PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

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SlowFlight
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PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by SlowFlight »

I switched from Champion massive plugs to Tempest fine wire plugs and am happy to report that the reoccurring plug fouling issue I was experiencing seems resolved. Previously, I would frequently get rough running during run-up mag checks even after aggressive leaning during ground ops.

The rough running / fouling was resolved by replacing the bottom plugs. I purchased a set of eight, though, so this week I replaced the top plugs as well.

The engine does run noticeably more smooth, too.

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Re: PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by mikentra »

Thank you for the PIREP! Are there any issues with just changing the bottom plugs and having the fine wire plugs mixed with the massive plugs?
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Re: PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by Gasser »

There is no issues and some recommend this.
I use fine wires in all 8 spots and mine now runs LOP great now.
Jeff

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2006 SR22, A/C, TKS, AVIDYINE PFD/MFD, IFD 540/440, AXP322 remote ADS-B TRANSPONDER, AMX240 AUDIO PANEL, MLB100 ADS B in.
168 KTAS 9,000' msl @ 13.6 gph LOP. 1005 pound useful load.
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Re: PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by SlowFlight »

Forgot to mention, as Jeff noted, that I can run LOP as well now. LOP wasn't tolerable before.
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Re: PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by c2mlp »

I know this may a rather silly question, but what are the claimed benefits of the fine wire plugs? Are the benefits really worth 3x the cost of the regular massive-element plugs?
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Re: PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by SlowFlight »

An hour and thirty on spark plugs by Mike Busch: http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=1826468805001

Pros: minute 0:39 he talks about fine wires and fouling (as well as alternatives to using fine wires to prevent fouling), hour 1:01 in the Q&A he talks about fine wire vs massives. Hour 1:28 he talks about mixing fines and massives (the last question in the Q&A) to fix fouling issues. He notes:

- No clear cut answer to which is better.
- Main advantage is resistance to fouling.
- If not having problems with fouling, may not be a compelling reason to go for the higher priced plugs.
- 3x - 4x longer life.
- Mixing fines and massives is fine.

Whether you run with massives or fine wires, he suggests staying far away from Champions.

I didn't try running LOP with fines on the bottom and massives on top, so could not say definitively it was the switch to all fines that made LOP operation a more comfortable experience. The engine does sound better, starts are faster.

Maybe it's just a placebo affect from having spent $500+ on the fines ...
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Re: PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by Gary »

SlowFlight wrote:An hour and thirty on spark plugs by Mike Busch: http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=1826468805001

Pros: minute 0:39 he talks about fine wires and fouling (as well as alternatives to using fine wires to prevent fouling), hour 1:01 in the Q&A he talks about fine wire vs massives. Hour 1:28 he talks about mixing fines and massives (the last question in the Q&A) to fix fouling issues. He notes:

- No clear cut answer to which is better.
- Main advantage is resistance to fouling.
- If not having problems with fouling, may not be a compelling reason to go for the higher priced plugs.
- 3x - 4x longer life.
- Mixing fines and massives is fine.

Whether you run with massives or fine wires, he suggests staying far away from Champions.

I didn't try running LOP with fines on the bottom and massives on top, so could not say definitively it was the switch to all fines that made LOP operation a more comfortable experience. The engine does sound better, starts are faster.

Maybe it's just a placebo affect from having spent $500+ on the fines ...
I had problems with several Champion fine wire plugs and now run all Tempest.
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Re: PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by Tim H »

Is the correct p/n UREM38S? I am seriously considering picking up a set at OSH.
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Re: PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by SlowFlight »

Tim H wrote:Is the correct p/n UREM38S? I am seriously considering picking up a set at OSH.
TEMPEST SPARK PLUG UREM38S XL
Part #: 08-01234 from Aircraft Spruce
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Re: PIREP: Tempest Fine Wire Plugs

Post by Gasser »

I've posted this elsewhere but I will again

GAMI recommends Tempest across the board. They explained they were having problems with the resistance in the champions going too high putting a lot of stress on the ignition system. They think its why my harness burned up....literally.

Tempest evidently uses a different kind of resistor that tends to not change over time. They also had a problem with the champion fine wires cracking in the insulator in there turbo installations.

I've had my fine wire plugs in now for 50 hrs or so now and just love them. It's nice to be able to rapidly pull the fuel out to 8.5 gph or even lower and run smooth LOP. I can see efficiencies of around 16.5 to 17 mpg. Not bad while crusing in the high 130s to low 140s.
Jeff

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2005 DA40 SOLD
2006 SR22, A/C, TKS, AVIDYINE PFD/MFD, IFD 540/440, AXP322 remote ADS-B TRANSPONDER, AMX240 AUDIO PANEL, MLB100 ADS B in.
168 KTAS 9,000' msl @ 13.6 gph LOP. 1005 pound useful load.
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