SVX Network Forums Live Chat! SVX or Subaru Links Old Lockers Photo Post How-To Documents Message Archive SVX Shop Search |
IRC users: |
#31
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
Why it would work better, yes, but increasing the spark would have to come from the main source of the ignition system (coil/distributor/whatever) you wouldn't be able to boost the energy at the spark plug unless each one was wired to a secondary power source like an amp - gets a signal to amplify from one input and the power to increase it from another input.
Quote:
Quote:
You are correct as to 'how' a capacitor works, the question pressed here is 'where' it works and what makes it work. I think just for fun now I'm going to have to buy one and dissect it.... I'd like to know what they're trying to do. |
#32
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
Here's something interesting:
http://www.eemsonline.co.uk/articles/10-06-08 Quote:
Quote:
If you are doing engine mods, that's a different matter. You may need to carefully redesign your ignition system to work with those mods. The same way that LAN specifies a particular type of plugs for use with his stage 3 supercharger. Teenage kids often bolt shiny aftermarket parts onto their cars in the hope of increasing performance. But because they don't have any engineering expertise, their riced up cars are often slower than stock. My advice is: Unless you are an expert, don't try to improve on an expert's design. If it's not working correctly, repair it, otherwise be thankful that you don't have to.
__________________
Subaru ECU and TCU Website 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1994 Alcyone SVX S40-II 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SE Sports Tourer 1996 Subaru Legacy 2.2 GX Wagon 1988 Subaru Justy J12 SL-II Last edited by b3lha; 02-10-2009 at 07:56 AM. |
#33
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
This has been one of the most interesting discussions for me on this form since I discovered the site!
Lots of well thought out thoughtful contributions! It really makes us think as we personally become involved for a variety of reasons. Thanks to all for your contributions! I can't believe what just happened! The worst speller in the world... me... just spelled contributions... twice... correctly... without help from the spell checker!!! Not exactly... They cost too much. As much as I drive I could make up the difference if I actually got some value out of them. As far as not performing as well as the ones that were made for the engine, I can't see that possibility. The Higher octane fuel... the slower the fuel burns. Igniting a larger area of the fuel air mixture would not necessarily make the mixture explode quicker but possibly a more efficient and complete burn. I still don't know what I will do about this. Probably nothing for a while but when the temperature in my cold garage gets better, and especially if I pull the engine, watch out! Thanks everyone! Keith |
#34
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
[QUOTE=kwren;586816]Previously posted:
Quote:
The capacitor was used across the points to provide a lower resistance path, as the points started to break. This prevented the rising primary voltage from arcing across the opening points, wasting energy and slowing the secondary voltage rise time. It was the time that it took for the coils voltage to rise to around 8kv that produced all the problems that the older ignition systems had. It took about 8kv to overcome the resistance of the fuel-air mixture, once it was ionised, the resistance falls, and the voltage drops to about 3kv. It gets Technical from here. The ignition coil has two windings, the primary (12 volts), and the secondary (Hi-voltage), they are both wound around the same iron core. The primary circuit produces the magnetic field around both windings. When the primary circuit is turned off the magnetic field collapses back through both windings, generating a voltage in both. It is the voltage that is generated in the primary winding that slows the magnetic fields collapse. As the magnetic field moves through the primary windings it generates a current in them, that will try to put the magnetic field back up. This is the 'Inductance reactance' produced by the windings themselves. As the voltage generated depends on the speed of flux movement. The Hi-voltage generated by the coil is slow to rise, and its voltage is reduced. 'Capacitor Discharge' ignition system were developed to overcome this slow rise time, that caused fouled plugs not to fire. This system used a higher, inverter generated, primary voltage (375 volts DC) to charge a capacitor, that was dumped into the secondary windings, producing the Hi-voltage, as the magnetic field was rising, instead of collapsing, to get around the Inductance reactance problem, giving a very fast voltage rise time, that would fire any fouled plug. As was needed by outboard motors. The ignition system that the SVX uses is the Bosch developed 'Hi-energy system'. This gets around the slow Hi voltage rise time by reducing the amount of windings that are used in the primary circuit, to reduce the 'Inductance reactance' that slowed the Hi-voltage rise time. To produce the same magnetic field strength with less windings meant that the current flowing in the primary had to be increased. A primary resistance of 0.7 ohm would allow a current of 20 amps to flow, but the Igniter unit that controls the coil waits till the current gets to 4/5 amps, then limits this current flow, till it turns it off to fire the spark. Edit: I forgot about another feature that our coils have to reduce the voltage rise time. it is a diode that is in the secondary circuit, to prevent the secondary from generating a current, as the magnetic field is rising. This is the scan from the book. The benefits of this type is a strong magnetic field with very little inductance reactance to slow the rise time. A fast strong spark that needs no add-ons. Harvey.
__________________
One Arm Bloke. Tell it like it is! 95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels. 97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls. 04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls. Last edited by oab_au; 02-10-2009 at 08:33 PM. |
#35
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
Harvey, the points condenser brings a some interesting memories back.
