An experimental investigation is proceeded to study on the relationship between spark ignition characteristics and the performances of an S. I. engine. The ignition parameters examined in this study are the ignition energy and discharging duration. The combustion pressure and exhaust gas are measured during the experiment. From the measured data of cylinder pressure, the heat release rate, the mass fraction burned, and the COV of IMEP are calculated. The dwell time and the injection time are varied. A single cylinder engine and a 30kW dynamometer are employed. Four different kinds of ignition systems are assembled, and one commercial ignition system is adopted. The experimental results show that the ignition energy is increased as the dwell time extended until the ignition energy is saturated. The higher ignition energy is effective in achieving the laster burning velocity and less producing HC emission. However, when the amount of ignition energy is similar, while the discharge duration becomes longer, the burning velocity is reduced but the engine operation becomes stable in terms of the COV of IMEP.