Wanted to open a discussion on the capabilities of the stock VQ35 ignition system in a forced induction application:

Is there more potential for misfire and does an aftermarket ignition booster actually reduce this potential?

Are there power gains (with tuning) to be had with upgrading the stock ignition when boosting? Would it be more beneficial for a turbo setup vs. a supercharged setup?

Is there a danger when using such products (e.g. burning coil packs, engine damage)?

Could ingition upgrades actually help a boosted car "run smoother" (with tuning)?

I was considering the Okada Projects Plasma Direct:

http://www.okadaprojects.com/usa/products_direct.htm

"The Plasma Directs produce 4 times more spark energy than stock coils and also generate an ultra fast multi spark discharge of 10 sparks up to highest RPM.
The spark amperage is increased 100%, allowing the spark to reach many more molecules and therefore accelerate the ignition and combustion process. This is extremely important in forced induction applications but also improves the performance of normally aspirated engines.

The Plasma Direct will increase horsepower and torque throughout the entire rpm range. This upgrade will also reduce fuel consumption. Even the engines with a legendary smoothness will be further refined with the Plasma Direct upgrade. Our Plasma Directs are OBD II compliant and C.A.R.B. approved.

Installation is easy. Direct bolt-in to the engine, no splicing or cutting into stock wiring, simply replace the stock coils with our Plasma Direct Coils and ready to go!

・100% secondary current (Spark Amperage) increase
・4 Times Spark Energy Increase for the initial spark discharge
・Easy installation. Only replace stock coils to Plasma Direct.
・Compatible with all OEM components
・Compatible with OBD-II (On-Board-Diagnostics)"

GTR dyno:



Suburu dyno:

 

I am no pro, but from my personal experience there is benefit from having a better spark. The stock ignition is actually pretty good (ofcourse this all depends how much HP your talking about), but a in my case a voltage booster allowed me to run a bigger gap, which we all know the more/bigger spark the better combustion, etc... I am at 15psi (turbo). So yes there is a benefit, I just dont think you really need to upgrade the system with such product, just a voltage/ignition booster and a larger spark plug gap, should be a couple of HP while keeping a healthy and efficient combustion.

 

since IP and SP make 1000+whp on the stock ignition, i'd say the answer is no.

 

ya, I was doing some more searching and it seems these aren't worth it. And even if spark was an issue, it seems the boost-a-spark is the product of choice for value and performance.

In terms of voltage amplifiers, the HKS DL and the boost-a-spark tap into the ignition system for amplification? The Okada Projects are direct replacement of the stock coil packs, or do they go over the spark plug and work with the stock coil packs?

 

Might be something to it if you want to run colder plugs or w/m injection or u have a weak ignition driver (UTEC).

 

Seems like the UTEC specifically suffers from weak ingnition drivers....not sure why.

The Pro-efi, and Haltec don't have this porblem. Don't know about the Fcon

Tom

 

I think the F-Con drivers are fine.... I now have XKRs DLI II he said no benifits were seen with it on so they removed it and he passed it on to me.

I also have yet to get it hooked up so it looks like the Vi-PEC drivers are fine as well.

 

With Haltech allowing user control of the coil dwell time, we run the oem coils at max dwell on our drag car, my car, and many others without spark breakup. While there is no spark blowout of break up, this does not guarantee gains wouldn't be had with better spark. I have had multiple bad experiences with the HKS DLI for the VQ, so I stay away from it.

I would be interested to see an unbiased back to back dyno review of these coils on an FI VQ. If Okada wanted to supply me with a set, I would gladly spend the dyno time to find out if this is a quality product that is worth it, or if stock coils outperform them.

 

Interesting Hal. Just fyi, turning up voltage to the coil packs didn't make one bit of difference on the dyno using a boost a spark with the Haltech.

 

^pm sent. There are no negative effects when done properly, and we have not experienced any failed coil packs due to adjusting the dwell within operating range.

 

HAL...did you ever get a set to test?? Would love th hear results.

 

No, I have not had any for testing.

 

what is the value for max dwell?

 

It's the value you have already in your basemaps, painstakingly researched by Hal on the dyno for Haltech customers to benefit from!

 

excellent. I wasnt sure if it was something there was a range for. just thinking out loud about maybe a stronger spark = less chance for misfire