Spark plugs - Champion platinum power?

[Blaine B.]

Just bought some Champion platinum power spark plugs.....

My friend was telling me that I should have bought the "normal" copper core plugs because that's what runs best and all.....and that there's always huge debates and such and the best thing are the regular copper core plugs.

http://championsparkplugs.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=1180268&pid=4256

Those are the plugs I bought, didn't put them in yet. It does specify that the plugs do have a copper core, but have a platinum tip.

I haven't installed them yet. What should I do?

 

[rcnerd]

they all work fine

 

[Blaine B.]

He was also saying something about the resistance differences in copper vs. platinum not matching up with what the ignition coil was supposed to be used with........and that regular copper plugs are what comes with the vehicle from the dealer, so that is what is meant to be used with that particular engine and ignition combination.

 

[Rick Anderson]

There are some some modern ignition systems that have some funky properties to the ignition and some plugs work better than others, but most engines, regular plugs are fine. Platinums work well too, often last longer.

Unless you get a credible warning, like people on this board saying they used plug such and such and it worked poorly, I'd go with any good quality plug you want to try.

Tens of ohms difference really is in the noise for ignition, it really doesn't make a difference. Better spark doesn't really give you better performance, Poor Spark will hurt performance, and you will definitely see an improvement if you had weak ignition and brought it back up to spec; but once you hit the necessary spark intensity, make it greater won't really do anything to improve performance. Lots of 44k Volt Coils, with 9mm cables and special "V" spark plugs have been installed only to find the performance was no different than a tune-up with quality standard parts that cost 1/3 as much.

 

[Blaine B.]

I have a new ignition coil from autozone.......I think I did that a year ago or so?

So what would you use:

Regular Champion plugs
Champion Platinum plugs
or
Champion Premuim gold plugs?

 

[Blaine B.]

Which would be better - the Platinum powers or copper plus plugs?

 

[Fish'nCarz]

I run platinum because they last longer. The platinum doesn't degrade as fast so your gap remains constant. That's the only benefit that I am aware of.

 

[92DripCherokee]

if youre finding carbon or oil on any of your plugs, go with OEM. The platinum plugs resist electrode wear far better, but will misfire when fouled just like a cheap OEM plug would. I dont think a spark plug is worth cleaning, the trouble of taking them all out, cleaning, regapping and reinstalling is worth the cost of a new set.

The plats are only worth it on a new, clean burning engine where they can live a clean life.

 

[BassnTruck]

I was a Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge tech for years. Anything other then the the plain old copper champs were hit or miss. And mostly miss. They would come in with misfire codes all the time from platinum and other plugs. They are really not needed unless they are called for. You can buy 2-3 sets of the coppers for the price of them. I would suggest returning them and getting the coppers and pocket the money. Also spend the extra few dollars and get a copper cap not an alum post one.

They may run fine and never throw a code. But they are not worth it on these motors.

 

[Blaine B.]

Well I'll take your advice since you were actually seeing that problem with XJ's. I took back the Champion Platinums and got some Copper Plus plugs instead.

Except retarded me dropped two plugs. Bah! These are the type that come pre gapped. When the plugs rolled off onto the floor the tip got bent down. I simply regapped it to spec......do you think I'll have any problems or is it ok to regap after they get bent? I'm really not sure, never dropped a plug before!

 

[dizzymac]

You should be fine as far as regapping. I can't count the number of times that I have removed, cleaned and regapped plugs.
Even with pre-gapped plugs, I still check the gap on them and adjust if needed.

 

[the_bandit87]

who makes a distributor cap with copper posts? the only ones I have ever sceen were either aluminum or brass. Is that the factory mopar one or?

 

[Blaine B.]

Accel does, I believe.

Whats the need though? The champion plugs come with regular posts.....my distributor cap has the regular silver posts too. My ignition coil has the goldish post.....

If the plugs don't have the goldish posts what is the use?

EDIT -

What's the difference between Champion Copper Plus and Champion Truck Plugs? They are both copper plugs.....any differences - anybody try both and find one which was better than the other?

 

[BassnTruck]

I replied to your PM Blaine.

As for the cap question. The alum caps are cheaper and can not hold and do not hold up as well to the spark always jumping when the rotor passes. The spark eats it faster and builds up "crud" at the points. It is a metal desnity thing. Altho my cap was $12 more then the alum one. It did come with a lifetime warranty tho unlike the 90 day omn the other.

With the way fuel prices are getting I will replace everything every 10k since it is all lifetime. They are easy to change. Is it over kill for that extra MPG or 2? Yea but it adds up. Not that I DD this one. I am auctally giving it to my brother.

 

[XJRob2]

Which would be better - the Platinum powers or copper plus plugs?

The cheaper ones. I only run Champion plugs in my stuff that is stock. When I was playing with built motors in my VW's and running very high engine temps, and high octane fuel I would run platinum plugs. On a stock motor, you will not see much difference at all. IMO

 

[Ecomike]

I have been runing single electrode platimum plugs for 20,000 miles on a Renix, 1987, 4.0 liter engine that has 247,000 miles on it and the plugs still look like the day I bought them.

I, for one, Am Impressed!

They are AP3924 Bosch.

 

[87baseomatic]

OEM champions on any jeep I have every owned. My renix 4.0 ran like but with bosch plugs and napa cap rotor and wires. I threw on some copper champions and it ran like a champ. My 92 and my fathers 01 ran so so with platinum plugs.