Copper vs Platinum plugs

[RoninLB]

A member posted that copper spark plugs are more flexible around it's heat range than platinum.

I have never heard or read about this before and I'm interested in this subject. Can anyone contribute some information ?

TIA

[Zendalar]

Flexible, yea. I heard that platinum plugs are made of harder material and the spark plug tips have failed in a way that pieces have fell inside the cylinder -> Catastrophic engine failure.

I thought platinum plugs had only one heat range.

[RickM]

Hmmm, flexible in what way, Ron?

I'm interpreting flexible to mean the ability to work properly in a wider heat range.

As most know Platinum plugs have the tip encased in a ceramic housing. There's only a dot showing. I've heard they are more prone to fouling.

EDIT: To correct my crappy spelling....as usual.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by RickM

I'm interpretin flexible to mean the ability to work properly in a wider heat range.

yep.. meaning acceleration EGTs are different than crusing EGTs.
A cold cylinder head, piston, and cylinder transforms to operating CHT, etc.

thanks Rick

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Zendalar

I thought platinum plugs had only one heat range.

Zen.. I don't have much hard info on all designs.. I do that many heat range options, hotter/colder, are offered in platinum.

[pwd72s]

Fascinating topic...Maybe with Ron's EGT unit, we could get some hard data? I've used both platinum & copper, and running copper now, based on Mechanic's suggestion.

[Por_sha911]

I know there have been many posts (or conversations within posts about this). Everything I've read say that people have a lot of trouble with Platinum running crappy in their P-car. I really don't care about graphs and charts (not a put down to those who do them-in most cases they are great) when I know that the cheaper Copper run better. Seems like an easy no-brainer.

[no substitute]

My understanding is that the copper plugs are superior for the older/middle cars such as ours, and that the platinums don't do much anyway. There are some new silver plugs on the market that, according to Bruce Anderson, do make a difference.

[RoninLB]

thanks for the replies guys.

I've heard and read about the prob with plat plugs in our engines. I was interested in this members statement about the temp flex of copper vs plat.

Personally my attitude is to run the coldest copper plug I can live with. Then later maybe play with high rated suggestions for entertainment.

I just thought the flex of copper over plat was interesting.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Zendalar

Flexible, yea. I heard that platinum plugs are made of harder material and the spark plug tips have failed in a way that pieces have fell inside the cylinder -> Catastrophic engine failure.

.

I just gave this more thought. I guess there is a possibility going on here. I ask an unclear question, and by default, I get more info to think about... thanks.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by pwd72s

we could get some hard data? .

only about changing a set of NGK BP5ES to BP7ES.

I just did a 60mi hy ride with the BP7ES. Car felt pretty much the same with only flipping to a colder plug.
Other temps were about the same except upon acceleration. EGTs spike when accelerating. EGTs dropped about 100deg from the 5's and became more stable. Which leaves open the option of tweaking the ignition advance. I haven't pulled the plugs but have confidence so far that I'll ride them awhile till I get BP8ES or BP9ES.

The BP8ES is the plug that's routinely suggested around here for my engine.

ps: higher NGK # = colder

[1fastredsc]

Turbos engine and there even wider range of heat seem to be affected even greater by platinums. I ran a set in my 944 turbo when i owned it, and keeping in mind that without boost most turbo cars run like crap anyway, but in this case it was extra crappy. Only on boost did the car feel right again. Sooooooo, i went back to copper and had no problems during warm up or off boost driving (i never did much of that though ).