Thread: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium?

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  1. #1 Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
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    Just curious what most of y'all use. There is no following of the 3800 in NM so I have no reference.

    I'm about to change plugs and currently was using copper. The game changer is I'll be installing a turbo kit within the month.

    Thanks,
    Slim
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  2. #2 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
    I live here. TLSheff's Avatar
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    Standard stock use is a 41-101 Iridium plug

    If you are modding you need to go with a cooler heat range. We will need alot more info about the car, year, what motor and mods you are using, and what turbo kit you plan to install. There is no basic information that can be given without knowing the specific to what you are using.

    http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...0-a-67580.html <<<< READ THIS

    4) Spark Plugs - Change out those stock spark plugs with new ones to restore any lost power. Brands that most tend to go with are either Copper Core Autolites or NGK's. They range as follows in order from hottest to coldest plugs...remember...you want the hottest spark you can get away with...so running a super cold plug on a larger pulley to combat knock isn't the best plan...OEM replacement ACDelco's, AL606's, and AL605's are basically for stock cars or very small bolt-ons still running the stock S/C Pulley or modded N/A guys...you want to keep a hot spark. NGKTR55/AL104's for your 3.4" Setup, TR6's are a tad cooler...best used around the 3.25" pulley area, and AL103's...are for the extreme supercharged application...3.0" pulley or lower. Here is a picture to reference the firing order and the correct coil number if yours aren't numbered or you just need a quick reference picture:http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6.../plugwires.jpg

    AC Delco Factory Replacements: Stock
    Autolite 606: Stock
    Autolite 605: 1 Heat Range Cooler
    NGK TR55: 1 Heat Range Cooler
    Autolite 104: 2 Heat Ranges Cooler
    NGK TR6: 2 Heat Ranges Cooler
    Autolite 103: 3 Heat Ranges Cooler

    Quote Originally Posted by AmericanSoldier View Post
    ...not scanning/monitoring your motor is like bangin a hooker and you just HOPE your not infected.
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  3. #3 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
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    I have read it a few times. I'm new to the turbo though. Is that "how to" for SC also good for turbo? I didn't know how much translated over...

    My car will soon have the Stattama, 60# FI, 3 matching DP, 180* stat, 90# springs, A2A IC. To come is different but I don't plan on pushing more than 9-10 psi max for now...

    Thanks
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  4. #4 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
    I live here. TLSheff's Avatar
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    I would imagine a slightly cooler heat range plug would be what you would want, and a copper core of course.

    The 3800 isn't exact for any car, but there is a big difference in a turbo car too. That thread is more baseline setup for the boosted cars, but each motor is different and never reacts the same way so what is good for one person may blow up yours.

    Really you need to talk to a couple of the guys that have a turbo'd 3.8 and see what they did. Not very many go that route so the info isn't easily available.

    Quote Originally Posted by AmericanSoldier View Post
    ...not scanning/monitoring your motor is like bangin a hooker and you just HOPE your not infected.
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  5. #5 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
    GXP Level Member GTPpower's Avatar
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    Go with copper plugs.


    2001 GTP Drag Car - XPZ, Tischler heads, Upsidedown M90 IC'd, e85, Gen V, 2.3 w/ 5%OD
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    2001 GTP - cam, headers, nitrous, stock trans - 11.83 @ 116 <$2k in mods - sold
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  6. #6 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
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    Copper for modded cars.

    They only last 10-15k miles or untill the motor pops a piston, but at 12-13 bucks for 6 plugs you really can't beat that.

    SMGPFC Member #1
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  7. #7 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
    I live here. MoarkatsINmuhtrailer's Avatar
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    Most turbo cars will run tr5s or 103s.
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  8. #8 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
    GXP Level Member txslow6's Avatar
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    I run autolite 103's
    85 Corvette
    01 TA
    03 Z06
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  9. #9 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
    GTP Level Member FriboRage's Avatar
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    I've always wondered why are coppers so preferred over iridium plugs on a modded car..

    I mean I had the 41-101's in, with my current mod list, and I've been planning to pulley down soon so I was thinking about how I'd have to throw cooler plugs in. I was thinking about if I should buy coppers or keep using iridiums, but I dont totally understand why copper is considered so superior.

    Would I notice an improvement if I switched to coppers?
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  10. #10 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
    GXP Level Member darkhorizon's Avatar
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    I run XP's... for high boost stuff they are handy when gapped down.
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  11. #11 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by darkhorizon View Post
    I run XP's... for high boost stuff they are handy when gapped down.
    How high boost and gapped how far down?
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  12. #12 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
    GXP Level Member darkhorizon's Avatar
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    i found XP's work as good at gaps .010 bigger than back cut AL's.

    my personal gaps work out to something like AL103 = .022 and XP103s .032.
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  13. #13 Re: Do you guys stick with copper plugs or iridium? 
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    i run copper 103's at .023-.025, never thought of running xp's but it might be worth a try
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