On Feb 13, 2012, at 1:54 = PM, Walter Atkinson wrote:

Since = September, Champion seems to have "softened" their position and are = trying to fix this problem that back in September they claimed did not = exist. This is sort of like TCM fixing the cylinder problem that = "never existed." = <g>

Walter

On Feb 13, 2012, at 11:21 AM, Kevin Stallard = wrote:

I found a response from = Champion. The usually finger pointing has begun=85

http://www.championaerospace.com/assets/Champion-F= ine-Wire-Spark-Plug-Service-Letter.pdf

From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On= Behalf Of Colyn Case
Sent: Saturday, February = 11, 2012 6:51 PM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Fwd: [LML] = Re: Tempest spark plugs

Lorn, you must have missed = this.

I've included an alternate link to what Ron put in because I = couldn't get that to work.

This is a very interesting read.

The problem was actually found on Champion = plugs.

TAT is recommending Champion massives. It looks to me = like TAT likes the 29 heat range and that Tempest doesn't make one of = those.

I'll seek clarification from = Walter.

Other very interesting stuff in this article: pictures of affected cylinders; pictures of the monitor trace; what to do if you see = that kind of a trace in flight.

http://www.taturbo.com/TATS= R22-SB11-05%20fine%20wire%20spark%20plugs%20initial%20release%20sept%2023%= 202011.pdf

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ron Laughlin <ronlaughlin@gmail.com>=

Date: February 9, 2012 10:29:21 AM EST

To: lml@lancaironline.net

Subject: [LML] Re: = Tempest spark plugs

Reply-To: = "Lancair Mailing List" <lml@lancaironline.net>=

Don't know if anyone brought this up yet but Tornado Alley = Turbos has
recently issued an "mandatory" service bulletin on fine wire plugs.
Apparently they are more prone to insulator cracks than the = massives.
When the insulation falls off they turn into "glow plugs" and can lead
to a detonation event. I think George has documented this. Here's = the
SB:

<TATSR22-SB11-05 fine wire spark plugs initial release sept 23 = 2011.pdf>

Ron

On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:37 AM, Tim Olson <Tim@myrv10.com> wrote:

The fine wire plugs are pretty darn durable. Mine = are

the Unison (now tempest) ones. I find that they're = easier

to clean with the walnut chip blaster because without = the

massive side electrodes, it's much easier to get down = in

them to clean them. They run real well for me. For = my

dollar, I'll go Tempest fine wire for sure. There's = nothing

magical about the Champions, and in fact you're = just

sticking with something older at that point when there = is

"new improved" available. The resistors alone are a good

reason to switch.

FWIW, I did the same thing with oil filters. After = buying

2 each of Champion, Kelly, and Tempest, I now only = buy

Tempest oil filters. The Kelly filters were just = too

flimsy. The champion are higher price with = lower

quality features.

Tim

On 2/8/2012 7:05 AM, Art Jensen = wrote:

Lorn,

Talked with Linda today. Still don't know the benefits of using = fine

wire (Iridium) versus massive other than price. Champion massive = are

$26.95 versus Tempest massive at $22.75. Champion fine wire = (Iridium)

$89.95 versus Tempest fine wire (Iridum) at $49.50. These prices = are

from Aircraft Spruce.

I like the idea of the center electrode and resistor being = fused

together as one piece. That new design is found in both types of = plugs

made by Tempest. The price difference between the two types of = plugs

should be no factor since the Fine wire (Iridium) are supposed = to last

1000 hours or more than the = massive.

According to Linda, the platinum plugs are no longer being manufactured.

I have a call in to tech. Support at Champion but have not heard = back

from them yet.

Art Jensen

------------------------------------------------------------------= ------

*From: * Lorn H Olsen <lorn@dynacomm.us>;

*To: * <lml@lancaironline.net>;<= /o:p>

*Subject: * [LML] Re: Tempest spark = plugs

*Sent: * Tue, Feb 7, 2012 5:28:43 = PM

Art,

Iridium spark plugs will last for 2,000 hours. With the Champion = plugs,

at 500 to 800 hours, you will either have to buy massive plugs = to swap

the resisters or buy new iridium plugs. I went to the junk yard = and

pulled good resisters out of used massive plugs. The Tempest = plug

resisters will stay good for the life of the = plug.

Other than the resisters, you will not be able to tell the = difference

between the iridium plugs. Make sure that you don't get the = older

platinum type.

To buy:

For good service with spark plugs call Linda Lou, Inc. in = Memphis, = Tn.

All Linda sells are plugs. She has replaced dropped plugs for me = in the

past. Linda also gave me the number of a Champion rep. I will = talk to

him in the near future and see if resisters or replacements = are

available for the high resistance Champion = plugs.

800-824-9912

Her prices for plugs are:

Tempest: $51.00

Champion: $89.95

Lorn

On Feb 7, 2012, at 6:00 AM, Lancair Mailing List = wrote:

> From: Art Jensen <flycassutts@yahoo.com <javascript:return>>

> Date: February 6, 2012 7:50:13 PM = EST

>

> All,

>

> Would like to hear from everyone using the tempest = spark plugs. Are

you satisfied with them? Do you think they are better than = Champion, and

why? Are you using the massive or fine wire? Help me make an = informed

decision.

>

> I am getting ready to order a new set of plugs. I = currently use the

RHB32E by Champion in my IO-550-N. I have no complaints with = these plugs

but wonder if the Tempest with their one piece resistor design = is better

as their ad would suggest.

>

> Thank you for your input

>

> Art Jensen

--

Lorn H. 'Feathers' Olsen, MAA, ASMEL, ASES, Comm, = Inst

DynaComm, Corp., 248-345-0500, mailto:lorn@dynacomm.us = <javascript:return>

LNC2, FB90/92, O-320-D1F, 1,800 hrs, N31161, Y47, SE Michigan

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