Miata Mailing List: October 1994, Message #145
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   From: mbooth@electriciti.com (Mark E. Booth)
Subject: RE: plugs/plug wires/timing
   Date: Mon, 10 Oct 1994 12:28:38 -0400

Randy Meyer wonders about plugs, plug wires and timing...
 
Randy,
Plugs first.  I recommend you steer clear of the Splitfire plugs.  Yes,
they will give you a slight increase in mileage.  However, the savings
realized by the increase in mileage are easily eaten up by the cost of the
plugs.  (I was unable to confirm any power increase during the 20K miles I
had Splitfires in my car.)  On the down side (a serious one in my opinion),
the design of the Splitfire plug is such that it stretches out your plug
wire boots!  If you install Splitfires you have to STAY with Splitfires. 
There are several reports from various Miata folks (on CIS in Miataville)
of the plug wire boots actually "welding" (sticking) to the Splitfire
plugs.  They had to cut them off to remove the plugs, thus destroying the
wires.  Personally, I didn't have this problem but I did feel it was
necessary to replace my wires when I switched back to the NGK plugs because
the boots seemed stretched out.
 
Wires:  Just go with the new NGK blue ones now sold by your Mazda dealer. 
If you purchase them from one of the dealers in Miata Mag you can get them
for a nice fat 20% off.  It not only makes them the least expensive
alternative but you also end up with FACTORY wires (which MAY become a
warranty consideration at some point).
 
Can't comment about the timing.  I set mine at 10 degrees as recommended.
 
Mark