Okada Plasma coil packs... Snake oil?

[The_Transporter]

Okada Plasma coil packs... Snake oil? Or legitimate science at work here?

http://www.etektuning.com/okada-igni...ts-coil-packs/

[westwest888]

I'm inclined to purchase these when I do a tune up later this summer, but I'm open to folks presenting new evidence. I think it would probably be overkill on a stock tune, but for those pushing Stage 1 or higher and running 100 octane tunes, it seems like a great idea.

I was quoted just under $1000 for a set of 6 coils for the 3.0TFSI.

[IanCH]

Not enough technical data provided to justify the purchase. While increased spark amperage does technically increase the power of the discharge, there is nothing to say that it causes fuel to ignite any better.

[cspcrx]

I love it when claims are made with no data to support it. If it increases torque and hp. Show the data, many never do. Sounds like Snake Oil! Much like the magic spark plugs that were all the rage in the 90s and early 2000s.

[Turbavanttro]

There have been tests on earlier platforms that showed some measurable improvements on a stock B7, but it was small (which is all that could be expected on a bone stock car). There is an article by a reputable source floating around somewhere that explains the tests done. They also don't fail like a lot of Audi coilpacks do.

When I switched to these after I installed my BT on my B6, they made a huge difference in how well the car ran and also eliminated "random misfire" codes. Now the same set is powering my EFR setup and they don't miss a beat and I am somewhere in the 400+whp range. I wouldn't run anything else to be honest, they take the worry out of the coilpacks. They are rediculously pricey though.

[OnlyOneOklahoma]

I have been debating buying the ignition projects coil pack for my 3.0T. There is a old group buy forum on here that has a few dyno results. They all show an increase in torque, but not much HP. I wish they had tested them on a 3.0.

[The_Transporter]

I would think the effect would be enhanced in a high horsepower forced-induction setup such as the 3.0T with stage 2. If these truly are built the way they 'claim,' it would certainly peak my interest.

Anyone have comments on my thoughts about forced induction applications? Specifically supercharged? Thanks

[westwest888]

There have been tests on earlier platforms that showed some measurable improvements on a stock B7, but it was small (which is all that could be expected on a bone stock car). There is an article by a reputable source floating around somewhere that explains the tests done. They also don't fail like a lot of Audi coilpacks do.

When I switched to these after I installed my BT on my B6, they made a huge difference in how well the car ran and also eliminated "random misfire" codes. Now the same set is powering my EFR setup and they don't miss a beat and I am somewhere in the 400+whp range. I wouldn't run anything else to be honest, they take the worry out of the coilpacks. They are rediculously pricey though.

Running into this issue. It's not persistent but I'd like to get in front of it.

[A4 Centaur]

FYI: http://www.eurotuner.com/techarticle...udi_fsi_motor/

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/in...?topic=49875.0

http://www.turbomagazine.com/tech/08...da_coil_packs/

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543138

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N3gf93TYCY

http://www.okadaprojects.com/usa/ima...oto/dsport.pdf

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...acks-installed

do some research. Looks like a win.

[Skywagon]

Would one consider different spark plugs or would stock suffice?
Thanks

[SwankPeRFection]

There have been tests on earlier platforms that showed some measurable improvements on a stock B7, but it was small (which is all that could be expected on a bone stock car). There is an article by a reputable source floating around somewhere that explains the tests done. They also don't fail like a lot of Audi coilpacks do.

When I switched to these after I installed my BT on my B6, they made a huge difference in how well the car ran and also eliminated "random misfire" codes. Now the same set is powering my EFR setup and they don't miss a beat and I am somewhere in the 400+whp range. I wouldn't run anything else to be honest, they take the worry out of the coilpacks. They are rediculously pricey though.

That test was done by swapping out the original factory coils for these. The original coils were worn and of course new coils will make a difference. Also, the original B7 A4 coils in 2006 were replaced about 6 revisions from A to F on the part numbers. The final F ones were solid and don't fail. Also, the all Red ones that Audi makes are also solid and it's what I put on the A4 and still have in there. It's the same coils we have in the S4 and others S, RS and R models have.

