E3 spark plug

[Wlmw]

Noobie here. First time Porsche owner. 84 3.2. not sure when the last time plugs and wires have been changed so it's on my list of things to do. Heard some chatter about the E3 Diamond fire plug.
Anyone had any experience with these???

[James Brown]

Bosh or NGK plain copper only, that's all you need. $3 dollar plugs outperform $12 ones 3X.

[village idiot]

I have them in my Carrera right now. No appreciable gains..........

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by James Brown

Bosh or NGK plain copper only, that's all you need. $3 dollar plugs outperform $12 ones 3X.

Best advice here, hands-down.

[DanielDudley]

Yup. Turns out these cars like a big fat electrode that can burn off a lot of deposits and tolerate a wide heat range while maintaining temperature. Old school plugs do that, and were state of the art when our cars were made.

It's a match.

[ratpiper71T]

When I first started learning to service and maintain cars(I'm still learning), I fell for these multiground electrode plugs marketing hype. I put them on a more than a few cars and had hesitation, stalling, and missing problems with every single one. In addition to having an electrode much smaller and recessed than normal plugs, the heat range of these is not accurate, from what I understand. Although I haven't used this specific brand, I would say one can expect the same results. They will create problems that will confuse your diagnosis of the engine's health. Much like oilbath filters of long ago> k and n now. There's a reason why the automotive industry switched to the now considered- run of the mill- plugs and air filters. They do their job better. Don't fall for the marketing hype, it sure is convincing and deceiving.

[Wlmw]

Thanks for the comments. Kinda fits into the "if it sounds to good etc.."

[Rot 911]

Go with NGK BPR6ES.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Go with NGK BPR6ES.

BPR6ES is standard for 3.2; you might even consider one heat range colder (BPR7ES), too considering you're in AZ. FWIW, I have NGK BPR6EY in my 85 3.2 (the Y refers to 'V' shaped center electrode, supposedly to enhance flame kernel). But otherwise same plug and am very happy. Either was $2.79 at my local Napa. I use a little copper (hi-heat) anti seize but opinions vary on that point.

HTH

Dale

[SCOTITUDE]

Originally Posted by James Brown

Bosh or NGK plain copper only, that's all you need. $3 dollar plugs outperform $12 ones 3X.

zactly.

all that platinum, +4, splitfire, unobtanium coated stuff is all snake oil.

[James Brown]

And why is that? you would think spark plug companies know what works, you should see the Champion plug guide, 60 pages of great knowledge. It can only be a marketing ploy.

[SCOTITUDE]

it is all marketing. A friend of mine who worked for Champion educated me years ago. He let me read all the research Champion did on their competitors. Every other available brand was tested. All the fancy stuff was BS. No advantage except to lighten your wallet. I just had an issue on another car in the shop where it was misfiring. When I pulled the plugs they were those platinum +4's. Well they weren't +4's any more. some where plus 2's and some were plus 0's. the little electrodes had fallen off. some had 2 left, some where all gone. Crap.

[Flat Six]

Let's also remember, though, that while many of the physical dimensions of spark plugs haven't changed in the last 25 years, ignition and engine management systems have.

More precise engine management is possible with water cooling than air cooling, for example, and allows for additional inputs such as knock sensors not practical on 20+ year-old air-cooled cars. Add to that the fact that head and combustion chamber design has evolved to the point where access to spark plugs is so limited on some newer cars is darn near impossible to R&R. And manufacturers' desires to increase maintenance intervals by a wide margin (50K-60K miles before first plug change), so design and market demands have also driven plug design, primarily for longevity IMHO. That's why we see so much platinum, iridium, unobtanium, etc. in electrodes. Under these (more) tightly controlled and precise combustion conditions the smaller electrodes can be used for more miles compared to copper.

Just my opinion here, but copper Bosch and NGK have served many P-owners well; I think it's fair to say that a search will turn up more positive than negative about copper for air-cooled Porsches, and the opposite will likely be true for platinum, etc.

Happy holidays

Dale

[EarlyPorsche]

Once you get a spark that doesn't get blown out you can't improve from that. The rest is simple combustion. You don't need a fancy match to light a cigarette. You just need a match. A clean plug coupled to a strong ignition system will provide a peak of power. A fancy plug will do no different.

[scott.k]

should you run new technology spark plugs if you have a modern ignition unit (like an msd), or should i still use the old type copper ones?
thanks
scott

[James Brown]

Scott, don't make me tell you again, COPPER.

[cmcfaul]

I was in the parts store to buy plugs last week. There was a box set up that had a copper plug and an iridium plug. Pressing a button caused each plug to spark. The iridium plugs spark was much bigger than the copper. That has to be good. I bought the iridiums.

Chris
73 911 E

[jmccam]

I have E3s in my 83sc and there is no appreciable gain. Doesn't run bad or hesitate but the cheaper plugs would have done the same.

Save your money and use the extra to buy some beer.

[ratpiper71T]

I was in the parts store to buy plugs last week. There was a box set up that had a copper plug and an iridium plug. Pressing a button caused each plug to spark. The iridium plugs spark was much bigger than the copper. That has to be good. I bought the iridiums.



Chris

73 911 E

If they're anything like the platinums, they'll work great at first. Then, within some months you'll be posting your first 'Stalls at idle' or 'Strange missing' thread on the forums. No sweat, the wear of these plugs may not be clearly visible, but just have a set of tradicionales on hand to change and problem solved.

[opata]

I put the E3 in my 95 tacoma 2.7L 4x4. The truck ran good for about a yr. Then it started to sputter. I change back to copper plugs and it runs great again. Old ignition systems like the simple copper plugs. I run copper in my 80sc and it runs great! However, I run the E3's in my newer corvette and I love them.....anyway my 2 cents