Spark Plugs- Which are the best?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 161
From: Madison, WI
Spark Plugs- Which are the best?
Just wondering what everyone has to say about plug selection.
I was thinking about the NGK Platinum or Iridium, and I am looking for opinions on these or any other plug.
Thanks
I was thinking about the NGK Platinum or Iridium, and I am looking for opinions on these or any other plug.
Thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 49
From: alpharetta ga
Nology (Silverstone) spark plugs are the best
www.Nology.com
www.Nology.com
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6
just for clarification, coppers are not only cheaper, but will give you generally better performance as well. copper is a high conductance (low impedance) material. it conducts electricity well (only gold and silver conduct better), which is why it is used for most wires (also cheap). this means that it will give you a better spark (better performance, gas mileage, smoothness, etc) than platinum, and be much cheaper.
the only problem with copper is that it will eventually corrode after being exposed to air. this is why it must be replaced relatively often. platinum on the other hand, is very resistant to corrosion and has been known to last up to 100,000 miles and more. the drawback is that your spark will be just a little bit weaker, which robs a little performance (you might not even notice). also platinum costs quite a bit more (but the price is close to equal when you consider how much longer they last).
as far as iridium plugs, they're relatively new and somewhat trendy. my guess is that they're all hype and combine some of the different characteristics of copper and platinum. i have not used them myself so you'll have to do your own research to be sure.
in the end most people agree go with a good brand name copper for the better performance and save a couple bucks, just make sure to change them according to the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. don't forget to check your wires too.
the only problem with copper is that it will eventually corrode after being exposed to air. this is why it must be replaced relatively often. platinum on the other hand, is very resistant to corrosion and has been known to last up to 100,000 miles and more. the drawback is that your spark will be just a little bit weaker, which robs a little performance (you might not even notice). also platinum costs quite a bit more (but the price is close to equal when you consider how much longer they last).
as far as iridium plugs, they're relatively new and somewhat trendy. my guess is that they're all hype and combine some of the different characteristics of copper and platinum. i have not used them myself so you'll have to do your own research to be sure.
in the end most people agree go with a good brand name copper for the better performance and save a couple bucks, just make sure to change them according to the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. don't forget to check your wires too.
Originally Posted by someone2
just for clarification, coppers are not only cheaper, but will give you generally better performance as well. copper is a high conductance (low impedance) material. it conducts electricity well (only gold and silver conduct better), which is why it is used for most wires (also cheap). this means that it will give you a better spark (better performance, gas mileage, smoothness, etc) than platinum, and be much cheaper.
the only problem with copper is that it will eventually corrode after being exposed to air. this is why it must be replaced relatively often. platinum on the other hand, is very resistant to corrosion and has been known to last up to 100,000 miles and more. the drawback is that your spark will be just a little bit weaker, which robs a little performance (you might not even notice). also platinum costs quite a bit more (but the price is close to equal when you consider how much longer they last).
as far as iridium plugs, they're relatively new and somewhat trendy. my guess is that they're all hype and combine some of the different characteristics of copper and platinum. i have not used them myself so you'll have to do your own research to be sure.
in the end most people agree go with a good brand name copper for the better performance and save a couple bucks, just make sure to change them according to the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. don't forget to check your wires too.
the only problem with copper is that it will eventually corrode after being exposed to air. this is why it must be replaced relatively often. platinum on the other hand, is very resistant to corrosion and has been known to last up to 100,000 miles and more. the drawback is that your spark will be just a little bit weaker, which robs a little performance (you might not even notice). also platinum costs quite a bit more (but the price is close to equal when you consider how much longer they last).
as far as iridium plugs, they're relatively new and somewhat trendy. my guess is that they're all hype and combine some of the different characteristics of copper and platinum. i have not used them myself so you'll have to do your own research to be sure.
in the end most people agree go with a good brand name copper for the better performance and save a couple bucks, just make sure to change them according to the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. don't forget to check your wires too.
Very well said....
Originally Posted by someone2
just for clarification, coppers are not only cheaper, but will give you generally better performance as well. copper is a high conductance (low impedance) material. it conducts electricity well (only gold and silver conduct better), which is why it is used for most wires (also cheap). this means that it will give you a better spark (better performance, gas mileage, smoothness, etc) than platinum, and be much cheaper.
the only problem with copper is that it will eventually corrode after being exposed to air. this is why it must be replaced relatively often. platinum on the other hand, is very resistant to corrosion and has been known to last up to 100,000 miles and more. the drawback is that your spark will be just a little bit weaker, which robs a little performance (you might not even notice). also platinum costs quite a bit more (but the price is close to equal when you consider how much longer they last).
as far as iridium plugs, they're relatively new and somewhat trendy. my guess is that they're all hype and combine some of the different characteristics of copper and platinum. i have not used them myself so you'll have to do your own research to be sure.
in the end most people agree go with a good brand name copper for the better performance and save a couple bucks, just make sure to change them according to the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. don't forget to check your wires too.
the only problem with copper is that it will eventually corrode after being exposed to air. this is why it must be replaced relatively often. platinum on the other hand, is very resistant to corrosion and has been known to last up to 100,000 miles and more. the drawback is that your spark will be just a little bit weaker, which robs a little performance (you might not even notice). also platinum costs quite a bit more (but the price is close to equal when you consider how much longer they last).
as far as iridium plugs, they're relatively new and somewhat trendy. my guess is that they're all hype and combine some of the different characteristics of copper and platinum. i have not used them myself so you'll have to do your own research to be sure.
in the end most people agree go with a good brand name copper for the better performance and save a couple bucks, just make sure to change them according to the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. don't forget to check your wires too.
only the last part, we have direct ignition, no wires, so he probably meant check your coils. . .
I had bosch in there when i first got the car....was told by midas they were NGK but after 2 of my coils went out I took it back there to find out they put in bosch......I wouldn't go as far as to say there is less performance or gas mileage...after 6 months on NGK I have seen really no difference so I would just say DONT USE BOSCH cause it will mess up your coils.
PS that was back when I was young and naive (16 yrs).....now I do all that myself but one advantage is that midas paid for both coil packs and labor PLUS new ngk copper plugs and since I have a 99 I would have to say I made out pretty good for their mix up
PS that was back when I was young and naive (16 yrs).....now I do all that myself but one advantage is that midas paid for both coil packs and labor PLUS new ngk copper plugs and since I have a 99 I would have to say I made out pretty good for their mix up
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Well said for a newbie, only the last part, we have direct ignition, no wires, so he probably meant check your coils. . .
only the last part, we have direct ignition, no wires, so he probably meant check your coils. . .
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