[NGK spark plugs] iridium vs. platinum

[krnboitae]

iridium vs. platinum......... which one's better??? and why is it better??? I have 1998 accord lx 4 cyl.......... intake and exhaust....

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[flyromeo3]

uhhh...well I will leave the explanation to the japanese auto makers about these plugs.
I would stick to the stock plugs.
If it didnt matter than the 6cyl and 4cyl would both have platinum plugs.

[klnyc]

I got Iridium and my gas mileages is abit better. As for performance...no difference.

[Cosmo M3]

we use the NGK Platinums for our maintenance/tune-ups here at work. You'll notice better gas mileage.

Iridiums are the best however because the metal on those conduct better electricity than the platinums. The iridium metal can't be found on earth, they find them on asteroids!

[krnboitae]

if iridium's better than platinum.....why is platinum more expensive then iridium????

[ADRONICUS]

I went ahead and tried the Silverstone plugs by Nology www.nology.com they going the way of silver being a good conductor. Since it was Nology I took a chance. Good plug, felt a difference right away, but now it's like whatever...you get used to it ya know?

[wedley2]

maybe platinums spark hotter but doesnt last as long?

[Losimus]

Originally Posted by krnboitae

if iridium's better than platinum.....why is platinum more expensive then iridium????

uhmm...i just bought some denso iridiums and they were $12.99 each. opposed to the $5.99 of the platinums.

do you mean the actual cost of the metal?

[strykernyc]

how often u guys change ur sparks plugs? i change mine with same stock honda over 2 yr dont know if i should change them?

[AccordSleeper]

Originally Posted by krnboitae

iridium vs. platinum.........

I have 1998 accord lx 4 cyl.......... intake and exhaust....

get NGK coppers for ~$2.50 apiece. the 4 bangers come with ngk coppers stock and they are easy to replace. change them once a year for best performance.

platinums are crap, they are designed for longevity not performance. iridiums combine performance and longevity and are best for cars that the plugs are hard to replace in like the V6. since you have a inline 4 those plugs are easy to replace so why not change them once a year with ngk coppers.

[skabone69]

Iridiums do not last as long as they claim. I just changed out my Iridiums I had in my car for 60,000 miles and they were garbage. I've learned my lesson and will just stick with stock copper plugs, and change them every 30,000. I was under the impression that the densos were supposed to last 100,000 miles but I'm glad I didn't put them to the test. stick with stock plugs.(I'll post up some pics later of what they look like after 60,000 miles of abuse.)

[AccordSleeper]

Originally Posted by skabone69

Iridiums do not last as long as they claim. I just changed out my Iridiums I had in my car for 60,000 miles and they were garbage. I've learned my lesson and will just stick with stock copper plugs, and change them every 30,000. I was under the impression that the densos were supposed to last 100,000 miles but I'm glad I didn't put them to the test. stick with stock plugs.(I'll post up some pics later of what they look like after 60,000 miles of abuse.)

there are two types of iridiums according to NGK. one type they use as oem in some cars like the STi and on newer honda motors and the other they sell as a performance plug. the oem style one is designed for longevity while the other has a smaller tip designed for performance 6mm i believe. the ones denso makes have a 4mm tip which why they don't last long. i'm not sure if denso makes an oem type idirium plug like ngk does.

[SmutWanter]

Simple terms:
Iridiums produce a better spark, but don't last nearly as long as platinums do, which is why platinums are more expensive. In terms of people not thinking that their spark plugs don't last as long as they are supposed to is due to the fact that spark plugs can be maitained just like everything else. When you take your spark plug out to look at it, and it is covered with black carbon, it doesn't mean that they aren't any good. Rubbing alcohol and a tooth brush is a simple solution to making spark plugs new again for all self assurance that they are still good. These websites below are helpful for you to pinpoint the status of your spark plugs, and what be done to prevent any other things that may affect the performance of you spark plug in the future.

http://www.motocross.com/motoprof/mo...lug2/plug2.htm
http://www.pdm-racing.com/features/plugs.html

[AccordSleeper]

i personally wouldn't change my plugs every 100k anyways. any performance car enthusiast would want to change his plugs more often since it's a way to monitor how the motor is running. if the irdiums lasted me 50k i'd be happy with that cause coppers would be good for 15-20K and changing those once a year on a WRX is a PITA.

