Spark plug upgrade
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 342
Likes: 9
Spark plug upgrade
Doing my spring service on my lawn equipment and decided to install e3 spark plugs in my mower. I immediately noticed a huge difference in performance and fuel consumption. So I was wondering if I might get the same results in my '66.
Now I know there's a difference between a mower and a corvette so no one needs to remind me, but they're both internal combustion engines. I also know there are those who are purists and those who will say it's an expensive gimmick, and I shouldn't waste my money. I'm interested in hearing from those who have used them in their cars.
Now I know there's a difference between a mower and a corvette so no one needs to remind me, but they're both internal combustion engines. I also know there are those who are purists and those who will say it's an expensive gimmick, and I shouldn't waste my money. I'm interested in hearing from those who have used them in their cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 561
From: Macedonia Ohio
Several years ago I installed Split Fire plugs in the 69 Corvette. I did not notice any diference. However, it ran good. I would suspect that the difference is minimal. Probably the larger the engine the less you would notice the improvement.
I am not familar with E3s.
I am not familar with E3s.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,461
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From: cooper city florida
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,078
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From: Riverhead New York
From the e3 WEB site; Improved "Mass Fraction Burned"
This means that just a slight increase in flame kernel strength can cause a cascading improvement in the entire combustion process. By getting the flame process started earlier, the mass fraction burned at any given crank angle position away from TDC is increased. Since the exhaust valve opening occurs at a fixed point in the crankshaft's position, we understood how important it is to get as much of the fuel burned before it is vented off during the exhaust cycle. So, to increase power and reduce emissions, we created the DiamondFire electrode designed to burn more of the existing air-fuel mixture present in the combustion chamber.
It seems to me that adding a "Hotter" Coil would produce this effect. Splitting Hairs? The Lawn Mower most likely may have had an old worn out plug. But then again, a strong ignition system is critical to a good combustion. Al W.
This means that just a slight increase in flame kernel strength can cause a cascading improvement in the entire combustion process. By getting the flame process started earlier, the mass fraction burned at any given crank angle position away from TDC is increased. Since the exhaust valve opening occurs at a fixed point in the crankshaft's position, we understood how important it is to get as much of the fuel burned before it is vented off during the exhaust cycle. So, to increase power and reduce emissions, we created the DiamondFire electrode designed to burn more of the existing air-fuel mixture present in the combustion chamber.
It seems to me that adding a "Hotter" Coil would produce this effect. Splitting Hairs? The Lawn Mower most likely may have had an old worn out plug. But then again, a strong ignition system is critical to a good combustion. Al W.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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From the e3 WEB site; Improved "Mass Fraction Burned"
This means that just a slight increase in flame kernel strength can cause a cascading improvement in the entire combustion process. By getting the flame process started earlier, the mass fraction burned at any given crank angle position away from TDC is increased.
This means that just a slight increase in flame kernel strength can cause a cascading improvement in the entire combustion process. By getting the flame process started earlier, the mass fraction burned at any given crank angle position away from TDC is increased.
Wait a minute..........
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 342
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Here's some reviews.......http://www.amazon.com/E3-Spark-Plugs...ews/B000BPOIB6
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,251
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From: Imperial Missouri
Sometimes changing to better spark plug wires will vastly improve your performance because a hotter spark due to old wires having a lot of resistance. Just changed my old Accel wires for MSD and the old wires had up to twenty time the resistance.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Greenville, Indiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Folsom CA
Split Fire Spark plugs were the best marketing scheme of the decade, the actual product was a detonation inducing failure, but hey, marketing told you they were great and many believed them, at least to purchase them one time. Where are they today?
Auto-lite is still around but where are those revolutionary split fire plugs? E3 falls in the same basket. If you want technology buy Iridium Plugs, they spark at the same low voltage as a copper plug but will last 20 times longer in both low voltage systems and HEI systems. Unfortunately I have not found a company releasing Iridium part numbers for these old Corvette engines, too low of volume to chase our market.
Auto-lite is still around but where are those revolutionary split fire plugs? E3 falls in the same basket. If you want technology buy Iridium Plugs, they spark at the same low voltage as a copper plug but will last 20 times longer in both low voltage systems and HEI systems. Unfortunately I have not found a company releasing Iridium part numbers for these old Corvette engines, too low of volume to chase our market.
Last edited by Westlotorn; Mar 15, 2014 at 01:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Greenville, Indiana
If those multiple electrodes had any advantage on power and MPG, you can bet the OEM's would be all over them. But they're not!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Central Arkansas
I have to confess to having tried them in my Corvette many years ago - they were crap. Literally started causing problems within a few hundred miles. A local speed shop suggested a standard Accell plug and they have done great.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
But I'm holding out for the VAPSTER:
http://inventorspot.com/articles/vap..._mileage_20624
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Know what racing plugs look like? Kinda the opposite.
The ground electrode is actually cut back, exposing half of the center electrode.
What does that suggest?
Jim
Last edited by jim lockwood; Mar 16, 2014 at 08:26 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Greenville, Indiana
This will explain spark plug tips. Notice, no mention is made of multiple ground electrodes.
http://aftermarket.federalmogul.com/...ce%20Chart.pdf
http://aftermarket.federalmogul.com/...ce%20Chart.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,463
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From: Folsom CA
That is a great article Mike, deals with facts not marketing.
Most folks don't know that Champion today is cutting edge in plug technology.
The top Teams in Nascar, NHRA, Formula One and much more choose Champion because they work. Mercedes installs Champion in some of their brand new engines because Champion Iridium technology trumped Bosch. Getting a German Engineer to move from Bosch to Champion takes a lot of convincing. Many of us remember the terrible quality Champion was selling in the 80's and they still carry a bad name from that era but today they build high quality product.
Most folks don't know that Champion today is cutting edge in plug technology.
The top Teams in Nascar, NHRA, Formula One and much more choose Champion because they work. Mercedes installs Champion in some of their brand new engines because Champion Iridium technology trumped Bosch. Getting a German Engineer to move from Bosch to Champion takes a lot of convincing. Many of us remember the terrible quality Champion was selling in the 80's and they still carry a bad name from that era but today they build high quality product.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,786
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From: Park Bench #805 NE Indiana
Originally Posted by Westlotorn;1586418765[B
]That is a great article Mike, deals with facts not marketing.[/B]
Most folks don't know that Champion today is cutting edge in plug technology.
The top Teams in Nascar, NHRA, Formula One and much more choose Champion because they work. Mercedes installs Champion in some of their brand new engines because Champion Iridium technology trumped Bosch. Getting a German Engineer to move from Bosch to Champion takes a lot of convincing. Many of us remember the terrible quality Champion was selling in the 80's and they still carry a bad name from that era but today they build high quality product.
Most folks don't know that Champion today is cutting edge in plug technology.
The top Teams in Nascar, NHRA, Formula One and much more choose Champion because they work. Mercedes installs Champion in some of their brand new engines because Champion Iridium technology trumped Bosch. Getting a German Engineer to move from Bosch to Champion takes a lot of convincing. Many of us remember the terrible quality Champion was selling in the 80's and they still carry a bad name from that era but today they build high quality product.
... Champion is coming back on the map by producing a higher quality product. Unlike what they were producing in the 80's, 
that left a sour taste for me on their plugs.-Bruce