MINI Generation 1 (2000 - 2007)
- IK20 For the standard or lightly tuned MINI R50 /R52 One, Cooper or standard R52/53Cooper S, JCW or GP. ...
- IK22 For a lightly tuned MINI R52/ R53 Cooper S, JCW or GP where supercharger boost levels have been increased such as when running a reduced size supercharger pulley or being used for more spirited driving. ...
- IK24 ...
- IK27 ...
Full Answer
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What is a racing spark plug?
However, the term "Racing spark plugs" is generally just an indicator of the colder heat ranges available from the standard stock spark plug specified for your particular Mini.
What kind of ring does a NGK spark plug have?
All the above mentioned NGK spark plugs have a Platinum ring around the electrode tip, NGK also provide the following with an Iridium electrode tip, however be careful as the following have a tip projection of 1mm extra in length over the above!
What is the best metal for spark plugs?
Now that you have seen the thermal and conductivity chart, we can see that Silver is the best of all metals when it comes to thermal and electrical conductivity, so why not fit these instead of the more popular Platinum and Iridium? Very simply, you would need a more regular maintenance schedule, unlike the Platinum and Iridium spark plugs, which can be fit and forgotten about for 20,000 miles +. If you use or consider using Silver or Copper spark plugs, remember these will require more frequent service schedule replacements than the Platinum or Iridium. If you are looking for more performance over longevity, or you track your Mini, then you should be aware and looking if not using other alternatives to Platinum or Iridium.
What temperature should a spark plug be?
The term spark plug heat range refers to the speed with which the plug can transfer heat from the combustion chamber to the engine cylinder head, it has been found the optimum combustion chamber temperature for petrol engines is between 500 degrees C – 850 degrees C. Within this range it is cool enough to avoid pre-ignition and plug tip overheating which can cause engine damage, while still being hot enough to burn off combustion deposits which cause fouling.
Why is it important to keep spark plugs cool?
The spark plug can help maintain the optimum combustion chamber temperature.
What is a hot plug?
A “hot plug” has a much slower rate of heat transfer, which keeps the firing tip hotter.
Is a colder spark plug good for stock engine?
As you may have guessed, the answers to the above questions are not straight forward. Very basically, the answers to questions Q2 / Q3 are YES, with a caution in understanding the effects a colder heat range spark plug may have when fit into a stock engine!
What kind of ring does a NGK spark plug have?
All the above mentioned NGK spark plugs have a Platinum ring around the electrode tip, NGK also provide the following with an Iridium electrode tip, however be careful as the following have a tip projection of 1mm extra in length over the above!
What is the best metal for spark plugs?
Now that you have seen the thermal and conductivity chart, we can see that Silver is the best of all metals when it comes to thermal and electrical conductivity, so why not fit these instead of the more popular Platinum and Iridium? Well very simply, you would need a more regular maintenance schedule, unlike the Platinum and Iridium spark plugs, which can be fit and forgotten about for 20,000 miles + if you use or consider using Silver or copper spark plugs, remember these will require more frequent service schedule replacements than the Platinum or Iridium, if you are looking for more performance over longevity, or you track your Mini, then you should be aware and looking if not using other alternatives to Platinum or Iridium.
What temperature should a spark plug be?
The term spark plug heat range refers to the speed with which the plug can transfer heat from the combustion chamber to the engine cylinder head, it has been found the optimum combustion chamber temperature for petrol engines is between 500 degrees C – 850 degrees C when it is within this range it is cool enough to avoid pre-ignition and plug tip overheating which can cause engine damage, while still being hot enough to burn off combustion deposits which cause fouling.
Why is a spark plug hot?
A “hot plug” has a much slower rate of heat transfer, which keeps the firing tip hotter.
Can you change spark plugs at the same time?
Do not make spark plug changes at the same time as another engine modification such as different injectors/timing changes different boost loadings from your chosen forced induction, as in the event of poor results, it can lead to misleading and inaccurate conclusions, an exception would be when the alternate plugs came as part of a single precalibrated upgrade kit. When making spark plug heat range changes, it is better to err on the side of too cold a plug. The worst thing that can happen from too cold a plug is a fouled spark plug, too hot a spark plug can cause severe engine damage!
Do you need a resistor spark plug for a mini?
So your now thinking about the possibility of a better performing spark plug, with the Mini you must run a Resistor spark plug, if you were to run a non Resistor spark plug you will have issues with the electronic steering system and the electronic throttle (drive by wire system) So lets now forget about stock/standard Platinum and Iridium spark plugs, and concentrate on PERFORMANCE, if you want the best performance then you have to look at Silver or Copper, as you can clearly see from the thermal and electrical conductivity chart, these two materials are No 1 Silver and 2nd Copper, so you've upgraded your engine/fuel system/ignition system (wires and coil or coil overs in the case of those running gen 2 or converted your gen 1 to coil overs) and had your Mini tuned, why are you still running Platinum or Iridium spark plugs? the noticeable difference can be quite significant, when running Silver or Copper spark plugs, Just because these tend to be aimed at and marketed as Performance/Racing spark plugs, does not mean their sole purpose is for track use, however the term, Racing spark plugs, are generally just an indicator of the colder heat ranges available from the standard stock spark plug specified for your particular Mini.
Do spark plugs fit in stock engine?
As you may have guessed the answers to the above questions are not straight forward, very basically the answers to questions 2/3 are YES , with a caution in understanding the effects a colder heat range spark plug may have when fit into a stock engine!
