Iridium Spark Plugs-are they worth it?

navin_bhp · 1st February 2007, 03:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by rr_zen

For K&N filters you can approach Mahaveer Auto on G.P Road. They are also authorised dealers for K&N.

Thanks for the info rr_Zen. I think i know that shop...had my sunfilms done there for my car... will make a visit soon..

n_aditya · 1st February 2007, 12:46

Could some one please let me know if the Iridium plugs make any significant difference compared to normal ones? How much gain can i expect? I am plannin on OWS plugs in next few weeks.

I have an esteem with OE K&N and 4X1 Freeflow. I've heard from many people that the change is only minor and the effects felt are more due to MHP.

Would be glad if the experts can throw more light on this.

Thnx.

esteem_lover · 1st February 2007, 13:14

i was also told the same. i dont think they can drastically alter the performance of your car.

prem456 · 21st May 2007, 18:02

Hi, I have a query. I just bought a set of NGK Iridium plugs for my Santro LPG. Before installing the plugs i would like to know if I have to do anything to the plug gap, do i install it as it is or can i reduce the plug gap to an extent. The gaps have been reduced in the platinum plugs currently in use in the car since the car is running on LPG. Can someone advice regarding this matter.

Prem

furioussphinx · 21st May 2007, 19:45

Hey, was browsing through a few sites the other day and this is what I hit upon...

Silver Plugs...It seems they are better than Iridium and Platinum. You can check the link below. What say?

Source ::: Nology Silver Spark Plugs for direct fire ignitions

lancer_maniac · 7th August 2007, 14:33

Are these available here??

GTO · 7th August 2007, 18:17

I think some of you need to read this thread (ARTICLE: How to Modify / Tune your car) before installing iridium plugs.

swathyd · 7th August 2007, 18:34

A famous tuner adviced me against going for iridium plugs in my 1.6 fiat even if it is supported my mods like ffe and porting.

Absar · 30th August 2007, 00:03

Can someone let me know the part no for OWS Iridium spark plug for the Ikon 1.6? At Electra, I was told it has a different spark plug than the others because of its long head, but was quoted 950 for it. Thats a steep price I feel.

At Mahavir Automobiles he asked me to get the part no and he'll source it for me.

cya
A

rohan_fonseca · 30th August 2007, 02:28

According to the 25bhp faq rare metal plugs is the last thing to go for. However still waiting for the ideal heat ranges to be used for what cars.

im_srini · 30th August 2007, 11:42

Hi, my $0.02... I switched from stock plugs to OWS Iridium plugs last year, the cost was around 3K.

Before making the switch I read up online & what I learned was that Iridium, when compared to Platinum, has a substantially high melting point, & is also considerably harder, around 6 to 8 times ! Essentially, with Iridium manufacturers can make the center electrode much thinner, typically around 0.4mm to 0.6mm. The thinner electrode reduces the voltage required to make the spark 'jump', so the ignition components are stressed less.
Anyway, that's the theory. On making the switch, I did not notice any significant difference in performance, although it seemed that the engine was running smoother. If you're expecting to spend 3K on a set of Iridium plugs & gain a few BHPs, you're in for some disappointment. If however, you're planning to have your head ported, polished, shaved, & possibly turbo'd in the future, go for the plugs & wires - like good icing on a great cake.

adheesh · 5th October 2007, 19:29

If there is no performance difference why do all these people spend thier hard earned money on them?

harmon_bro · 5th October 2007, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by adheesh

If there is no performance difference why do all these people spend thier hard earned money on them?

Thats because the plug dealers talk their way into the customer's mind and get them buying it. Iam not generalizing all dealers. In a friend's case, a guy representing a reputed performance shop in Chennai gave gyaan of how these plugs can enhance performance at a higher level blah! blah! blah! and got my friend into buying it. And end of the day just money blown and car is jyst running the same way as it always to be. And FYI, this car is modded, ported polished, cold air intake and the plug wires had also been upgraded. So its no stock car.

And watch out for a new thread of this guy(dealer). Truly a shame that a guy representing a respected Performance parts shop in Chennai, cons people into paying up huge sum of money and does not deliver what is asked for. For example a 13" Plati rims for 26kto 30k and a Simota cold air intake for 20k, can you believe that? I will let everyone know of the big rip-off story my friend had gone through, very soon. So wait up.

GTO · 6th October 2007, 10:38

Quote:

Thats because the plug dealers talk their way into the customer's mind and get them buying it. Iam not generalizing all dealers.

Absolutely. For anyone considering iridium plugs, please have a look at our article on Modifying your car (ARTICLE: How to Modify / Tune your car).

