E3 Spark Plugs
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Bruce WI
E3 Spark Plugs
Anyone use these. I saw a dyno test on TV where just changing out stock plugs for these added 5 HP. They are $5 a piece but $40 for 5 HP ( if its true) would be the cheapest 5 HP you could get.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,422
Likes: 3,275
From: Hartford WI
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Bruce WI
The car is already good to go. The test was on Horsepower TV on Spike. They said they compaired several different aftermarket plugs. They showed the dyno results showing the gain, running the test with the same engine temp, air temp, blah blah blah, all variables were the same and just the plug change gained 5 HP. I am skeptical also but I've spent (wasted) much more on performance stuff before. I got a set this morning and will be putting them in tonight. The passanger side is a pain in the *** to change and that was holding me back much more than the $50. Going to the track this weekend, I'll let you know what the stock 86 with the 4+3 runs in the 1/4. It will be its virgin run on the track
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,422
Likes: 3,275
From: Hartford WI
The car is already good to go. The test was on Horsepower TV on Spike. They said they compaired several different aftermarket plugs. They showed the dyno results showing the gain, running the test with the same engine temp, air temp, blah blah blah, all variables were the same and just the plug change gained 5 HP. I am skeptical also but I've spent (wasted) much more on performance stuff before. I got a set this morning and will be putting them in tonight. The passanger side is a pain in the *** to change and that was holding me back much more than the $50. Going to the track this weekend, I'll let you know what the stock 86 with the 4+3 runs in the 1/4. It will be its virgin run on the track
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
I tried one of these in my circa 1975 lawn mower (briggs & stratton 12 hp single piston carb'd engine) -- the E3 plug has a squareish hole in the middle of the ground electrode, similiar to a 'v' grove plug.
Whereas I did notice a bit less gas smell while running (as if burning a bit better), I also noticed a bit lower RPM's at full throttle (as if the burn pattern was not correct for the cylinder) -- this was even after adjusting the high-speed needle for the plug change.
When I pulled the plug (to try to a B&G platinum plug), I noticed one side of the E3 plug was burning correctly, but the other side was a bit carbon'd-up -- possibly due to a very slight gap difference between sides, or just a result of its burn pattern or spark pattern.
Also, after putting in the B&G platinum, the engine's max RPM returned to its normal 'pitch'.
So, whereas the concept appears to be a improvement to a normal plug, the tradditional spiral burn pattern within the cylinder might be altered and net nothing (or worse), especially if the piston has any sort of design to help with the burn pattern.
Bottom line -- I would NOT recommend these plugs.
Whereas I did notice a bit less gas smell while running (as if burning a bit better), I also noticed a bit lower RPM's at full throttle (as if the burn pattern was not correct for the cylinder) -- this was even after adjusting the high-speed needle for the plug change.
When I pulled the plug (to try to a B&G platinum plug), I noticed one side of the E3 plug was burning correctly, but the other side was a bit carbon'd-up -- possibly due to a very slight gap difference between sides, or just a result of its burn pattern or spark pattern.
Also, after putting in the B&G platinum, the engine's max RPM returned to its normal 'pitch'.
So, whereas the concept appears to be a improvement to a normal plug, the tradditional spiral burn pattern within the cylinder might be altered and net nothing (or worse), especially if the piston has any sort of design to help with the burn pattern.
Bottom line -- I would NOT recommend these plugs.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: Westminster MD
Were they comparing to another new set of plugs, or to stuff that had 50k+ miles on it? Going to just about ANY new, properly gapped plug from something worn and crusty will yield 5HP.
More importantly... was there a "Promotional consideration provided by..." message at the end of the show for them?
More importantly... was there a "Promotional consideration provided by..." message at the end of the show for them?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 13
From: Romeoville IL
Were they comparing to another new set of plugs, or to stuff that had 50k+ miles on it? Going to just about ANY new, properly gapped plug from something worn and crusty will yield 5HP.
More importantly... was there a "Promotional consideration provided by..." message at the end of the show for them?
More importantly... was there a "Promotional consideration provided by..." message at the end of the show for them?
E3 is a sponsor of the Power Block. Take it for what it's worth.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
I'm not trying to 'jack the thread but your comment reminded me of something I was exposed to with small dirt bikes in my youth. There was a practice of using different thickness crush washers to index the plug so that the air gap faced the center of the combustion chamber. Maybe it only makes a noticable difference for small two-stroke engines but the conventional wisdom at the time was that it was worth the hassle of pulling the head and fiddling with washers. Anyone ever hear of this?
Just another "gimmick" spark plug.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Bruce WI
I'm not trying to 'jack the thread but your comment reminded me of something I was exposed to with small dirt bikes in my youth. There was a practice of using different thickness crush washers to index the plug so that the air gap faced the center of the combustion chamber. Maybe it only makes a noticable difference for small two-stroke engines but the conventional wisdom at the time was that it was worth the hassle of pulling the head and fiddling with washers. Anyone ever hear of this?
That was my thought with these plugs, if they help at all, what the hell. As stated earlier, I've pissed away a fortune in snowmobile performance parts, whats $50 for plugs for the vette
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
I'm not trying to 'jack the thread but your comment reminded me of something I was exposed to with small dirt bikes in my youth. There was a practice of using different thickness crush washers to index the plug so that the air gap faced the center of the combustion chamber. Maybe it only makes a noticable difference for small two-stroke engines but the conventional wisdom at the time was that it was worth the hassle of pulling the head and fiddling with washers. Anyone ever hear of this?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Middle Tennessee
I saw the same dyno test and what really interested me was the reduction in emissions along with the hp boost. The reduction in emssions was significant. We have emissions tests here and if there is anything to their test results it might be worth a try. If there is nothing to these spark plug tests, why are you guys buying $6 plugs instead of $1.49 plugs?
I also gave considerable scrutiny to bigger/better wires. Some companies advertise significantly lower resistance in their wires. Some, like Taylor and Knowledgy, even give exact numbers and claim hp boosts. I can appreciate better insulation and resistance to heat for longevity. I can appreciate doing the job right the first time. But where do you draw the line? Why Gm reds and not XX mm Taylors?
Maybe a stupid question but, would you get similar test results by changing out to hotter plugs?
I also gave considerable scrutiny to bigger/better wires. Some companies advertise significantly lower resistance in their wires. Some, like Taylor and Knowledgy, even give exact numbers and claim hp boosts. I can appreciate better insulation and resistance to heat for longevity. I can appreciate doing the job right the first time. But where do you draw the line? Why Gm reds and not XX mm Taylors?
Maybe a stupid question but, would you get similar test results by changing out to hotter plugs?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Middle Tennessee
By the way, this is interesting reading.
http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/truth.htm
I also spelled Kowledgy wrong, it is correctly spelled "Nology"
http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/truth.htm
I also spelled Kowledgy wrong, it is correctly spelled "Nology"
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 639
Likes: 1
From: Brookfield CT NCM#522998
bingo.....I saw the same episode, and E3 is a paid sponsor. Hard to trust the result when the item your testing is paying for your show.....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 336
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From: Bruce WI
I put them in and who knows if the car has any power gain but it did pick up 1.5 MPG. Ran it at the track and it's best was 14.508 at 97 MPH. Tons of fun but these old C4's are NOT drag racing cars, a "stock" 95 was there and he was in the high 12's all day.