Okada Projects Plasma Direct Ignition Coils?

[zumbooruk]

Any opinions about manufacturers claims vs real world performance?

I am not looking for power, just smoothness and responsiveness.

https://www.okadaprojects.com/en/products/pd/

A revolution in ignition technology! Plasma Direct is the most advanced direct ignition system which integrally incorporates a high power amplifier into an ignition coil, using our own technology to enhance combustion efficiency by drastically increasing the secondary current and providing multiple sparks in a unique way. All our products are made in Japan with high quality, reliability and safety unrivaled in the industry. Plasma Direct is also OBD II (On-Board-Diagnostics) compliant. Installation is easy. Direct bolt-in to the engine, no splicing or cutting into stock wiring, simply replace the stock ignition coils with our Plasma Directs and ready to go!

Product Features
Plasma Direct lets a spark ignite more than three times at ultrafast speeds during one combustion process and also supercharges the sparks up to the highest RPM without damaging ignition plugs.

The secondary current (amperage) can be approximately double that of stock ignition coils, which allows the spark to reach many more molecules, thereby accelerating the ignition and combustion process.

Horsepower and torque are increased throughout the entire RPM range, so this upgrade will also reduce fuel consumption. Even engines with legendary smoothness will be further refined with the Plasma Direct upgrade.

https://www.okadaprojects.com/e_application.php?select_maker=HONDA&select_product=PlasmaDirect

I only found one post mentioning it a few years ago by @TR3BLE about using it on his FK8

These have been a proven solid spark plug option for my FK8s with the Okada Plasma Coils, so just doing the plugs for now on the FL5 ?

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[AZCWTypeR]

I can't imagine noticing a difference. Most of the company's dyno charts are line on line, except the GTI. VW is known for lousy coil packs though.

 

[zumbooruk]

I asked AI to search all user reports and reviews, not much of a power gain (which is not what I am after), but several reports of better responsiveness and smoothness, which is what I am after...

might pull the trigger and follow up with my observations.


Users commonly describe smoother idle with less vibration, stronger low-to-mid torque feel, quicker response, smoother revving, and (in some turbo cases) cleaner high-rpm behavior or slight boost stability improvement. A minority report measurable fuel-economy improvement or reduced carbon-related issues over time. Longevity in one long-term report matched stock coils (~100,000 km / ~7 years). Effects are often described as noticeable but not dramatic, especially on already well-tuned or NA engines. Cost vs. benefit is frequently debated.

Measurable / quantified real-world results

Turbo Magazine independent test (2008) on a turbocharged Honda F20C (in Nissan S13 chassis, ~14 psi boost, AEM management, other supporting mods):
Stock coils: 325 hp / 330 lb-ft.
After Plasma Direct: +9 peak hp and +17 lb-ft peak torque.
At 4,350 rpm: +7 hp / +17 lb-ft.
From ~5,540–6,900 rpm: consistent ~+7 hp / +5 lb-ft.
Helped reduce high-rpm stumbling.
Oscilloscope: stock secondary spark current max ~60 mA (leveling quickly); Okada reached 140 mA with multi-spark oscillation pattern. Secondary current roughly doubled (~100 mA vs ~50 mA).
URL: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/0805-turp-okada-coil-packs

User chassis dyno (mk5golfgti.co.uk forum, Stage 2 2.0 TFSI TT, Revo software, same map settings):
Okada peak ~258.7 BHP; best OEM run 256.5 BHP (~+2.5 BHP peak). Some runs showed the Okada curve stronger across more of the rpm range (held power longer in upper rpm). Results varied slightly run-to-run; not a large or consistent gain across the entire band.
URL: https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=49875.0

User reports / social / forum experiences (selected with URLs)

Odyssey (reduced idle vibration, mid-low torque and response up): https://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/3445789/car/3269625/13050450/parts.aspx
Swift Sport (pickup and smooth rev rise across range): https://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/2720971/car/3306440/12197795/parts.aspx
Roadster ND long-term (~7 years / 100k km, still stronger low-speed torque vs stock when compared side-by-side): https://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/619448/car/2047346/12931825/parts.aspx
WRX STI (smoother running, estimated ~10% better fuel economy after break-in, higher sustained boost in some conditions, drier exhaust note): https://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/3393780/car/3171866/11777603/parts.aspx
Other Minkara examples (torque feel, response, smoother operation, occasional economy notes):
https://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/3351446/car/3098387/13313697/parts.aspx
https://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/732559/car/632576/4469729/parts.aspx
https://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/448072/car/1105114/6666848/parts.aspx
https://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/2516002/car/2401636/8846527/parts.aspx

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Thanks for posting this. This "Plasma Coil" looks interesting.

It has me thinking, though, "What goes up, must come down".

What is the trade-off?
With all that extra spark every cycle, will the life span of the spark plug suffer?

 

[getRIGHT]

They seem to be similar to the Max Orido coils. Here’s a vid of him on the Dyno and impressions with his version

 

[zumbooruk]

Thanks for posting this. This "Plasma Coil" looks interesting.

It has me thinking, though, "What goes up, must come down".

