SPARK Plug & Wires: The BASICS (FM Live)

This week on FM Live, Mike Usrey gives us all the details you want to know about Spark Plugs and Wires. Are performance wires really better? How do you know when to change your plugs? Why do I want a "cooler" plug? Tune in for all this and more!
Magnecor Performance Wires:
www.flyinmiata...
NGK Heat Range 7 Race Plugs:
www.flyinmiata...
NGK Extended Reach Heat Range 6 Plugs:
www.flyinmiata...
NGK Iridium Plugs for NC:
www.flyinmiata...
Original Live video recorded 7-15-21. Join us on Facebook every Thursday at 2:00 PM Mountain Time for new live content, and don't forget to subscribe to our KZbin channel to keep up with all our Miata videos!
Flyin' Miata is the world leader in Miata performance. We offer a wide range of parts for all years of the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
www.flyinmiata.com​​​​​​​​​​​​​
970-464-5600 • [e-mail]

[@Rumnhammer]

I got my first set of Magnacores from FM back when they were the Dealer alternative and were in NJ......fast forward 20 years and they finally wore out mainly from age and started arcing over to the the cam cover. I got my new ones from FM a few years ago and I think they are the best choice for performance and longevity. Also you should mention that painting your cam cover is good added insurance against the wires arcing over as well.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Good tip!

[@mxwizzard]

Can you please do a segment on aftermarket seats for larger drivers both taller and wider

[@Ahelow]

Yes 🙌🏼

[@travdripdrip382]

Amen brother!!!!!

[@GR44N]

Remove the humps from the floor pan and install some Corbeau seats

[@Yowzoe]

Thanks for the basic information and cutting through some of the marketing & forum hyperbole. I have a 93 M45 supercharged. Not much highway use, and though I don’t drive it very hard at all it does get a bit hot. I’ll go with the copper plug, but with a heat range 6. Thanks.

[@SAMen07]

Thankyou for the video! Useful information.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Thanks for watching!

[@LukeEvans55]

What is the benefit to modifying an NA/NB to a coil on plug system?

[@robthompson819]

I live in the UK, I have a 1.8 NB 2000 model, I have a flat spot when I blip the accelerator and a bit of hesitation until I get the revs right up, I’ve replaced plugs and leads but still there, what’s your opinion on this please ?, Love the FM channel 👍

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

If you have ignition issues like coils, plugs, etc., you'll usually have more of an issue in the higher RPM range......but not all the time. I'd check to make sure that you don't have any vacuum leaks. If the engine is getting unmetered air, it'll throw the fueling off.

[@robthompson819]

@@FlyinMiataVideo thank you, I think unmetered air is the problem it’s got a filter fitted on the cam cover on the exhaust side which I believe it’s a big issue having this filter

[@j.acencc6273]

So heat cycle 6 iridium. And some ngk wires are good? for a stock mx5 nb2 that gets driven like a sports car should be (spirited driving) on weekends.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

@j.acencc6273 Those should work well for your MX5!

[@egilsaerman8769]

Okay so two years later, there are these Ruthenium spark plugs (i didn't even know that was on the periodic table!), have you guys tried those? Know if they're worth the money? They seem to be pretty cool

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We haven't tried them yet, and they seem to be the budget iridium option, or the closest thing to it, with similar advantages from its properties.

[@chrisyo2178]

Does the gap size matters ? I would love to know what gap should i use for an 2006 nc 1.8l! Thanks!

[@corybohn2013]

Would laser iridium spark plugs do well for a spirited driver in a stock nb?

[@chrisyo2178]

I want to change the sparks on my stoc nc1 1.8 l. , what gap size do you think is better ? Thanks!

[@brucegarley2344]

Logged on a little late. My question was ... My NB2 was misfiring and I first replaced the plugs, without fixing. Then replaced the wires without fixing. Finally put in new coils and that solved it. How could I have diagnosed a coil problem right from the start?

[@kyleneujahr]

I had this on my NB2, but I had a melted coil so it was an easy diagnosis. I realize this doesn't answer your question.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

In the video Mike discusses pulling the plug and wire from the head and laying it over an unpainted surface while firing the engine. If there is no spark, you have an issue. If the wire is good and spark plug is good, then you can probably bet it's the coil pack.

[@josephiacono5413]

I don't know which why where the wire goes to the coil pack because I took them all off and I didn't mark them how do I know what to put them back

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

The correct wire arrangement depends on the year of the Miata. Contact our tech support team directly, they'll be able to help you out.

[@blue04mx53]

On my bone stock 2004 NB the wires and plugs have not been replaced. I can't see any visible damage to the wires. I am a weekend and occasional track driver. The car has about 70 thousand Km(43k miles) on it ( low right?) Does it make sense for me to go with the magnecor wires now? Will I notice any power improvement with new and different wires/plugs? Like everyone else I'm looking for any kind of improvement that is easy to do ! Thanks :)

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Unless the ignition system is currently experiencing an issue (deterioration of spark energy) and exhibiting poor cylinder combustion (i.e. misfire and/or stumbling caused by poor spark), then the Magnecor spark plug wires and new plugs likely won't make a noticeable difference in power in a stock MSM. Even though they haven't reached Mazda's specified maintenance interval of 60,000-75,000 miles, the age of the wires may be enough that the insulation is breaking down and it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace them anyway. Spark plugs for NAs and NBs are cheap (www.flyinmiata.com/default/ngk-extended-reach-spark-plugs.html), so if in question, the easy answer is just to get a new set. : )

[@michaelh.9866]

Hi Mike! What do you think of filing back the "tang", so it's in the middle of the electrode? It used to be a go fast thing.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We haven't seen a benefit to do this - it's much more important for Miatas to have the correct gap for their application (N/A, low boost, high boost, etc.) and to regap or replace the plugs when they are worn down.

[@michaelh.9866]

@@FlyinMiataVideo Thanks!

[@garrettkelley8594]

how to check ohm on na 1.6 coil pack

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

The manual has a procedure to check the primary and secondary circuit but we've found that a coil can still be bad even when they pass those tests. Sometimes, you just gotta put a known good part in to make sure.

[@johnm.3278]

Just get on with it! NA NGK wirers and plugs are good enough! Jeeze! we just want to stop hesitation and Sputter on take off. Who gives a F about mods and turbo!!!

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Turbo makes everything better... so we care.... we care a lot ;)

[@cwaldrip]

Diesel Miata?!? When’s FM selling that engine replacement? Lol…

[@johnm.3278]

Adderall may help you.

[@francoguillen25]

What kind of oil and filter does FM recommend for an NB1?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We carry an extended capacity oil filter and usually use synthetic 10W30.