What is the thought on running lets say an Autolite single platinum spark plug in an engine that came from the factory with a copper core non platimum spark plug? Is it good or bad?
Running a Platinum Plug in a OE Copper Core ENG.
- Thread starter John With Beastly 302
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Change them all, one or the other.
I think he means all of one kind at one time.
I've done it on EFI engines with no problems at all, but they fouled quicker when used on carbed engines, IME.
Originally Posted By: John With Beastly 302
What is the thought on running lets say an Autolite single platinum spark plug in an engine that came from the factory with a copper core non platimum spark plug? Is it good or bad?
The engine will never know the difference as long as the heat range is similar to factory recomendation.
All automotive plugs have copper cores. Some have more copper than others.
Service life of the platinum plug is obviously longer than a standard plug (aka 'copper' plug)
From another website:
On long life spark plugs a thin wafer of platinum is bonded at the firing point to the center electrode (and possibly ground electrode) solely so they don’t wear as fast as a traditional plug. On a fine wire performance plug, the very tip of the center electrode is made of platinum so that the fine wire tip will last longer.
What is the thought on running lets say an Autolite single platinum spark plug in an engine that came from the factory with a copper core non platimum spark plug? Is it good or bad?
The engine will never know the difference as long as the heat range is similar to factory recomendation.
All automotive plugs have copper cores. Some have more copper than others.
Service life of the platinum plug is obviously longer than a standard plug (aka 'copper' plug)
From another website:
On long life spark plugs a thin wafer of platinum is bonded at the firing point to the center electrode (and possibly ground electrode) solely so they don’t wear as fast as a traditional plug. On a fine wire performance plug, the very tip of the center electrode is made of platinum so that the fine wire tip will last longer.
The best plug to use is the plug chosen by the engineers who built and designed the engine. Will the engine blow up , not likely however there could be driveability concerns. If it is coil on plug there is the potential for increased voltage at the coils which would reduce service life as well.
Copper plugs are old technology
Normal plug(left;Iridium plug(right)Comparison
Normal plug(left;Iridium plug(right)Comparison
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The platinum or iridium plugs will give you plug life far in excess of a copper core plug. This is why they are used in most of the newer engines. They also use less voltage to fire due to the smaller contacts on the electrodes. I've used platinum plugs in older engines and I'm happy with the results. They are a waste of money if the engine uses oil because of the chance of fouling.
If its a waste park ignition run the Autolite twin tip or Denso TT to reduce misfire rates - one of each coil pair has to fire backwards (gnd strap to center) and that doesnt work well on Ir finewire.
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Very few modern engines use old fashioned nickel tipped plugs, many times referred to here as 'copper'.
ALL plugs are copper somewhere. It's the tip design and materials that seem to warrant discussion.
Choose your plug by how often you want to fool with it. Rarely will you see a problem, and if you do simply use the plugs the car came with.
ALL plugs are copper somewhere. It's the tip design and materials that seem to warrant discussion.
Choose your plug by how often you want to fool with it. Rarely will you see a problem, and if you do simply use the plugs the car came with.
Originally Posted By: 46Harry
The platinum or iridium plugs will give you plug life far in excess of a copper core plug. ...
Dont call 'em copper - they are ALL copper - plat, Ir steel. The "standard" plugs are a Ni alloy GND strap, so you can call them Nickel.
The platinum or iridium plugs will give you plug life far in excess of a copper core plug. ...
Dont call 'em copper - they are ALL copper - plat, Ir steel. The "standard" plugs are a Ni alloy GND strap, so you can call them Nickel.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: 46Harry
The platinum or iridium plugs will give you plug life far in excess of a copper core plug. ...
Dont call 'em copper - they are ALL copper - plat, Ir steel. The "standard" plugs are a Ni alloy GND strap, so you can call them Nickel.
You can call them whatever you want, but they are known in the industry as copper core plugs
Originally Posted By: 46Harry
The platinum or iridium plugs will give you plug life far in excess of a copper core plug. ...
Dont call 'em copper - they are ALL copper - plat, Ir steel. The "standard" plugs are a Ni alloy GND strap, so you can call them Nickel.
You can call them whatever you want, but they are known in the industry as copper core plugs
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Choose your plug by how often you want to fool with it. Rarely will you see a problem, and if you do simply use the plugs the car came with.
