Okada projects plasma ignition coils

[ess530i]

hi there anyone got any experience to share? thinkin of getting for my e60 530i but need to do some research coz it cost a bomb (RM4k+)!

 

[leforte]

i am also having some prob on my ignition which is apparently caused by my denso iridium plugs. searched the forum and think i will go for beru-x to see if there are any improvements

welcome to the club. for your ignition issues, check on your engine grounding, since its a JAP import, it may have been sitting at the yard for a while, it may be badly corroded. a weak ground will give you a weak ignition ... anyway did your issue appear before the change of gears at redline??? if its just a slight judder or shutter mid-rev, it could be just a leak at the manifold gasket. did your installer use enough of the ess provided blue sealant to make sure its air tight? what version TS2 software are you on. did you specify to absjorn/hans its for a JAP spec.?

anyway, should it be the ignition system, first check the resistance of your coils, if its Ok, then you can either replace the plugs with normal copper or silver plugs or a simple regapping of the current plugs to a closer tollerance of 0.22" would help. the factory ignition would require a higher energy to jump the spark gap in a force induced high compression enviroment. so if you run the factory recommended gap, it may overtaxed the ignition system resulting in a slight lag as no spark is produce for that moment.

Irridium plugs or platinums plugs are really poor conductors of thermal and electrical energy. these plugs are mostly used for their long wearing durability due to their material hardness and density, but not for performance. for a FI engine, the most suitable plug would be the humble copper or Silver plugs, they are the best electrical and thermal conductor and requires less supplied ignition voltage to generate a spark when compared to irridium or platinum. i would not recommend the beru-x or volker as its just the same as the denso you are using now. try BRISK silver or nology racing silver.

if your ignition is weak due to the plugs, the plasma coil will work wonders, you can call calvin tan @ eurocarmotorsport to order some. but do make sure there is no air leak and your ground strap is ok first.

 

[ess530i]

omg leforte you are my lifesaver... i am experiencing some shudder at mid-high rpms...could be leak at the manifold but my mechanic told me he used the sealant according to the instructions. so i will try to resolve the ignition issue first. will revert to my denso iridiums but with closer gap as u recommend. as for grounding, should i install aftermarket grounding systems? what about okada project plasma coils? thanks a bunch especially on the beru-x advise

 

[leforte]

omg leforte you are my lifesaver... i am experiencing some shudder at mid-high rpms...could be leak at the manifold but my mechanic told me he used the sealant according to the instructions. so i will try to resolve the ignition issue first. will revert to my denso iridiums but with closer gap as u recommend. as for grounding, should i install aftermarket grounding systems? what about okada project plasma coils? thanks a bunch especially on the beru-x advise

check on your leak first. did your mech retorque the bolts holding the manifold after the sealant has cured? if he didnt, it may be leaking only at mid rev when the boost comes in. have him double check on the bolts and retorque if required. as for the tuning, just call hans /absjorn on the phone anytime. they have the best aftersales service around.period....

anyway, i know someone with a ts2 had a similar mid rev shuttering, it was due to a malfitted manifold, he refitted the whole kit with new gasket and plenty of sealant and it was ok after that.

as for your ground strap, just have your mech take it out and remove any rust and sandpaper the contact point for a clean fit. FORGET about those grounding kits, pure gimicks... oh.. there is a grounding points on the main ignition harness, do make sure they are well connected too.

the okada coils will work fine. IMHO its just way too pricey for a small gain. have all your coils resistance check, replace any one that has a different rating, if they are all ok then ask CALVIN if he can get you the Okada Plasma Direct instead. its a add on booster cap to your ignition coils and it works the same way as the plasma would but its much cheaper and from the same company.

