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July 22, 2009 1:44 p.m. GameboyRMH SuperDork

This seems too good to be true:

http://pulstar.com/faqs.htm

They do mention that you might have to adjust your ignition timing to compensate.

I've been hearing good things and this test shows amazing improvements when running on these plugs.

Anyone have any experience with these?

I also wonder if it might be possible to get the same result with "add-on" capacitors that could be fitted between the plug and plug wire. That would give you the option of removing them quickly if they fail.

edit: oh wait they sell that too: http://pulstar.com/directhits.cfm

Update: many bad reviews on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_auto_1_5?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field...

Particularly for the BE-1 model which is the type recommended for both my vehicles.
July 22, 2009 4:11 p.m. Strizzo SuperDork

just like the fuel catalyst and other snake oils, these things can't bend the laws of physics.

the only reason you might see a big(ish) improvement with these (or any other "magic" plug) is if your ignition system was already weak. if that is the case, you could probably put a new coil in, or clean up some grimy grounds and get all of those "gains" that you've been losing back.

basically the physics are: the more energy that it takes to bridge the gap in the plug, the more energy that is contained in the resulting spark. so if your ignition system was a little worn and weary (to the point where, at times the result was a weak or no spark), and you replaced some old copper plugs with platinum plugs, you might see an increase in power. the reason for this is that the platinum plugs require less energy to jump a given spark gap than copper plugs. the result is less spark energy, but more consistent spark and less chance of spark "blowout".

the caveat to this is that if you were to run platinum plugs with a larger gap than the copper plugs, you could get to the point where the same energy was required to fire the platinums, but you would then have a larger spark to light the fire, which might get you a little more efficient combustion.
July 22, 2009 5:52 p.m. iceracer HalfDork

And I have a bridge for sale.
July 22, 2009 6:34 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

a search on Google says: Results 1 - 10 of about 49,600 for "pulstar scam"
July 23, 2009 8:43 a.m. GameboyRMH SuperDork

Here's a couple of good threads:

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-553377.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-tech-performance/1800864-gonna-dyno-tuesday-wit...

So it looks like at best, they give very little to no improvement. Definitely not worth $25 a piece.
July 23, 2009 10:21 a.m. RobL Reader

I bought them. Basically they increase your timing by having a lower intensity spark earlier - 1-2* at most. For cars that have no way to adjust timing from the factory, you might see some improvement. For my car, it wouldn't ignite the mixture under boost so I had to take them out.
July 23, 2009 10:43 a.m. walterj Dork

In conjuction with the Tornado and Slick50 you can use these to travel time.
July 23, 2009 11:22 a.m. NYG95GA SuperDork

You'll get more power by just putting a GRM bumper sticker on your car.