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This paper describes experimental studies carried out as part of a program to develop a neat methanol (M100) version of a GM 4-cylinder light truck engine. The engine was originally intended for variable fuel applications with fuels containing up to 80% ethanol. To permit M100 operation, a variable energy ignition circuit and special recessed surface gap ignitors have replaced the standard ignition components. This is referred to as a “plasma jet” ignition system, and is employed both to overcome the cold starting difficulties inherent with neat alcohol fuel and to permit less enrichment to be used during start-up in the interest of reduced hydrocarbon emissions. The plasma jet ignition systems used in previous related studies suffered from excessively high ignition energy requirements which would be detrimental to ignitor durability.