept the product back within 15 days of purchase for a full refund. Please see our full Return Policybelow for details.ServiceOur 12,000 sq ft warehouse, a staff of 25 experts in their field, 12,000 parts number kept on hand, and $1,000,000 worth of inventory assures you of the utmost in service.
Prices & Price Matching We offer the best product at the best price available on every item in our store. All prices are listed in U.S. dollars. We do not have a currency converter in our store, but several Web sites provide this service. Orders placed at minimania.com will be charged in U.S. dollars. If you live outside the U.S., this charge is converted by your bank into your local currency and should appear on your credit card statement in that currency.
We will match the published price of any US supplier* -- even their current sales prices! If you find an item advertised at a lower price, make a notation in your online order, call or email us your price match request (see terms and details below). We'll sell you the SAME item at the SAME price! If you've already purchased the item from us, we'll even price match (for store credit only) as long as you contact us with your request within 10 days of placing your order.
This offer is restricted to identical items offered for sale in writing or on the web. When making your price match request, you must provide us with a link to the competitor's Internet URL for the item, a copy of the written ad or written quotation, which must include suppliers part number, description and price.
Price Match Terms and Fine Print
We may choose not to price match in some cases; here are some reasons why:
The competitor's product is not an exact match (identical manufacturer & model) with ours.
The competitor with the lower price does not have the item in stock at their warehouse.
The competitor's total price (including shipping, handling, rebates, taxes, etc.) is higher.
The competitor's product is used, refurbished, reconditioned, or a display model.
The competitor is not selling in US dollars.
The product is a clearance or closeout item.
The item is not found within the first 10 items listed on major search engine results.
The competitor is not manufacturer authorized or has advertised below the manufacturers minimum allowed price for the item.
* Qualified U.S. Suppliers are established businesses that routinely and regularly sell the item to be matched from an established physical storefront or warehouse.
While we endeavor to maintain the accuracy of item availability, descriptions and availability, we reserve the right to correct errors. We reserve the right to choose not to honor this offer.
How to Request a Price Match
Place an order on-line and leave a comment at checkout. Provide the competitor's name, part number, item description, URL link to the exact item and the competitor's price anlong with your request to price match. If we agree to match the price, your order will be processed at that adjusted price. In the event we cannot match the price, we will notify you by email. We will hold you order for 3 business days.
Alternately, you may call us with your request. We'd love to talk with you. We will generally respond to price match requests within one business day.
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Product shipped by Mini Mania is properly packaged and protected; therefore, damage in transit is the responsibility of the carrier. If a package appears damaged when you receive it, indicate the condition of the package on your receipt from the carrier. If damage is discovered upon opening the package, notify the carrier and Mini Mania immediately. Damage claims are handled through the carrier. Be sure to retain packing materials for carrier inspection.
Claims for missing items or error in shipment must be reported within 5 days of order receipt .
BACKORDERS
We endeavor to stock most of the items we sell. For Classic Minis, parts are frequently in limited supply and are difficult to keep on hand. the automatic shipment notification email you receive will identify backordered items and indicate the approximate date we expect to receive the item at our warehouse.
Shipment of items backordered is dependent upon our obtaining them from our various suppliers, many of which are overseas. Consolidated air freight shipments are made to us bi-monthly from the UK, which means obtaining the parts you order may take up to two shipment cycles (4-6 weeks). After 60 days has elapsed we may notify you that an item cannot be obtained and has been removed from your order. Please contact us if you would like us to re-order, as some items can become available again later.
Be sure to contact us if you wish to cancel your backorder to avoid unnecessary shipping and restocking charges once the item(s) you’ve ordered is shipped.
SPECIAL ORDERS
Some items are made available on a Special Order basis. These are typically items with very low demand that we choose not to keep in inventory, or items that are custom built or built to order. These items are ordered from their suppliers solely to fulfill your order. As such, these items require a 100% non-refundable deposit at the time the order is placed (power-unit orders require a $1,000 deposit before work begins). Because of the nature of Special Order items, your order cannot be cancelled once your order is accepted and deposit taken, nor can returns be accepted once the item has shipped.
Mini Mania Product Return Policy
PRODUCT RETURNSWe at Mini Mania value your satisfaction. We back up every sale with our Satisfaction Guarantee: If you're not fully satisfied with our products or service, we'll refund the purchase price.Please follow the instructions below carefully to ensure your return is accepted and processed promptly:1.Returned items must be in original condition,in original packaging, unused, uninstalled, unmarked and re-salable, with all documentation and packaging intact to be eligible for refund or credit.Electrical Components, VHS Tapes, DVDs, Software or Software Devices,Books and Special Order or Custom Built Items are not accepted for return.2.Call Mini Mania right away for a Return Authorization Number (RA#), with invoice in hand. Mini Mania will refuse unauthorized returns.If possible, speak with the Sales Tech who took your original order. A return authorization number will be provided for eligible returns.3.Include a copy of the original invoice in the box, including the completed return form included with the shipment. Write the RA# on the return form, and on the shipping label. Do not include the name of the Sales Tech who provided the RA# unless instructed to do so, or return processing may be unnecessarily delayed.4.Mini Mania must receive returned items within 15 days of your original receipt of the product to be eligible for a full refund. Items received between 15 and 45 days from date of receipt, or received without a copy of an Invoice, Return form and RA# are subject to a 15% re-stocking fee, and are eligible for store credit only. Returned items are subject to inspection prior to issuance of refund or credit. Credits or exchanges cannot be issued for used or incomplete returns. Items determined as ineligible for credit can be shipped back to the customer upon request, at customer’s expense. Unclaimed ineligible return items will be disposed of after 30 days.5.Send your package pre-paid, insured and traceable to:Mini Mania, Inc.Attn: Returns Dept.
870 Gold Flat Rd., Suite A
Nevada City, CA 95959Package your return merchandise carefully. Credit will not be given for returned merchandise damage incurred in transit. No UPS Call Tags will be issued. With the exception of returns caused by our error, shipping costs for returned items are the buyer's sole responsibility. We do not accept returns shipped to us "COD Freight", nor do we pay outgoing freight charges.Please allow up to 3 weeks for your return to be processed and credit applied or refund issued. Credit may take up to 2 billing cycles to appear on your Credit Card statement.Refused shipments returned to Mini Mania do not automatically qualify for credit.
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