I am replacing my plugs and wires this weekend and I went to Autozone to pick up the materials. They tried to sell me the Bosch but I stuck with the AC Delco. The computer showed that Platinums are what is recommended, so I bought them. When I got home, I looked at the box and it says they are Iridium. Is that the same thing?

Pretty much, from what I hear.

No, one is platinum and one is iridium. They're totally different metals. But they do the same thing and function the same way, though, so you're golden. No need to worry about it for a second, I wouldn't.

I always under the imporession that the iridium is better. Holds up better with the heat and the higher compression better

Thanks for the replies. I was just confused when the computer said that the GM recommends platinums and then I walk out with Iridiums.

That'* probably the least of my problems though, considering i'm about to try to replace my sparkplugs and wires, which I've never done before.

consider yourself lucky iridiums are usually alot more expensive then platinums. Iridium will outlast the rust on your car as well and can withstand high pressures under superchargers or turbos and run very efficient with nitrous. But if your your car is an SSEI for some odd reason the iridium from my experience does not put out as strong of a spark as the NGK V-power copper plugs. So my recommendations if your car is a supercharged ssei then I would go for the NGK V-Power, but if yours is an Naturally Aspired motor you will benefit greatly with Iridiums. I changed mine from NGK IX Iridiums to Nology Silver spark plugs and wires which puts out the most spark of any sparkplug and wire manufacture on the market.

platt and iradium are not intended for high compression cars (boosted cars) because they can't do the heat, etc.

copper is better for boosted cars.

but since you are an SE I will assume you have an L36 and the iradium will do you just fine.

hehe , supercharged car - expensive gas, cheap plugs.

I have been running with the Iridium plugs now for the last 3 years with no problems.
When I just removed the TR55 IX plugs and replaced them with the TR6 IX plugs they had zero wear and no deposits.

I changed them to go with my 2.9" pulley.

So in answer to your original question, yes iridium is better than platiinum and slightly more expensive.

for what it'* worth, they leave the factory with iridiums... which are about the most expensive plug you can buy. GM wouldn't put that much money into a plug if there wasn't a reason... and there is - The iridium plugs last a *very* long time... when I pulled mine at approx 115k miles, (original plugs), they still looked brand new, and threw off a very powerful spark. The only reason I bothered putting on new ones is because I couldn't return them any time soon, and I had already pulled the old plugs...