MrMopar64 wrote:
A metallic plug operates at a different temperature limit than a ceramic one, so the answer to all of your three statements of quick/smooth starting, damage, and compatibility all revolve around if they're operating at the proper temperature and the capability of the "existing" ECU calibration to operate them at such.
What most owners don't realize is that if these metallic plugs operate too hot with the existing cal, then you'll suffer issues 2 and 3 in your list. If the glow plugs are too cold, you'll face issue 1 and 3 in your list.
I will wait to reserve judgement on the statement about "tests according to engine OEM testing protocols" until I see a picture of a glow plug instrumented with a thermocouple and the validation of the temperature at all ambient conditions, and ran some many hrs of durability test in an engine.
The BTUs that going into the combustion chamber to heat up the fuel air mix to the combustion point is what counts, not the surface temp of the glow plugs. If anything, a metal surface (a heat conductor) would transfer the heat better than a ceramic surface (a heat insulator). In theory, a metal tipped plug would send more heat into the combustion chamber and less into the cylinder head casting where the glow plugs screw into the head (might be why some of the ceramic glow plugs get stuck). Visit the TDI forums, the TDI PD owners with the 7 Volt metal tipped glow plugs with the Rocket Chip tune that has the enhanced glow plug flash are much happier than those who went through the 5 Volt Dealer reflash BS.
I see no reason why Ectnol would not be totally aware of these simple Laws of Newtonian Physics. Perhaps they were smart enough to study the VW glow plug fiasco History so they could come up with a solution so we don't have to repeat the History. In my opinion, Chrysler is foolish to go down the same path as VW did with the 5 volt/reflash glow plug fiasco.

For me, I hope Ectnol has Google Check Out capability so I can order a couple sets quickly when they are available.