Re: PLATIN vs. Platinum

[PDQSHIP@aol.com]

A call to my connection at Bosch USA got the following chuckle:

Platin = Platimum - couple of romance languages not just german
Platinum = Platinum

The misconception occurred cuz the Platinums "P" plug were a marketing job
for the US of A.  The Platins "OP" plug were a europe only part for the high
performance autobahn stormers like the Porsche 911 series, S4 etc....
 Currently the Platinum "P" plug has a ceramic top stamped with both the
Platin and Platinum on them (english and german platinum).  The "OP" Platinum
plug has "only" the PLATIN stamp on the ceramic and on the box, and current
plans on that won't change any time soon.  

Yes, indeed folks, both plugs are platinum, by definition.....  He did
indicate that, tho, that most refer to the platimum P plug as the "platinum"
(english or german reference)referring to the platinum "tip" on the plug, and
the Platinum "OP" plug as the "Platin" (english or german) to differentiate
it's longer "tip" and side gap design.  Although the P plug sells well here,
it really is a joke for the high performance cars, at least to this
guy.......  He verified that the coppers that's the "C" plug prolly have just
as much advantage as the platinum "P".....  Altho they both "P" and "OP" ARE
PLATINUM, there should be no doubt as to the advantages of the "OP" plug.  

The problem on the turbo cars, is a propensity to "blow out" the spark at
high swirl, as he called it, and exactly the reason the app books do not list
the "P" plug for the porsche turbos or the S4.  Since the "OP" has a .140"
tip of platinum, it is more expensive to manufacture, the "P" plug is as he
referred to it, a "spot weld" of platinum to the tip of the electrode......
 He also said that the platinum is used becuz of it's superior conductive
properties, however, if the ground tab or the spot gets pitted or crudded up
it's performance can be rivaled by a DS plug.....

He basically concurred with thought of hi performance applications of
turbos....  The Platinum "OP" plug is the ticket, the "P" platinum should be
considered as an alternative to the DS plug only.....  The Copper and Tri
electrodes, that's "C" and "TC", to you bosch-speaks are better than the
"P"......  He also indicated that you turbo guys should leave the stock S4
"OP" gap of .60mm when putting them in.

Hope this induces flameout and less confusion.

BOSCH SPEAK for turbo applications in order of preference (number is heat
range 4=cool, 9=hot), you can use 4,5,6 or 7 for q turbos interchangeably
depending on driving

WR7DS - silver - top gap
WR7DP - Platin/um - platinum "spot" tip top gap
WR7TDC - Tri-Coppers - copper - top gap
WR7DC - single copper - Side gap
F5DPOR - Platin/um - platinum electrode - Side gap

Scott