Javan1
New LVC Member
Hello I just bought an 01 ls v8 and I need to replace the COP's and was wondering what kind of plugs eveyone like , non-platinum , platinum or iridium .
Spark Plugs
- Thread starter Javan1
- Start date
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Do yourself a big favor and put new OEM plugs (Platinum by the way) in. The COPs (Coil-On-Plug) are very picky on this car and may fail if you look at the wrong, let alone if you put a plug that it was not designed for in. The OEM plugs are good for almost 100K miles. You're not going to do better than that anyway.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Yep. There's been one or two with incorrect gaps out of just about every set of pre-gaped plugs that I have purchased.
FASTLLS
Dedicated LVC Member
E3s solve that problem.. lol
TDUB
Dedicated LVC Member
From what I've found here's the general rule of thumb:
Copper- Best for spark but requires changing more often (about every 30k).
Platinum- Not as good for spark but decently priced and last a long time (100k).
Iridium- Lasts as long if not longer than platinum, sparks as well as copper, but are ridiculously expensive.
Personally I have the Bosch IR Fusions but that's because I got them when I worked for Pep Boys during a summer in High School. I run NGK coppers in my Cobra and have them indexed.
Copper- Best for spark but requires changing more often (about every 30k).
Platinum- Not as good for spark but decently priced and last a long time (100k).
Iridium- Lasts as long if not longer than platinum, sparks as well as copper, but are ridiculously expensive.
Personally I have the Bosch IR Fusions but that's because I got them when I worked for Pep Boys during a summer in High School. I run NGK coppers in my Cobra and have them indexed.
JoshMcMadMac
Dedicated LVC Member
Iridium is platinum, and neither have anything like the conductivity of copper. However the car was designed for platinum, so that is the best bet and more than sufficient.
Mechanicboy
Dedicated LVC Member
Javan1
New LVC Member
Thanks everyone for all the answers .
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
NGK BKR5EGP
Recently bought NGK Laser (double) Platinum FR5AP-11E 6569 plugs ($5.99/plug eBay) and Delphi GN10227 coils. Delphi's are about $31/each and is a GM product. With the Ford coils about $50+ each and reading on here that they switched who manufactures the Ford coils, who knows if they're better or worse now. I figured I should be safe with the GM product. 2003 V8
Last edited:
cammerfe
Dedicated LVC Member
Iridium is NOT platinum. Both are elements, actually side-by-side in the Periodic Table of Elements. Both are highly resistant to heat and therefore make good plug electrodes. I think that the use of 'Iridium' is likely to be largely a marketing gimmick. In spark plugs, both are likely to be, TO SOME SMALL DEGREE, used in the alloys that make up the tips of the spark plugs.
KS
KS
Deaconblue
Well-Known LVC Member
Platinum Iridium and Rhodium are all used to make the alloy for the tips and ground straps for spark plugs. Its just like making beer or cookies, different amounts of each ingredient make an alloy with slightly different properties. Personally I prefer a fine wire construction with higher levels of Iridium and Rhodium and I selected the Autolite Iridium XP spark plugs.
Last edited:
I run the NGK BKR5EIX or #5464 Iridium plug without any issues. Pulled the original set I put in that had 100K-miles on them and they still looked good other then where my Valve Covers failed. Bought a new set and they were all correctly gapped out of the box as well.
They run $6-8 per plug depending upon where you get them.
They run $6-8 per plug depending upon where you get them.
Wow, 100k miles on a set of plugs??? Wow, I am impressed!!!!
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Really? That's pretty standard for most cars these days (these days being 2000 and up).
The service manual for the LS says to replace the spark plugs every 100K miles. There isn't even anything about checking them before that. (It does say to shorten the interval to 60K miles if there is a lot of idling due to continuous use as a taxi or such.)
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Actually, there are several more part numbers that correctly fit. Most on here go with NGK (and several pick that particular one), but the Autolite should be okay too. Personally, I think the FR5AP-11E is over kill. I haven't had any problems with the BKR5EGP in both of mine. It is pretty close (if not exactly) to what shipped out from the factory in both of them.
I would (and do) stay away from Bosch spark plugs.
I would (and do) stay away from Bosch spark plugs.
My son doesn't like Bosch either.
I'm sure Joe is right that the NGK BKR5EGP plugs are just fine to use. They are about $3/plug vs $6/plug for the NGK Laser (double) Platinum FR5AP-11E 6569 plugs. I just figured for an extra $24 using the double Platinum's would be best for me in case they do perform a little better for longer than the standard ones. And I also would stay away from Bosch plugs. I use Bosch oil filters though.