Comments on: Spark Plugs vs Pulse Plugs

By: Bubba

Bubba — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:10:24 +0000

Drag racing might be drawn to something like this, but other racing likely wouldn’t as they all have hp limits (per class) so why would they seek out something such as this?

By: Paul Russo

Paul Russo — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:45:44 +0000

Does the racing world ( drags, NASCAR, etc) use them? To me, those are the people that would seek out ANY device that would increase power.

By: Sp0iler

Sp0iler — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:13:58 +0000

If you want more power to your spark plugs, then in my opinion there’s only one real way to do it.
GET AN MSD IGNITION SYSTEM.
Above a certain rpm…its just one big ass spark anyway.
MSD will pump more power to your plugs then any built in plug capacitor could ever hope to and the price of a lower end system is about the price of two of these pulse plug change outs.
I run MSD in my truck, car and boat and I can tell you that 10000 race car drivers cant be wrong.
I would also add that although many of the mechanics posting here are wise beyond there years, some dont know crap about how electricity (spark) works or acts under intense heat and pressure.Its a bit more than the way a spark works off a Bic lighter.
JMO thanks,
Sp0iler

By: Howard Summers

Howard Summers — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:42:33 +0000

‘07 Honda Civic Si with stock NGK plugs and 36000 mi – 33.5 MPG (I’ve kept track of MPG with both 91 octane and 89 octane and have seen no noticeable differenct in MPG). Put in the Pulse Plugs, and after 1000 mi. I’m averaging 35.5 MPG or a 6% gain in MPG. It does seem to have more torque. The engine was more prone to lug at lower RPM, so I’ve started using 91 and lugging is gone.

I’m now a little nervous about the quality control thing mentioned above, but from a performance standpoint I’d say they live up to their promise.

I was very interested in the post from Russel Kennel/ Gus Hernandez (March 1, 2008) about the emissions data. I was kicking myself for not having my emissions tested before and after, but I’m glad someone did it. This seems pretty conclusive evidence to me.

By: KITT

KITT — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:50:10 +0000

HEY BILL VLASAK I NEED NEW SPARK PLUGS!!!

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:44:04 +0000

Skeptical?

When I first heard about pulse plugs it was from a banner ad on a performance website. I did a lot of reading around on various forums and the like. Everyone seemed very skeptical with ideas on why these won’t work, or horror stories of blown engines. I went down to Kragen (a large auto parts store) and they had never heard of them.

That was about a year ago. I dismissed the idea and eventually sold my car. Today I walked into Kragen and there was a huge booth set up with pamphlets and pictures, pushing Pulse Plugs.

If you are skeptical, check back here in about a week. I am driving a 2008 Impreza, which has an MPG dash read. I will be installing a set of these in the next few days, tuning for them and posting my results.

Please remember that as with any performance modifications, you will not feel the full benefit without a proper tune.

By: jimbo

jimbo — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:13:17 +0000

if all the eingine needs is a bigger or hotter spark then why dont they make for bigger and better wires and plusgs and generatores, seems they would of came up with this long ago. something not quite right about this, saying has hotter spark dont mean nothing . were the test on small one cylinder engine. hard to believe tey dont sale this to auto makers shouldnt take long to prove and auto makers would grap these.

By: Douglas G

Douglas G — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:30:07 +0000

I have installed a set of pulstar plug in my grand prixd GTP series II, with supercharged engine. So far so good. I have the on board computer that shows fuel usage, mpg, miles left to drive on the tank, etc etc ad nauseum.

So far, so good. Installed MSD coils and wires with them, and between all three, I am looking at 3.7 mpg better and the car feels a bit smoother on the acceleration.. Will post again with any changes.

By: kae lim

kae lim — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:49:17 +0000

im thinking about ordering along with 3 other friends. i guess the plugs do have quality problems. i did hear from my other friends that inserted the technology seem happy with the results they have got. one of the longest plug owner has been running for about 4months with no problem. the vehicle sounds a bit different… not in a bad way, performance wise.. i m guessing more aftermarket hp boosting gismo… better pulse plug performs given the vehicle has not incorporated msd or plasma ignition coils. from all of the above that i have looked carefully. the plugs do break like any other plugs would with improper gap adjustment. as far as the tip electrode or whatever broke that i can not remember due to this time past my bed time… $150 for addition of 2 to 3 hp? i would be glad to buy with questionable quality above mentioned. thanks for all the info. i will note after i get the plugs and test for improvement. lexus is300 2002 sedan mpg at highway going 110km or 68mph 32mpg. can not tell city mpg… i have a habit of drifting in dangerous occations..

