Platinum Spark Plugs

[wild70stang]

Platinum spark plugs are supposed to dissipate heat quickly to prevent detination. Although a too cold of a spark plug you will not attain proper running temperature and thus your engine will not run. Where am I getting with this question you might ask? Well I have heard of platinum spark plugs that are made for stock engines without causing problems such as fouling. So what kind of brand and name of any platinum spark plugs will run on a stock engine without fouling? Or is this just a big waste of money for a stock engine?

 

[Great68]

Probably the biggest advantage to platinum plugs is that their long life.

At one time I ran bosch platinums in my Mustang, my old Toyota, my Honda, I've never really noticed any sort of performance improvements or deficiencies.

 

[Swede958]

I wouldn't run platinum plugs in anything unless specified. As far as I know the performance gains (if any) are nill. I noticed a big difference when I switched off the POs bosch platinums to regular motorcrafts.
If you do decide to throw in a platinum plug, I'd try the autolite first (should be #APXX). THose seem to be the most domestic friendly platinums besides OEM called for stuff (i.e. Motorcraft and AC delco)

 

[4MuscleMachines]

The only plugs that have made a difference to me where the Rapid Fire plugs by Autolite on a carbed engine. The engine felt more responsive and with better idle quality. A minor change that I noticed but my wife would probably not have. I changed my other car to the Autolites thinking the other car only peformed better because of worn plugs, but I still noticed an improvement.

 

[rbohm]

for the most part, you wont find any real improvement just by swapping plugs. depending on your combination, you might find 1/2-1 1/2hp if you spend the time on a dyno running a variety of plugs through the motor, and change plug gaps to find the optimum gap. you might pick up another 2-3hp by indexing the plugs. platinum plugs will last longer, but the tips run hotter increasing the likely hood of detonation. as far as running hotter or colder plugs, if you decide to use a platinum plug, run one that is one heat range colder. when talking about hot or cold plugs, that is just the ability of the plugs to disapate heat. you do need to match the heat range to the engine combination you are running, but you can move up or down one or two heat ranges as needed to prevent plug loading, or detonation.

 

[HistoricMustang]

BOSCH

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[wild70stang]

Thanks for the advise rbohm, but I already knew about cold/hot plugs like 3 years ago . I currently have regular autolight spark plugs, and just wanted to see if there was anything better. Also, my plugs are gaped at 35( I was told by a Napa guy). SO THANKS GUYS!

 

[dawtips]

just uhh, make sure your spark plug wires can handle the new charge or your engine may catch on fire, like mine did