HeathenBrewing

Copper Plugs make more power. Iridium plugs make less power but do not foul as quickly as Copper.

Unless you have modded your motor, I say go copper!

Im sticking with my $1,99 coppers and swapping in new ones at least once a year.

bB2NER

Dude, you are so wrong! Please refrain from spreading false information? If you want to run plain old copper plugs, go for it. Don't tell lies to others. They may believe you DA.

Sciond

QFT

HeathenBrewing

So you believe that iridium plugs give more power than coppers?

Whatever helps get you through the night.

bB2NER

What was your first clue? I'ts not just me either. Do your homework, copper plugs are old technology.

SciontCya

Before any more posts, someone post data proving that either one provides more HP.
You can't.

Copper will "wear out" faster, and it's not what Scion puts in the car, so why in the hell would you put $1.99 copper plugs in your tC?

Iridiums last 100k miles.

HeathenBrewing

Ive done the homework. Platinum and iridium spark plugs are for longevity only. They were invented for cars that have impossible to reach plugs and lets people feel all bling bling IMO.

Plugs are a bit of a hype thing, they have one task and I havent seen any science to prove why another plug would preform better.

As far as old technology goes, the gasoline engine is old technology, yet we continue to manufacture them. And if new technology is so great, why arnt you running those Pulstar plugs? Its new technology man!!

bB2NER

... yeah, but they keep getting better.

HeathenBrewing

Yes, I would love to see some independent testing that shows either provide more power than the standard copper plug.


That is what Scion puts in the xB. Hence the reason why I am posting this in the Scion xA/xB 1st-Gen Drivetrain & Power section.

You are correct, copper will wear out faster. I replace mine every year, and so far wear has not been a factor. Sure, irids will "last" 100K miles, but many plugs will "last" that long. Hell, mototr oil can "last" 100K miles in a motor, but would you really leave it in there that long? Even if they "last" that long, you still have to pull them out to clean them. If Im going to invest the time to pull plugs, I am going to replace them. A new copper plug is just as good as any iridium plug after 7-10K miles and only 1/3 the price.

Additionally, it does not mean it is best for ignition. Many car manufactures dont recommend changing out the fluid in a manual trans since it is a "lifetime fluid". Same goes with PS fluid. But you know what? Your car will perform better and last longer if you ignore claims of "lifetime" and change them out on a regular basis.

HeathenBrewing

My personal experience:
I have run both NGK copper and NGK platniums in my engine (only mod was to remove the snorkle, which would have no effect on compression). I am not talking about boosted and/or high compression engines, just what Scion gives you from the factory. Plugs were gapped @ .030.

Changed the stock plugs out @ 15K miles w/ the platniums. MPGs went down on the first tank by almost 2. No noticable change in initial startup and/or acceleration. At about 3800 rpm, I noticed a bit of 'hesitation' until I hit 4K. Maybe hesitation is the wrong word here - slight stumble might be more accurate, but the effect was noticable at that rpm range. I kept those bad boys in there for 3K miles, then pulled them to take a look - a lot of soot for such a short mileage interval.

Put my old plugs back in (the ones with 15K miles on 'em) and MPGs went back up to where it was before.

Next oil change I put in brand new NGK v-power coppers and got another 1.1 MPG increase over the stock plugs that had 15K on 'em. Car seemed…"crisper" during acceleration, but that had a lot to do with the fact the previous plugs were used. No hesistation at the 3800-4000 rpm range anymore.

No matter what plug it is, I wouldnt go more than 30K miles on 'em. Iridium, platnium….whatever. I have not personally tried the iridiums in my xB though, and for the price, I have no plans on trying them anytime soon. Even if I choose to run 'em, I wouldnt do so for more then 30K and I wouldnt run them until I say some independent evidence that they offer some kind of benefit other than longevity. Plug removal on the xB is easier than any other car I have owned IMO.

bB2NER

You should try the NGK irridiums gapped at the proper .044. When they are only gapped at .030 they are not allowed to do what they do best. Make a hotter more efficient spark!
That's where the more power and better mpgs come from.

HeathenBrewing

That is NOT what Scion recommends as a correct gap. Im sticking with '30' to be consistant between the different plug types Im currently experimenting with.

More power by changing the gap alone? No way. More reliable ignition of fuel? Thats possible, but you have to weight that aganist the possible cost of the engine missing at higher rpms.

I am not looking to drive my box like a sports car, I am looking for maximum reliability and maximum mpgs. I must say I am interested in seeing what happens if I increase my gap, but I need to finish the results of my first testing phase first.

SciontCya

My bad - wasn't even paying attention too the forum this was in!
Sorry.
My other thoughts stand though

HeathenBrewing

No worries man. Debate is good, regardless of who is right or wrong at the end of the day. Knowledge is power. Hype is ignorance.

Im just trying to cut through the marketing to get down to whats real.

SciontCya

Me too.
I have to keep an eye on things better - some of my posts have just been dopey lately.

While these plugs in my tC are good for 100k, I'm going to change at 50k.
Old dog, I am.

HeathenBrewing

Iridium, and Injen stickers on your sideskirt - delivers another 15+ HP!!!!!!

SciontCya

Sorry, I've got Iridium plugs and a baller ciggy lighter - 15WHP!

FTW

javastan

I am one cheap S.O.B I replaced my plugs with what the owners manual recomends, cost me six bucks, Car runs great and I average 33 mpg with light bolt on mods (I/H/E)

jct

truth of this spark plug

The day after I saw an advert for this new plug someone posted on the 1.8T forum: Apparently everyone of his coils were blown within a day.

(and no, coils don't blow for no reason, the stress from these plugs caused the failure)

eggie

I am happy with the NGK v-powers. Iridium plugs from my understandign will last longer, but performance is on par with OEM.

Am I mistaken?