Platinum plugs, bad??

Blacksn95 · 03-20-2001, 12:22 AM

I have a set of platinum plugs in my 94 and it seems to backfire when I hammer it into seconed. My wires have been changed and the distributer is fine. Does anyone out there experience the same problems. It does not backfire in normal driving.

quick89gt · 03-20-2001, 12:30 AM

platinum plugs are not performance plugs..they are known as long life plugs. i too had platinum's and took them out and put some good 'ol fashioned champions in them...and my car runs much, much better now....get urself a pair of champions and get rid of those CRAPINUMS

------------------
*************************
'89 GT, T-5,
Bored .030 Over, GT-40P heads, MAC 1 5/8" headers, MAC Off-Road H-Pipe, 2 1/2" Flowmasters, Edelbrock 65mm T.B., Trick Flow Intakes, Crane 2031 cam, 1.7 Roller Rockers, Keith Black hyp. flat top Pistons, Screamin' Deamon Coil, Champion Plugs, March Underdrive Pulleys, 255lph Fuel Pump, SVO Motorsport Clutch, Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator, Formula GP Suspension, MAC Upper & Lower Control Arms, FMS 3.73 Gears.
*************************

84_GT350 · 03-20-2001, 03:14 AM

Quick's right...those plugs are designed for long life...not so much performance. It's kinda unlikely they really hurt anything, but good old fashioned plugs are the way to go. Don't fall for fancy gimmicky plugs either. They're more fluff than stuff since a plug is basically a plug exept for the materials.

------------------
1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

Capri306 · 03-20-2001, 12:13 PM

PLatinums are crap IMHO period. I ran them ONE DAY in my old '85 4-banger. I had about half the power and I lost half my mileage in that one day. Changed back to Champions and instantly had my power & mileage back. It was scary how much of a difference it made. My '87 Notch had CRAPNUMS in there when I bought it. I've been running RV15YC4's in it since and I'm getting 22mpg and pretty damn decent power, too. The biggest thing is that my engine no longer pings up top. Go with the suggested copper plugs and you should be better off. STAY AWAY FROM SPLITFIRES!!!

------------------
Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online
1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73
1987 Mustang LX Notch

LX XLR8R · 03-20-2001, 12:16 PM

$5,000motor
$.99 autolite plugs
any questions

------------------
1987 black notch(ex 4 banger)
DSS 306 w/ main support...Elderbrock 6028 heads..gt-40 intake..24# injectors...70 mm tb..77 pro-m...accel 300+..mac full legnth..tremec w/ pro5oh...full MAC exhaust,off road h-pipe,long tubes, catback...ron davis radiator..subframes, control arms...CFDF II..o yea holley FPR sucks..dont buy one..
AIM=onesillynotch

2FastLX · 03-20-2001, 12:56 PM

Go with Autolights. I wasted money on Bosche Platinum +4's once and didn't notice any difference other than a lighter wallet.

------------------
Indiana Stangers Association
Buy your parts here

302 LX Eric · 03-20-2001, 02:35 PM

I also use Autolite plugs - 3924's for my TFS heads - Original COPPER ones.

Don't forget to properly gap the plugs. Stock setting is .054"

Good luck,
E

Fostang · 03-20-2001, 04:02 PM

What's wrong with split fires? I understand the reason for the platinums but what about the good old split fires what's wrong with them?

------------------
67'fastback- Edelbrock carb, intake, cam, valve springs. Road lifters, Comp Cam rocker arms, windage tray, cerama coated headers, dual flows with H-pipe, modded c-4, tci stall converter, perma cool electric fan, aluminum water pump, griffen aluminum radiator, accel 8.8 cable, wide cap distriburator, magnetic pick up, manley valves, v-matic hurst shifter, edelbrock performer nitrous, carter electric fuel pump, ignitor coil, solid motor mounts, magna racing suspension, poly urathane bushings, und

Fox Body · 03-20-2001, 06:15 PM

I never did care about changing to Pt spark plugs. I've also seen bad results from running Pt plugs in an Al block. Concerning split fire plugs, I wonder about those: why would you want to split the spark (not trying to be funny)?