Here is an excerpt on iridium plugs:

Quote:

Performance plugs are pointless on a stock / marginally modified car. Iridium plugs have hardly any benefits and you will never notice them anyway. In case you do install the same, ensure that you pick up plugs with the correct heat range for your engine. Approximate cost = Rs.800 – 3,500.

theMAG · 6th October 2007, 10:53

Instead of Iridium plugs, Bosch Platinum+4 is recommended. I'm trying to source a set for my car.

1st February 2007, 12:46	#32
n_aditya Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 5,373 Thanked: 3,806 Times View My Garage	Could some one please let me know if the Iridium plugs make any significant difference compared to normal ones? How much gain can i expect? I am plannin on OWS plugs in next few weeks. I have an esteem with OE K&N and 4X1 Freeflow. I've heard from many people that the change is only minor and the effects felt are more due to MHP. Would be glad if the experts can throw more light on this. Thnx.
	() Thanks

1st February 2007, 13:14	#33
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 513 Times View My Garage	i was also told the same. i dont think they can drastically alter the performance of your car.
	() Thanks

21st May 2007, 18:02	#34
prem456 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: cochin Posts: 20 Thanked: 10 Times	Hi, I have a query. I just bought a set of NGK Iridium plugs for my Santro LPG. Before installing the plugs i would like to know if I have to do anything to the plug gap, do i install it as it is or can i reduce the plug gap to an extent. The gaps have been reduced in the platinum plugs currently in use in the car since the car is running on LPG. Can someone advice regarding this matter. Prem
	() Thanks

21st May 2007, 19:45	#35
furioussphinx BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 536 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	Hey, was browsing through a few sites the other day and this is what I hit upon... Silver Plugs...It seems they are better than Iridium and Platinum. You can check the link below. What say? Source ::: Nology Silver Spark Plugs for direct fire ignitions
	() Thanks

7th August 2007, 14:33	#36
lancer_maniac BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bengaluruu Posts: 236 Thanked: 180 Times	Are these available here??
	() Thanks

7th August 2007, 18:17	#37
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,797 Thanked: 320,997 Times View My Garage	I think some of you need to read this thread (ARTICLE: How to Modify / Tune your car) before installing iridium plugs.
	(1) Thanks

7th August 2007, 18:34	#38
swathyd BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: thiruvananthapuram Posts: 774 Thanked: 26 Times	A famous tuner adviced me against going for iridium plugs in my 1.6 fiat even if it is supported my mods like ffe and porting.
	() Thanks

30th August 2007, 00:03	#39
Absar BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Madras Posts: 560 Thanked: 10 Times View My Garage	Can someone let me know the part no for OWS Iridium spark plug for the Ikon 1.6? At Electra, I was told it has a different spark plug than the others because of its long head, but was quoted 950 for it. Thats a steep price I feel. At Mahavir Automobiles he asked me to get the part no and he'll source it for me. cya A
	() Thanks

30th August 2007, 02:28	#40
rohan_fonseca BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Panaji Posts: 984 Thanked: 9 Times View My Garage	According to the 25bhp faq rare metal plugs is the last thing to go for. However still waiting for the ideal heat ranges to be used for what cars.
	() Thanks

30th August 2007, 11:42	#41
im_srini BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 1,010 Thanked: 491 Times View My Garage	Hi, my $0.02... I switched from stock plugs to OWS Iridium plugs last year, the cost was around 3K. Before making the switch I read up online & what I learned was that Iridium, when compared to Platinum, has a substantially high melting point, & is also considerably harder, around 6 to 8 times ! Essentially, with Iridium manufacturers can make the center electrode much thinner, typically around 0.4mm to 0.6mm. The thinner electrode reduces the voltage required to make the spark 'jump', so the ignition components are stressed less. Anyway, that's the theory. On making the switch, I did not notice any significant difference in performance, although it seemed that the engine was running smoother. If you're expecting to spend 3K on a set of Iridium plugs & gain a few BHPs, you're in for some disappointment. If however, you're planning to have your head ported, polished, shaved, & possibly turbo'd in the future, go for the plugs & wires - like good icing on a great cake.
	(1) Thanks

5th October 2007, 19:29	#42
adheesh BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bombay Posts: 526 Thanked: 54 Times View My Garage	If there is no performance difference why do all these people spend thier hard earned money on them?
	() Thanks

6th October 2007, 10:53	#45
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,196 Thanked: 1,821 Times View My Garage	Instead of Iridium plugs, Bosch Platinum+4 is recommended. I'm trying to source a set for my car.
	() Thanks