i know alot of you boosted guys have been using copper plugs for heat exchange. is it because copper does not get as hot as other materials? is it bad to use a colder plug if its not made out of copper? also, anyone have a link on this theory?

 

we use copper plugs because they cost like $1.50 as opposed to $8........

 

Supposedly they are a better conductor than platinums but they last half as long. Like Neal said, they are chacp as oppose to spending $40-$60 for plats and $80-$120 for Iriduims

 

Some people claim that under situations where detonation occurs its more likely that the copper will melt keeping it from detonating in that cylinder again... though I've not seen anyone test that for proof yet.

 

My reason to use is stated exactly as above by jcy98maxse - They are a better conductor than platinums but they last half as long. I change mine every 8 months even if they do not look bad. Keeping in mind, they are also dirt cheap. $4 for 4 at local automotive shop...

 

so aside from the price, there is no advantage to the copper plugs? if you get the platinums in the same heat range as the coppers then you should be fine?

 

The other advantage to copper plugs is spark strength. Since copper is a better electrical conductor than platinum, a good copper plug will also give you a better, more reliable spark than a platinum plug (at least in the first half of its life).

Incidentally, iridium plugs with fine wire center electrodes (especially the ones from Denso) give you that spark strength without the short life. But, if you're FI, you should be removing your plugs frequently to check them anyway, so you're not actually saving yourself much labor by going with a longer-lived plug. You might as well just save some money with coppers and replace them more often.

 

good point...on a diffrent note i just now realized the title of my thread says "cooper plugs"...i'm special

 

I run IX becuase they dont blow out as easily as coppers, even at very low gaps coppers were blowing out even with the Boost A Spark. The IXs dont blow out because of the extra fine electrode. I've never had issues with melting plugs with any of the different types ive used. Keep the tune spot on and your golden. One set IX all the way for a whole season for me since its not really a street car anymore.

 

whats IX? iridium? can you gap iridiums? also, how do the heat range numbers work w/ iridium?

 

The Iridium IX plug from NGK. It has a super-fine iridium-plated electrode tip and is one of the best-sparking plugs you can buy. It's also a great deal because it will last ~100k miles with normal use, which is way more than platinums, and can be had for less than the price of platinum plugs.

The only plug with a better spark is the Denso Iridium (its electrode tip is even finer), but it lives half as long and costs significantly more (~$13 per plug).


Yes, you can. You just have to be a little more careful with the fine center electrode types.


Same as with any plug.