 

[ess530i]

will the leak affect boost? i installed a boost meter and get around 0.45 bar when the boost comes in and about -0.7bar during idle

check on your leak first. did your mech retorque the bolts holding the manifold after the sealant has cured? if he didnt, it may be leaking only at mid rev when the boost comes in. have him double check on the bolts and retorque if required. as for the tuning, just call hans /absjorn on the phone anytime. they have the best aftersales service around.period....

anyway, i know someone with a ts2 had a similar mid rev shuttering, it was due to a malfitted manifold, he refitted the whole kit with new gasket and plenty of sealant and it was ok after that.

as for your ground strap, just have your mech take it out and remove any rust and sandpaper the contact point for a clean fit. FORGET about those grounding kits, pure gimicks... oh.. there is a grounding points on the main ignition harness, do make sure they are well connected too.

the okada coils will work fine. IMHO its just way too pricey for a small gain. have all your coils resistance check, replace any one that has a different rating, if they are all ok then ask CALVIN if he can get you the Okada Plasma Direct instead. its a add on booster cap to your ignition coils and it works the same way as the plasma would but its much cheaper and from the same company.

 

[leforte]

you should be having a 7psi kit for your automatic 530i. so 0.45bar should be close to the target psi. your -0.7bar idle pressure seems ok, check on the pre compressor throttle body connection, probably a slight leak there. the surge/jerkiness might be due to sudden lean AFR that causes a pull in timing. btw, did you replace the fuel filter?

If no leaks were found? go on to trouble shot the ignition side. try changing a new set of plugs, just use the oem copper or platinum ones. next, clean the MAf or if you can borrow another MAF from a working car, try it on. also check on the crank angle sensor and its reading via dis/gt1. If none of the above is abnormal and no error codes shown, then I suspect incorrect cam timing and realignment of the cams is the next step.

 

[adliz]

nice info leforte.. if u have a workshop, pm me so i can drop by my car there.. :top:

 

[ess530i]

you should be having a 7psi kit for your automatic 530i. so 0.45bar should be close to the target psi. your -0.7bar idle pressure seems ok, check on the pre compressor throttle body connection, probably a slight leak there. the surge/jerkiness might be due to sudden lean AFR that causes a pull in timing. btw, did you replace the fuel filter?

If no leaks were found? go on to trouble shot the ignition side. try changing a new set of plugs, just use the oem copper or platinum ones. next, clean the MAf or if you can borrow another MAF from a working car, try it on. If none of the above is abnormal and no error codes shown, then I suspect incorrect cam timing and realignment of the cams is the next step.

replaced my volker plugs today with nology silver & my stock ignition coils with okada project plasma direct. result is noticeably better & smoother acceleration and boost increased from 4.5 to 5.5bar (8psi) with better fuel economy but the jerkiness during full throttle is still there. my final suspect is the tuning done by ess which may not be suitable for our weather. there may be too much fuel as indicated by the additional carbon deposit on my exhaust tip. i did replace my fuel pump and filters during installation of the supercharger. my kit included larger injectors which i am contemplating to change back to the originals to reduce fuel. any comment?

 

[leforte]

hey ess530,

be patient, the ESS tuning is fine for our weather. the ess software will learn to adapt, just give it time, it takes anywhere from 100km to a few days with variable driving style and condition for the DME to fully adapt itself, the performance will only get better over time. LEAVE THE INJECTORS ALONE, switching back to stock injectors will cause the car to run lean and self destroy itself. the Ess tuning is perfectly tuned for the bigger injectors. a stock bmw will run about 14.5 afr which is the optimum stoic Air Fuel Ratio for a N/A car, but for the ESS tuning, its normal for it to be around 13.0 AFR. the richer AFR at wide open throttle is a good failsafe from any chance of the engine pinging. hence the extra carbon at the tailpipe is strictly normal.

on the jerkyness during full throttle, you sure its not the DSC kicking in, you got A LOT of torque at the wheels now? DSC will blip the throttle to reduce power. turn off the DSC and try again.

anyway it could also be the ess tuning failsafe torque reducing setting for all automatic cars, whereby it cuts ignition prior to an up shift to preserve the gearbox. be glad as its a safety feature, this is characterized as a slight pause of power around 6300-6500rpm prior to the upshift of gears. quite noticeable on 1-2 shifs.

opps..sorry my bad, i meant PLASMA SPARK which is the cheaper alternative to the coils, but really congrats on the purchase of the plasma coil, they are a tad expensive but if it helps, its worth every penny then. can pm me the price for the nology silver, i need to replace mine soon. thanks.

p/s do not do any dyno until the tuning fully adapted itself.

