Spark Plugs-Platinum or not?

[FirstToy]

I always thought it was the other way around-

copper plugs spark the best of all but wears extremely quickly.

platnium is not quite as good but lasts much longer so if you keep plugs in the same amount of time, the platnium w/ outperform the copper b/c of how quickly copper wears.

not sure if it's right but that's what I always thought...

 

[MaddBaggins]

Just to toss another wrench in this discussion: What about Denso iridium plugs?


I just use OEM, their cheap from Dan and I change them out once a year.

 

[cruiser88]

what about those pos split fires

 

[JohnnyC]

Platnium plugs do not "run" better. In a "properly" running engine with a properly functioning ignition, there will be no performance difference between a platnium or copper based plug. The major difference is that platnium plugs increase their gap slower than copper plugs as they wear, so they last longer.


In your case, you have an engine that has excessive blowby, and you are finding the platnium plug is not fouling as quickly. This is not a properly running engine.

which means they are a better plug than copper...

 

[IBCRUSN]

Iridiums are nice and largely used for extended time intervals like platinums and they hold up well to abuse (forced induction). The bonus is the center electrode can be made very small ~1mm and not shielded in ceramic like Bosch platinums. An interesting quote from a web article:

"One thing to keep in mind about all "performance" spark plug designs is that no plug can magically create horsepower out of thin air or add horsepower that wasn't there in the first place. But improved ignition reliability can minimize horsepower losses caused by misfires. That's why some plug manufacturers claim their spark plugs improve power. The gains come from power that was being lost to misfires."

If only people would read before they go out and buy magical plugs.

I don't know how many of you listen to Car Talk (reasonably informative and seriously funny) but here is some commentary from one of their shows:

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/2001/August/06.html

 

[cruiser88]

Iridiums are nice and largely used for extended time intervals like platinums and they hold up well to abuse (forced induction). The bonus is the center electrode can be made very small ~1mm and not shielded in ceramic like Bosch platinums. An interesting quote from a web article:

"One thing to keep in mind about all "performance" spark plug designs is that no plug can magically create horsepower out of thin air or add horsepower that wasn't there in the first place. But improved ignition reliability can minimize horsepower losses caused by misfires. That's why some plug manufacturers claim their spark plugs improve power. The gains come from power that was being lost to misfires."

If only people would read before they go out and buy magical plugs.

I don't know how many of you listen to Car Talk (reasonably informative and seriously funny) but here is some commentary from one of their shows:

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/2001/August/06.html

i really enjoy listening to those nuts

 

[DesertCruiser]

i really enjoy listening to those nuts

2nd that. Those guys are pretty funny.

 

[p8nt]

I just instslled the Octo-Nuke plug. Yeah, it has 8 firing tips and is made from depleated uranium. $97 each on ebay.

 

[MaddBaggins]

I just instslled the Octo-Nuke plug. Yeah, it has 8 firing tips and is made from depleated uranium. $97 each on ebay.

Are you $$hittin me! $97 bones!!!! Each??!! No spark plug is worth that, no matter what. I get OEMs from Dan for like 2 bucks each (or around that).

 

[Elijah]

Are you $$hittin me! $97 bones!!!! Each??!! No spark plug is worth that, no matter what. I get OEMs from Dan for like 2 bucks each (or around that).

I imagine that he's joking.

 

[turbocruiser]

Are you $$hittin me! $97 bones!!!! Each??!! No spark plug is worth that, no matter what. I get OEMs from Dan for like 2 bucks each (or around that).

Uhh, joke, big joke, unless of course he got them from the nutjob over in Iran; I think that depleted uranium plugs could be called glow-plugs even though they are not actually for diesels, no???

 

[JohnnyC]

ummmm uranium ;p

 

[cary]

I just instslled the Octo-Nuke plug. Yeah, it has 8 firing tips and is made from depleated uranium. $97 each on ebay.

Those things kick ass. I heard with the depleted uranium, you don't even need plug wires or an ignition anymore because they are always hot enough to cause ignition.

 

[Project FJ80]

LOL thats funny. Thanks. You made my day.
They may even supply your vehicle with 1.21 jigga-watts, enough to propell you back to the future. giving you the ability to buy your gas at 70's prices, then comming back to the future to use it.
anyways, thanks for the laugh.

 

[p8nt]

You got it cary! These plugs are the first step in a distributorless ignition!

Hehehe, just joking of course The main point had been made earlier in the post so I was just having some fun. The only thing you stand to gain from high grade plugs is a longer life of the plug itself.

Merry Christmas all