All this said, on past platforms I've tried everything from aftermarket wires to special electrode plugs to aftermarket ignition boxes and coils and what I've found out after all that is unless you've got issues where your combustion chamber pressures are so high that you can't properly ignite the air/fuel mixture, there's no need for the snake oil if you will. If you run much higher than stock power level then the really proven products can help, but evaluate if you need it based on if your stock setup cannot properly ignite the mixture. Also, remember that misfires aren't always the fault of bad coils but could be worn or fouled plugs and also improper tunes. If a car runs a bit rich by nature or even if it is properly tuned but runs plugs that are of a range designed for FI to pull combustion chamber temp out under high repetitive load, they could natively foul a bit if you pussyfoot around town all the time.

Something to keep in mind when evaluating this type of stuff.

[Jones2012s4]

Would one consider different spark plugs or would stock suffice?
Thanks

I tested one step colder spark plugs, which are a 9 rating. I had no issues with them and ran them until winter.

Colder plugs combined with these coils might make for an interesting combination.

[Skywagon]

I have an APR Stage II and a P3 gauge. The highest PSI I've seen is 15.9. I'm wondering if these devices would really help, especially if APR ever releases its modification enabling higher RPM for the automatic transmissions. Currently, as you may know, the B8.5s are limited to a ridiculously low 6250 RPM.
Thanks

[The_Transporter]

Currently, as you may know, the B8.5s are limited to a ridiculously low 6250 RPM.
Thanks

Welcome to my world.... Even worse, my transmission is the old 6-speed tiptronic (nowhere near as good as the newer 8-speed tip in the Q5 and A7) We need a TCU tune and valve-body mod badly.

[westwest888]

That test was done by swapping out the original factory coils for these. The original coils were worn and of course new coils will make a difference. Also, the original B7 A4 coils in 2006 were replaced about 6 revisions from A to F on the part numbers. The final F ones were solid and don't fail. Also, the all Red ones that Audi makes are also solid and it's what I put on the A4 and still have in there. It's the same coils we have in the S4 and others S, RS and R models have.

All this said, on past platforms I've tried everything from aftermarket wires to special electrode plugs to aftermarket ignition boxes and coils and what I've found out after all that is unless you've got issues where your combustion chamber pressures are so high that you can't properly ignite the air/fuel mixture, there's no need for the snake oil if you will. If you run much higher than stock power level then the really proven products can help, but evaluate if you need it based on if your stock setup cannot properly ignite the mixture. Also, remember that misfires aren't always the fault of bad coils but could be worn or fouled plugs and also improper tunes. If a car runs a bit rich by nature or even if it is properly tuned but runs plugs that are of a range designed for FI to pull combustion chamber temp out under high repetitive load, they could natively foul a bit if you pussyfoot around town all the time.

Something to keep in mind when evaluating this type of stuff.

This is the most useful post swank has made this year. Thanks for sharing. I knew some of this but not in as great a detail, particularly about the revisions to the coils. I was told the 3.0TFSI has very good coils, similar to the R8.

[IanCH]

I was told the 3.0TFSI has very good coils, similar to the R8.

Same part number and same coils that all the 5.2 V10 have, I replaced one of mine that had a broken clip and compared side by side to the extra coils I had for my S6.

[Skywagon]

Welcome to my world.... Even worse, my transmission is the old 6-speed tiptronic (nowhere near as good as the newer 8-speed tip in the Q5 and A7) We need a TCU tune and valve-body mod badly.

I talked to a Victor at APR about 10 days ago and asked about an estimated release on their potential product. He refused to offer ANY information....don't hold your breath!

[westwest888]

Logically a plug for the V10 R8 should be fine for the S4, but the difference is we're forced induction.

[Skywagon]

This is the most useful post swank has made this year. Thanks for sharing. I knew some of this but not in as great a detail, particularly about the revisions to the coils. I was told the 3.0TFSI has very good coils, similar to the R8.

