Thread: E3 Spark Plugs, Anyone using them?

As most of us have been using basic/cheap copper/nickel plugs for years because there cheap

For many years iridium plugs have been out and some have been using them...

Whats the consensus now for good plugs to run on a modified N/A or even turbo engine? Plat/iridum plugs last longer... Do they actually have a more powerful spark? or just better for longevity

What we need is the most powerful spark. E3's I have herd are the best, unlike the horrible BOSCH +4 plugs which are garbage in domestic/japan engines


I'm thinking about trying them.... Guess ill be the tester

Think about a lightning rod and how a spark is generated. This will help you understand why oems use iridium and platinum plugs.

Just from using NGK, I noticed a marked difference going from coppers to iridiums. Now I use iridium in all the cars when spark plug change intervals occur.

NGK stock number for Iridium 3764

E3 exchange = E3.64

For coppers....

NGK copper 5553

E3 exchange = E3.64

I guess E3 only has one plug for our SR20DE exchange (heat range I am guessing can be chose but I have no idea this was a cursory search). Gap is not adjustable so that is up to the purchaser. because all stock numbers from NGK cross reference with the same E3 number of E3.64.

Cross reference link here for E3 http://e3sparkplugs.com/theme/pdf/autocross.pdf

I like my NGKs Both copper and platinum, lol. I always noticed a difference every time i changed my copper plugs every 10k miles. I have not had to switch out any iridium yet, but I guess that is the point?

E3 propaganda would have you believe that flame propagation is faster and more efficient with their plugs. But the engineer in me just tells me otherwise. Even NGK makes multi-grounded plugs, but they typically only do so in applications where the plugs are prone to foul. In Direct Injection engines, the DI can foul the plug before full atomization can take place, even when multiple spark discharged is utilized. Otherwise, it is easier and takes less energy to produce a spark when the ionization points are well defined. Of course, using a copper plug with a very small tip would erode away very quickly and require changing often. This is why more exotic materials are used, in order to reduce surface area while having acceptable service intervals.

I thought all previous hype was with the added grounds i.e. bosch +4 etc.. was added grounds make an easier path for spark/better or bigger spark which is all b.s.

E3 plugs design is to promote a better flame/burn out the bottom towards the piston, not out the side. HP TV dyno'd them and they made more power. Also these plugs are lifetime guaranteed

I guess ill try them out, if no good ill stick to the NGK iridium then

There are more paths to ground, but that also means more area near the electrode to ionize. Larger ionization points generally mean more energy is used to fire the spark. The Bosch +4 design is a better design because the ground straps are side-gapped to the center electrode to allow the flame kernel to propagate downward. But generally the flame expands outward equally in all directions. This is where the extra ground material gets in the way and inhibits proper combustion. The only plugs I've ever experimented with that provided a larger spark, and jumped the farthest gap were Pulstar plugs.

OEMs spend a ton of money on spark plugs. Most factory grade plugs are Laser Iridium NGK/Denso, and cost $11 to $20 retail. Racing plugs are generally the same style, but the ground strap is cut back and side-gapped. These plugs can cost up to $30/pc.

I always encourage experimentation, though. It's the best way we can learn how things work out in the real world. I am very skeptical though, because it's not only against other engineer's recommendations, it's against physics as well.

Another thing to consider... You can melt a copper plug before platinum or iridium. This is actually a good thing, if a cylinder goes lean there is a chance it will kill the plug saving the piston. This would not be the case with iridium or the platinum.

Just food for thought.

Melting point of copper is over 700*F higher than aluminum. Piston is likely already melting at that point. Racing plugs are typically a non-projected tip, and that does help keep the plug a bit cooler. But generally by the time you are damaging plugs, the piston has already begun seeing the effects.

I tried them once, on my high comp ve. Car spat out out two plugs on the dyno, well the tils. Dropped in some bkr5e and crossed my fingers and she stRted right back up. Car made 216 that night.

Never again will I trust e3. I stick with zex or ngk.