NGK PLugs: Iridium vs. Standard

My car had NGK Iridium plugs in it when I bought it and I left them in for about two years, particularly after speaking with Tim Stanford (well known F-car mechanic in Florida) and he told me that the cars really seem to respond well to those plugs. But this past July when I did my major tune up (injectors, caps, rotors, wires, extenders and plugs) I switched back to NGK BP6ES 'standard' plugs and haven't noticed much of any difference in the way the car runs, so I can't say if they're worth the extra money.

Cheers,
Aaron
'82 GTSi

 

Platinum or Iridium plugs are design to last 100,000 miles to meet EPA regulations.... and in a modern EFI engine, they will. In an old non-efi engine where the plugs will be sootted-up (is that a word???) and need to be changed in 20k-30 miles, or in a carb engine where it happens in 3k-115k depending on tune, having electrodes that last 100k miles doesn't really add anything except cost to the plug changes.

I added EFI to my car, but still use standard plugs and put a fresh set in every year,, it just seems like new plugs work better than old ones and it gives me an excuse to have a look at the old ones it see how the engine is doing.

 

Standard. Iridium is a waste of money in a carbed car, IMO....the methanol laden gas is now dissolving all our varnish and I am doing good to get several months use from them before fouling and I am using BP5ES in all three cars!

It helps to use full throttle blasts as often as possible, I have found.....

Carry on.....

 

I put NGK Iridium plugs in my 79 308 carb car and found that they don't foul as easy as the regular plugs. Easier starting when cold. The standard plugs fouled when starting in cold weather. I couldn't start my car when it was 30 degrees or below but with the Iridium plugs it fired right up.

Mike

 

I would use the Iridium. The original plugs for the 328 were (IIRC) a fine wire plug made by Champion. The NGK would be a more modern equivalent to that. The standard NGK (which will probably work just fine) would be considered a step down. Plus, there would be no question the Iridiums should easily go 30k/5 years to the next belt change.

 

I have just installed the Iridium's in my 308.
The smaller electrode is better for anti-fouling.
I used to use them on my Kart (2-stoke).
I also use them in my Alfa 105 track car.