E3 Spark Plugs

[~[MPR]~]

Been reading reviews and reading up on them...

I'm on the fence at the moment. My civic is due for some new plugs, wondering if I should give them a try. They're not overly expensive so not much of a gamble, should I find they are junk.

Anybody here used them/are using them?

[Snizzoop]

Just run the copper NGKs.

I'm sure if you did a Google search on Hondas and E3 spark plugs that you would find a ton of info. I did a quick search and read some stuff on Honda-Tech...nothing good was said.

Seriously though, a spark plug REALLY isn't going to do much. It either works, or it's worn out.

[Cone Assassin]

I have E3's in my 02 Accent 1.6l and yes I find that they do help. I can't give you any horse power numbers, but I can feel a difference how ever slight it is. commerically, it is said that they will increase hp and lower emmissions. horse power tv did a segiment on the plugs, and wheather is was tv magic or not, the plugs did as they said.


in the real world I have had to replace them before the warranty expired due to element issues water namely (puddle jumping lol) the insulators were cracked badly and burnt to hell, but they have a 5 year warranty (so hang on to that reciept). I am happy with the plugs and I will continue using them in the future.

the only thing you can do is try them.

[Zimm]

The company I work for is the E3 distributor for lawn and garden equipment (but not automotive). I've recently moved to a new position where I am now directly responsible for national distribution of E3 lawn and garden plugs to retail stores and service dealers.

I can't speak for the automotive plugs, but we've tried them in our lawnmowers and trimmers and they do make a difference. Easier starting and cleaner running.

When my Miata is race ready in 2012, I'll certainly be giving them a try.

[Viperoni]

I'd figure that a spark plug that exposes the flame kernel more would help with even flame propogation and quicker burn times... but how much it helps is definietly in question.

As long as the motor plays nice with teh plugs it's all good.
VQ35's seem to hate anything but NGK plugs, be it copper or plats, (vs. Bosch Platinum +2) whereas my Toyota Echo 1.5L seemed to pickup a bit when I switched from coppers to Bosch Iridium +4 IR (4 prong and iridium).

[John Powell]

How would these plugs do in a 12a bridgeport rotary? My present plugs are NGK BUR9EQs.

[Caveman]

Seriously though, a spark plug REALLY isn't going to do much. It either works, or it's worn out.

With a comment like that i wonder how your car dose so well ;)

Different plugs make huge differences in combustion! as do wires!

the less resistance = more voltage in the spark it self, = better burn = more power.

hotter / colder, and even indexing them for the old non hemi type heads, make some differences.

and for some reason certain engines respond better to different plugs naturally,

Audi/vw = bosch , honda/mitsu = ngk , toyota = denso and the ever important
SBC = AC Delco :D o and dodges like champions

Mike, worth a try but a good set of ngk lasers will work for 100k +

[DT Racer]

They do work and there is proof. The guys on Horsepower TV about a year ago (The powerblock shows) did a test with several 'special' plugs on a workhorse motor set up on thier Dyno. The only plug that showed difference on the Dyno out of all of them (about 6 or 8 different ones if I remember) was the E3. 8 more HP on a V8. Not massive but hey, they do work.

[Snizzoop]

With a comment like that i wonder how your car does so well ;)

Different plugs make huge differences in combustion! as do wires!

the less resistance = more voltage in the spark it self, = better burn = more power.

hotter / colder, and even indexing them for the old non hemi type heads, make some differences.

and for some reason certain engines respond better to different plugs naturally.

My bad...I guess I'm too used to my Hondas where you basically only have one brand to choose from for both plugs and wires (OEM NGK), and where there is VERY little benefit to upgrading the ignition system.

Specifically speaking, using OEM NGK plugs/wires in a Honda, they either work, or they are worn out.

This has been the norm in the Honda world for what, 20+ years...probably longer?

[ScotcH]

They do work and there is proof. The guys on Horsepower TV about a year ago (The powerblock shows) did a test with several 'special' plugs on a workhorse motor set up on thier Dyno. The only plug that showed difference on the Dyno out of all of them (about 6 or 8 different ones if I remember) was the E3. 8 more HP on a V8. Not massive but hey, they do work.

Not to be a typical "skeptic" or new things, but I wonder who bought advertising time on that show?

We've always run NGK coppers (about $2 each) in all our motors, as have just about all other BMW powered racers. Maybe it's time to try something new? I dunno.

[uptownguy]

a quick note on plugs

are splt fire still the rage??????????

when you see the top grand-am, world chalenge and tthe NASCAR teams using these plugs you can believe in the super plug.

