iridium plugs

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: iridium plugs

yep..

[greasemonkey]

Re: iridium plugs

what is Xi? Does that mean "pay more"? The ones in the Trans Am didn't say that.

AC Delcos and NGK aren't the same..... can I have some of what you fellas are smoking?

[tkoforpresident]

Re: iridium plugs

he says the ac delcos he bought had "NGK" written on the side.

[greasemonkey]

Re: iridium plugs

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: iridium plugs

Yep, got them at a local autoparts store. It was a box of 6, the box said ACDelco all over it, and so did each individual box for the plugs. On the plugs, i believe one side said AC Delco and the other said NGK. I thought it was weird but figured I just hadn't heard they were the same.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: iridium plugs

best of both worlds, no complaining.

[greasemonkey]

Re: iridium plugs

True, I like the NGK TR55, but never had problems with Delcos.

[camaroman1181]

Re: iridium plugs

wow... there has been some questionable advice in this thread...

The parts guy who told you your car will only run on iridiums is full of crap. He's only trying to up-sale you. His manager is probably pushing for a bigger bonus, thus pushing him to push the most expensive plugs.. (worked at the zone for 3 yrs.. this is what happens..)

your car will run on just about any type of plug that is the correct type, in the correct heat range. Standard plugs work fine, but must be replaced more often. Platinums last longer, cost more. Iridium lasts longer still, and cost the most.

The hype behind the bosch +2/+4 plugs is that electicity chooses the path of least resistance. One would think that with multiple ground straps to choose from, the spark will jump to which ever one has the least resistance for that particular ignition, thus creating the most efficient spark. From personal experience with these plugs, i've yet to have a full set come out of my car that was all gapped properly. Slight differences in the gapping make the spark only go to one electrode the majority of the time (you can see it in the soot burned onto the insulator around the electrode). There is no way you can regap these plugs efficiently to fix this. I've even read reports stating that platinum creates what amounts to be a colder spark than a standard plug, thus hurting performace. The one true advantage to these plugs, is the reduction of spark shrouding. The spark is fully exposed to the combustion chamber, rather than hidden under the ground strap.

iridiums claim to be a harder, more resiliant material than platinum or copper (standard plugs). The reduced point of the electrode does infact help create a more intense spark. They have been shown to free up a few horsepower. They also will last 75K-100K miles. Thats a pretty nice selling point if your plugs are a PITA to get to.

your standard ignition DOES NOT require platinum plugs because it is too hot.

personally, i run standard autolites. I replace them every other oil change (6000 miles) cause i like to work on my car and its a good excuse to get my hands dirty. I run MSD coils and gap my plugs a .060 and have never had an issue with misfires. The added gap length has been proven to free up a few hp.

long story short...

If you want to spend as much on one iridium plug, as you will on a set of standard plugs, that's your call. They will last longer and probably give you a few extra HP. If you like gettin dirty, and need a good excuse to get under the hood, go with the standard plugs.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: iridium plugs

^^ all good information

but to put things in a long term perspective, if you plan on keeping the car for a while, and don't want to change the plugs as often, you may be spending 6 times the amount to begin with, but if you figure if the iridiums last 100,000 miles, and standard lasts 6000, you'll end up spending almost 3 times the money on standard plugs over time than you would picking up a set of iridium to begin with.

I went with iridiums for the few extra hp, and the fact that I wouldn't have to replace them for quite a while was also a nice selling point to me. But no, you don't have to run on platinum or iridium.

[greasemonkey]

Re: iridium plugs

Camaroman, all good info.

Scholotzky - 2 things. 1. You don't get extra HP going with iridiums, you just don't. 2. What the hell plugs only last 6k miles? Standard plugs are good for 30k - even Autolites.

Like I said in the beginning - NGK TR55 (or TR60 if your spraying). Less than 20 bucks for a set of 6. After stating that I wonder why this thread is still going.

[techsan23]

Re: iridium plugs

ive ran accel plugs, bosch +4, diamond e3's, you wont notice any difference between different designs. some definitely last longer than others though.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: iridium plugs

The reason I went with iridiums is the long life.

I know the plugs last longer than 6k, i know camaroman is replacing them more than he would ever need to, but I was pointing out that with his particular case, he is spending more on standard plugs than he would just buying the iridiums to begin with, of course that would be keeping them in to their actual lifespan, and not the lifespan of the standard plugs. I realize my argument is ultimately null and void, seeing as the actual difference in lifespan of the two would never put the iridiums on top as far as price.

So in short, never mind.

[4thgenowner]

Re: iridium plugs

Buying platinum or iridium plugs are pointless. Both LT1's run like chit with them. But I agree some will last longer but i'll change mine every 20-30k so I have that piece of mind.

[Blue02]

Re: iridium plugs

wow... i like to work on my car and its a good excuse to get my hands dirty. If you like gettin dirty, and need a good excuse to get under the hood, go with the standard plugs.

:wavey: Care to change my plugs? I don't even mind if you get dirty doing it!! :banana:

[camaroman1181]

Re: iridium plugs

:wavey: Care to change my plugs? I don't even mind if you get dirty doing it!! :banana:

lol.. sorry you are a bit too far of a drive... my standard rate for fixing my friends cars is a case of beer, but i dont think thatll cover the gas...

and yes.. as said above.. standard plugs last way longer than 6k miles.. ive been told im kinda nuts for doing them that often too.. and i agree... but i just like to tinker with my car and changing the plugs is a perfectly good excuse to stand in my garage for a few hours on a saturday, with a cold beer or three, relaxing... i mean, i cant be the only person here who feels that way right?