This, for sure. A lot of the performance guys prefer the old style plugs, assuming you're able to change them readily because of the generally shorter interval. If they're a real chore to change, go to something longer lasting. Sticking with the OEM recommendation, however, is often best.
Choose your plug by how often you want to fool with it. Rarely will you see a problem, and if you do simply use the plugs the car came with.
This, for sure. A lot of the performance guys prefer the old style plugs, assuming you're able to change them readily because of the generally shorter interval. If they're a real chore to change, go to something longer lasting. Sticking with the OEM recommendation, however, is often best.
Copper is still unbeatable as a thermal conductor (watts / centimeter*Kelvin):
Zinc = 1.16
Aluminum = 2.37
Copper = 4.01
Steel == 0.70 - 0.82
Platinum = 0.716
Iridium = 1.47
Problem is the melting point is very low:
Zinc = 420
Aluminum = 660
Copper = 1083
Steel = 1400-1500
Platinum = 1772
Iridium = 2410
That is why you will see most copper plugs are platinum coated.
Zinc = 1.16
Aluminum = 2.37
Copper = 4.01
Steel == 0.70 - 0.82
Platinum = 0.716
Iridium = 1.47
Problem is the melting point is very low:
Zinc = 420
Aluminum = 660
Copper = 1083
Steel = 1400-1500
Platinum = 1772
Iridium = 2410
That is why you will see most copper plugs are platinum coated.
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I have never seen any plug that was copper exposed to any combustion!
It's usually a lot more to do with budget than performance.
It's usually a lot more to do with budget than performance.
At 104K, I recently changed out the original plugs (Autolite APP 103) on my 03'Focus. I replaced them with OEM Autolite APP 103 Double Plats.
The original plugs (Double Plats) looked like they could easily go another 25K. The new plugs work perfectly....and should be good for another 100K.
The original plugs (Double Plats) looked like they could easily go another 25K. The new plugs work perfectly....and should be good for another 100K.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
If its a waste park ignition run the Autolite twin tip or Denso TT to reduce misfire rates - one of each coil pair has to fire backwards (gnd strap to center) and that doesnt work well on Ir finewire.
How can we find out if we have a waste spark ignition?
Would my 2008 Corolla 1ZZFE have a wsi?
I had read about this after installing single Autolite Plats in my b-i-ls Neon.
They ran fine for the 25K that he had the car even though regular 'copper' plugs were recommended.
If its a waste park ignition run the Autolite twin tip or Denso TT to reduce misfire rates - one of each coil pair has to fire backwards (gnd strap to center) and that doesnt work well on Ir finewire.
How can we find out if we have a waste spark ignition?
Would my 2008 Corolla 1ZZFE have a wsi?
I had read about this after installing single Autolite Plats in my b-i-ls Neon.
They ran fine for the 25K that he had the car even though regular 'copper' plugs were recommended.
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
At 104K, I recently changed out the original plugs (Autolite APP 103) on my 03'Focus. I replaced them with OEM Autolite APP 103 Double Plats.
The original plugs (Double Plats) looked like they could easily go another 25K. The new plugs work perfectly....and should be good for another 100K.
Wouldnt the originals have been Motorcraft and not Autolite? (Even though AL makes both).
At 104K, I recently changed out the original plugs (Autolite APP 103) on my 03'Focus. I replaced them with OEM Autolite APP 103 Double Plats.
The original plugs (Double Plats) looked like they could easily go another 25K. The new plugs work perfectly....and should be good for another 100K.
Wouldnt the originals have been Motorcraft and not Autolite? (Even though AL makes both).
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
At 104K, I recently changed out the original plugs (Autolite APP 103) on my 03'Focus. I replaced them with OEM Autolite APP 103 Double Plats.
The original plugs (Double Plats) looked like they could easily go another 25K. The new plugs work perfectly....and should be good for another 100K.
Wouldnt the originals have been Motorcraft and not Autolite? (Even though AL makes both).
NO.....the plugs pulled were Autolite APP 103's, same as the ones I bought and put in.
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
At 104K, I recently changed out the original plugs (Autolite APP 103) on my 03'Focus. I replaced them with OEM Autolite APP 103 Double Plats.
The original plugs (Double Plats) looked like they could easily go another 25K. The new plugs work perfectly....and should be good for another 100K.
Wouldnt the originals have been Motorcraft and not Autolite? (Even though AL makes both).
NO.....the plugs pulled were Autolite APP 103's, same as the ones I bought and put in.
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