What is the trade-off?
With all that extra spark every cycle, will the life span of the spark plug suffer?

I looked it up. the recommended spark plug is the NGK Ruthenium HX 91784 LKAR8BHX

 

[zumbooruk]

They seem to be similar to the Max Orido coils. Here’s a vid of him on the Dyno and impressions with his version

Okada Projects Plasma Direct is supposed to be better than Max Orido coils.

I found out about Plasma Direct while researching and evaluating Max Orido...

the Okada Plasma Direct deliver higher secondary spark current, not just higher voltage, multiple sparks per event, and more documented combustion efficiency and power gains under boost and load.


AI details:

Okada Plasma Direct

Integrates a high-power amplifier into each coil which doubles secondary current (spark amperage)

Produces multi-spark (high-speed AC discharge, about 10 sparks per event) that continues to high RPM.

About four times initial spark energy.

Focus is energy delivery and more complete combustion, especially useful in turbo applications with higher cylinder pressures.

Long track record across many platforms with oscilloscope data showing higher current and multi-spark patterns, plus dyno results of roughly 5–10+ hp and stronger torque in various forced-induction cars.⁠

Max Orido High Spark Ultimate

Prioritizes higher secondary voltage (over 15 kV at idle versus roughly 10 kV stock).

Uses highe-grade German magnet wire and Kyocera-specific resin for durability and conductivity.

Tuned specifically to raise voltage and response while reducing the jerky on/off throttle feel common to some high-output coils.

Emphasizes low-RPM torque, smoother starts, reduced vibration/noise/carbon, and everyday drivability.


another AI comparison:

Ignition coils convert low-voltage battery power into the high-voltage pulse that creates the spark at the plug. In a direct-injection turbo engine such as the K20C1, the air-fuel mixture is denser and harder to ignite cleanly under boost. A stronger, more consistent spark improves flame-kernel formation, shortens combustion time, reduces the chance of partial burns or knock, and can allow the ECU to hold more timing or boost with greater stability.

Okada’s design attacks this problem primarily through current (amperage). Higher secondary current delivers more energy into the spark gap, ionizing a larger volume of mixture. The multi-spark characteristic (a rapid series of discharges rather than a single DC pulse) further raises the probability of reliable ignition across the combustion event. Oscilloscope comparisons on various engines have shown secondary current roughly doubling and a clear oscillatory multi-spark pattern versus the single pulse of OEM coils. Dyno work on turbo cars has repeatedly produced modest but real gains in the mid-to-high range plus improved low-end response and turbo spool feel. The technology has been available for many years and has been used on high-boost Japanese and European applications.

Max Orido’s High Spark approach is different. It raises peak voltage, particularly noticeable at idle and low load, while using premium winding wire and potting resin intended to improve heat resistance and longevity. The company specifically addresses a common complaint with aggressive aftermarket coils: a snatchy or jerky feel when the throttle is applied or released. By balancing the voltage increase with response characteristics, the coils aim to feel stronger without sacrificing smoothness. This makes them attractive for street-driven FL5s that spend significant time in lower RPM ranges or traffic.

In turbo applications where cylinder pressure is elevated, the current-focused design of the Okada units has a clearer theoretical and measured advantage for complete combustion. Voltage is necessary to jump the gap, but once the gap is ionized, current largely determines the energy delivered to the mixture.

 

[HondaHoon]

Brother, I enjoy reading your threads and respect the avenue you are taking with your build. However, through my experience modifying stuff, these types of mods are subjective—the science aside, of course. I have learned that I am not an expert at anything, especially electricity. In any regard, even if I had a PhD in the field to truly understand all that stuff AI advised you about these products, I would still need to get my hands on the product to test and observe whether it did what the manufacturer claimed it did in reality. I have also learned that manufacturers can basically tell you anything to get you to buy their product. Especially these kinds of mods because they are banking on you looking at the pretty box and reading their label.

I am not saying that there is no validity in these products; I am simply saying that I still believe anyone's opinion other than your own is going to be subjective regarding this unless you truly understand data that already exists and has been proven over and over again by multiple sources and experiments. Kind of how a basic hypothesis becomes a scientific theory.

OR

YOU, like me, installs on car, and it makes car go VROOM VROOM better. LOL!

 

[zumbooruk]

Brother, I enjoy reading your threads and respect the avenue you are taking with your build. However, through my experience modifying stuff, these types of mods are subjective—the science aside, of course. I have learned that I am not an expert at anything, especially electricity. In any regard, even if I had a PhD in the field to truly understand all that stuff AI advised you about these products, I would still need to get my hands on the product to test and observe whether it did what the manufacturer claimed it did in reality. I have also learned that manufacturers can basically tell you anything to get you to buy their product. Especially these kinds of mods because they are banking on you looking at the pretty box and reading their label.

I am not saying that there is no validity in these products; I am simply saying that I still believe anyone's opinion other than your own is going to be subjective regarding this unless you truly understand data that already exists and has been proven over and over again by multiple sources and experiments. Kind of how a basic hypothesis becomes a scientific theory.

