C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

"Pulse Plugs"

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 08:07 PM
  #1  
ep1953's Avatar
ep1953
Thread Starter
Navigator
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default "Pulse Plugs"

Has anyone used these?

www.pulstarplug.com

Do they work as advertised? Will they harm my engine?
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 08:33 PM
  #2  
dougbfresh's Avatar
dougbfresh
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Default

$25 per plug-YIKES. INSANE in the MEMBRANE.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 09:14 PM
  #3  
2A372C's Avatar
2A372C
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: AZLE TX
Default

I was curious about those to but I thought it looked like another split fire fad.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 09:24 PM
  #4  
itzza427's Avatar
itzza427
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Default

There was a thread a few months ago,,a member tried them and they started acting up shortly after installation. Secondly I just read a letter to the tech editor of Chevy High Performance Magazine. He was around when they developed and tested the resistor plug concept concept on Tom McEwens Fuel car. He basically spent a lot of time being diplomatic witha lot of mild techno stuff to sum it up in the last paragraph with,,do they work? They COULD help an engine that has a borderline misfire condition! And commented that over the years many plugs PROMISED great things, They will just wait and see,and offered to test them if they wanted to send them some!! In the text,,they basically said if it's running good there is nothing to gain with them!!
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 11:18 PM
  #5  
bcseitz's Avatar
bcseitz
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
Default

I have them in my car. I can't really say if they make a difference in hp or milage.
I was lucky enough to meet the Pulstar rep at SEMA this year and he gave me a set to try out.
All I will say isto follow the directions to the letter when installing them. They are fragile. Ask me how I know. Like the instructions say: DO NOT USE A SPARK PLUG SOCKET TO INSTALL THEM! I used a Snap-On double wobbler, big mistake! The little rubber thingy in the socket will put enough of a side load on the plug to snap the plug in half. Must to use a deep well socket only.
Embarassed, I had to call up Pulstar and let them know what I did. They were kind enough to send me two more!

Here is a link to a test TLewis did on these plugs a while back. Actually showed gains on his dyno.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...star-test.html
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 11:27 PM
  #6  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Fancy high dollar spark plugs and fancy expensive spark plug wires do NOTHING to enhance the performance of our LS engines. GM did a good job designing our ignition system. This very subject has been covered too many times to count. The stock ignition will support well over 700hp if it is in good condition.

The stock irridum plugs and the GM Performance Red wires work the best on any LS engine. Trust me. There quality well built wires and have excellent hardware that stay connected to the plugs and coils.

If you have a engine that's been modded with performance heads and a different cam, TR-55's seem to work better but wont last as long as the stock irridums.

Plugs and wires only need to be changed if there damaged or worn out and NOT as a performance up-grade. The only improvement you will see is if the old plugs and wires are effecting engine performance. Then new plugs and wires will only fix that issue. You will see NO performance increase over what you car already has.

Oh, I forgot to mention,,,,your car will be faster if you use those PLUSE plugs!! Your wallet will be $200 lighter

Bill C
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 12:57 AM
  #7  
intoc6s's Avatar
intoc6s
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis Mo
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Fancy high dollar spark plugs and fancy expensive spark plug wires do NOTHING to enhance the performance of our LS engines. GM did a good job designing our ignition system. This very subject has been covered too many times to count. The stock ignition will support well over 700hp if it is in good condition.

The stock irridum plugs and the GM Performance Red wires work the best on any LS engine. Trust me. There quality well built wires and have excellent hardware that stay connected to the plugs and coils.

If you have a engine that's been modded with performance heads and a different cam, TR-55's seem to work better but wont last as long as the stock irridums.

Plugs and wires only need to be changed if there damaged or worn out and NOT as a performance up-grade. The only improvement you will see is if the old plugs and wires are effecting engine performance. Then new plugs and wires will only fix that issue. You will see NO performance increase over what you car already has.

Oh, I forgot to mention,,,,your car will be faster if you use those PLUSE plugs!! Your wallet will be $200 lighter

Bill C
Well said!
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 01:50 AM
  #8  
ep1953's Avatar
ep1953
Thread Starter
Navigator
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for the reply guys. I have an 04 with 26000 miles.

For most of my driving I haven't noticed a problem although I did have a plug wire go bad at less than 10000 miles. Replaced it and that was that.

What got me even thinking about going to these plugs happened last fall. "A friend" told me about driving over to Asheville. On the way back to Knoxville some butthead in a Monte Carlo was aggravating my friend but he didn't want to push it past 90 on those winding mountain roads. After getting out on top of the mountain he said he had enough of the Monte so he punched it.

Passing through 130 the engine started to misfire. He back off to 100 and the engine settled down and no more word from the Monte (or the mounties for that matter! ). No problems in normal driving since.

What do you think. Does my friend need to look at the plugs and wires?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 07:14 AM
  #9  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Could be a number of things but plugs and wires come to mind right off the bat. Unless you have a damaged wire, theres no need to replace them. Wires are easy to check. The OEM wires should ohm out 275 - 750 ohms end to end. Make sure that the electrical contacts in both caps are clean (not corroded) and snap on to the plug and coil properly. Not many people realize this but the coil end actually needs to SNAP into the coil.
If the metal connector inside the coil boots gets pushed too far into the boot, that in its self will cause a high speed misfire and cause the connector to burn up.

If the outside jacket and boots are in good shape and the wire ohms out good, your all set.

Plugs, if in doubt, change them. When you remove them inspect them. They tell a story on how your engine is running.


Other things that can cause this issue are:

Clogged or dirty fuel filter
Bad/weak valve spring/s
Low fuel pressure

Have your friend check the DTCs and see if there are any DTCs set.

BC
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 08:54 AM
  #10  
ep1953's Avatar
ep1953
Thread Starter
Navigator
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks Bill! I'll check the items you suggested! (I mean I'll have my friend check!)

I told him he shouldn't be driving like that anyway!
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 11:14 AM
  #11  
itzza427's Avatar
itzza427
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Default

Originally Posted by ep1953
Thanks Bill! I'll check the items you suggested! (I mean I'll have my friend check!)

I told him he shouldn't be driving like that anyway!
!!I changed out my plugs at around 56k and was amazed to see the the condition of the originals,,from real wide to WAY too wide!! It was still starting,idling,and running OK,,but the gaps ran from Mid to upper .060's through the .070's to some on the .080's!! Got some Delco Iridiums,,made sure the Gaps were .040 on the dot. Installed them with new wires,,and man what a difference. It's been on the dyno and on the strip,,she runs great,,best 1/4--13.08/110.23! This is with only 2 add ons,,a Blackwing and Corsa touring(cat back only). Plugs are a very realistic probability for your friends car. My car NOW will freely spin to my 6K shift point,,no skips or misses!!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To "Pulse Plugs"





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:52 AM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE