chaosdsm

Only saw a few posts from almost a decade ago in search. I'm not looking for opinions from people who've never used them... I already know all the doubters & speculators favorite rants...

Specifically wondering about the current generation Inconel tipped Pulstar's??? I'm highly tempted to try them with their 30-day money back guarantee, especially with Pep Boy's currently offering 20% off online orders.

I've run these plugs (the old Platinum tipped version, not the new Inconel tipped version) for 6 years in my Honda Shadow VT600CD @ 2 plugs per cylinder. I purchased the bike new (still in Honda factory shipping crate) & it already had Platinum plugs installed, but I got the Pulstar's anyway because I was interested in the MPG claims.

For me, the MPG claims turned out to be not only true, but under rated compared to what I've experienced. On original factory plugs, I got 92 - 98 city miles per tank before hitting reserve (every tank since purchase). When I put the Pulstar's in, that instantly went up to 110 - 116 city miles per tank before hitting reserve. I later upped that even more by changing my sprocket ratio (dropped rear sprocket from 44 teeth to 38 teeth) for much lower RPM's at highway speeds. Average fill up after hitting reserve 2.2 gallons.

Factory plugs avg about 45MPG for first ~6,000 miles, Pulstar's avg about 52MPG for next ~12,000 miles, & now almost 58MPG for the past ~2,000 miles with the new sprocket ratio!!! But even at today's fuel price, I've saved more in fuel cost than the cost of the Pulstar's, & needed an estimated 36 gallons less gas since the change. If, I could get even 3% or 4% increase in MPG on the HHR, it would mean a pretty decent savings (over estimated 50,000 mile stated life of the plugs) once gas goes back up over $3/gal.


Also, I've read about the CEL problem when running these plugs in the HHR, but haven't seen anything about it being fixed??? Anyone know of any updated info for the CEL???

whopper

"I'm not looking for opinions from people who've never used them... I already know all the doubters & speculators favorite rants..." ............... Well, I guess that lets most of us out.

Regarding updated info for the CEL ..... - nope, there is no "update for a CEL" - not sure what you are referring to.

donbrew

Maybe a misfire CEL.

Oldblue

The misfire could be heat range related, our friends at Carid carry these plugs,


Pulstar® - Chevy HHR 2009 PlasmaCore Series Inconel Electrode Pulse Plug

As for their use or claims to mpg or increased performance, these are not one of the brands I have tried in my HHR

chaosdsm

There were reports for check engine lights on the HHR's (& a few other Chevy vehicles) when running Pulstar plugs, & I believe it may have been for misfire's. I'm waiting to see if Enerpulse replies to my email on the matter.

BTW, I'm currently averaging just about 25.5MPG for the last 700+ miles, on what I'm assuming are original factory plugs.

Oldblue

Just as a base point I have a 2007 LS 2.2 L and I run the AC Delco 41-103 iridium spark plugs , have a K&N FIPK intake and the 2 1/4 inch Walker exhaust and get pretty consistent 31.6 MPG. The HHR has 333,444 klms or 207,192 miles.
Now I wonder what would be the root cause of the difference in our mpg, ambient temperature, foot pressure on accelerator, well there could be lots more of these type of reasons
Happy to discuss this on this thread or via pm

RJ_RS_SS_350

Yeah, that's not good. I get at least that with the SS, and I love to use that turbo!! What's putting your MPG so low?

chaosdsm

RE: Mileage, mileage can vary from car to car & driver to driver, there are so many different variables.

25.5 MPG for a 2.2L isn't 'bad', in fact, it's better than the "up to 22MPG" city sticker mileage. Biggest reason it's not higher than that though is short drives. 3.8 mile trip to work (with at least 2 out of 5 stoplights every morning being red) & 5.2 mile trip back home. Also used the remote start on the 4 or 5 mornings it got close to freezing here, & let it warm up 10 minutes before leaving for work. Finally, I tend to be more hare than tortoise especially if I'm lead car at a stop light.

My only long range trip (248 miles round trip) averaged 35.2MPG (calculated by fill-up / drive / fill-up method & not from DIC) while cruising 65 - 70MPH for about 200 miles of the trip with the A/C running about half the time. Trip also included about 8 - 10 miles of stop & go traffic in which I typically get only 22MPG, & rest of the time was 45 - 60MPH speeds.