irridium spark plugs?

[locchamp]

HOw much differance will you see changing to the irridium spark plugs?

[Josh K]

unless you're replacing bad spark plugs you won't see any gain (and if you were replacing a bad plug(s), then replacing it/them with new coppers will give you the same gain. Iridiums are only necessary when you're running a heavily modded motor otherwise save your money.

If anyone thinks they actually perform better and give you HP, please upload your before (new copper or platinum) and after (new Iridium) dyno graphs. ;0)

[ricerrx7]

If you want a stronger spark, just increase the gap. The spark will be stronger, but quicker.

[VTElantra]

If you want a stronger spark, just increase the gap. The spark will be stronger, but quicker.

Yeah and if you wanna **** your motor and have it run like ****. .043 i believe is the most you are suppost to gab, and if you get platinum plugs like I have you are NOT suppost to regap them.

[ricerrx7]

How would that **** up the motor? And yes, if you gap it too far it will run like ****, but I'm not saying to gap it 1 inch...

[VTElantra]

On weaker or stock ignitions, opening up the gap CAN increase the spark kernel size, thereby creating a more efficient burn. The problem lies in that any added gap creates more strain on the other ignition parts.

* Coils may not have enough stored energy to fire, or in the least case, not enough energy to cross the gap, creating a miss-fire.
* Plug wires will break down due to the added resistance as the spark tries to reach ground.
* Rotor and Cap, as well as points (if you still have an interest in prehistoric ignitions), and the carbon bushing in the center of the distributor cap will show early failures.

Proper Plug Gapping:

* Proper gapping of the spark plug is necessary to get maximum spark energy, lowest RFI release as well as what is best for the longevity of the secondary ignition components (coil, cap, rotor, wires, plugs).
* When checking plug gaps, the correct way is to use ONLY wire gauges, though many of us are using the slider style gapping tools. These flat or feeler gauge style gauges do not accurately measure true width of spark plug gap.
* When increasing the gap size for our high performance applications utilizing advanced ignition systems such as Mallory, Accel, Jacobs, Crane and Holley ... it is important never to go more than plus or minus .008". This is to maintain parallel surfaces between ground and the center electrodes.
* Something many do not know, is that with Higher Compression ratios and Superchargers as well as Nitrous, in many cases smaller spark plug gaps must be used as well as the use of a much hotter ignition system (see above). These higher cylinder pressures require more energy to jump the spark plug gap.
* The rule of thumb on plug gaps is to open them up in .002" increments at a time. When the car (race vehicle) begins to lose power or slow down then go back .001-.002" and this in most cases is the optimum gap.


All of that right there says you can easily **** you **** up without the right equipment like after market coil, or ignition to supply that spark. Notice how it only says to up your gap on RACE VEHICLES.

[ricerrx7]

Actually I don't see where it says ONLY race vehicles. And like I said, I'm not saying to open the gap to an inch! And just because a company tells you something doesn't mean it's true. Yes, in excess, that stuff is true, but you can open up the gap safely. http://www.elantraclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2205&hl= Here is some good information for you. Someone posted quotes from a company in this thread too, and two of them completely contradicted each other. I have seen this stuff in person, hooked up ignition scopes, and have teachers (I go to UTI) that know all about this stuff.

[Josh K]

I run a .035 gap on my Bosch Copper 7557's.

[BlackElantraGT]

Yeah and if you wanna **** your motor and have it run like ****. .043 i believe is the most you are suppost to gab, and if you get platinum plugs like I have you are NOT suppost to regap them.

Just because you have platinum plugs doesn't mean you shouldn't regap them. Most likely you are running the Bosch+2 or +4 platinum plugs, which in that case you're not supposed to regap.

You will not get any performance benefits from platinum or iridium plugs. The difference that you will see is that the iridium plugs will last you the longest of all the plugs. In the end that is what you're paying extra for, is the longer peace of mind so if you're the type that doesn't like to change your spark plugs every 12K miles or so, then get platinum or iridium.

Most car enthusiasts who like to tinker with their car actually prefer regular copper plugs vs. the platinums or iridiums. Of all the metals, silver is most conductive metal, followed by copper, gold, and aluminum. Platinum and iridium on the other hand are the most resistant to corrosion.

Bottomline: If you don't mind changing your plugs periodically and can't afford the expensive platinums/iridiums, go with the regular copper plugs. If you can afford it and you want to go awhile before changing your plugs, get the platinums/iridiums. Just choose a reputable brand that you like. I personally like NGK's.

[XDGT03]

VT,

I'm not sure where you copied that info from but it looks like is it in referrence to old v-8 motors. Maybe with electronic ignition since it did not refer to points but only cap and rotor.

Most modern day engines do not have cap and rotors. They don't have traditional coils and coil wires. The coils or coil packs produce plenty of current to deal with a wider gapped plug (there is a limit).

I'm not sure how you would "****" your engine by having a plug fail to fire. I mean you don't want to drive 30k miles that way but I would think that someone who would do this mod would fix it almost immediately. And like ricer said, no where in the text you copied does it say that the motor will be ****ed. I guess it can be implied that an ill running motor will not last as long as one that runs well.

I am going to try to open my gaps to somewhere between .050 and .060 I will only run this gap on race day so I will swap the plugs for the rest of the week. I'll let you know if my motor does in fact get ****ED

[VTElantra]

* Rotor and Cap, as well as points (if you still have an interest in prehistoric ignitions), and the carbon bushing in the center of the distributor cap will show early failures.

I know exactly what I was reading, it is explaining in general how it works on all cars. I dont have bosch split fires they are striat up Auto light platinums. And it says right in the 04 Owners manual that your NOT suppost to regap Platinum Plugs.

[XDGT03]

* Rotor and Cap, as well as points (if you still have an interest in prehistoric ignitions), and the carbon bushing in the center of the distributor cap will show early failures.

more to my point then. Thanx for pointing that out.

I agree with not regapping platinums

[FordFasteRR]

I have tried iridium plugs... I like the copper better.

Considering that I change my plugs every 3 or 4 oil changes, it is a waste of money to buy the fancier ones considering that NOBODY has shown any gains in power by using them.

Also, I have an MSD ignition system on my car. And using copper plugs I dynoed before and after with ZERO variation in power and torque.

The XD ignition system is superior to many I have seen. So I don't think anyone will see any benefit in power or fuel economy by using iridium plugs.

If there is any power to be had by the ignition system, then the secret is still out there. I personally don't think anyone will see any more power without coil pack upgrades, and that is an expensive modification.

.

[Steve]

Like everyone has already said, just buy copper plugs and spend the money on the plug wires, they are the weakest link in the XD ignition system. A nice set of NGK wires or Magnecore KV-85 if you can afford them.