Pulsar Spark Plugs

[vreference]

There's been a little buzz about these but I haven't seen anyone mention them here. Normally I'm pretty quick to call shenanigans but there is quite a bit of independent test dating showing up now.

$150 worth of spark plugs would be a hard pill to swallow if it is snake oil but there's no doubt they make an extremely hot spark and it's getting harder to believe all the dyno results are due to a conspiracy. Seems to be quite a few people getting 4-5 Peak HP gains and even more lower in the power band.

Hopefully the guy hosting this image doesn't get upset that someone snagged the address.


Also:
http://www.pulstar.com/

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I know nothing about spark plugs other than where they go, but somehow it seems to me that an "extremely hot spark" would not be particularly relevant. either you ignite the fuel/air charge or you don't. Is there such a thing as _really_ igniting it?

Educate me.

[EarlyPorsche]

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

I know nothing about spark plugs other than where they go, but somehow it seems to me that an "extremely hot spark" would not be particularly relevant. either you ignite the fuel/air charge or you don't. Is there such a thing as _really_ igniting it?

Educate me.

You don't need any further education, you got it. The only reason a "better" spark is good is when the plug gets old the spark tends to get a little iffy. Then you get it firing but all the turbulence makes it hard for it to spark until its too late and you get a retarded ignition situation. You could also find that higher compression makes it harder for a plug to fire so a better plug would help. Typically coils are not the problem as much as the plug is. With that said - a normal NGK or Bosch plug will do just fine in 99% of cases as we have come so far with even normal plug technology. Now if only Bosch would stop making plugs in Brazil.

[burgermeister]

Those test results all look like they're in a similar band of variability to me. So, I'd call the results "not statistically significant".

If you get a 205, a 205, and a 200 for one test, and a 205, 200, and 200 for another, that doesn't mean the first one will tend produce a higher number. It could just as well produce a 200 next time around ...

And, as Stephan noted, it makes little sense that a sparkplug can alter power output by a consistently measurable amount.

[alniki]

I hope it's just an illusion but two decades ago I did notice the engine (a Ford Cortina, not 911) sound changed a bit after its copper plugs were replaced with platinum ones, both Bosch of the same spec.

[vreference]

I tend to agree actually. And no; I wasn't blown away by those numbers either - more than three runs would be helpful. I still think on challenging conventional wisdom regarding twin-plug ignition as it's virtually not on the radar in any other performance circle. Domestic and Japanese crowds don't seem to be crying out for Two flame fronts and they are often exceeding the 100HP/L mark.

People certainly seem to like Multiple Spark boxes as well which seems to go against the "Once it's lit" argument. I just thought it was interesting.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Twin-plug ignition has a very specific purpose in very specific applications, such as large-displacement, high-compression Porsche combustion chambers. If it isn't needed, it does you no good. If it is needed, best you use it or suffer the consequences.

[SteveinTO]

I think those variations may have to do with random indexing of the plugs, i.e. which way the j-tip is oriented in relationship to the valves. Otherwise, as stated before, "a spark is a spark."

[burgermeister]

AFAIK, MSD boxes mostly work for cammy and / or carbed engines that have mixture issues at low RPM. The multiple spark increases the chance that the crappy mixture gets lit. I believe (but could be wrong) MSD units actually switch to single spark above a certain RPM.

[911pcars]

I agree with Steve Wilkinson. Unless the engine is on the edge with high compression at high rpm and load and a bad plug, it's weird science to have a spark plug (with equivalent heat range) produce 20 HP. The spark is created by the ignition system not the spark plug, and the spark doesn't retard by itself - also the ign. system.

Most, if not all multi-spark ign. boxes only do so at lower rpm ranges (i.e. <3000 rpm). Thereafter, a single, high-voltage spark is generated.

Every few years, a new spark plug is marketed that claims extra power. Spitfire was the last version in my recollection.

Sherwood

[burgermeister]

"Splitfire" was marketed back around 1989 or 1990 ... I remember a drone at Autozone trying to sell me a set for my beetle at only $6.00 or $8.00 / plug ("They're handmade - no machine can generate the split ground electrode precisely enough"). I guess they had a revival!