Why Modern Hemi Engines Have 16 Spark Plugs Instead Of 8

Back successful nan days of carburetors and cigaret lighters being communal successful dashboards, a Gen-II Hemi didn't request a batch of spark plugs to beryllium a point. Eight cylinders, 8 spark plugs — simple, loud, and unapologetic. But erstwhile Chrysler rolled retired nan Gen-III Hemi successful 2003 successful nan Dodge Ram, things sewage a small brighter. Suddenly, each cylinder had 2 spark plugs, bringing nan count to 16 crossed engines for illustration nan 5.7-liter, 6.2-liter, and 6.4-liter Hemi offerings. 

The original 1950s Chrysler FirePower (331-cubic-inch V8) was a pioneer Hemi engine. It had large hemispherical combustion domes that fto aerial and substance operation freely and detonate efficiently — which is wherever nan sanction Hemi came from. But that dome besides created a problem: 1 spark plug couldn't ignite nan full complaint evenly. The consequence was that  spot of unburned substance would beryllium near successful immoderate parts of nan dome.

After a number of years, Chrysler engineers solved this by adding a 2nd spark plug. Two ignition points mean a faster, much complete burn, better powerfulness and performance, less emissions, and a mini bump successful substance efficiency. It wasn't astir doubling horsepower — but astir cleaning up nan ignition. Still, old-school Hemi fans can't thief but smirk. The modern Hemi mightiness pain cleaner, but it judge doesn't consciousness and smell for illustration nan aged ones. 

So yes, 2 plugs per cylinder makes consciousness — from an engineering standpoint. But from a car owner's wallet? That's different story. Sixteen spark plugs mean double nan parts, double nan labor, and double nan cursing, particularly erstwhile looking retired for a busted one. Also, these engines nutrient much power since 2 plugs are sparking successful union. Lastly, nan prime of substance matters. Pricier precocious octane is suited much to Hemi engines to max its performance.

However, nan other plugs thief by improving ignition control, smoothing retired combustion timing, and making nan motor conscionable a small spot cleaner. By ensuring unchangeable ignition, they besides helps successful reducing sound and gives drivers a better throttle response. It's smart engineering, conscionable not peculiarly idealistic. Back successful nan '60s, erstwhile a Hemi coughed earthy substance retired nan tailpipes, nary 1 cared. Today, you can't moreover commencement 1 without a machine nodding approval. Progress, right?

In fairness, dual plugs make nan Hemi amazingly refined for a 400-horsepower bruiser. They amended acold starts, summation horsepower, trim motor load, and smoothen retired operation. But for purists, it feels for illustration trading whiskey for greenish tea. Sure, it's amended for you, but it doesn't rather person nan aforesaid kick. So, is it worthy it? Technically, yes. Financially, possibly not.  Spiritually? Let's conscionable opportunity nan classical eight-plug Hemi still wins successful nan car shed of nostalgia, wherever a small inefficiency was portion of nan fun.