Okada Projects of Japan recently introduced an innovative, highly effective and easy-to-install ignition Plasma Direct system, replacing the factory coils while promising to increase both horsepower and torque in less time than it takes to change out your spark plugs. What is the Plasma Direct ignition system you ask? Simply stated, the Plasma Direct is an ignition coil system that uses a high-power amplifier built into the unit. It produces 4 times more spark energy and a 100 percent improvement in secondary current (Spark Amperage) increase than the average stock coils without generating any additional heat inside the ignition coil. Extensive testings show that Plasma Direct also generates a highly effective multi-spark discharge of 10 sparks throughout the powerband. In comparison to the factory coil, which delivers a single spark discharge. The Plasma Directs multiple spark discharge and improved spark energy yields improved ignition and greater combustion efficiency, all of which is beneficial for those driving high-horsepower machines-but is a limiting factor often overlooked when building your street machine.
Curious about the performance advantages, we compared both the factory Subaru STi coil pack and EVO unit to the new Plasma Direct using an Oscilloscope to measure the variance for both voltage and current.
Perhaps you enjoy the aroma of burnt wires and coils under the hood? We sure don't. Believe it or not, many aftermarket ignition coil packs are sold with a higher voltage range in comparison to most factory systems, which use a range of 300 volts to 400 volts. These aftermarket systems increase the payload to a whopping 450 to 500 volts, which can cause an ignition overload and net you with a crispy disaster. Not only do many of these ignition units bump up the voltage, they also produce negative current spikes of -30 amps to -40 amps, which will eventually lead to killing the coils due to its excessive negative current. Not all is lost with high voltage systems, though, these ignition units that often advertise how many mill joules and volts they deliver are considered ideal for drag racing, which demand high rpms during short intervals, but show limitations in performance gains within the midrange and lower rpm due to an overload in voltage and short lifespan of components. Damaging the factory ignitor on vehicles such as the BMW, which inconveniently integrates the unit within the factory ECU, will set you back a hefty chunk of change.
Primary voltage on a factory coil is anything but efficient for a high-performance vehicle showing only one spark.
The Okada Project Plasma Direct system requires no splicing or cutting into stock wiring; Simply replacing the stock coil with the Plasma Direct system and re-plugging the harness wires onto the new unit is a simple one-two process. And the best part you ask? All Plasma Direct components are OBD II compliant and C.A.R.B. approved which means you can give your local smog tech and friendly cop the finger while you rock your new Plasma Direct ignition system. Check out the Okada Projects website for more information and application specifics for your vehicle.
The primary voltage on Plasma Direct ignition systems display multiple sparks that continue from lower to high rpms. | 
An oscilloscope diagram of a primary voltage on a popular Japanese aftermarket ignition pack. Notice the two spikes before falling back down quickly to factory voltage-hardly any performance advantages when using this system on your car. | 
Using an oscilloscope, we can see a factory secondary ignition spark reaching a maximum of 60mA before falling flat on its face. |