first off id like to say hi to everyone i am a new member. Just picked up my first dodge and it is a hemi (has to be in my mind) and time for a tune up. From what I've read up on plugs is the 6.1 hemi's run a platinum plug and they are good for 100 k vs the copper for the 5.7 and only good for 30 k. I'm not looking to pick up 100 hp from changing plugs because that's just not possible (still think ricers think they add 10 hp per sticker on their cars) or gain a ton in gas mileage because the idea of asking a hemi to be fuel efficient isn't gonna happen either. I'm curious if the platinum's are good for 100 k or if I'm just throwing my money away. I'll spend the extra if i do get the extra mileage out of them. By the way the gas mileage is 12.2 around town I don't drive it on the highway and from what I read i should expect the ballpark of 14 mpg. I appreciate any input from what you guys have tried and what results you got. thanks

 

General consensus is the 5.7s prefer the coppers. And remember there are 16 of them. That's a pretty penny to spend on platinums at $6 a plug.

I did a fair amount of research when my wife bought her 04 hemi. It has just over 100k and when I gave it a tune up, I actually pulled out a set of platinums that were in decent shape and replaced them with coppers. Also did wires and upstream O2 sensors (stay away from Bosch- go NGK), and replaced the tires with a set taller and narrower than stock.

After that, Took the D on a 600 mile round trip into the mountains of Colorado and averaged 20.2 mpg for the trip, fully loaded with kids and camping gear. Meanwhile, our friends who went with us drove an 05 hemi and averaged 15 or so.

So that's my story. Go with the coppers, spend the extra on new O2 sensors.

 

I used Champion iridiums for close to seven tears in my Durango (5.7 liter).
FF

 

If people have luck with them I'm willing to spend the money but I heard a lot of bad reviews about them. If i go copper and replace at 30k then i would have bought 3 sets compared to 1 of the platinum plus the time it takes to replace them is worth something. guess ill do more reading up on them and decide. I hear the drivers side rear is a pain in the butt to change I have always used a spark plug socket and a wrench to replace plugs on other vehicles can you fit a wrench on the spark plug socket back there ?

 

I found it easiest to replace the plugs from underneath, removed the tire, the wheel plastic cover thing and got in there easily.

rr

 

i have headers and a new exhaust on the wish list too. trying to pass it off as it will increase MGP to the boss.

 

I had JBA shorty headers and Magnaflow exhaust on my old 2007 hemi. It had a nice growl at moderate throttle.
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this is 4wd the only headers i have found are the JBA but i never had experience with them from what i hear they're good. ill go with the magnaflow exhaust as well i like how they sound.

 

TTI Exhaust makes them for the Durango or at least for the 5.7. I have their headers on my 1969 Coronet R/T and I had them on a 1971 Demon 340 (sold). They are the best headers that money can buy.
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