platinum spark plugs

bottomlesspit 2 · Aug 11, 2005

i accidentally bought AP25 autolite platinum spark plugs and was wondering if these are better or worse than regular, copper spark plugs.

srothfuss · Aug 11, 2005

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.

QDRHRSE · Aug 11, 2005

srothfuss said:
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.

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 · Aug 11, 2005

srothfuss said:
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.

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..
Just use stock style plugs... they work good

89CopCoupe · Aug 11, 2005

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.

srothfuss · Aug 11, 2005

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.

HISSIN50 · Aug 11, 2005

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.

vristang · Aug 11, 2005

I like this topic so how bout if I throw a wrench in the whole conversation and bring up higher voltage coils. Does running an MSD coil/ignition make platinum plugs more feasible?

8950HO · Aug 11, 2005

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.

HISSIN50 · Aug 11, 2005

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.

Mustang5L5 · Aug 11, 2005

QDRHRSE 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......

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.

Mustang5L5 · Aug 11, 2005

vristang said:
I like this topic so how bout if I throw a wrench in the whole conversation and bring up higher voltage coils. Does running an MSD coil/ignition make platinum plugs more feasible?

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 · Aug 11, 2005

vristang said:
I like this topic so how bout if I throw a wrench in the whole conversation and bring up higher voltage coils. Does running an MSD coil/ignition make platinum plugs more feasible?

MSD does not recommend you use platinum plugs with their ignition systems.

QDRHRSE · Aug 12, 2005

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?

BaXTeR3221 · Aug 12, 2005

Autolites are cheap and they are the best plug, makes the choice simple

vristang · Aug 12, 2005

HISSIN50 said:
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.

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?

BaXTeR3221 said:
Autolites are cheap and they are the best plug, makes the choice simple

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.

Curse said:
MSD does not recommend you use platinum plugs with their ignition systems.

This is just the kind of info I was hoping for
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. Better yet you can change mine 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.

BaXTeR3221 · Aug 12, 2005

vristang said:
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.

If you search through the spark plug threads, everyone will tell you to run autolite. I believe thats what comes from the factory as well. As for being the same as fram, i dont really know about that one.

89CopCoupe · Aug 12, 2005

8950HO said:
..... Platinum plugs were developed for lazy slobs ...

.... 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

Mustang5L5 · Aug 12, 2005

vristang said:
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.

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 · Aug 12, 2005

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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