I like to use copper plugs as they have the highest level of conductivity.
The x type is supposed to use platinum or iridium. I understand these plugs
Have a longer life, which is good when one has to remove the entire intake
To get to the plugs. Are these the only benefits?, can i safely use copper
Plugs?.
I currently have the dual electrode bosch platinums with 50,000 miles on
Them. They are in better visual condition than i had expected.

 

iownme, can you use copper plugs? Sure. Do I recommend it. NO!!!!!! This is the short answer. The copper plugs may only last you say 20-30K miles. Then you are going to be back into the engine replacing them because the plugs are worn out. Our cars use a high energy spark and as a result, this spark tends to "eat" the electrodes. This will result in a very large gap forming in a relatively few miles (when compared to platinum plugs).

 

+1, plus the coppers or similar do not add any performance advantage.

 

Thank you Thermo, what plugs do you use?, if its good enough for you, its good enough for me!.
Glad to see your still here, its been a while since i've been on.
156000 miles now and runs great

 

Thanks Mikey, im not looking to improve performance...its an X type.. Lol
Just wanted opinion on the use of copper plugs v hyped plugs considering copper has a higher conductivity than the more precious metal and expensive plugs. I dont like to spend more on an inferior product just because its "modern", but i also understand that a "little" knowledge can be a dangerous thing... Hence my post ;@)
I will return the already purchased coppers

 

iownme, I want to say that I installed some Motorcraft double platinum plugs. They weren't anything fancy. Your basic plug. Stick with a big name and you will be fine. Lots of people have used the basic Bosch, NGKs, Motorcraft with no issues.

 

The 'high conductivity' has no benefits whatsoever- it's pure marketing gobbledegook.

 

Mikey, i would say the opposite as copper plugs are the original oem for all vehicles before all the marketeers got involved 10 yrs ago with the introduction of platinums, then "v" grooves, then double grounds, then quadruple grounds, then E3 then iridium etc etc etc.
physics tells me (not marketing) that copper conducts a spark better than platinum and iridium. Nano seconds maybe... But id rather have a nanosecond quicker for half the price of iridiums.
But as Thermo stated, the coppers will wear out quicker, not a problem with a car whos plugs can be changed in 12 minutes, but alas the x is not a 12 minute kinda car.

 

Autolite Double Platinum APP605's spark plugs sell on eBay for $2.50 - $4 each including S&H. Lower prices are for blisterpacks of 2 or boxes of 2 or 4, like these:

1 Brand New Autolite Double Platinum APP605 Spark Plug | eBay

4 Autolite APP605 Double Platinum 5 Spark Plugs Newboxes Conveyor Belt Rumpled | eBay

6 Brand New Autolite Double Platinum APP605 Spark Plug | eBay

 

Super-duper spark plugs that promise the universe have been around since the '30s, nothing new.

The velocity of electrical energy (not a spark) is more or less constant no matter what material is being used, but let's say you're right. Why do you believe that a plug firing sooner than Jaguar's engineering deemed to be optimum is better?

 

I will toss in a little bit to this. Yes, no doubt that copper conducts better than say platinum. But, think of it this way: Even if there is say a 10 ohm difference (there isn't this much, but I am exaggerating it to prove the point) with the copper plug having the advange (or 0 ohm resistance for the copper plug, 10 ohm for the platinum plug). The plugs are going to fire at roughly 50,000 volts and at about 100 milliamps (the current is't quite this high, but again, in the name of proving the point). So, the copper plug is going to let the full 50,000 volts through along with the 100 milliamps while the platinum plug is going to let 49,999 volts through with the full 100 millamps. So, the difference is going to be negligible. You are going to get more variance in the coils than what the plugs are going to introduce.

So, while the copper plugs are going to be cheaper, the "performance gain" is going to be so insignificant that I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Chris is correct.

Many people believe that a 'bigger' spark leads to more horsepower. This is false. Either the fuel air mixture ignites- or it doesn't. A hotter spark doesn't make the mixture burn faster or release more energy.

 

just for fun here, spark isn't the focus when engineers are trying to get better MPG and power numbers. Why? because there is already enough spark. The focus is on getting the fuel to atomize more. There are fuel pumps putting out 5,000 psi now. Its pretty awesome!

 

slxj30, take a look at some of the diesel pumps. They are pushing 30,000 psi now. It is all a matter of how much fuel you need to push into the cylinder and how little time you may have to do it to get the fuel to do what you want. Some of the diesel engines are actually shooting fuel into the cylinders at 3 different times to get rid of the valve knock and to try and boost the power numbers as high as possible without burning up components.

 

hell yes they are!! We are building stuff for 20,000 psi on gas engines. And we make most of the parts that are for the high psi diesels for a small company by the name of cummins...

I was trying to not get to geeky about it, but I love that stuff, and I love my job (machinist)