[DownLowAcc]

werd on the NGK...its not going to help with your performance.....it will give you maybe 1 extra HP..all it will really do is help with the gas milage. so just go cheap on the spark plugs and save that money for the important things.

[skabone69]

he are the pics of the Denso Iridium plugs at 60,000 miles.eek:


I've learned my lesson and I'm sticking with copper plugs for now on.
me for buying plugs and thinking they would last 100,000miles > :shiner: <me realizing I was a moron.

[klnyc]

Shoot 50k?, by then I already changed those plugs. I tune-up my car every 25k miles, I dont know rest of you guys.

[skabone69]

Originally Posted by klnyc

Shoot 50k?, by then I already changed those plugs. I tune-up my car every 25k miles, I dont know rest of you guys.

I'm going back to changing them once a year.

you like how bad the gap is on those plugs?

[wedley2]

Originally Posted by skabone69

he are the pics of the Denso Iridium plugs at 60,000 miles.eek:


I've learned my lesson and I'm sticking with copper plugs for now on.
me for buying plugs and thinking they would last 100,000miles > :shiner: <me realizing I was a moron.

ur engine looks fine, grayish color.

the ones in my dad's camry lasted well over 50k until the engine wouldnt start one morning...

[strykernyc]

i did a tune up at 60k 2 yrs ago now i have 80ks 2yrs later.

is this a good deal
theaccordstore.com
Part # 568200 | $164.95
94-97 4cyl EX MSD IGNITION PACKAGE

This complete MSD package comes with MSD's modified distributor cap, Blaster 2 coil, chrome coil bracket and MSD's 8.5mm wire set. Fits 94-97 4cyl EX Vtec Accords only.

is this reallly real?

and why are this so expensive and is it true what they said?
Part # 734116 | $159.95
94-02 4cyl VTEC NOLOGY WIRE SET (BLUE)
Nology HotWires are the most advanced ignition wires available. HotWires are engineered with a special built-in capacitor that allows energy from the ignition coil to accumulate in the capacitor until the voltage at the spark plug electrodes reach the ionization point. The stored spark is then discharged at once, creating a spark 300 times more powerful. The result is quicker acceleration, increased HP and torque, higher top speed, easier starting and increased fuel mileage.

notice higher top speed!

[AccordSleeper]

^you don't need nology wires or an MSD ignition. stick with oem or ngk wires they are best for most applications. the stock cap and ignition is fine for just bolt-on mods.

[ADRONICUS]

Anyone ever change their plugs and the little rubber boots from the ends of your wires stay down in the head? I hate that!!! That's the only way changing out plugs on a 4-banger can take more than 5 minutes.

[strykernyc]

i had hell to take mines out when i did the tune up 2 yrs ago, they broke like in hundreds of little tiny rubbers lol took me forever to take them out and all i was worry it would go inside the engine. actually they were broken already since it had never been change for 60,000 miles.

[flyromeo3]

sorry to revive this post.......are these plugs worth getting since I need to go a tuneup soon.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33693

[bonestock]

wow i change my plugs every other oil change. i run ngk bkr7e race plugs. 2 step colder for my nitrous setup.

just save your money and get copper plugs and used the saved money to buy extra sets and change them more often.

[polakatl]

what about the bosch 4 tip plugs?? They look like they are the shit.

[98CoupeV6]

Originally Posted by polakatl

what about the bosch 4 tip plugs?? They look like they are the shit.

Sorry to bring this back up again (was doing a search), but in general you should never put Bosch plugs into a Honda. The +4 plugs are a gimmick as well.

[hype8912]

I have the Bosch Plat 4's for a while. They are awesome for about 6 months they aren't that great anymore.

I went with the NGK Iridiums. I take my plugs out every so often to look them over. This is what my number 4 cylinder plug look like. So after seeing this, I bought some cheap NGK coppers and change them every year.



What can you expect for being hyrolocked once already. Its only my beater for to and from work and college.

[98CoupeV6]

Well thats not the fault of the spark plug...obviously you have a severe oil sludging problem in that cylinder. But yeah, always use what your owner's manual says to use.

[SmutWanter]

Originally Posted by hype8912

I have the Bosch Plat 4's for a while. They are awesome for about 6 months they aren't that great anymore.

You most likely do have bad or warped gaskets seals in that particular cylinder. Thats an easy problem to fix, and in terms of the spark plug you don't have to throw them out every time you see the oil on them. Instead, just clean them off with rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush, let air dry and they're as good as new.