Pulse plugs vs. Spark plugs?

cisco kid · May 22, 2008

I've been hearing a little about pulse plugs. It sounds like they are a pretty simple upgrade, but I was wondering if there is a downside to running them over standard spark plugs. Input?

Southern3.0 · May 23, 2008

I just looked them and took a look at there website, seems like another scam type thing to me. and after reading there website, they say theres Plugs cause the fuel mix to start expanding sooner and faster. I would think if they really did that and you left the stock timing alone it would cause detonation.

For anyone thats interested heres a link to there website.

http://www.pulstarplug.com/

LearjetMinako · May 23, 2008

Kind of iffey about something new like that. It does sound like an good idea. But I prefer to stick to top grade brands, so I run with Bosch.

red85 · May 23, 2008

I run OE Motorcraft plugs in everything I own. You can't go wrong with what the manufacturer has designed into your engine. I'd have to agree with Southern 3.0 as well. Early ignition will cause detonation and if it's bad enough a hole in a piston.

Bob Ayers · May 23, 2008

Beware of any aftermarket ignition product (Screamin Demon, MSD ignition boxes, spark plugs, etc.) that claim a power increase! A power increase isn't going to happen, unless you are getting misfires!

Stay with the Motorcraft OEM plugs (either double platinum, or fine wire platinum) and you will know you are getting the correct heat range plug for your Ford vehicle!

srteach · May 23, 2008

Technically speaking, the principle is sound. What they describe is possible with the electronics they list.
Will it result in better performance? Will it clean up the emissions? Will it "make" better gas mileage? Will it hurt the engine in the long term? No one can know until we have real world use experience, not just lab tests or anecdotal quotes.
Is it the correct design for our trucks? Not likely. That is why they have their other product.
When was the last time you spent $100 (4cyl) to $200 (8 cyl) on the spark plugs for your vehicle? They are $24.95 each.
Worth it? Not for me, but others may have different ideas.

shadetree · May 23, 2008

Power can be increased by changes in the ignition. To blanket statement that it isn't going to happen is erroneous. Anyone with indepth knowledge of the Ottocycle engine will know this. Those with high performance engine experience know it very well.

On a stock system, the changes will not be as great as with a performance engine, but the mfgr of this product isn't claiming huge gains. Their product is a feasable idea. The larger the flame kernel, more fuel is ignited at the onset of combustion which results in a faster, cleaner, more complete burn. An added benefit is less initial ignition timing advance is needed.

This is what hapens on engines with dual plugs. Example is the 2.3L Ford dual plug. Two ignition fronts, fuel ignited quicker, lower emissions, a little more power, and slightly better economy. Will your butt dyno feel it? Maybe, maybe not, but that does not mean the gain is not there.

I don't know the cost of the plugs, and if the gains would offset the cost of the plugs, would be a consideration for me. I would like to try a set just for grins. shady

Bob Ayers · May 23, 2008

srteach said:
Technically speaking, the principle is sound. What they describe is possible with the electronics they list.
Will it result in better performance? Will it clean up the emissions? Will it "make" better gas mileage? Will it hurt the engine in the long term? No one can know until we have real world use experience, not just lab tests or anecdotal quotes.
Is it the correct design for our trucks? Not likely. That is why they have their other product.
When was the last time you spent $100 (4cyl) to $200 (8 cyl) on the spark plugs for your vehicle? They are $24.95 each.
Worth it? Not for me, but others may have different ideas.

Sorry, the principle isn't sound! They make it sound like they are creating power for free.......total BS!!!

shadetree · May 23, 2008

Bob Ayers said:
Sorry, the principle isn't sound! They make it sound like they are creating power for free.......total BS!!!

The principle is sound, at least the effects of the larger kernel is sound. I don't see the mfgr "making it sound like they are creating power for free." From what I gather, they are making better use, and improving on power that is already there, not creating anything. shady

Bob Ayers · May 23, 2008

shadetree said:
The principle is sound, at least the effects of the larger kernel is sound. I don't see the mfgr "making it sound like they are creating power for free." From what I gather, they are making better use, and improving on power that is already there, not creating anything. shady

BS .....all they are claiming is they are adding a capacitor which will discharge across the plug gap! What they don't tell you is the charging of the capacitor has to come from the coil, which will actually shunt the high voltage pulse from the coil.....again, total BS!!!

Explain "improving power"

Bob Ayers · May 23, 2008

Looks like I'm not the only one with a BS opinion on these plugs:

http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.autos.tech/2007-06/msg00915.html

And another........

http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/864011.page

svtranger04 · May 23, 2008

i'd like to know if they actually work. instead of claiming bs on it try it... i might try one on my lawn mower first, or on a old 4.0l ive got (its in a truck but the truck has a blown tranny and the engine has 200k ) so if the engine comes from together i've got no problem saying there product is b.s.

srteach · May 23, 2008

The described technical capabilities are within the parameters of the components. Upon further review, I would also question the longevity of those components in an enclosed heat bin. Capacitors tend to be heat and vibration intolerant without added stabilization in the package.
I say nothing about whether their claims are true. In fact, I question the veracity and accuracy of their claims. I also state that I do not think the gains (UP TO 9% claimed) are worth the cost ($24.95ea., msrp, per website) at this time.

These devices do not create power for free. These devices store incoming power to a certain device maximum level and, at a specific point, release it all at once. Think of a water barrier (gate or dam) suddenly releasing the entire body of water at once. That is the kind of surge (electrically speaking) these devices release.

Have you ever heard of CDI (capacitive discharge ignition)? That is what this is. These parts are using capacitive discharge on (and in) the plug itself, as well as in the coil. there is always a small amount of current attempting to jump the spark gap if the engine is running. That is what is stored. Up until this product, capacitive discharge has been used on the coil end only, with losses in the wire smoothing out and decreasing the spark.

Bob Ayers · May 23, 2008

srteach said:
The described technical capabilities are within the parameters of the components. Upon further review, I would also question the longevity of those components in an enclosed heat bin. Capacitors tend to be heat and vibration intolerant without added stabilization in the package.
I say nothing about whether their claims are true. In fact, I question the veracity and accuracy of their claims. I also state that I do not think the gains (UP TO 9% claimed) are worth the cost ($24.95ea., msrp, per website) at this time.

These devices do not create power for free. These devices store incoming power to a certain device maximum level and, at a specific point, release it all at once. Think of a water barrier (gate or dam) suddenly releasing the entire body of water at once. That is the kind of surge (electrically speaking) these devices release.

Have you ever heard of CDI (capacitive discharge ignition)? That is what this is. These parts are using capacitive discharge on (and in) the plug itself, as well as in the coil. there is always a small amount of current attempting to jump the spark gap if the engine is running. That is what is stored. Up until this product, capacitive discharge has been used on the coil end only, with losses in the wire smoothing out and decreasing the spark.

A CDI is completely different! A CDI discharges a cap across the coil primary, increasing the Di/Dt!! This was an advantage back in the days of points, to decrease the current through the points. Today, with electronic ignition, CDI is no longer needed, where the coil saturation current is very well controlled.

Have you every heard of a capacitor filter? This is exactly what putting a cap across a plug gap will do!!! And the series plug wire resistance (many K-ohms) will create a huge R-C time constant! The voltage to the plug will be
14V between coil discharge times......

BlackBII · May 23, 2008

I'm glad you guys understand this, it's all going over my head, LOL!

It sounds like BS to me, how can igniting the fuel 'more better' make the fuel burn with more magnitude :icon_confused:

Pulse plugs vs. Spark plugs?

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