Andy:

I have a low time 1999 AMT Mercury that I had Bennie upgrade to his new auto-airstart V2 ECU.....I use Rossi R-8 plugs exclusively......I haven't mounted it in my ARF Bandit yet, but bench running, about 10 runs so far, plug is still going......I also have an auto-airstart Olympus NL, also only bench run with an R-8 plug and it is still good after about 10-15 bench runs.....I have run my Peggy NL electric autostart for 120+ runs on a plug.....

One of the nice things about the newer ECU's from AMT USA and NL is that you don't have to screw with the external igniter......I would check your plug voltage under load, pull out the coils no more than 1/8", and anneal the plug with a glow driver for 15 secs as previously recommended......Last time I checked, I think my voltage was 2.45......No way for user to change this without talking to factory to open up the ECU, but with my Peggy, I have not had to touch anything, now on my third season with that motor....

It would be nice if you could borrow an EDT to check startup parameters..... if the plug stays on too long after ignition, plug life can be shortened......you can also check that by putting a voltmeter across the plug during startup....it should turn of with 2-3 seconds after light-off and initial temp rise....

Tom