Iridium Spark Plugs

[Sanxta]

I hear that these take ages to wear out/accumulate crap - and that they don't need to be changed as regularly as copper or other plugs . . .

Does anyone know if this info is true/false/partially bullshit?

Cheers,
Sanx

[Inane]

I think they might be the same deal as Platinum Spark plugs,

I know with the platinum ones they recommend changing them every 100,000 kilometres (at the same time as the cam belt)

[Dodgy Guy]

I also hear they give off a bigger spark? *shrugs*

[Sanxta]

hmm, cheers for fast reply.

what's the status quo for plugs generally man? 20,000 kms or summin?

[pplmvr]

I heard they pretty mean stuff, anybody knows what the cost are like ?!

[Inane]

I pay about $16 a plug I think...

[Inane]

(prolly retail for around $20 per plug)

Q. What makes Iridium better?
A. Until recently, platinum was considered the best material to use on the top of an electrode because of its durability. However, Iridium is 6 times harder, 8 times stronger, and has a melting point 1200 degrees higher than platinum. Put that into a harsh environment such as an engine piston chamber, and you have a spark plug that can resist wear much better than platinum.

[pplmvr]

oh yep thx, only $16, sweet I think I can at least give it a try.

who is the best deal in town for NGK brand ?!

[UTERUS]

Try the usual APPCO and REPCO. hassle them for a discount.

[kingcorolla]

i could be wrong, but last time i checked, iridium plugs were alot more hat 16 bux..
ask mr revhead for a price.

[Roman]

Hey dude I just got some for my mr2 and they are the shit,you should feel a little bit of a difference on your performance side of things,I bought it for twenty dollars each ngk spark plug so all up 80bucks,I bought it from super cheap in manakau. Oh repco they are like $&#$% 25 each a bit of a rip off,dont know why they put their prices up.

[TRD Man]

There is a thread about this already on the forum.
Iridium is actually the metal they use to harden the platinum spark plug tips.
All going well an Iridium plug could last the life of your car.
They do provide a stronger and consistent spark which could lead to small power gains.
It's interesting to hear Roman say he can feel the difference in his MR2.

One problem we have had with a rally car that ran rich on startup was that the plugs would easily foul and the car wouldn't start.
So I'd avoid them in this situation.

TRD Iridium plugs are very expensive, although we do sell a good many of them. They are made by Denso and I think Toyota Dealers sell Denso plugs at a cheaper price so Revhead may be able to help out with those.
Otherwise we keep the TRD plugs in stock.

cheers
Bruce

[Lanius]

Hrmm ... I was always told to rather just stick with normal plugs and replace them more regularly than Iridium or Platinum ones.

[Mr Revhead]

you should feel a little bit of a difference on your performance

yeah you probably could, if your original plugs were stuffed

[Roman]

Well when I got my car,the owner hadnt really serviced it that often,I chucked the iridium spark plugs in my N/a mr2 and i personally thought my car ran better same as my standard air filter,it was filty as,and got a Pod filter,I certainly felt a big difference.

[Al]

Hrmm ... I was always told to rather just stick with normal plugs and replace them more regularly than Iridium or Platinum ones.

Yes. I replace my plugs every 7000-10,000kms, i use one step colder copper ngks. Besides, copper conducts better than platinum.

Al

[Rollux]

A write up in an Oz mag was done a while ago on plugs. They took a Lancer 1500 SOHC, ran it on the dyno, changed plugs etc, another run etc.
What they came up with was copper plugs gave about 3-4kw more than platinum. This said, the platinums gave more power than the originals that were 30000k's old. The article said the only advantage of platinum plugs was there life expectancy, which can be all important if you have things like intake manifolds to remove before you can take the plugs out (think V6s)

Me, when my factory platinums expire, I'll be using coppers. $2.60ea compared to $16ea, no question.

[Sanxta]

Got my set of [NGK] iridiums about a year ago for $80 [4 set]

[Akane]

I have Iridium on my MR2 as well, they foul really quickly as I'm running quite rich. Be prepared to take them out regularly and give it a sand paper job if your car is tuned on the rich side.

[ROBODISCO_20v]

Hrmm ... I was always told to rather just stick with normal plugs and replace them more regularly than Iridium or Platinum ones.

Who told you that?? You cant get much better than Iridium for on the street. NGK say their iridiums will last about 60000km as aposed to 100,000km for their platnum. Platnums arent a performance orentated plug like the iridiums are. Just long life/hard wearing.