Spark Plugs
I got this thing covered maing.. go back to resting
Originally posted by bill99gxe
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=45742
Nothing like ticking Sprint off because he posted it first and then medic for seeing a repeat answer to the question.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=45742
Nothing like ticking Sprint off because he posted it first and then medic for seeing a repeat answer to the question.
Re: Spark Plugs
Originally posted by NISMOPower
What are the best spark plugs to get and how will it change my drivability and performance?
Are there performance spark plugs?
How are they better?
What are the best spark plugs to get and how will it change my drivability and performance?
Are there performance spark plugs?
How are they better?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 866
A mechanic at one of the local Nissan dealerships told me a copper plug fires with a better spark than the comparable platinum plug. He also said the only reason to use platinum plugs is for the 60K mile service interval.
Originally posted by bullseye
A mechanic at one of the local Nissan dealerships told me a copper plug fires with a better spark than the comparable platinum plug. He also said the only reason to use platinum plugs is for the 60K mile service interval.
A mechanic at one of the local Nissan dealerships told me a copper plug fires with a better spark than the comparable platinum plug. He also said the only reason to use platinum plugs is for the 60K mile service interval.
Its about conductivity. Platnium is more conductive than copper, but this is not a good thing in our case. We want the spark to jump across the gap. If the gap is easy to cross it takes less spark energy to cross. If the gap is harder to cross it takes more spark energy to cross. More spark energy means a bigger stronger spark. This makes the coils work harder but the result is a better spark. Copper is better. Call up some of the major ignition companies and ask them. Jacobs Electronics or MSD.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 689
Originally posted by MardiGrasMax
Its about conductivity. Platnium is more conductive than copper, but this is not a good thing in our case. We want the spark to jump across the gap. If the gap is easy to cross it takes less spark energy to cross. If the gap is harder to cross it takes more spark energy to cross. More spark energy means a bigger stronger spark. This makes the coils work harder but the result is a better spark. Copper is better. Call up some of the major ignition companies and ask them. Jacobs Electronics or MSD.
Its about conductivity. Platnium is more conductive than copper, but this is not a good thing in our case. We want the spark to jump across the gap. If the gap is easy to cross it takes less spark energy to cross. If the gap is harder to cross it takes more spark energy to cross. More spark energy means a bigger stronger spark. This makes the coils work harder but the result is a better spark. Copper is better. Call up some of the major ignition companies and ask them. Jacobs Electronics or MSD.
I am no expert either.
This is what I was told by Jacobs Electronics a few years back when I was using their system on my previuous car. You can call them and ask them for the technical explanation.
This is what I was told by Jacobs Electronics a few years back when I was using their system on my previuous car. You can call them and ask them for the technical explanation.
Originally posted by Supermachoman
Could you please elaborate further? It would seem to me that a more conductive material in the spark plug would indeed be a good thing, as this would allow for a higher percentage of the voltage drop to be available to jump across the spark plug gap. It would also seem to me that the strength of the spark across that gap would be more a function of the size of the gap and the available voltage to jump across it. I am certainly no expert but it would appear that higher resistance materials in series with the spark plug gap would only serve to increase the voltage requirements of the entire ignition system without necessarily strengthening the spark. I am planning on replacing my spark plugs in the near future and would appreciate any further input.
Could you please elaborate further? It would seem to me that a more conductive material in the spark plug would indeed be a good thing, as this would allow for a higher percentage of the voltage drop to be available to jump across the spark plug gap. It would also seem to me that the strength of the spark across that gap would be more a function of the size of the gap and the available voltage to jump across it. I am certainly no expert but it would appear that higher resistance materials in series with the spark plug gap would only serve to increase the voltage requirements of the entire ignition system without necessarily strengthening the spark. I am planning on replacing my spark plugs in the near future and would appreciate any further input.
Platnium requires less voltage.
Copper requires more voltage.
More voltage required, more voltage jumps the gap.
Yes the gap is the bigger factor here.
But copper material is better by a little bit.
To a point this is will work, when you reach the limit of the coils the spark voltage will not increase any more.
A good analogy would be lightning. Before lightning strikes, a potentail difference of like 50,000 volts between mother earth and the clouds has to develop before that current (the actual lightning) starts flowing thru the air. The Lightning scenario is like copper, it needs a greater voltage, but once it reaches that level, Lookout!
Platinum needs a a lesser voltage, but its spark tends to be ho hum when compared to copper.
DW
Platinum needs a a lesser voltage, but its spark tends to be ho hum when compared to copper.
DW
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 204
Originally posted by MardiGrasMax
Its about conductivity. Platnium is more conductive than copper, but this is not a good thing in our case. We want the spark to jump across the gap. If the gap is easy to cross it takes less spark energy to cross. If the gap is harder to cross it takes more spark energy to cross. More spark energy means a bigger stronger spark. This makes the coils work harder but the result is a better spark. Copper is better. Call up some of the major ignition companies and ask them. Jacobs Electronics or MSD.
Its about conductivity. Platnium is more conductive than copper, but this is not a good thing in our case. We want the spark to jump across the gap. If the gap is easy to cross it takes less spark energy to cross. If the gap is harder to cross it takes more spark energy to cross. More spark energy means a bigger stronger spark. This makes the coils work harder but the result is a better spark. Copper is better. Call up some of the major ignition companies and ask them. Jacobs Electronics or MSD.
Ok..if that is true than there is a huge problem with the info I've been reading on the Silverstone plugs...silver electrode...(nope.. they wont work with a dircect ignition system, ie. EMI/RFI interferance with the coil packs ) ... here's a cut and paste chart ...
Properties of Materials Used for Spark Plug Electrodes
Material Thermal Conductivity W/(m·K) ElectricalConductivity MS/m
Silver 407 66
Copper 384 57
Gold 310 45
Platinum 70 10
Nickel 59 10
Steel 58 7
W/(m·K) = Energy per meter and Kelvin (1kcal/(m·h·grd) = 1.163 W/(m·K)
MS/m = Mega Siemens per meter (1S m/mm2 = 1MS/m), (1S = 1/3)
Ok..its not lined up..big# = Thermal little#= Electrical
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