By: AC FREED

AC FREED — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:29:13 +0000

its just a plasma ignitor (hot) that uses a capacitor rather than several ignition sources much like what they already have on new diesel engines (hard for some to understand because they are preconsumed with pressure ignition and glow plugs) but can handle the temps of gasoline or petrol. i’ve read through patent apps on google and Bosch is working on their own system (version) it seems; Pulstar and Pulse-Tronic are just two of the first to market their versions. Not sure on product quality though i dont see any SAE (society of automotive engineer) symbols anywhere on their product. time will tell though.

By: LJ Steele

LJ Steele — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:55:34 +0000

I tried these plugs. They worked fine for about 2500 miles. Thats when the car started to miss. I pulled the plugs out and found one of the plugs center part was loose. Im just glad it did not break up and get into the cilinder and cause alot of damage. I called Enerpulse and they said it was past the 30 day guarantee and they would not refund my money..
I suggest you stay away from this product..
LJ

By: Jacque Damon

Jacque Damon — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:37:27 +0000

I tried them in my 1998 Chevy Malibu 2.4 liter 4 cylinder and Let me tell you what a waste of time and effort they made my car “pulse” down the road thank god they have a 30 day money back guaranty stick with good Platinum or Iridium Plugs whichever was recommended by your auto manufacturer.

By: DocHolliday

DocHolliday — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:11:21 +0000

Have a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Anything to squeeze out a few more miles to the tank would be nice.
Had 90,000 miles on a set of Bosch+4s, so decided to replace them. I keep a milage log, and knew that my usually miserable mpg had decreased.
The Pulse plugs caught my eye, and I decided to try them.

I am old enough to have seen many, many claims over the years to increase your mpg. I have tried some, remember the voltage increaser you placed on the wire from the coil to the top of the distributor? It was suppose to increase the voltage to the spark plugs 200% and increase your milage. All bunk.

The Jeep was performing at 17.4mpg on the road prior to installing the pulse plugs. Afterward, I ran the Jeep on a 3000 mile trip. Average was 19.2mpg. Hummm,..

Going back to my milage records, the Jeep actually got 19.6mpg until 78,000 miles.

Then, the dung hit the fan. A week ago the Jeep started running poorly, and the check engine light came on. A trip to the Auto Parts store that will use a diagnostic meter for free, “engine coil or secondary ignition problem”.

Removed the Pulse plugs, and noticed they were in poor shape. The tips are pitted, the porcelain electrode protectors were slightly (?!!) melted at the tip.

Replaced with Autolite Platinum tipped. No change.

Replaced the coil. (It is directly attached to each spark plug in the Jeep, $225 part). No change.

Trip to the dealer. ECU blown. $600.

Had dealer put in a new set of Bosch +4’s.

Now have ran 1200 miles. Milage is 19.8mpg.

Overall, I think when your engine needs a fresh set of spark plugs, any brand will improve your engine’s performance.

I have a scientific mind, and reasoned that the pulse plugs, just perhaps, might be an improvement.

The science is complicated, and ad nauseatum debated above, but you can take your 12 volt system and electrically ramp it up to a much higher voltage. It depends.

The question is, do you need to utilize this technology?

My money went where my mouth now states, no. I do not blame the loss of my ECU on the Pulse plugs, but their cost, and lack of any enhanced results, show that regardless of the Pulse plug’s ability to deliver the claims that they make my engine does just fine on Bosch +4’s.

By: JAMES

JAMES — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:27:14 +0000

From reading all the posts, it seems to me that Pulstar works if and when it works in theory and in reality. But it seems to me that they do have a quality control/reliability problem. As for whether the price of admission is worth it, that is a matter of personal choice.

By: Pulse plug VS. spark plug - G35 NYC

Pulse plug VS. spark plug - G35 NYC — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:41:41 +0000