Which plug to run?

[MotoGod]

OK so I'm finally starting to get into the nitro tuning madness, and I seem to be having slightly warmer temps than I'd like to see and I'm wondering if it's because I'm running an MC59 plug? I know it's a hotter plug....but would that increase my engine temps a decent amount?

OFNA Ultra MBX Buggy with a Force 26
-Seems to run @260-270ish on a warm day

Revo 3.3
-Runs @ 250 most times

When I was at the track and listening to others checking temps in their buggies and truggies most were 200 or lower for the most part...and this was after warm up before the race! So they did a good 4-6 laps on the track before temping it.

Could a plug make up that big of a difference? Or is it just the motors that prefer to run hot? Even when I richen them up, they start to run like utter crap....and the temps only go down 15-20 degrees at best.

So could it just be the plug I'm running? I have been running O'Donnell 20% (only had a quart), and now I have a gallon of Trinity Monster Horsepower 20% for free...so I've been running that instead. I'll probably go back to O'Donnell when this gallon is gone.

Both vehicles *seem* to be running OK. Pretty snappy on power down low, nice trail of smoke at full throttle or high RPM, so I don't *think* it's a tuning issue, but it very well could be since I'm still new to the Nitro scene.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

The plug doesn't really affect the engine temps; it's mainly used to adjust the ignition timing on the engine. A hotter plug ignites sooner and are usually used on smaller engines, and vice versa. Careful running a too hot plug though because you may get pre-ignition and burn a hole in the piston... not good lol

I forgot to add that I run an MC-59 in my Picco .26 and it runs perfectly. Temps around 230-250 at most.

 

[samrsnow]

Switch to a OS LC4 med plug on all of them. OR a MC8.

I noticed lower temps and more power with the LC4 vs the MC8 in my STS D28M engine in my savage.

 

[Scrogg]

Ofna puts in all their engine manuals to NOT use the MC-59.
I used to be a big MC-8 fan until I tried the O'Donnell's plugs.
The O'Donnell's purple sport plugs work the same as the MC-8 and last 3X longer and are cheaper.
I bought 6 O'D. plugs off towerhobbies for 30 bucks shipped. I have yet to blow one or even distort one running too lean.
I have a Hot Bodies Powerhouse .26, almost the same as your Ofna. Ofna made the engine actually. It runs warm and does not produce much power at all. Not happy with it.
A Sportwerks .26 will smoke it from bottom to top.
Basically it's just a poor performer.

 

[MotoGod]

Yeah, I mean the Force 26 seems to be just an OK engine. It's running hotter than I'd like to see, and not really producing much in the way of power or speed. Other guys walk away from me when I'm WFO and they are feathering the throttle. lol It goes like a bat out of hell in my yard, but nothing else to compare it to there...so you know.

I never got the manual with this buggy....so never read to not use an MC59 actually.

The buggy is up for sale at the moment anyway. I need a more race oriented rig. I do love the buggy though....it's been GREAT to me thus far....and if it doesn't sell I may just slap a new engine on it and go for it anyway. Chassis is still near new, and even though it's slightly older tech....it's not too far off from what's out there now visually.

 

[Scrogg]

A good race engine, the right tires and a good setup will put it at a competitve level for club racing.
I'd go with a more up to date race platform if you are serious about racing.

 

[MotoGod]

Just getting into the racing thing....so not super serious at the moment. Not sure I ever will be super serious. Just focusing at the club level for now. I was looking at slapping an OS .21 on it.... I have an OS Max 30VG, but I think that's gonna be too much....as far as power AND fuel consumption. I hear the 21s have plenty of sack, and get better run times....

 

[Scrogg]

The .30 does not do to bad on a buggy actually, put a carb restrictor in it to get a little more runtime. I have seen one run in a Hot Bodies buggy. It's still not as powerful as race .21 though. You can go up a tooth on the CB as well to gain some runtime. It would be better than the .26 for sure.
STAY away from the .21 VG, the run hot and don't last. ABL construction.
The .21 Vspecs are rockets but you have to keep a close eye on the bearings, expect to change the stockers after break-in and then put a good ceramic main bearing in it.
Then all you need to do is put a front bearing every 1 1/2 gallons to make it last.
Another excellent mill for the money is the JPX .21, it will run with anything on a track. Same thing with the bearings, all high end race engines need them replaced regularly.