In the US air force in the early 50's and the aircraft engines had platinum points. I was an Aircraft Electrician and one of my duties was to set the points on the engine ignition systems. A duel system as a safety in case one went out. They could flip a switch and test each individual system. When an engine wasn't performing properly, they would send me out to set the points correctly. I learned to set the points visually! Yes, instead of using a gauge, which can be less than perfect, I did it by simply looking at them as I adjusted them. The ability for the crew chief to check each system individually verified that they were set correctly. That is about the extent of my "war stories" My 58 Cadillac limousine was the only General Motors car I ever owned. I could set the points with an allen wrench while the engine was running! I would send it in for routine maintenance and when I got it home it was never right. That was in the "good old days" Kind of reminds you of today's mechanics, eh! I would correctly reset the ignition points with no gauge as soon as I got it home. To correctly set the timing... start the engine... put it in gear with the emergency break on... Give it a little gas and twist the distributor and listen. Get it to knock, back it off till it sounded right, and it was there! Kind of miss that stuff! Keith PS In case you are wondering, none of my bombers ever crashed! A few belly landings, but that is about it! |
#36
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
Even though there was some great technical insight (none of which i actually undrstood : ) ) the choice is quite easy 25$ per plug!!! not for the poor among us : )
|
#37
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
..................
|
#38
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
That's what standard SVX sparkplugs cost in Britain.
__________________
Subaru ECU and TCU Website 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1994 Alcyone SVX S40-II 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SE Sports Tourer 1996 Subaru Legacy 2.2 GX Wagon 1988 Subaru Justy J12 SL-II |
#39
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
idk, but the site has a grip of technical info.....
http://www.pulstar.com/ignition-velocity.html this sold me right there,,,, faster ignition = more complete fuel burning = more pow4r = better mpg (if but slightly..) the way i see it, dont buy an svx if the cost of parts is prohibitive. and these are not THAT much more than the stock plugs.... sooo... the stock plugs last 100K mi, then dont be a cheapass and spend $20 less for a 100Kmi investment. check the "media room" section of the site... they have lots of independant reviews includuing studies and whatnot..... im a fim believer that just because it hasnt been done yet, doesnt mean its not better.... why reinvent the wheel? because aluminum alloy is better than steel. |
#40
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
...which is how we got Coke Classic.
__________________
Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet. |
#41
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
Please don't try to poopo my convert!!!
Keith |
#42
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
Where I work I can get Pulstar plugs ( 6 ) for about $75. I picked up a set because plugs are due and it was only about $10 more for all 6 than the other plugs I would have gotten.
A co-worker of mine installed them in his '06 (IIRC) L6 Chevy Trailblazer and had gotten about 2.5 MPG more than previous. His Blazer has 40k miles on it and he replaced AC Delco Iridium plugs. Now I have no way of determining or worth for the install of the plugs, Just figure I would buy them since the deal. If its an 'of interest topic' I will post back after I install them.
__________________
1992 Liquid Silver/Black LSL LeveL10 Stage 3 Trans and associated stuff |
#43
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
What gets tricky with testimonials around wear items is the comparison is usually "worn brand X" versus "new brand Y".
__________________
Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet. |
#44
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
Whats funny is on their page describing how it works:
"Engine horsepower is created from ignition velocity. Ignition velocity refers to the growth of the combustion flame front, the speed of which determines the amount of energy released from the fuel." Since WHEN does the energy content of a fuel depend on the speed of which it burns? A controlled burn of rocket fuel, or the explosion of such, release the same amount of energy, just in a different amount of time. Also, theres another term for an engine combustion thats too fast.... knocking/detonation. The purpose of octane in unleaded fuel is to REDUCE the speed of combustion, which allows for more ignition advance. This miracle plug apparently counteracts this. In terms of physics, ill say it again, you CANNOT get more energy out of a plug than you put in.... The coil on plug design is proven to be the most efficient in delivering the most spark energy possible, and theres NO plug that can deliver more spark than the coil puts out. Doesnt matter, resistors, capacitors, whatever...... But on the other hand, why would a manufacturer lie or exaggerate when trying to sell you something at probably 800% markup??
__________________
Chris "A person convinced against their will, is of the same opinion still" New?? Find the downloadable SVX Online Service Manual Here RECOMMENDED READING for newer SVX owners Here some cool info if not fully accurate. Last edited by SoCal LS-L; 09-08-2009 at 04:07 PM. |
#45
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Has anyone tried pulstar sparkplugs?
Quote:
I figure if no improvement and no loss, no harm done. I don't believe they will make a huge difference but on the off chance they might, meh. We'll see. I will tell you from opening the hard plastic cases they come in, that they feel like a robust plug and the porcelain bodies themselves are larger than that of the average plug. Maybe I will break out the caliper tonight to see if its just a play on my eyes lol. -Mike
__________________
1992 Liquid Silver/Black LSL LeveL10 Stage 3 Trans and associated stuff |
|
|