Suggest that even $25 Sparkplugs need lovin' too!! (or do they?)

[superspit]

Hey Skliner's,

I guess that simple questions that are simply answered are best......

Allow me to create a sceneario!!

Let's say we've got those fancy $25.00 platinum (no, not Irridium) plugs installed, now let's say you've had them in your Line for 7 months...let's us say that you have only ever use 'exponsomax' fuels since you've had the Line, and you are running a higher boost than std (11-12 pissants).

Let us say that you need to wash your car every weekend just to remove the constant 'black-soot' around your rear bumper. Let's suggest that you're also running rich (black soot plus "POP-POP" on de-accel).

Let's say Line starts beautifully, within a second (hot or cold). No missing!!

Let's suggest that the Line's plugs, as expensive as they are (God bless 'em),

are beginning to foul, and some performance could be 'reclaimed' by cleaning them?

Any suggestions on the above Hypo? Your SUGGESTIONS/Thoughts.

I thank you in advance,

Mark :looney:

[GTS-t VSPEC]

My thoughts are stop wasting money on expensive plugs:D

BCP6ES will work fine, and are about $25 a set:D

[Bl4cK32]

yup. cheap plugs work the same...bcp6es replace em 5 times over with the cost of the others

[superspit]

My thoughts are stop wasting money on expensive plugs:D

BCP6ES will work fine, and are about $25 a set:D

That's a very 'cheap' alternative V.

I take it that these are copper plugs, not too disimilar to the ones used in my Victa?

Thanks V, but i've not got the time to play "Let's remove all the Induction gear to change the plugs" game too often!!

I guess I see your point though.

I guess that I'm trying to ascertain if expensive plugs really are just a waste of time/money. If you've gotta clean them every 6 months, I may as well go to copper?? (as you maybe impyling?)

Ta.

[GTS-t VSPEC]

I've had cheap plugs in mine for 6months+, running 300+rwkw, without having to change them.

[superspit]

mmmmm....so why are there these 'long-life' plugs. If you have to clean/replace them 6 months plus..........is it a 'false economy'. As I said prior, I thought I'd be doing myself a favour by not having to replace the plugs as often (no where near as often), for cleaning or replacement. I know that this could be considered 'kindy' stuff,.... but crickey!!

Can plug 'fouling' reduce performance at higher RPM? Therefore if people like to 'boost up' there cars a little bit, they have to be prepared to do this kind of stuff more often, regardless of money spent on plugs?

Just looking for 'chains of thought' here.

[GTS-t VSPEC]

The plugs aren't resistant to fouling, but the platinums will last 1year+ given the right conditions. I'd rather use cheap ones and change them a bit more frequently. A fouled plug will provide a weaker spark, and may cause issues at higer-boost and rpm.

With a stockish engine and BCP6ES I'd go a 0.8mm gap. The more power/boost then close the gap up. If your 300+rwkw then I use a BCP7ES, colder range of plug.

[superspit]

The plugs aren't resistant to fouling, but the platinums will last 1year+ given the right conditions. I'd rather use cheap ones and change them a bit more frequently. A fouled plug will provide a weaker spark, and may cause issues at higer-boost and rpm.

With a stockish engine and BCP6ES I'd go a 0.8mm gap. The more power/boost then close the gap up. If your 300+rwkw then I use a BCP7ES, colder range of plug.

Now, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!

I was told that Platinums would go 100,000 km's. Obviously that's crap!!

So on your logic, yes, I'd agree completly!!

[Duncan]

Actually, I think they do last 100,000.

In a stock, n/a family car.

but as you said, we all run a bit of boost, a bit rich, always giving it plenty...they foul up pretty quick.

Its a fair bit cheaper to run the coppers even though they are a pain to change.

[superspit]

Actually, I think they do last 100,000.

In a stock, n/a family car.

but as you said, we all run a bit of boost, a bit rich, always giving it plenty...they foul up pretty quick.

Its a fair bit cheaper to run the coppers even though they are a pain to change.

ah yes, it's making sense now. Ta Duncan.

I suppose, (and pls correct me if i'm wrong), that I have one saving grace with the Platinums.....

I can clean them, and then put them back in.???

They are still in a better condition than coppers, physically, after 6 months???

An answer to this will get everything straightened out in my head!!

[Bass Junky]

Platinum plugs are good for long lasting stock applications.

Some engines are so tight in the engine bays that you actually have to remove the engine to change plugs, so platinum allow you to only have to change plugs once every few years.

On high performance modified vehicles.... I dunno. I run platinums in mine only because that's what came from the factory in my car.

BASS OUT

[knore]

Personally ide rather pay 5x more for my plugs and change them 5x less, but each to his own

ive never had a single problem with iridiums once i gapped them properly, at standard gap 1.1mm they have some problems sometimes even on standard boost

ive had iridiums in for about 8 months now, run 7psi during the day, and the most ive hit was 0.95bar without a single problem

i had Vpower NGK in before hand and i do say the iridiums work better

you can clean them with a soft cloth, but be careful of the iridium tip itself, its not as delicate as everyone thinks but u still can damage it

[Ronin 09]

ah yes, it's making sense now. Ta Duncan.

I suppose, (and pls correct me if i'm wrong), that I have one saving grace with the Platinums.....

I can clean them, and then put them back in.???

They are still in a better condition than coppers, physically, after 6 months???

An answer to this will get everything straightened out in my head!!

I have a set of OWS Iridiums... car missed with them.

Replaced with coppers @ 0.8 and hey presto, no missing.

In answer to your question of 'cleaning', I don't think that it is such a great idea. See the washers that compress slightly when you install new plugs deform slightly over time, but provide a compressive seal. If you remove and replace the plugs continually, this compressive seal can be not as good - once or twice should be OK though

That's what I think, anyway

PS if you have to take them out to clean every 6 months, that defeats the purpose of 'long life' plugs... and even then it takes 10 mins to take out the plugs

PS(2) you can buy my OWS iridiums off me if you want were in the car for literally 2 weeks

[superspit]

I have a set of OWS Iridiums... car missed with them.

Replaced with coppers @ 0.8 and hey presto, no missing.

In answer to your question of 'cleaning', I don't think that it is such a great idea. See the washers that compress slightly when you install new plugs deform slightly over time, but provide a compressive seal.  If you remove and replace the plugs continually, this compressive seal can be not as good - once or twice should be OK though

That's what I think, anyway

PS if you have to take them out to clean every 6 months, that defeats the purpose of 'long life' plugs... and even then it takes 10 mins to take out the plugs

PS(2) you can buy my OWS iridiums off me if you want were in the car for literally 2 weeks

Ok, mmmm. Thanks R09

2 points here......I don't think readers of these threads are actually READING THE THREADS!! I have no interest in iridium plugs, and wanted to discuss platinums and copper only. (otherwise too many variables and B/S)

RONIN09:PS if you have to take them out to clean every 6 months, that defeats the purpose of 'long life' plugs... and even then it takes 10 mins to take out the plugs

Yes, I was suggesting this very point, but as a very smart previous reader implied....,"fouling of plugs can occurr on any type of plug, especially when we run our cars with extra boost, and especially when running richer". (not quoted word 4 word).

The compression seal is a good point, but I feel you've made a B/S point....10 minutes to take out the plugs????? Are you sure we're talking turbo Skylines here???

So the way I understand it is...........It makes no difference on whether you run platinum or copper plugs etc in your slightly/highly modified TurboCharged car, other than the outlay of cash at the initial point of purchase, as all plugs eventually foul at some time in there life, and must be cleaned/replaced at certain intervals to maintane your Turbo vehicle's 'high performance'. Anyways........thanx 4 your input, always appreciated.

Mark

[GTS-t VSPEC]

10mins is about right to have them out, once you've done it a few time. Takes same again to get them back in:D

[superspit]

10mins is about right to have them out, once you've done it a few time. Takes same again to get them back in:D

10 mins in....10 mins out.......fark!!!

I must be a slow-ass!!!

[GTS-t VSPEC]

Nah, you just need more practice:D If you have all the right tools handy then it's easy:D

[ed]

I run Iriway 7's for a year, roughly 60,000kms and they were fine when pulled out.

But my car is fairly stock, turbo back and that's it.

[Ronin 09]

10 mins in....10 mins out.......fark!!!

I must be a slow-ass!!!

Crap sorry mate, forgot about the cross-over intake pipe... I had a Greddy on my GTS-t and now the GTR so it was literally a 10 min job... I give you... 15 mins

Nah, but seriously, doesn't take long when you get the hang of it - and PS in case it isn't obvious, don't remove the coils individually, remove the 5 main bolts holding in the alloy spider that the coils sit in and pull the 2 coil / spider assemblies out together

[dangerous_daveo]

The thing I was told was the different resistance of the plugs, like it can go back and effect the ignitor pack, and or ecu. This was from someone whos been around imports before ****y was an egg too.

Dunno if its BS or not, Im fairly inclined to belive him atm.