 

[adliz]

so, what hp is the sc pushing now? 100hp more? what bar?

 

[shedden]

replaced my volker plugs today with nology silver & my stock ignition coils with okada project plasma direct. result is noticeably better & smoother acceleration and boost increased from 4.5 to 5.5bar (8psi) with better fuel economy but the jerkiness during full throttle is still there. my final suspect is the tuning done by ess which may not be suitable for our weather. there may be too much fuel as indicated by the additional carbon deposit on my exhaust tip. i did replace my fuel pump and filters during installation of the supercharger. my kit included larger injectors which i am contemplating to change back to the originals to reduce fuel. any comment?

Glad that you liked the Okada Projects we installed for u, it was also nice to finally meet an E60 performance enthusiast. By today, you should get even better response from the Okada & Spark Plugs, because of the ECU self-learning capability.

As for your jerkiness, I highly suspect is the tuning, which has to be verified after doing a dyno for your car. After observing your car yesterday, I suspect it's running rich because your exhaust area is now charcoal black. Before you change the injectors back, just run a dyno first. Just my 2cents

Regards,
Shedden

 

[leforte]

okada okayda okay lah....

 

[ess530i]

so, what hp is the sc pushing now? 100hp more? what bar?

not yet dyno so dont know how many HP but its running at 0.6bar. i still doubt it can beat your gti...

 

[ess530i]

Glad that you liked the Okada Projects we installed for u, it was also nice to finally meet an E60 performance enthusiast. By today, you should get even better response from the Okada & Spark Plugs, because of the ECU self-learning capability.

As for your jerkiness, I highly suspect is the tuning, which has to be verified after doing a dyno for your car. After observing your car yesterday, I suspect it's running rich because your exhaust area is now charcoal black. Before you change the injectors back, just run a dyno first. Just my 2cents

Regards,
Shedden

yes the car is becoming more powerful and smooth after a couple of days. amazingly, even the problem with slipped gear is gone now

 

[ess530i]

jerking / shudder problem resolved by adding octane booster to my v-power fuel. problem is i'll be broke in no time if i continue adding octane booster in every tank. also there is warning that the catalytic converter / oxygen sensor may be damaged with frequent and heavy dose of the booster. i guess a retune would solve the problem to cater to malaysian fuel?

 

[leforte]

jerking / shudder problem resolved by adding octane booster to my v-power fuel. problem is i'll be broke in no time if i continue adding octane booster in every tank. also there is warning that the catalytic converter / oxygen sensor may be damaged with frequent and heavy dose of the booster. i guess a retune would solve the problem to cater to malaysian fuel?

adding octane booster is just a temporary fixed. the ess tuning works ok for a number of cars using even regular fuel, with only a lack of power being the only drawback when the ignition timing is pulled/reduce to counter knocking. there are many other variables that could cause knocking ie:- lean AFR, MAF failure, O2 failure ...

my first guess its highly likely there is a leak somewhere upstream of the SC which is leaking in unmetered air that will lean out your fuel mixture and the DME will just pull/reduce the timing to counter that. my second guess would be the metering system, since it requires the MAF element to be transfer to another housing, and it does not have the original grated mesh before the heating element, the MAF may not work accurately. the grated mesh is there to straighten the airflow for a precise air measurement. without it, some unmetered air might be flowing pass it. hence the knock. the jerk may be from the sudden timing pull/reduction in the event of engine knocking.

