Jerry B
Ozark Highlands
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Joined: 06/11/2001
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Wasn't there a a Federal judgement against Spitfire for unsubstantiated claims? More junk science.
Jerry B
1996 Dolphin 535,F-53.
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AlanB
Sierra Vista, AZ
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Joined: 11/18/2002
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I too remember reading a test on splitfires. No improvement. Popular Mechanics magazine (www.popularmechanics.com) has a section in their automotive feature about lots of gas saving "devices" and techniques. Bottom line, most effective gas saver is the driver, slow down, anticipate stops, etc.
AlanB
2002 Holiday Rambler Imperial 40PKDD Cummins ISL
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427435
Rochester, Mn
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Joined: 11/12/2005
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If they worked, you can bet that Detroit would be using them for either hp or fuel economy. Use a good platinum electrode plug (you don't need the ground to be platinum).
Mark
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a Ford chassis
2003 Ford Explorer toad with US Gear brakes,
ReadyBrute tow bar, and Demco base plate.
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bill h
el segundo
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Joined: 08/02/2001
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A co-worker who lives way out and keeps good records tried them.
No change.
Bill and Susan
84 Barth 30 tag powered by ht502/Thorley, Gear Vendors OD
Siamese Calvin and Airedale Hobbes
4WD Toyota toad
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KOG
Winterville GA
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Joined: 01/31/2001
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Want a good plug? Bosch single platinum. They won't give you any more power or mileage when new, bu they will last longer than nonplatinum and the small (pointy) center electrode does require less voltage to fire than a conventional plug so wires will last a little longer. I've also had the opportunity to comapre these directly against Champion, AC, Autolite and NGK platinum in one engine we have which had a fouling problem. The Bosch do appear to have a significantly wider heat range than the others in that they would run without fouling in an engine that would foul all of the others within an hour of running. And it's not just a cheap trick of using a hotter heat range. All of the plugs wer the same (hottest available) heat range.
Now, as to "magic plugs" making claims of more power and mileage. About 2 months ago I put some Bosch +4iridiums into the car we use for most road trips, a '92
G. Caravan 3.3. Bosch has a refund deal if you don't get quicker starts, improved acceleration and better fuel economy. I'm planning to collect on that. The car had single platinums that had been in it for 70K miles and I haven't been able to detect any difference whatsoever in performance in any regard. Of course, I didn't really expect plugs to make any change as long as the ones in it already fired consistently. Again, I'll allow that having four ground electrodes and an iridium coating might make the plugs last a little longer. But sparks is sparks and there's no magic to be had there.
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bacollins
Lawrenceburg, IN
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Joined: 11/21/2004
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Splitfire = junk. Years ago, I bit on the Splitfire advertising and put a set in an '89 4 cyl. Isuzu Trooper beater. After a few weeks, it started missing on one cylinder. Pulled the plugs, the outer electrode of the plug from # 3 cyl. was GONE. I guess that the electrode went on out the exhaust because, luckily, no apparent damage was done. In all my years of being a motorhead, I had never seen an electrode come off a spark plug before. That did it for me with Splitfires.
'92 Itasca Sunflyer P series Chevy
'99 Wrangler Toad
'99 Cherokee Toad
'00 Yamaha WR 400
'92 Honda 750 Nighthawk
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1995brave
San Antonio, TX
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Joined: 01/24/2006
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Saw a test done on "Trucks" TV show(SpikeTV). They ran standard plugs and the new E3 plugs on their test stand. The E3 plugs actually got better HP/torque than the standard plugs. They also got better mpg(very little).
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zmotorsports
Utah
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Joined: 11/29/2007
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A spark is going to jump the gap at the point of least resistance. This is usually at the sharp edges at the points of the ground electrode and center electrode. When plugs are new these edges are sharp 90 degree edges so if someone replaces old used plugs with rounded edges an with some carbon buildup with the new Splitfire then they may see some improvement but they would also see improvement with a new plug identical to the used/worn one they just removed. The adds on TV show the spark jumping multiple times for advertisement sake but they only fire once unless you are set up with a multilple spark ignition system. I recommend running the plug that the engine was designed with and like others have mentioned just change it regularly depending on miles/use. The only time I alter which plug I install is if someone may have high miles and I change the heat range a step. Mike.
Mike & Chrystal (F315002)
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
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sjholt
Henderson, NV
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Joined: 04/08/2007
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Now if you want to spend some money and never have to change plugs for years, buy Iridium plugs.
My wife's 2004 trail blazer has them in them from stock and in 50,000 miles- no wear. Put them in and forget about them.
Stay away from those"E" plugs- they are just a new gimmick.
If you still don't feel confident in those plugs- install an MSD ignition box- that will get those plugs talking!
Skip
1996 32' Monaco Windsor DP
Cummins 5.9L 230 HP
5 Airbags in front- 4 in back
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sjholt
Henderson, NV
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Joined: 04/08/2007
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Now if you want to spend some money and never have to change plugs for years, buy Iridium plugs.
My wife's 2004 trail blazer has them in them from stock and in 50,000 miles- no wear. Put them in and forget about them.
Stay away from those"E" plugs- they are just a new gimmick.
If you still don't feel confident in those plugs- install an MSD ignition box- that will get those plugs talking!
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