I was wondering if anyone had purchased the Plasma ignition coils for their car (E34 M5), and where the hell you can buy this from, all I seem to find is this product for the E39.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!! I have someone in the US who is willing to bring them over next week.
The alternative would be a 8mm BERU ignition lead set, we will see....
Is it safe to assume you mean the Ignitions Solutions brand, or some other type?
I tested the Ignitions Solutions coils on my own '94 3.8l Touring.
Compared to the tired original 50K-mile coils, the IS coils were an improvement.
Compared to brand-new BMW coils, there was no difference. Testing was thorough, done on a DynoJet dyno and with a "fresh" install and again after an adaptation period. Absolutely no difference, the results were so identical as if there had been no change.
They might last longer than the OEM BMW coils, but that I did not test (left the OEM in).
BMW coils are already high-energy units and more than sufficient for a naturally-aspirated M5.
As to how the product works on other BMW models, I do not know. My curiousity was satisfied after testing on the M5.
Is it safe to assume you mean the Ignitions Solutions brand, or some other type?
I tested the Ignitions Solutions coils on my own '94 3.8l Touring.
Compared to the tired original 50K-mile coils, the IS coils were an improvement.
Compared to brand-new BMW coils, there was no difference. Testing was thorough, done on a DynoJet dyno and with a "fresh" install and again after an adaptation period. Absolutely no difference, the results were so identical as if there had been no change.
They might last longer than the OEM BMW coils, but that I did not test (left the OEM in).
BMW coils are already high-energy units and more than sufficient for a naturally-aspirated M5.
As to how the product works on other BMW models, I do not know. My curiousity was satisfied after testing on the M5.
- Rob
Hi Rob
Many thanks for the reply. I do not understand how the coils can be advertised with backing information showing dyno graphs showing a 4-5hp increase - do they use a set of hi conducting silicon leads in conjunction with the coils?
Maybe different cars react differently. The dyno test car was an E46 330i.
I will be using hi-performance BERU leads with the coils, I am sure this will be better than my old coils and leads. But if I had known the orignal parts are as good, I would not have bothered. Oh well, you live and learn.
Many thanks for the reply. I do not understand how the coils can be advertised with backing information showing dyno graphs showing a 4-5hp increase - do they use a set of hi conducting silicon leads in conjunction with the coils?
I cannot comment on their testing methods.
I know I trust my methods - I was out to prove something to myself (and I was really hoping for an increase!), not to "sell" myself.
3.8l cars don't use conventional spark plug wires, of course... there's just the short rigid lead through the head. None were supplied by Ignition Solutions, but I installed new BMW leads at the same time.
Quote:
Maybe different cars react differently. The dyno test car was an E46 330i.
Hmmm.
Quote:
I will be using hi-performance BERU leads with the coils, I am sure this will be better than my old coils and leads. But if I had known the orignal parts are as good, I would not have bothered. Oh well, you live and learn.
Well, don't despair... your original parts are probably tired by now and needed refreshing anyway. "Functional" is not the same as "optimal", and like I said in my first post, simply putting in new BMW coils made a difference. Idle was smoother and power felt very slightly enhanced.
Interestingly, the part number for the 3.8 coil packs was in short supply here in the USA (some other 3.8 importer had ordered some, I suppose). However, it appears that the M50-series engine uses coils that are interchangeable. In fact, the IS part number was the same (and I ran the IS coils in an E36 just to test that application too).
I know I trust my methods - I was out to prove something to myself (and I was really hoping for an increase!), not to "sell" myself.
3.8l cars don't use conventional spark plug wires, of course... there's just the short rigid lead through the head. None were supplied by Ignition Solutions, but I installed new BMW leads at the same time.
Hmmm.
Well, don't despair... your original parts are probably tired by now and needed refreshing anyway. "Functional" is not the same as "optimal", and like I said in my first post, simply putting in new BMW coils made a difference. Idle was smoother and power felt very slightly enhanced.
Interestingly, the part number for the 3.8 coil packs was in short supply here in the USA (some other 3.8 importer had ordered some, I suppose). However, it appears that the M50-series engine uses coils that are interchangeable. In fact, the IS part number was the same (and I ran the IS coils in an E36 just to test that application too).
- Rob
You're right Rob, as long as everything works in unison once I have the piggy back UNICHIP/remapping done for the new cams and "performance" exhaust.
I totally agree with you on the "Functional" is not the same as "optimal" line!
Have a a good day!
PS Am fitting the leads on Wednesday 13th Jan, will let you know how it feels.
I read your post with interest; Is this right? The coils functionality reduces with time?
There is no evidence to suggest the coils on my 92, 3.8, 139k miles have ever been changed.
