Copper Plugs VS Platinum or Iridium

[Venator1]

Which plugs work best for a chipped S4? I was told by an Audi Tuning mechanic that cheaper copper plugs will give more power, performance, and juice then the very expensive Platinum or Iridium plugs. Any suggestions or comments? What name brands and type do you use?

[Splinter]

Copper apparently work better because they dissipate heat quicker than platinum or iridium, but they only last about 5-10k miles. So if you don't mind changing them every oil change, go with copper, otherwise platinum or iridium. I recently put in NGK BRK6E's (iridium, one step colder because i'm chipped) and they seem to be working just fine.

[Grangalan]

It's always been a general rule of thumb that platinum plugs arent good in a FI car.

[highPSI-S4]

i'm stll fighting boost laks but so i don't know how they perform yet, but i have DENSO Iridiums

[The_Jerbel]

It's always been a general rule of thumb that platinum plugs arent good in a FI car.

I would just love to see some evidence that this is true. I've never seen any data that indicates that platinum plugs actually cause lower power output than copper.

[exorcet]

I would just love to see some evidence that this is true. I've never seen any data that indicates that platinum plugs actually cause lower power output than copper.

seriously.. if platinum isn't good for force induction then Audi must be really stupid to put in platinum plugs as OEM equipment, eh?

[gointoscott]

I would just love to see some evidence that this is true. I've never seen any data that indicates that platinum plugs actually cause lower power output than copper.

Jerbel's a AZ Moderator now! I knew it was a matter of time.

If you have been for a little while and I just noticed, my bad

Otherwise good to see

[The_Jerbel]

Haha, thanks buddy. It's only been a few days, you're not missing much

[AudiSportB5S4]

It's always been a general rule of thumb that platinum plugs arent good in a FI car.

the Bosch F5DPOR Sidefires are platinum.. they were OEM on cars a long time ago (early 90's) from Audi. I started running them and my car is running much smoother so i dont know what thumb that rule comes from !

[exorcet]

the Bosch F5DPOR Sidefires are platinum.. they were OEM on cars a long time ago (early 90's) from Audi. I started running them and my car is running much smoother so i dont know what thumb that rule comes from !

yeah i've gone through the following plugs in the last month, for idle misfires, and other reasons (i.e. seafoaming so changed after, etc):
NGK PFR6Q
NGK BKR7E
BOSCH F6DTC
BOSCH F5DPOR

The two smoothest were BKR7E and F5DPOR. Overall I like the F5DPOR best as they definitely make my idle the smoothest (albeit after changes listed below, so...can't give full credit). In defense of the F6DTC I was running it while having some timing/pingin issues on a unitronic tune i was trying, so i never gave it a full opportunity.

After seafoaming and receiving an updated tune file, my idle misfires are very, very low now. I think I might go back to BKR7E just to see how the are after my updated changes.... but yes, the F5DPOR are very good.

[Slow4]

Don't mean to threadjack, but how easy is it to replace the sparkplugs?

[SoEvoL]

Easy
– Some move the pipe
Remove engine cover. then CP's
Remove plugs
– Install new spark plugs.
Tightening torque: 30 Nm (22 ft lb)
reverse

[BastardS4]

Easy
– Some move the pipe
Remove engine cover. then CP's
Remove plugs
– Install new spark plugs.
Tightening torque: 30 Nm (22 ft lb)
reverse

you cant use a torque wrench on crushgasket plugs.

[blmlozz]

you cant use a torque wrench on crushgasket plugs.

well..you *shouldn't* no.. but assuming you're using anti-sieze and have a good wrench, you should be able to without having to worry about stripping threads, since I'm sure it would be hard to identify when the washer makes contact with the head after 100K of dried up anti-sieze. Such was the case with my old Mazda and I never had issues with crush-washer spark plugs and 22ft/lb torque, nor have I had issues with my 1.8T A4. I mean, the NGK themselves lable torque specifications for gasket type plugs on the box in addition to the 1/2-2/3 turn rule.

[CONTROL ONE]

Where does everyone order their plugs from online?

After Seafoaming and chipipng with GIAC, I'm looking to change plugs as well.

Also, what is the recommended gap of the NGK BKR7E's?

[CONTROL ONE]

Anyone? Specifically the gap on the NGK's.

[mholme]

Anyone? Specifically the gap on the NGK's.

I'm installing a set right now. I'm gapping mine to .028

[ThirdStrike]

It's always been a general rule of thumb that platinum plugs arent good in a FI car.

LOL you need to take that back.
i dont know what ass you pulled that out of but its not true

[pit viper]

LOL you need to take that back.
i dont know what ass you pulled that out of but its not true

It's not that they're not good, it's that they get eaten up.

I order through sparkplugs.com

[ThirdStrike]

iridiums are probably the best way to go
try a NGK BKR8EIX
BKR7EIX's are too hot imo
coppers will work fine also but they wont last long. esp on a stage 3 car.
gap should be .25 to .32
.28 works well for my car

[ThirdStrike]

It's not that they're not good, it's that they get eaten up.

I order through sparkplugs.com

huh?
do you guys get your info from experience or theory?

[pit viper]

huh?
do you guys get your info from experience or theory?

Well, in my case, experience on my SRT-4.
Those engines tend to be spark-plug intensive.

[CONTROL ONE]

iridiums are probably the best way to go
try a NGK BKR8EIX
BKR7EIX's are too hot imo
coppers will work fine also but they wont last long. esp on a stage 3 car.
gap should be .25 to .32
.28 works well for my car

So are you saying that BKR7's are still too hot even though they are 1 step colder than stock?

Do you mean for a Stg 3 or Stg 2?

[pit viper]

rule of thumb I've always heard is 1 step colder for every 75-100 hp.

[CONTROL ONE]

So going by that, I should be fine with BKR7E's with a Giac-x chipped, stock exhaust S4. Done.

[quickaudi]

so, according to the guys at Audifans, platinums in a turbo car were a bad idea due to the electrodes and insulators having problems with the pressures from the turbos, except the side fire F5DP0R worked well, probably because it was a factory plug for the 200 20v back in the day

center electrode wearing away

turbos extinguish sparks (probably false there, buddy)

rebuttal of spark extinguish theory

Tech tip from the well-known Ned Ritchie from Intended Acceleration