E3 Spark Plugs

[knightjp]

I first came across this when I was browsing through youtube and came across a show called "GearzTV". I was immediately hooked on the show.. Basically the guy showed how to do custom work on cars...i.e putting a Ford V8 into a Mazda MX-5 (Miata) and new body work and stuff.
Anyways, the host endorsed these spark plugs called E3 Spark Plugs.

Here's the youtube video....

GearzTV - E3 Spark Plugs

There are other videos out there where he visits a major research institute and discusses the plugs in detail... but from what I can gather, these plugs are pretty good.

There are mixed reviews online about and basically one or two bad experiences which makes me wonder if anyone over here has tried them...

So... has anyone tried them???

[shorod]

I've read several reviews from people that have them and I don't remember any that were particularly positive. As is the case with pretty much any aftermarket spark plug, many people seem to have issues with them in modern (last 10 years or so) computerized stock cars. If you're running a carbureted performance engine, you might have good luck with them.

-Rod

[CivicSpoon]

Stick with the OEM recommended spark plugs.

http://www.clubhummeroffroad.com/for...ead.php?t=7799
http://www.clubhummeroffroad.com/for...ugs#post174008
http://www.kfx450hq.com/forums/gener...g-warning.html
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2729767

[knightjp]

I've noticed that most of the complaints have come from owners of GM or Honda vehicles...
A few theories floating around on the web about this;

1. GM uses a particular plug design when designing the engine that makes it hard to use anything other than OEM. Use something other than OEM and you'd run into trouble.
2. They didn't choose the right plugs with the correct gap measurement.
3. The plugs work better with carburated engines rather than ones with Fuel injection.

[BullShifter]

Stick with what came in the engine! If "designer" plugs were so good they would come from the factory installed in your engine. We have had numerous customers install their own plugs only to have issues shortly down the road. After finding the "designer" plugs we recommend switching to oem stuff. Guess what? Problem fixed!

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by BullShifter

Stick with what came in the engine! If "designer" plugs were so good they would come from the factory installed in your engine.

This sum it up


Spark plugs have been around for over 100 years, yet the basic design has not changed very much in that time.

Over the last 20 years however, people have come up with all sorts of "new" designs, all claiming to make your car run better but with out any evidence to back it up.
Every single magic idea lasts a few years months or years in the market place, then vanishes.

Yet the manufacturers, who spend billions of dollars researching these things, keep using the same basic plug design.
Why? Because it works, and it is the best, most efficient design for the job.

If GM, or BMW, or Honda, start making noise about a new plug design, then you know there is something in it that is more than a marketing gimmick.

[Black Lotus]

For my turbo cars, I just throw in some Irridium (NDs or NGKs) plugs and call it a day. The irridium is just for durability.
For my non-turbo car, I just use---whatever. It doesn't matter.
As long as you get the heat range right, it's golden.

[knightjp]

I was browsing www.sparkplugs.com for the recommended plug that would fit my car and came across this....
NGK PFR6B - http://www.sparkplugs.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=2327
E3 3.20 - http://www.sparkplugs.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=27094

I know the NGK PFR6B is recommended for my car based on the site screenshot attached... In my conversation with someone from E3, I was told that there wasn't a E3 plug that had the Gap 0.7mm ....
Now based on the data provided in the links above, these two plugs look identical in terms of thread size, reach, etc.... So I could assume that the E3 plug should work fine in my engine... Or am I missing another detail that isn't mentioned.... ?

[shorod]

So, out of curiosity, based on all the information above (from E3 as well as opinions from responders), why are you still looking to go with an E3 plug? While I have never tried E3 plugs, I have used iridium plugs in cars and SUVs, both normally aspirated and turbo charged, and had very good luck with them. Of course I switched to iridium plugs after several thousand miles were on the original plugs, so I cannot quantify the improvement from the switch. But, I have not experienced misfire or other driveability issues often associated with non-OEM style plugs.

-Rod

[knightjp]

Originally Posted by shorod

So, out of curiosity, based on all the information above (from E3 as well as opinions from responders), why are you still looking to go with an E3 plug? While I have never tried E3 plugs, I have used iridium plugs in cars and SUVs, both normally aspirated and turbo charged, and had very good luck with them. Of course I switched to iridium plugs after several thousand miles were on the original plugs, so I cannot quantify the improvement from the switch. But, I have not experienced misfire or other driveability issues often associated with non-OEM style plugs.

-Rod

I'm a nut who likes trying new stuff...
I'm the kind of guy who looks at something different and says, "Yeah it could work."
Basically I wanted to give them a shot and see if it is worth all the hype. Frankly, just following the ref-PDF on the E3 site, you'll easily get mistaken in choosing the wrong plug. I found out that by consulting with someone from E3 itself. The gentleman was very helpful. Anyways, I found a plug that has the same specs and gap and seems to be a perfect fit compared to my normal plugs (which frankly are premium double platinum plugs and cost bit more )..
I wanted to see if the E3 plugs, which are cheaper could give me the performance as advertised. From the few reviews I've read, they can.

[shorod]

That's a perfectly fair response. Good luck, and please follow up on this thread with your review after you get a few miles on them.

-Rod

[knightjp]

I queried with the guy from E3 about the plug I found, he said that it wouldn't wok on my engine. Although all the other specs are the same, the heat range of the E3.20 is far hotter than the NGK's.
Sadly there isn't a plug in their lineup where are all 5 specs (thread, reach, heat range, hex and gap) match the NGK's and therefore nothing that would fit my engine.

Was so hoping to give them a try...

[jamesslcx]

Hello everyone, E3 plugs seem to do good in my push mower!

[street rodder]

I put E3 plugs in my truck and my car at the same time, the parts guy said I'd be sorry. Well my car is an 93 Mustang and right now it will barely even run. Back firing, missing and runs very roughf. My truck is an 02 F150 and since I pulled my car 400mi round trip, I have a intermittent miss in the engine. Sometimes it will miss once or twice or it will miss constantly under load.
I wonder what it could be?
Im pulling the pluge ASAP and I'll let you know. It sure is a coincidence.

[knightjp]

Originally Posted by street rodder

I put E3 plugs in my truck and my car at the same time, the parts guy said I'd be sorry. Well my car is an 93 Mustang and right now it will barely even run. Back firing, missing and runs very roughf. My truck is an 02 F150 and since I pulled my car 400mi round trip, I have a intermittent miss in the engine. Sometimes it will miss once or twice or it will miss constantly under load.
I wonder what it could be?
Im pulling the pluge ASAP and I'll let you know. It sure is a coincidence.

I still wanna give the plugs a try. :P