Copper or Iridium?
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Carrolton TX
Copper or Iridium?
I'm going to change the plugs out in the Vette this weekend and was going to go with the NGK TR55s. Most parts places around here don't stock them but they do stock the NGK Iridium plugs. Anyone have any input on these plugs? I'm more concerned with performance vs. longevity. Thanks!
Pro
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: Copper or Iridium? (Superj)
I'm running iridium in my '98 coupe. I asked this same question when I bought them, and the response I received was that they should work fine unless I was using NOS. I've had them in for around 1000 miles with no problems. I'm gonna pull them out in a week or 2 just to check and see how everything looks.
Dave
Dave
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Copper or Iridium? (Superj)
Copper is the best conductor and heat dissapator there is for spark plug applications and virtually any other application.
The purpose of using platinum or iridium, is strictly to enhance the life of a plug due to the extreme hardness of the metals. The sacrifice is that you loose good heat dissapation qualities, and spark delivery is not that of a copper plug.
Iridium fits somewhere between copper and platinum for longevity for a few reasons. Iridium is harder than platinum, but only recently has manufacturing processes allowed it to be produced in a spark plug economically. Since its so hard, the electrode can be made smaller on the tip. This generates a more violent spark and ensures great ignition. Due to its small tip size, its not a long lasting as the larger platinum tips.
Copper is soft comparitavly, but will always yield the greatest results for spark delivery and smooth efficient heat dissapation. The trade off is sooner change intervals.
The purpose of using platinum or iridium, is strictly to enhance the life of a plug due to the extreme hardness of the metals. The sacrifice is that you loose good heat dissapation qualities, and spark delivery is not that of a copper plug.
Iridium fits somewhere between copper and platinum for longevity for a few reasons. Iridium is harder than platinum, but only recently has manufacturing processes allowed it to be produced in a spark plug economically. Since its so hard, the electrode can be made smaller on the tip. This generates a more violent spark and ensures great ignition. Due to its small tip size, its not a long lasting as the larger platinum tips.
Copper is soft comparitavly, but will always yield the greatest results for spark delivery and smooth efficient heat dissapation. The trade off is sooner change intervals.
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From: Austin Texas
Re: Copper or Iridium? (kewlbrz)
kewlbrz wrote:The purpose of using platinum or iridium, is strictly to enhance the life of a plug due to the extreme hardness of the metals.
I write: Iridium is hard and gets its wear properties from this hardness, platnum is not so hard, but is nothing react with it so it doesn't degrade.
I write: Iridium is hard and gets its wear properties from this hardness, platnum is not so hard, but is nothing react with it so it doesn't degrade.
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Re: Copper or Iridium? (MitchAlsup)
kewlbrz wrote:The purpose of using platinum or iridium, is strictly to enhance the life of a plug due to the extreme hardness of the metals.
I write: Iridium is hard and gets its wear properties from this hardness, platnum is not so hard, but is nothing react with it so it doesn't degrade.
I write: Iridium is hard and gets its wear properties from this hardness, platnum is not so hard, but is nothing react with it so it doesn't degrade.
Thread Starter
Drifting
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From: Carrolton TX
Re: Copper or Iridium? (kewlbrz)
Kewlbrz and Mitch, thanks for the comments. Sounds like copper is the way to go for the minute performance gain. I'll keep looking around for the NGK TR55s.
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Re: Copper or Iridium? (Superj)
super. I got mine at an oreilly auto parts store here in carrollton. I think the forum vendor lapd sells them too.
Thread Starter
Drifting
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From: Carrolton TX
Re: Copper or Iridium? (kewlbrz)
I'll check them out. I called the O Reilly's here in Irving but they said the nearest store that had them was Arlington. I'll call the Carrolton store tommorow.
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Drifting
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From: Joliet IL
Re: Copper or Iridium? (Superj)
I'll check them out. I called the O Reilly's here in Irving but they said the nearest store that had them was Arlington. I'll call the Carrolton store tommorow.
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From: Austin Texas
Re: Copper or Iridium? (kewlbrz)
kewlbrz wrote: "Not sure where the disagreement is. I said in my post that iridium is harder than platinum."
I was adding context to you previous statement: "The purpose of using platinum or iridium, is strictly to enhance the life of a plug due to the extreme hardness of the metals."
I was adding context to you previous statement: "The purpose of using platinum or iridium, is strictly to enhance the life of a plug due to the extreme hardness of the metals."