 

[ess530i]

adding octane booster is just a temporary fixed. the ess tuning works ok for a number of cars using even regular fuel, with only a lack of power being the only drawback when the ignition timing is pulled/reduce to counter knocking. there are many other variables that could cause knocking ie:- lean AFR, MAF failure, O2 failure ...

my first guess its highly likely there is a leak somewhere upstream of the SC which is leaking in unmetered air that will lean out your fuel mixture and the DME will just pull/reduce the timing to counter that. my second guess would be the metering system, since it requires the MAF element to be transfer to another housing, and it does not have the original grated mesh before the heating element, the MAF may not work accurately. the grated mesh is there to straighten the airflow for a precise air measurement. without it, some unmetered air might be flowing pass it. hence the knock. the jerk may be from the sudden timing pull/reduction in the event of engine knocking.

this is making me pening...can i send my car to your 'workshop' for a checkup? my mechanic is out of ideas...

 

[supergripen]

jerking / shudder problem resolved by adding octane booster to my v-power fuel. problem is i'll be broke in no time if i continue adding octane booster in every tank. also there is warning that the catalytic converter / oxygen sensor may be damaged with frequent and heavy dose of the booster. i guess a retune would solve the problem to cater to malaysian fuel?

if i'm not mistaken,ESS quotes all their power ratings for 96ron euro rite? dunno how that compares to ours but judging from ur experience and explanation,the fuel(or rather the octane rating) u use is probably below what ESS has tuned ur car for.having to add octane booster all the time will indeed make things kinda suck especially since we'll be paying more for fuel in a few month's time.. salvation maybe in the form of 99ron fuel that we're rumoured to get,next to 95ron for the masses that is..

then again,like leforte said,there are other ESS users here using our normal fuel and running perfectly.hmmmm...

also,noticed that u were running 0.45bars before.only after u added those plasma ignition coils and silver plugs did u get 0.55bars which is what a TS2 kit should make rite? there might be something there to ponder too.it should be running 0.55bar from the onset rite?

used to run 1.45bar on my STi.. shucks,i miss boost!!!

maybe u should email absjorn.. he'll know what to do.

good to know there are ESS users out there:top:

 

[supergripen]

not yet dyno so dont know how many HP but its running at 0.6bar. i still doubt it can beat your gti...

ideal conditions,u shud get 270+rwhp.

GTi very fast mah..with DSG,the shift times are to be experienced to be believed.tho the 'thump' sometimes makes u cringe a little.

ESS quotes a 0-60 time equal to VW's R32 DSG for the 530i TS2 stepbox.a 525i TS2 will be 0.3 secs behind.

 

[leforte]

if i'm not mistaken,ESS quotes all their power ratings for 96ron euro rite? dunno how that compares to ours but judging from ur experience and explanation,the fuel(or rather the octane rating) u use is probably below what ESS has tuned ur car for.having to add octane booster all the time will indeed make things kinda suck especially since we'll be paying more for fuel in a few month's time.. salvation maybe in the form of 99ron fuel that we're rumoured to get,next to 95ron for the masses that is..

then again,like leforte said,there are other ESS users here using our normal fuel and running perfectly.hmmmm...

also,noticed that u were running 0.45bars before.only after u added those plasma ignition coils and silver plugs did u get 0.55bars which is what a TS2 kit should make rite? there might be something there to ponder too.it should be running 0.55bar from the onset rite?

used to run 1.45bar on my STi.. shucks,i miss boost!!!

maybe u should email absjorn.. he'll know what to do.

good to know there are ESS users out there:top:

Ess specified a minimum of 96 RON octane for optimal performance. the super premium Vpower that we have at the pump is rated at 98 RoN octane, where else the regular premium fuel like primax3, shell super, tectron gold and synergy F1 is 97 ron, all of them meets the min RON requirement.

darn.. no more 97 ron regular and down grading to 95ron??? !@$!@