2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

iridium vs platinum

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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 03:22 PM
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iridium vs platinum

i've always used platinum spark plugs from NGK in my all of my 7s. But I've seen that HKS makes iridium plugs, and I don't know much about these. which do you prefer, platinum or iridium.

Thanks
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 03:23 PM
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Aren't those the ones that are about 30 dollars each? I don't think that would be worth it. :-/
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 03:24 PM
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sorry, price per plug. I will guess they are much better.
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 03:25 PM
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probably not worth it for $30-38 per plug. thanks anyway
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 03:27 PM
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what about wires, i've heard goo things about the magnecor wires. (8.5)
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 03:28 PM
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The only ones I have seen in person are NGK accel and Jacobs.
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 05:16 PM
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Originally posted by genII Drifter
what about wires, i've heard goo things about the magnecor wires. (8.5)
Is there a big difference between 8.5 and 10 ?
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 05:59 PM
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greddy/trust has em too now, 18 bucks each. iridium actually give u HP (dyno proven) so im investing in some
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 06:12 PM
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do you have a link to the dyno graph? site?
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 06:19 PM
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i cant a sparkplug giving you and HP

and any HP that was dyno proven was mostly likly going from worn out plugs to new plugs and would have shown no matter what kinda plug was put in thier

magnacore makes the best wires that i am aware of

unless you have an upgraded ignition system thier is no need to go with the 10 mm
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Old Sep 13, 2003 | 06:25 PM
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Pinfield357

-actually plugs do give some HP but not much and I don't think that paying for double the price is practical for street cars. Maybe if you buy a set and swap out at the track when you go to an event or something like that but 18 dollars times 4 is ******* wacko for changing it every couple of months.
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Old Sep 14, 2003 | 12:21 AM
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Iridium is much more heat resistant than platinum- so a turbo rotary can benifit from that. If you go through regular or platinum plugs fast you will appreciate the longer life of iridium in extreme use.
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Old Sep 14, 2003 | 04:53 AM
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how about denso iridium sparks? any good at all for the 7's?
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Old Sep 14, 2003 | 08:27 AM
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I wonder if the RX8 iridium plugs will fit on the RX7.
Gotta call the dealer and see if the thread/temp/depth/design...are the same.
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Old Sep 14, 2003 | 11:00 PM
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I just put new platinum plugs in, and when they get here, magnecor 8.5 wires are goin in. I decided against the uridium plugs, not worth it as 1987rx7guy said.
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Old Sep 15, 2003 | 01:31 AM
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actually denso is the compay that has the dyno graph, contact them for it. i would like to get their plugs, but yea $25 each are expensive. $18 for the greddy ones are much cheaper. longer life is worth it then, eventually u would even out the money, having to replace crap spark plugs every couple of months, while the iridium costs more, it would last much longer.

i didnt know the rx-8 had iridium spark plugs though, thats awesome.
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Old Sep 15, 2003 | 03:04 AM
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That'll more than likely only be awesome until you get an 8 and have to change your sparks a few times, lol
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Old Sep 15, 2003 | 08:37 AM
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I've used the Denso Iridium plugs (in my former 240sx). Prior to using them, I did some research.

It is my understanding, that Iridium plugs offer the greatest benefit on engines w/ Direct Fire Ignition, where the coil pack is built into each plug. Most notably, engines such as the SR20DET and the RB26DETT

Ahh,...here is a link which backs up my statement. (Read the conclusion area).

http://www.autoindustriya.com/ads/denso2.html

I've installed them on my 240sx (w/ KA24DE engine). This engine utilizes a standard distributor ignition setup. Using only my butt dyno, I observed better response from my engine, both at idle and under acceleration. I will say that I only had the plugs in for approximately 15,000 miles at most, before I sold the car (The car now has a SR20DET engine installed) so I can't tell you the condition of the plugs now.

As for the price, I purchased them for $11 each (not the ungodly awful price of $30+). I can still get them for those that are interested.

Just as a side note, Denso makes the plugs for HKS. I don't know who makes the Greddy/Trust plugs yet, but my best guess would be NGK. (And yes, NGK does offer an Iridium spark plug as well).

Was it worth it for me to spend $11/plug? I would say yes. If anything, I can provide actual feedback on the product. And it also didn't kill me financially. Hell, I can easily spend $40 on a given weekend. Will I try iridium plugs again? Maybe,...depends on the vehicle.
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Old Sep 15, 2003 | 10:26 AM
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As far as plugs goes, come-on, just buy the OEM stuff and change them more often ! A spark is a spark and if you are running on stock ignition components, not worth it AT ALL.
Just my .02 cents
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Old Sep 15, 2003 | 10:55 AM
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Sorry, but changing spark plug types would not automatically give you better performance/power.&nbsp If it did, wouldn't we all be running these fancy plugs?

The major advantage of using these types of fancy (i.e. platinum, iridium) spark plugs is increase life, period.

This about it - platinum and iridium are inferior conductors.&nbsp Why add something that will impede electrical power?

Sorry DomFD3S, I find that article you posted a joke.&nbsp There are two major factors that the article failed to mention - one is spark plug gap and the other is spark plug orientation.&nbsp Most people know that changing spark plug gap vastly affects performance.&nbsp Also, "indexing" spark plugs on piston engines has been known to increase performance/power.&nbsp Luckily (or unluckily?), neither spark plug gap nor indexing is really possible to the rotary engine (spark plug).&nbsp It could be possible that the gains mentioned in the article wsa due to spark plug gap and/or spark plug orientation factors...

There is nothing wrong with the stock BUR7EQ/BUR9EQ spark plugs.&nbsp If you're looking for better performance/power, look elsewhere.&nbsp Platinum and iridium spark plugs just give you longer spark plug life - that's it.&nbsp I usually pay like $5 for regular plugs, is the platinum one going to last twice as long (plats cost me at least twice as much)?&nbsp I doubt it.&nbsp Does iridiums last 5 times as long?&nbsp I haven't tried, but I doubt it.

About the only gains you can make through spark plug selection is changing heat ranges.&nbsp Big power motors can gain more power by using colder spark plugs, but, keep in mind, colder spark plugs can foul under normal street driving conditions...

-Ted
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Old Sep 15, 2003 | 11:18 AM
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I do agree w/ you on the spark plug gap, orientation of the plug, and indexing.

Is it possible that the Iridium plugs (used for their marketing data/article) were "played with" (gapped, indexed, and indexed), as opposed to straight out of the box? Possible. Also, it could have been possible that the iridium plugs just happen to be installed in a "more ideal" position when switched from regular plugs.

I'm sorry to say that I don't have actual hardcore data/documentation of my experience w/ iridium plugs (I wish I did).

Would I try to see how long these iridium plugs last (50,000+ miles)? To be honest,...no. In my opinion, it is kind of like "extended mileage coolant or Dexcool". I simply don't like the idea of keeping a fluid (or in this case,...a spark plug) in for that long.
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