OR

YOU, like me, installs on car, and it makes car go VROOM VROOM better. LOL!

Thanks,

I did not ask AI to advise, not a good idea.

AI is good as a search and summarize tool, not good as far as opinions/advice/logic/reasoning. etc.

I asked AI to find any third party independent testing and any user reports/reviews/posts, and ignore any manufacturer or retailer claims. though it did come back with an evaluation even though I did not ask for one... AI seems to have a mind of its own.

As a software engineer, there is no way I can evaluate any of these claims myself, which is why I turned to this forum.

As far as installing on my car, I have a whole debate team in my head.

ROI seems minimal, expensive product, with minimal subjective benefits, yet the benefits, if real, are enticing.

I might just flip a coin until it lands the way I want.

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

As far as installing on my car, I have a whole debate team in my head.

ROI seems minimal, expensive product, with minimal subjective benefits, yet the benefits, if real, are enticing.

I might just flip a coin until it lands the way I want.

You know that this will only work in your favor if you:

A) Flip the coin a prime number of times, and
B) The coin lands on the "correct" side on the final flip.

Only then will you know you have made the right decision.

 

[ModJPB]

I swapped coils on my sport touring with coils from an Si/Integra and noticed the engine ran slightly smoother but HP and mpg stayed the same.

The reason coils feel different is not because of amperage/voltage, multi spark, misfires, it's because of different dwell times and if multi-coil that the dwell times are matching. Shorter/longer dwell times change timing slightly which can give the engine a slightly different feel. Similar to adjusting spark plug gaps i.e. smaller gap yield shorter dwell times and vica verse.

Notice these changes are a very very small. Unless the OEM ones are very defective, mismatched or poorly designed such in the case of specific VW models or in a heavily modified engine where static compression and/or boost is increased drastically.

 

[zumbooruk]

You know that this will only work in your favor if you:

A) Flip the coin a prime number of times, and
B) The coin lands on the "correct" side on the final flip.

Only then will you know you have made the right decision.

Minor correction (could not help it, I am a math major)

The coin will have to be flipped an odd number of times

All primes greater than 2 are odd, but not all odds are prime (5 out of 9 for example)

BTW, this method has always worked out for me

for example, this is how I decided to go on the backpacking trip where my wife and we fell in love and got married.

now, whether or not it was the right decision is still an open question after 30+ years.

 

[zumbooruk]

I swapped coils on my sport touring with coils from an Si/Integra and noticed the engine ran slightly smoother but HP and mpg stayed the same.

The reason coils feel different is not because of amperage/voltage, multi spark, misfires, it's because of different dwell times and if multi-coil that the dwell times are matching. Shorter/longer dwell times change timing slightly which can give the engine a slightly different feel. Similar to adjusting spark plug gaps i.e. smaller gap yield shorter dwell times and vica verse.

Notice these changes are a very very small. Unless the OEM ones are very defective, mismatched or poorly designed such in the case of specific VW models or in a heavily modified engine where static compression and/or boost is increased drastically.

I am now very confused...

Since I know less than nothing about ignition system, coils, sparks, gaps, etc, I did some research to educate myself, and no, not AI

My understanding is that the ECU controls the dwell time. dwell time is not controlled by the spark plug gap

Apparently there is a related "duration" terminology. Did you mean "spark duration" or "arc duration"?

Isn't dwell time is the interval where current flows and builds energy in the coil. longer dwell time raises the peak current, which then increases arc energy and arc duration, which is the subsequent period during which the current continues to flow across the spark gap.

Yet it seems that the relationship you stated above is reversed.

Larger gap requires more energy during the spark plug firing, and for a fixed coil energy (set by dwell), higher sustaining voltage across a larger gap raises instantaneous power, but shorts the arc duration

Too large of a gap can increase chance of no or weaker arc.

A smaller gap produces a lower voltage drop / lower effective resistance during the arc phase, so the energy is expended over a longer interval, resulting in a longer arc duration.

Too small of a gap can can produce a smaller initial flame kernel, slower early flame growth and/or greater quenching risk

A higher-current amplified coil such as the Okada Plasma Direct which has a multi-spark AC discharge, delivers greater total energy to the plug, and results in a more complete/efficient combustion, i.e. more power/torque

Note that Okada recommends to keep gap same as OEM and not increase the gap (which was my initial gut feeling that stronger spark can accommodate a slightly larger gap with all the benefits associated with a slightly larger gap)

 

[ModJPB]

Yes, but keep it simple....

An ignition coil is a transformer that turns low voltage (primary windings) into high voltage (secondary windings). Current flows on primary, secondary coil is induced to charge, when triggered to ground and with enough charge it will jump the spark plug gap. Although very fast, it still takes time for this process.

High boost and/or high compression engines use faster multi coils (not to be confused with more powerful coil) because compressed air has higher resistance. With increased resistance a coil needs to charge higher to jump the gap which causes a greater delay. To reduce the delay use either a faster coil or reduce the plug gap to lower resistance so the coil can fire earlier again.

There are other factors but they are largely negated because our modern engines have better fuel atomization, swirling, and don't rev as high as they used to

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