Spark plugs...worth changing yourself??

[VELO]

Just curious...should I go ahead and fork out the money to have someone do them for me??? How hard is it to do?? I've done them before on my S-10 etc...but don't know how hard the last 2 are to get....

with that...how long should i wait to change them?? the car has 64K on it now....and I am assuming OEM plugs...thanks.

[JandJsTA]

I certainly wouldn't pay someone to do it... it is a biatch to reach # 7 (drivers rear) but you can get it from the bottom... it also helps if you are running headers (gets the pup cats 01-02 outa the way) and perhaps undo the coil pak mounts and slide them up out of the way.... here's a decent write up even if it's for a C5 http://www.c5forum.com/diy/sparkplugs.php a 1/4" drive ratchet set helps :)


Edit: okay lets go 7 & 8 are biatches :)

[VELO]

sweet! thanks for the write up....


any good suggestions on spark plug brand/type???

[JandJsTA]

Originally posted by V-Raptor_SS
sweet! thanks for the write up....


any good suggestions on spark plug brand/type???

The ones in the write up are pretty popular... depends on your set-up.... mostly stock I just go with the stockers ... but you could get 10 different answers to that question ;) .. perhaps E will post his spark plug poll when everything settles down here :)

[VELO]

mucho appreciation!

[Goober]

Man I just did mine in under 20 mins. It does help that i have headers(flp) and i can get the #8 very easily and number 6 is the hard one for me.

[smiley]

plugs are fun ;) what year is your car? some years are slightly different... '98 you cannot get #8 from the bottom... but latter years it's easier from the bottom.

start with the driver side to get warmed up... then move to the passenger side and have fun. it's really not that bad after you do it once. i used ngk plugs when i did my swap....

[BowlingSS]

I have changed mine once and am planning on doing it again. It will be a lot easier the second time.

BowlingSS
:D

[SS-ROB]

Its not as hard as some people make it out to be. I've changed mine 3 times and each time I get faster on #8.:D

[SeaHawk]

I found the hardest part the first time was getting the @##!ing boots off the plugs. I replaced the wires, so that shouldn't be an issue for next time.

I got #8 just fine from the top, but I got long arms (and subsequently, less flesh) :p

[FirehawkNS]

Can't get to number 8 from the bottom on a 99 either. I tried for about 20 minutes before giving up!! It took me a little while on the first try, but got it in a little over an hour on the second. Just do it yourself, it is rewarding to work on your car!!!

I went with NGK tr6's since I run nitrous, but I never liked the way they idle. And it has gotten worse the longer there in. I loved my Tr55's though!!

[Unstang]

I couldn't get #8 from the bottom of my '98, that is with stock manifolds though. I think everyone that does any work on their car should at least give the plug swap a shot. It is a great feeling to know you have done it, after your hands heel. ;)

[2000 Tran Zam]

how much do tools run to do the swap properly? and can anyone provide the list of what tools would be needed?

[GETSOMZ28]

Just did mine last night for the 1st time on my '02 Z with 13K miles. Def do #8 from the botton, all the others werent too bad if you have a nice collection of extensions. All in all, it took me ~2 hours while chatting to a neighbor on the side.

The only tools I used was a 1/2 inch wrench and a few different extensions. I also used a 12" pipe on the end of the wrench to make things go a little easier on some of the plugs!

[camaroguy]

I was had my coil pack off the other day because i was checking my Push Rods. All i need to say is... that is the best time to chance spark plugs.

[slow]

if you call yourself an enthusiast, try it once

I've done 2 sets, my 98 20 minutes drivers side, 15 minutes front 3 on pass side, 25 minutes to get the wire off the #8 :mad: and then finally 10 minutes for that plug,once i got the wire off, (had to destroy the wire by ripping it out :( .. glad it was oem, and i was instlling new wires.

Ryan

[SeaHawk]

Did the same on mine! Stupid wire ripped right of the boot!

(Ok, ok, I was yanking on it and I know I'm not supposed to, but after half an hour of contorting, twisting and turning on that ONE plug, you tend to lose the benefit of rational thought!)

The new Taylor wires plop on and off without too much effort :p

[slow]

I got the taylors too :D

Ryan