How does the price of the Tempest compare with Champion?

From Aircraft Spruce:

Tempest fine wires = 49.50 - 49.95
Champ fine wires = 93.75 - 112.95

Tempest massives = 21.50
Champ massives = 26.25 - 63.50

I'd be curious to hear more about what people are running and their experiences...

I just put in 12 Champ massives... my old Champions lasted years and hundreds of hours... THought briefly about fine wires but why tamper with success...they work just fine....

NGK from Autozone BR8ES $9.40 for all 4 with my Military Discount

Autolites...came in the engine new and work fine. I hate Champions..either in a plane or automobile..too high priced!

V-8 Ford in a hombuilt...... Best plugs I have even run in ANY motor..... Bosch FR 5 DTC.... I run 1725 f EGTs,, even melted a piston @ 1775 f during one of my test flights...... Plugs worked perfectly the whole time...

AvidFlyer wrote:NGK from Autozone BR8ES $9.40 for all 4 with my Military Discount

And 2 D cell batteries for the starter.

What is the supposed advantage of fine wire plugs versus massives? In my experience, with Slick mags the limiting factor on the spark plugs is the resistor inside (the "R" in the part number) building up too much resistance. When I had Slicks on my old 170, I was lucky to get much over 550 hours out of a set of plugs before they started running rough. Rule of thumb is 500. Bendix mags throw a hotter spark so with them I did run plugs to the point that excessive center-electrode erosion was the reason for replacement.
I have heard that fine-wires are supposed to be good for the life of the engine. Do the fine-wires have resistors inside? If so, even if they don't erode it seems like that would be the limiting factor, at least with slicks.
Think I'll stick with massives. BTW both Tempest plugs & oil filters are cheaper than Champion's.

Actually, fine wire plugs may last the life of two engines. Just don't drop one on concrete....

They also have much less tendency to lead foul than do massives.

I know a couple folks who tried the Tempest plugs and weren't impressed with longevity or reliability.

MTV

OregonMaule wrote:

AvidFlyer wrote:NGK from Autozone BR8ES $9.40 for all 4 with my Military Discount

And 2 D cell batteries for the starter.

Close

Voltage: 12.6 VDC, Energy: 5AH cap., Peak current: 250A instantaneous, Weight: 4.4 lbs., Size: 2.7"l x 3.5"w x 5.0"h



I just ordered an 11lb odyessey with 185CCA though for BCP this year. I'm tired of having starting issues when it's below 40 degrees....even though I can pull start it with the starter rope