Spark Plug 8 vs 9

[ltdman]

What do you guys out there suggest running in a 1980 Invader 440 LTD 4/6? NGK B8ES or a NGK B9ES. It had 3 BR9ES and 1 BR8ES(what some people do)  in it when I got the sled. Do we really need resistor plugs? I think not!

[gixxer6]

Br9es.  If a sled is designed to run a resistor plug, run a resistor plug...  In some cases, it's not just so it won't mess up your TV when you run it.  It can effect the electrical system. 

[mswyka]

The specified plug is the BR9ES.  There are other versions of the No. 9 plug available that may not have been available when Kawasaki made sleds.  We have switched to all BR9EYA.  These have a split electrode that has been more reliable for us. 

[Checkmarks]

Now if you are looking for very expensive plugs for your 4/6 motor you can run BR9eix.  If a person is "looking" for a fouled plug, buying four new ones at a time is pricey.  Trying to find the fouled plug when you have two plugs one for each cylinder is easy peazy, I challenge you to find the one fouled in a 4/6 or 81-82 mono motor.

The bonus of the BR9eix plugs is I have yet to have one ever foul!  Your previous owner must have been saving money and had a 8 on the shelf.  Even with knowledge how to "unfoul" a plug in my tool box, on the trail when trouble finds you it can cause nightmares.  Had to shell out the coin for the BR9eix but then...

Last of the bonus is plug inspection for A/F mix.  The eix plugs tip shines clean when your jetting is right.

[ltdman]

By not using resistor plugs, will it harm the electrical system? I just put in the new B8ES's, but I haven't fired it up yet. I'm going to pull them back out, for the time being.

[mswyka]

Don't know the answer.  We have only run resister plugs in these sleds.

[rminier]

Good read on this subject at www.ehow.com-----Resistor V. Non-resistor Sperk Plugs for an ATV.  I usually run Resistor plugs but have run standard ones in various sleds, including a 440  Invader with no noticeable difference in run quality. I seem to remember reading something in the past when I was troubleshooting an ignition problem with an '83 Yamaha VMax (turned out CDI was bad) that made reference to ALWAYS using a resistor plug when called for AND, to further complicate matters. using the correct NGK spark plug cap that had the matching 5K Ohm resistance rating.

[ltdman]

A big thank you goes out to all you great members of KawasakiTrax, for all the helpful information on Resistor plugs vs Non Resistor plugs. The old Vader LTD 4/6 is getting 4 new Resistor plugs asap! We gotta take care of these vintage sleds the best we know how.  Thanks Again.

[kawhead]

br9eya works well for me,not as much fouling with short runs....and i spent quite a bit of time sat. in deep, loose ditches with a lot of spinning high rpm 'cackle time',she loved it

[ltdman]

I see a few of you guys like the BR9EYA . Is this a pricey plug? Don't mind going the extra few bucks if downtime is minimized, especially if your out on a cold snowy night, in the mountains, away from civilization and by yourself...can it get any worse? I guess it could!!

[58Evinrude]

I think the BR9EYA plugs are about a buck more each? Not a lot, and I run them in my Yammi SRV and my Mach 1. When I get the Kawi running it will have them in it too. They seem to resist fouling better than the standard plugs.

[rminier]

Hmmm. First I've heard about using BR9EYA plugs, may have to give them a try. Dennis Kirk shows standard BR9ES plugs are 2.58 apiece. BR9EYA are 3.95. BR9EIX are 10.95. I hate paying that much for the iridium plugs. I have used them and really haven't noticed much difference from standard plugs. I almost always install new plugs each fall, and with 3 sleds using this same plug it is real easy to shell out roughly 7.50 vs. 33.00 bucks. NGK site shows the main difference between standard ES and the EYA is the grooved center electrode, but certainly sounds worth a try.

[rminier]

Whoops, never was very good at math, I should have checked my work---6 BR9ES plugs are about $15.50. Six BR9EIX would be nearly $66.00! Knew there was a reason I have been going "cheap" the last few years when buying new plugs.

[ltdman]

Check out your local Auto Zone stores. I was just there yesterday and picked up some BR9ES plugs, $2.49 a piece+.15 tax which puts them with Kirk's price. Though I don't pay tax, going through my business. If just buying a few plugs through Kirk,they might get expensive with shipping  on the other hand, there free shipping which doesn't kick in till you reach $75.00, that's around 29 plugs...that could keep your sled going for some time.