I never had any problems with my Autolites so I'm gonna stick w/ them.

-------------------------------
'79 Mustang Coup
4" Cowl
Weld wheels (15x6;15x8)
Stock 5.8L
C4 w/ shift kit
1.5" MAC full length headers
Holley 750 CFM
Edelbrock intake
2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters
8.8" Rear end w/ 3.55 gears (Now that's more like it!!)

Front: 225/60/15 Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II
14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup soon)

"Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

Capri306 · 03-20-2001, 07:52 PM

The problems with splitfires are numerous.

1. If you have two possible places for the spark to go, it uses voltage that would've been used for firing to ionize two gaps instead of a single gap. It's a waste of spark energy.

2. Champion tried to split the electrode back sometime in the 1930's. They didn't notice a difference except more carbon buildup, so....

3. The insulator on splitfire plugs is of horrible quality, and so is the rest of the plug. I've had people bring me splitfires with the ground electrode missing. Wouldn't want that chunk of metal flying around in the cylinder, would you? Bad heat control due to the poor ceramics are the reason they tend to foul easy, in addition to a weaker spark.

The only way you're going to get two sparks from one plug is if by some coincidence the gaps are ionized exactly the same. Save yourselves money and get regular copper plugs, cold as you can go without fouling for maximum performance.

------------------
Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online
1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73
1987 Mustang LX Notch

03-20-2001, 12:22 AM	#1
Blacksn95 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Delta, B.C. Canada Posts: 5	Platinum plugs, bad?? I have a set of platinum plugs in my 94 and it seems to backfire when I hammer it into seconed. My wires have been changed and the distributer is fine. Does anyone out there experience the same problems. It does not backfire in normal driving.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Copper vs. Platinum? plugs	rwhite65	Windsor Power	9	09-30-2004 09:38 PM
$ 229.00 to change the plugs! WOW!	surfbeast	Modular Madness	9	09-05-2002 01:08 PM
Bosch Platinum Plugs	StreetStang37	Windsor Power	1	04-28-2001 02:31 PM
Wrong spark plugs helping performance?	QuantumMotorsports	Windsor Power	4	01-18-2001 12:20 PM

03-20-2001, 12:30 AM	#2
quick89gt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: O'Fallon, IL Posts: 243	platinum plugs are not performance plugs..they are known as long life plugs. i too had platinum's and took them out and put some good 'ol fashioned champions in them...and my car runs much, much better now....get urself a pair of champions and get rid of those CRAPINUMS ------------------ *********************** '89 GT, T-5, Bored .030 Over, GT-40P heads, MAC 1 5/8" headers, MAC Off-Road H-Pipe, 2 1/2" Flowmasters, Edelbrock 65mm T.B., Trick Flow Intakes, Crane 2031 cam, 1.7 Roller Rockers, Keith Black hyp. flat top Pistons, Screamin' Deamon Coil, Champion Plugs, March Underdrive Pulleys, 255lph Fuel Pump, SVO Motorsport Clutch, Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator, Formula GP Suspension, MAC Upper & Lower Control Arms, FMS 3.73 Gears. ***********************

03-20-2001, 03:14 AM	#3
84_GT350 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Overland Park, KS, USA Posts: 1,631	Quick's right...those plugs are designed for long life...not so much performance. It's kinda unlikely they really hurt anything, but good old fashioned plugs are the way to go. Don't fall for fancy gimmicky plugs either. They're more fluff than stuff since a plug is basically a plug exept for the materials. ------------------ 1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

