Iridium Spark Plugs

[gregthiara]

Are Iridium spark plugs worth changing to?

[JFP in PA]

I would say "yes", although I'm sure others would disagree. Iridium is the hardest material with high current conductance properties available in spark plug at this time, so it should last the longest. We have used both NGK and Denso's in both normally aspirated and turbo cars, and while both worked well, I think the Denso's are a bit better.

[gregthiara]

Does it make the car run better?

the standard porsche plugs have the bit that sparks and 2 bits of metal around it, these iridium have such a tiny electrode and a small bit of metal,

denso plugs claim to make the car run much better but wouldnt porsche change to thses if they were that good?

Edited April 2, 2011 by gregthiara

[Loren]

I have not seen any performance changes due to (correct heat range) spark plugs.

If anything the iridium plugs may last longer (IMHO of course).

[JFP in PA]

I have to agree with Loren on this; and because it gets into a questionable definition of "better". In general, just about any new plug is going to be "better" than one with a lot of miles on it, simply because it is new (after all, these are consumable items) . I believe if you dyno tested several brands of new plugs of the same heat range; any differences would be more experimental error rather than actual gains. The more appropriate question is which plug is doing "better" after a ton of miles, and this is where the incredible toughness of Iridium comes in. After 30-40 thousand miles, the Iridium plugs still look like new with no real change in the electrode gaps or condition, while the OEM plugs tend to show more electrode wear. On a Boxster or Cayman, plug changes are relatively straight forward affairs as nothing is in the way; on a 996/997/Turbo they tend to be a bit more difficult due to exhaust system packaging and the like. Longer lived, or longer performing plugs have an obvious advantage is these installations. To me, that is where the "better" term actually resides………..

[gregthiara]

Thanks that clears thing up perfectly.

[PAULSPEED]

I perfer NGK plugs over nipadenso.

Back in my two cycle days the NKG's would not foul.

Just my personal favorite plug in the world.

Paul