At the MOT centre (Nov 2004) I was advised that my engine was misfiring. I checked the coil leads as per the Bentley Manual and checked and adjusted the plug. The engine ran a lot more smoothly but there is still some suggesting of a misfire (a slight lumpiness, more so than normal) around 1500-2000rpm, then it seems to disappear.
Would a diagnostic test indicate a faulty coil. Have an inspection 2 coming soon.
Would it be prudent to change the coils beforehand?
Welcome any feedback you may have.
Thanks
Brian
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Levinson
I cannot comment on their testing methods.
I know I trust my methods - I was out to prove something to myself (and I was really hoping for an increase!), not to "sell" myself.
3.8l cars don't use conventional spark plug wires, of course... there's just the short rigid lead through the head. None were supplied by Ignition Solutions, but I installed new BMW leads at the same time.
Hmmm.
Well, don't despair... your original parts are probably tired by now and needed refreshing anyway. "Functional" is not the same as "optimal", and like I said in my first post, simply putting in new BMW coils made a difference. Idle was smoother and power felt very slightly enhanced.
Interestingly, the part number for the 3.8 coil packs was in short supply here in the USA (some other 3.8 importer had ordered some, I suppose). However, it appears that the M50-series engine uses coils that are interchangeable. In fact, the IS part number was the same (and I ran the IS coils in an E36 just to test that application too).
I read your post with interest; Is this right? The coils functionality reduces with time?
Absolutely! All electronic components "age"... even a simple solid-state circuit wears out. With a coil pack, which is basically a capacitor/amplifier, it's got huge amounts of electricity zapping through it thousands of times a minute. The functionality definitely decreases with time.
Quote:
There is no evidence to suggest the coils on my 92, 3.8, 139k miles have ever been changed.
At the MOT centre (Nov 2004) I was advised that my engine was misfiring. I checked the coil leads as per the Bentley Manual and checked and adjusted the plug. The engine ran a lot more smoothly but there is still some suggesting of a misfire (a slight lumpiness, more so than normal) around 1500-2000rpm, then it seems to disappear.
Change them. I think you will notice a very nice difference in idle smoothness and even power. If I recall correctly, they were something between $50-$70 each X 6 units. That's a reasonable maintenance expense and you can do the labor.
Quote:
Would a diagnostic test indicate a faulty coil?
A completely failed coil would be evident. A "tired" coil that still works, albeit weakly, will not show up in any test. It's a "feel" thing, just as you're describing.
Quote:
Would it be prudent to change the coils beforehand?
Just for the Inspection2 servicing, it does not make any difference. But for your next MOT, definitely.
You may also notice better fuel mileage, so changing them as soon as possible willl start returning benefits that much sooner.
BeastPower sells Ingition Solution Plasma Coils for the 3.8 e34 M5. If your interested, let me know and I can contact you with pricing and availability information. Our website (www.beastpower.com) lists the products we sell, and if you don't see a particular product listed, please contact me, as I can probably track it down and provide it for you.
Thanks for your input, It's the answer I was looking for.
I'll fit new coils and give feedback on completion.
Having checked the IS Coil pricing (twice as much as OEM, plus Tax/shipping), and your testing of these against OEM; I'll stick with the OEM's. There seems to be no significant benefits in performance.
Thanks again Rob
Regards
Brian
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Levinson
Absolutely! All electronic components "age"... even a simple solid-state circuit wears out. With a coil pack, which is basically a capacitor/amplifier, it's got huge amounts of electricity zapping through it thousands of times a minute. The functionality definitely decreases with time.
Change them. I think you will notice a very nice difference in idle smoothness and even power. If I recall correctly, they were something between $50-$70 each X 6 units. That's a reasonable maintenance expense and you can do the labor.
A completely failed coil would be evident. A "tired" coil that still works, albeit weakly, will not show up in any test. It's a "feel" thing, just as you're describing.
Just for the Inspection2 servicing, it does not make any difference. But for your next MOT, definitely.
You may also notice better fuel mileage, so changing them as soon as possible willl start returning benefits that much sooner.
My car had a persistent part throttle weakness, that seemed to come and go. Fine at WOT. No fault found, diagnostics OK.
I don't usually believe in changing parts without good reason, but in desperation, I bought a couple of coils, with the idea of moving them around until I found the "bad" ones and then, running out of patience, I just swapped the other four and the all the plug connectors. What a difference!
I also changed the O2 probe, never recorded as done before in 160000 miles and the idle control valve, also 1995, which showed some witness marks inside and maybe was the cause of the occasional big stumble when entering roundabouts and the like on a trailing throttle.
As Rob suggests, these electronic and electro-mechanical parts don't last for ever, but they often don't fail outright, making absolute diagnosis difficult.
Can't help wondering if some of the other 3.8's that suffer niggly running problems could benefit from the same?
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