03-20-2001, 12:13 PM	#4
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	PLatinums are crap IMHO period. I ran them ONE DAY in my old '85 4-banger. I had about half the power and I lost half my mileage in that one day. Changed back to Champions and instantly had my power & mileage back. It was scary how much of a difference it made. My '87 Notch had CRAPNUMS in there when I bought it. I've been running RV15YC4's in it since and I'm getting 22mpg and pretty damn decent power, too. The biggest thing is that my engine no longer pings up top. Go with the suggested copper plugs and you should be better off. STAY AWAY FROM SPLITFIRES!!! ------------------ Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73 1987 Mustang LX Notch

03-20-2001, 12:16 PM	#5
LX XLR8R Dirk Diggler Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: SLOATSBURG, NY Posts: 1,931	$5,000motor $.99 autolite plugs any questions ------------------ 1987 black notch(ex 4 banger) DSS 306 w/ main support...Elderbrock 6028 heads..gt-40 intake..24# injectors...70 mm tb..77 pro-m...accel 300+..mac full legnth..tremec w/ pro5oh...full MAC exhaust,off road h-pipe,long tubes, catback...ron davis radiator..subframes, control arms...CFDF II..o yea holley FPR sucks..dont buy one.. AIM=onesillynotch

03-20-2001, 12:56 PM	#6
2FastLX The Photoshop Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mecca, Indiana Posts: 1,419	Go with Autolights. I wasted money on Bosche Platinum +4's once and didn't notice any difference other than a lighter wallet. ------------------ Indiana Stangers Association Buy your parts here

03-20-2001, 02:35 PM	#7
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	I also use Autolite plugs - 3924's for my TFS heads - Original COPPER ones. Don't forget to properly gap the plugs. Stock setting is .054" Good luck, E

03-20-2001, 04:02 PM	#8
Fostang Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Stockton, Ca Posts: 599	What's wrong with split fires? I understand the reason for the platinums but what about the good old split fires what's wrong with them? ------------------ 67'fastback- Edelbrock carb, intake, cam, valve springs. Road lifters, Comp Cam rocker arms, windage tray, cerama coated headers, dual flows with H-pipe, modded c-4, tci stall converter, perma cool electric fan, aluminum water pump, griffen aluminum radiator, accel 8.8 cable, wide cap distriburator, magnetic pick up, manley valves, v-matic hurst shifter, edelbrock performer nitrous, carter electric fuel pump, ignitor coil, solid motor mounts, magna racing suspension, poly urathane bushings, und

03-20-2001, 06:15 PM	#9
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	I never did care about changing to Pt spark plugs. I've also seen bad results from running Pt plugs in an Al block. Concerning split fire plugs, I wonder about those: why would you want to split the spark (not trying to be funny)? I never had any problems with my Autolites so I'm gonna stick w/ them. ------------------------------- '79 Mustang Coup 4" Cowl Weld wheels (15x6;15x8) Stock 5.8L C4 w/ shift kit 1.5" MAC full length headers Holley 750 CFM Edelbrock intake 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters 8.8" Rear end w/ 3.55 gears (Now that's more like it!!) Front: 225/60/15 Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II 14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup soon) "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

03-20-2001, 07:52 PM	#10
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	The problems with splitfires are numerous. 1. If you have two possible places for the spark to go, it uses voltage that would've been used for firing to ionize two gaps instead of a single gap. It's a waste of spark energy. 2. Champion tried to split the electrode back sometime in the 1930's. They didn't notice a difference except more carbon buildup, so.... 3. The insulator on splitfire plugs is of horrible quality, and so is the rest of the plug. I've had people bring me splitfires with the ground electrode missing. Wouldn't want that chunk of metal flying around in the cylinder, would you? Bad heat control due to the poor ceramics are the reason they tend to foul easy, in addition to a weaker spark. The only way you're going to get two sparks from one plug is if by some coincidence the gaps are ionized exactly the same. Save yourselves money and get regular copper plugs, cold as you can go without fouling for maximum performance. ------------------ Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73 1987 Mustang LX Notch