These guys will kill for an edge, they have the budget and the facilities to test, for more power, more milage cost is not a issue, if it gives you two miles per hour more on the oval or lets you run an extra lap on a tank at the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, the Lemans 24, or shave a tenth in the quarter at the Nationals they will use it regardless of cost.

Peter Austin
Montreal.

Plugs are like PC Computers now there are no bad ones some may be better than others depending on the application

[klue13]

my .02 = your A/F mixture, its atomization, and timed delivery has much greater effect on your spark efficiency than a spark plug.

NGK coppers, 2 bucks, light the mix the rest is fumes...

[~[MPR]~]

I've been reading more and more and studying spark plugs and their effect on combustion in an engine. I have come to the conclusion that other than the ground strap design, the E3 plugs are really no different than anyother plug. Race plugs with the side ground strap (leave nothing in the way of the flame kernel) tend to be the norm and perform the best in the right conditions (hemi type head with the plug at the top/center of the chamber. I question the implications of the massive ground strap of the E3. From what I've read from many people, there have been issues with fouling and or detonation experienced, even when using the correct type in certain vehicles. I don't doubt these issues are being caused by the huge chunk of metal of a ground strap. (no offense to E3 or any reps here. If you use them and they work well, that's great).

Just for an update, I've being doing more searching and reading and have com across a completely different type of plug which I will be trying in the very near future, as long as I can get my hands on a set. I wont say what they are just yet... but will update when I get them. :cool:

Despite what many or most people think, initial ignition of combustion can have a huge effect on overall power and efficiency. It just may be that nothing yet has come out or you haven't tried anything radically different enough to make a difference... ;)

[John Powell]

There's an interesting discussion on Turbobricks on E3 plugs here, including an E3 promo vid: http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=227750&highlight=E3+spark+plugs

[Wolverine]

I think I removed more Split Fires than I ever installed when they were the 'rage'. If I recall their advertising, they made some of the same claims. If it seems to good to be true.........

[ONdriver]

Instead of the E3's you may want to look into these:
http://www.pulstar.com/
No personal experience, may be snake oil! ;)

[Zimm]

How would these plugs do in a 12a bridgeport rotary? My present plugs are NGK BUR9EQs.

Hey John. I sent your question to my contact in Florida - who turns out to be the E3 dude in the video clip - and he said, "Unfortunately, we do not make a plug that fits his application." Sorry about that.

Now, if you need one for your lawnmower ... I can get you a plug number.

[~[MPR]~]

There's an interesting discussion on Turbobricks on E3 plugs here, including an E3 promo vid: http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=227750&highlight=E3+spark+plugs

Last post in that thread where the guy says "these pulstars have similar tech..." That is an incorrect statement. Pulstars are A LOT different. E3's are just like any other plug, but with a fancy ground strap, which from what I've read many times, does more harm than good.

Instead of the E3's you may want to look into these:
http://www.pulstar.com/
No personal experience, may be snake oil! ;)

^You guessed it. Those are the plugs I'm going to be trying... but with a twist. ;) I'm going to be "changing" them slightly before I install them...

I'll let you all know how well they work. I plan on buying a set of new "regular" plugs as well so that my testing isn't bias against my old iridium plugs with over 100k on them.

[ScotcH]

Well, I would definitely be interested in the results. If you can, please test with a set of new NGK coppers, which are generally accepted as best performing when new.

The only issue I can see with the pulse plugs would be the ignition timing. If the capacitor somehow messes with spark timing it could cause issues, though I'm not sure this is even something that would register on the relatively "slow" spark cycle

Edit: Do you plan on testing on the dyno, or just butt dyno?

[~[MPR]~]

^From what I understand these pulse plugs use a very small amount of power to ionize the gap between electrodes (while the cap stores up the rest) and the instant that happens it triggers the cap to release all it's stored energy and following power from the coil. All this happens VERY quickly (2-5ns), so there is zero effect on timing.

I plan on buying a new set of NGK coppers for comparison, yes.

I also plan on DYNO testing this. The butt dyno is inconsistant and inaccurate, strongly effected by the mind. lol. I try to ignore my butt dyno as a I know it can be deceiving. Anybody know of or have a dyno they'd like to donate for an hour or so for some testing? :D

Fuel mileage tests should be easy enough, provided the temperatures remain stable. A change in outside air temp of 5-10 degrees can have quite an effect on fuel consumption... but we'll see. I'll try to keep track of the average temp for each tank of gas so that can be taken in as a factor.

I'll also start a new thread for this with a better thread tittle...lol.

*edit* Corrected my description of how the pulse plugs work. Previous description was partially incorrect.