Pulse Plugs: Bogus or bonus?

[elhigh]

I've seen these so-called "pulse" sparkplugs advertised here and there, and also checked them out on the web. I can't find much in the way of reviews or testimonials about them. Does anybody know more, or has anyone on the forum tried them out?

I'm guessing they aren't cheap. Those slick ads cost money, so the scratch for the advertising has to come from somewhere. I want to know if I want to help pay for the ad.

According to the fuzzy ad copy, the plug generates a "pulse" instead of a typical spark, which I'm guessing is either a) an even more powerful spark powered by the circuitry contained within the plug itself, or b) a bigger, juicier high-amperage plasma jet that is fired by the plug's circuitry after the spark gap is ionized by the conventional ignition system.

Again according to the ad copy, the pulse is supposed to be hotter and bigger, but I don't recall seeing any mention of the spark's duration, which seems important to me. I'm also curious as to whether it might do damage to a multi-spark ignition system.

[SVOboy]

Someone is sending me a set of "pulstar" plugs for free, should be here pretty soon...if someone wants to test them out all science like, let me know,

[TomO]

Any info on what application they are for, Ben?

[SVOboy]

My rexxy rex,

[cfg83]

SVOboy -

I have a free set also (free stuff!!!!!!!!!!). Here is my current plan for testing them :

1 - Tune-up my car and put in generic brand X spark plugs.
2 - Reset ECU/PCM.
3 - Drive for two weeks and make notes of the weather conditions along with the MPG.
4 - Go to my mechanic and raise the car up in the air.
5 - With the car in the air, put the car in 4th gear at Y MPH with cruise control on.
6 - Reset the scangauge and let the car drive at Y MPH under stready-state conditions for 10 minutes.
7 - Take down all scangauge readings.
8 - Install pulse plugs.
9 - Repeat steps 2-7.

In this way, the car will have a before and after set of readings. The two weeks will allow for normal driving with all it's vagueries. The two weeks will also allow the ECU/PCM and the plugs to "get to know each other". The "up in the air" test will be an attempt to isolate an MPG difference from all the other external factors.

I have just finished my yearly tune-up, so now I have two weeks to wait. I may wait for three weeks, because we're due for a week of rain in LA this week (go figure). My mechanic just switched spark plugs, so I won't know the current model of plug until we replace them (I didn't ask him, my bad).

CarloSW2

[AndrewJ]

Sounds to me like another variation on the spark-plug-wire capacitor scheme. Nology hot-wires make all the same claims but seem to have the same effectiveness as a "Turbonator" or whatever that thing's called.

Might take a look at this (inconclusive) Nology test

There are several references to a "Circle Track Magazine" test of the Nology hotwires, but I can't track down the article directly.

Good luck with the testing.

[elhigh]

How the hey do you score all this free stuff?

[SVOboy]

Some guy from the company just sent me a message. Didn't have to do anything,

[cfg83]

elhigh -

Same as SVOboy, someone PM'd me. I have almost 2000 posts on GS, so I guess I have a "track record", so to speak. This is the first free thing I have ever gotten doing this stuff, so I am most pleased.

CarloSW2

[TomO]

Wish someone would Pm me