platinum spark plugs
- Thread starter bottomlesspit 2
- Start date
srothfuss
Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row
Worse! (at least for our mustangs)
The resistivity of Platinum is much greater than copper and with a remote coil ignition system you will get a crappy running engine in most cases. I say return them and get the 'cheap' copper ones. You and your motor will be much happier.
The resistivity of Platinum is much greater than copper and with a remote coil ignition system you will get a crappy running engine in most cases. I say return them and get the 'cheap' copper ones. You and your motor will be much happier.
QDRHRSE
New Member
srothfuss said:
Really? I never use the platnums myself but once again- really? I think we need to discuss this. I can't see how this is true. Almost every car Ford sells comes with double platnum plugs these days so I wonder about the validity of this statement. I'm not sure though. That's why we need to discuss it. Smarter people- lets get moving on this!!!!! Mike Yount......
At1Maverick69
Member
he's right! remember newer cars nowadays come with coil-on-plug ignition system compared to ours that's using a remote coil, so newer ignition system has higher voltage output and require the use of platinum for its higher resistance..srothfuss said:
Just use stock style plugs... they work good
89CopCoupe
Banned
I ran AP25's for over a year, without any noticeable difference .. seriously 
And I'm real a nal retentive about my cars ... I notice every tick, shimmy, what have you.
However, I can see that they may put more strain on the coil due to the increased resisitance. Although I did hear double platinum plugs aren't recommended.
And I'm real a nal retentive about my cars ... I notice every tick, shimmy, what have you.
However, I can see that they may put more strain on the coil due to the increased resisitance. Although I did hear double platinum plugs aren't recommended.
srothfuss
Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row
Hey, I didn't say he couldn't use them. I was just saying that platinum COULD have adverse effects if he put them in.
If we search the forums for this topic we will see the same discussions. You need a coil closer to the plug (if they are platinum) to see a difference between copper and platinum. With the coil so far away the car older Mustangs run best with the least amount of resistivity in the ignition system.
If we search the forums for this topic we will see the same discussions. You need a coil closer to the plug (if they are platinum) to see a difference between copper and platinum. With the coil so far away the car older Mustangs run best with the least amount of resistivity in the ignition system.
Yep, cheap ol' coppers are hotter, at the expense of faster gap erosion.
With plats (I have run them before in a 5.0), one [i[can[/i] see a funky idle and higher RPM cutout (~4K RPM).
So if you do run them (and you certainly can - many folks have. It is just a personal choice. I personally do prefer annealed copper plugs) just remember that if you develop an issue with the idle or high RPM cutout, that the plugs could be at fault.
Good luck bud.
With plats (I have run them before in a 5.0), one [i[can[/i] see a funky idle and higher RPM cutout (~4K RPM).
So if you do run them (and you certainly can - many folks have. It is just a personal choice. I personally do prefer annealed copper plugs) just remember that if you develop an issue with the idle or high RPM cutout, that the plugs could be at fault.
Good luck bud.
Copper is a much better conductor of electricity than platinum.
Platinum plugs were developed for lazy slobs,(your average driver),who would rather try going 100,000 miles before changing their plugs,instead of the shorter 30,000 mile average for copper plugs.
They are basically for extended service intervals.
I`ve tried both,and copper is noticeably better from my experience.
Platinum plugs were developed for lazy slobs,(your average driver),who would rather try going 100,000 miles before changing their plugs,instead of the shorter 30,000 mile average for copper plugs.
They are basically for extended service intervals.
I`ve tried both,and copper is noticeably better from my experience.
J- I certainly would think so. It helps overcome the lack of conductivity (vs copper).
We are speaking relatively though, as the TFI ignition is quite a strong OEM ignition (given when it came out) IMHO. But I personally like your line of thinking.
We are speaking relatively though, as the TFI ignition is quite a strong OEM ignition (given when it came out) IMHO. But I personally like your line of thinking.
QDRHRSE said:
The newer ignitions are more powerful than the ignitions in our 5.0's. They can handle a plat plug.
Reason most companies use plats now is longetivity. SOme of these modern engines are VERY difficult to work on now so extending the time between plug changes has become very appealing.
Reason why plats suck? Well, just look at metal conductivity. Here's the list from best conductor down.
Silver
Copper
Gold
Aluminum
several other metals
and then platnium
SIlver plugs would be the best, but they would cost the most (despite silver being relatively cheap compared to plat) and last the least amount of time.
vristang said:
But why would you want to run platniums?
Coppers are cheaper, and changing plugs is not that difficult on a 5.0.
I change my spark plugs out of boredom sometimes when i have barely put 5,000 miles on them.
Curse
Member
QDRHRSE
New Member
This is all good to know. I never run platinums because I change plugs at least yearly so I never saw the value in it. Actually, I can be a bit freaky and if my car starts running bad I do cap/rotor, wires, plugs, and fuel filter....I've done this more than once in a year. Considering that I only cruise around town and drive to the track occasionally- I am a freak. What's wrong with me?
HISSIN50 said:
Just thought I would stir the pot a little. Good Times.
But I guess from the other posts, the aftermarket ignition is still not strong enough for platinums?
I may be way out of touch with reality but aren't Fram and Autolite basically the same company. I have seen first hand the horrendous quality of a Fram oil filter, so I am not too sure about Autolite. Call it guilt by association.BaXTeR3221 said:Autolites are cheap and they are the best plug, makes the choice simple
This is just the kind of info I was hoping forCurse said:
Thank you
Mustang5L5 said:Coppers are cheaper, and changing plugs is not that difficult on a 5.0.
Install a 351w with a set of shorty headers and a 95 brake booster, then do it in your spare time.
In all seriousness, it's not that bad, but I would much rather be sleeping or eating or drinking beer.
But that's just me.
bottomlesspit 2
Thank you for bringing this up, I have enjoyed it so far. Hope you were satisfied with the answer.
89CopCoupe
Banned
8950HO said:
.... or for guys that want to avoid changing plugs in the 3.8 Firechicken as loooooonngg as possible 
What a pita for a turd of an F-body
vristang said:
I don't beleive so.
Autolite makes the plugs for Ford anyway, so they are basically idential as factory plugs just with the Autolite logo on them.
Back in the 60's Autolite made tons of parts for Ford like carbs and such, now i just think they do the plugs.
cardudeusa
Founding Member
Autolite is a division if Honeywell as are Fram and prestone. Heres my question though... How about iridium plugs or the new E3 plugs.
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