West.....that was very nice! I'm not trying to be sarcastic either....honestly!!!

[SwankPeRFection]

I have an APR Stage II and a P3 gauge. The highest PSI I've seen is 15.9. I'm wondering if these devices would really help, especially if APR ever releases its modification enabling higher RPM for the automatic transmissions. Currently, as you may know, the B8.5s are limited to a ridiculously low 6250 RPM.
Thanks

I hope you know that limitation is more of a cosmetic one than one designed to do anything in terms of safety margin or control for the engine. Audi drops off boost up high and for that last 1k or so of RPMs, they weren't seeing much benefit to leaving it in place if it wasn't going to be used. That's why they dialed it back. While your B8.5 is tac'd out at 6250 and 160MPH on the dash, my B8 dash says 7k redline and 200MPH.

[SwankPeRFection]

This is the most useful post swank has made this year. Thanks for sharing. I knew some of this but not in as great a detail, particularly about the revisions to the coils. I was told the 3.0TFSI has very good coils, similar to the R8.

Ya, ask me how I know about the B7 coils? I got the notification in the mail for the recall on them and a dealership I was going to refused to change them out unless they failed. Fast forward to a few months later and the car leaves a family member stranded on a Friday afternoon coming home from work because one of them decided to fail. Driving that bitch home on 3 cylinders slowly made it sound like a WRX, lol. Anyway, when I pulled the coils, they were all Rev. A coils. Sonofthebitch! Had to order new ones overnighted from ECS and since the red ones were less expensive than the Rev. F black ones, I went that route. Of course, since the order was so late in the afternoon, they didn't process and get to me until Tuesday. Yey Audi asshole dealership that wouldn't replace the originals under the recall bulletin corporate sent out.

[SwankPeRFection]

West.....that was very nice! I'm not trying to be sarcastic either....honestly!!!

I'm going to print some AZ shirts out that say West Swank!

Let me know if you're interested... I'll PM you a price like all the other vendors do here. lol

[gendry]

I actually tried searching for an animated gif of the hug obama gave to crist that ended his republican career to meme with on this West praise. Sadly it was not located.

I'm going to print some AZ shirts out that say West Swank!

Let me know if you're interested... I'll PM you a price like all the other vendors do here. lol

[drob23]

I'm going to print some AZ shirts out that say West Swank!

Let me know if you're interested... I'll PM you a price like all the other vendors do here. lol

Wow, I'd probably pay 2700 for one of those. Especially if you can put your animated avatar in there and west can throw on some gifs from supertroopers or the sopranos. A dyno printout of his "slowest dyno pull ever" would also be gold. Make this happen swank!

[Skywagon]

I hope you know that limitation is more of a cosmetic one than one designed to do anything in terms of safety margin or control for the engine. Audi drops off boost up high and for that last 1k or so of RPMs, they weren't seeing much benefit to leaving it in place if it wasn't going to be used. That's why they dialed it back. While your B8.5 is tac'd out at 6250 and 160MPH on the dash, my B8 dash says 7k redline and 200MPH.

Yep, I kinda figured that. Let's see, who can I blame? EPA, Green Peace, Sierra Club? Maybe I should stick with Audi? I've seen big V-8s spin more than that, 6250 RPM!
Yeah, I want one of those shirts too!

[Skywagon]

I just talked to a Leo at the phone number on the web site. He said Okada does not make a kit for the S4, it is under development. Guess that takes care of that!

[Jones2012s4]

I just talked to a Leo at the phone number on the web site. He said Okada does not make a kit for the S4, it is under development. Guess that takes care of that!

That's weird, it lists our car in their application guide.

[Skywagon]

That's weird, it lists our car in their application guide.

Do us all a favor and please call as well. West was quoted a $1000. for a kit. Something is amiss?
Thanks

[A4 Centaur]

I'll buy the shirt only if it comes in xtra small (Westwest size) and is synthetic fabric.

Haven't decided on a color yet. Maybe Dolphin Grey? Haha!!!

[westwest888]