I did some searches, and it seems like people are finding and buying copper spark plugs for their 350Z's. I'm wondering where the heck you are finding these, and who makes them? I checked Champion and Autolite, who typically make these for other cars, but they dont seem to have them for the Z. NGK is the only brand I have found that makes any kind of plug for the Z, but it's all the platinum/iridium/V groove garbage.

If copper plugs do exist, where can I find them? I searched google and even it was no help!

 

Why would you want copper?

They foul out a LOT faster, and they are not nearly as conductive at higher temperature as platinum and iridium plugs are.

 

Copper has a bigger spark for FI cars.

 

They also tend to have spark jump, since copper cannot be as concentrated as platinum, or especially iridium, which gives a more consistent and concentrated spark.

Platinum and Iridium is better. With forced induction you should be concerned with having a smaller more concentrated spark anyway.

You will see no benefit in a 350Z by running copper plugs, and you will lose longevity and performance during hard driving.

 

One more thing, what do you mean by bigger spark? Are you talking about the kernel? You increase the kernel size by increasing the gap, but, you should never increase the gap on a FI motor, as it will not benefit, but hinder performance.

If you increase the gap on a n/a motor, you should only do so slightly, as increasing the gap too much will have the opposite effect, and can cause misfires.

I always recommend maintaining the factory specs for the best performance and longevity.

 

I am aware that copper fouls faster than platinum plugs, however, copper is used in almost all race applications since copper is THE best conductor of electricity. The platinum coating does not increase conductivity, but it prevents corrosion and fouling, which is why they last so much longer than copper plugs. In addition to proper gapping, another old trick is to grind back the electrode just enough so that its even with the firing tip, which helps with ignition quite a bit. That's one from Smokey Yunick

Still, I did not want to turn this thread into a copper vs platinum vs iridium vs etc thread. Going back to my original question, since I have read that others DO have copper plugs, I am wondering who makes them, and who sells them.

 

bump

 

Not true.

 

Ok, ok silver is the best, sorry. Copper is in close 2nd. But spark plugs don't come in silver either

 

I'll concede to that fact.

 

Copper - corrodes easily, melts easily

Platinum - does not corrode very easily, much higher melting temp

Iridium - most corrosion resistant element known. one of the highest melting temps.

If they do indeed use copper spark plugs in race applications, it is most likely not intended to use the spark plugs for more than 1 event.

 

NGK LFR5A-11 stock heat range usually in stock at Advance Auto Parts,Sorry everyone seems to want to make a point instead of answering your question.Looks like guy's are more concerned with making a spark plug last for 1,000000 miles.I am thinking of using copper plugs but was looking into finding out if there is any draw backs like bad idle qualities due to the copper not getting up to temp quick enough at startup.When I had my 97 ser the Nissan techs were swapping out lots of copper plugs customers put in,which was causing poor drivability.But I do believe the ser's had double plats in there,in our case the 350z appears to have a laser cut single plat.I will give a set of coppers a go tomorrow to see if all is well.
O the facts that CAN0802 posted a link to might be true but here in the USA I don't think the word "pure" exsist anymore.
To my knowledge the only benefits to platinum spark plugs is they last long and get hot quicker for emissions.
Copper plugs perform great,they need replaced more often though,and they are just fading out due to emission standards.But like I said thats just my knowledge could be wrong could be right,just felt like typing for a little bit.

 

I changed my plugs yesterday,and used the standard NGK LFR5A-11 plugs.Let me just start off by saying I was ready to spend an hour or more under the hood changing the spark plugs.This is because of reading numerous post on this forum of how much of a PITA it is,and how it took them 2hrs.Now for those that are contemplating changing your spark plugs out it is very, very straight forward and easy.If you have had your spare tire out and put it back in you can do all 6 plugs in about 30 min.The standard NGK plugs work just fine, no drivability issues that I was worried about.I received the new spark plugs gapped at .040-.041 instead of .044 they are supposed to be set at.I set the gap at .045 on the new plugs and so far so good.The OEM's I removed were set at .043 and the front 2 plugs were oil coated.Looks like a catch can might be in the works for me.Kinda stinks the standard spark plugs are not much cheaper than the iridium's,but I'll be using the standard plugs from here out. I prefer to change my plugs more frequently than 100,000 miles anyways.
Eric

 

Good to hear that the NGK LFR5A-11 didn't cause any problem, but did it improve anything?

 

I seriously doubt there is going to be an overall improvement.If anything the small increase in gap might be an improvement.But as of now they are a set of brand new plugs compared to 39000 mile plugs so of course the newer plugs are going to be better.I just like the fact that this is another plug alternative for us,and I have never been a fan of platinum spark plugs nor iridiums.So having a good standard plug made by NGK is a great alternative.