2002CobraKiller

iTrader: (1)

Do most of you all change out your own spark plugs or take it somewhere to get chaned ive been calling around and everyones telling me the same thing around 185 to 215 $ just for labor. For those of you that do change them out your selves whats the best way to do it, i know those back to on the passenger side are really tight in there, any help would be appreciated.

CashMoney

iTrader: (2)

Spark plug socket, extension, U-joint, and ratchet. I'm a skinny guy so its fairly easy.

nostyta

iTrader: (6)

Do it yourself and save the money. as far as the best way to go about changing them there are several post with several opinions, search and then try the one you think will work best for you.

jkichline

iTrader: (1)

Some I have to get from underneath and some I have to get from the top. Make sure you have a couple different length ratchet extensions and maybe a universal. My first time it took me about 5 hours. The two in the back on pass. side were a real bitch. But the second time, I got them done in about 2.5 hours. I don't know why, but I didn't have much trouble with the last two the second time like I had the first time. If your doing plugs, you should probably do wires at the same time.
Let me just ask... Why are you changing plugs? My first set of plugs were still good after 110,000 miles. Then I had performance problems so I changed them out. Turns out that I had dirty fuel injectors.

2002CobraKiller

iTrader: (1)

im changing them because im misfiring sometimes and im feeling it hesitate sometimes, so that was the first thing i thought of.

shandy294

You might want to troubleshoot the problem(or have someone help)instead of just changing them first. You can waste a lot of money shotgunning.

If you change them,don't over-tighten because the heads are aluminum. Use anti-sieze compound on the threads and similar stuff for the boots. Have someone help ,or do them, if it worries you.

jkichline

iTrader: (1)

I went through that with mine and changed plugs (twice), wires, throttle position sensor, EGR valve, coil, Opti-spark (twice), and probably some other stuff. Mine would miss at low RPMs but be fine about 2500 RPMs. When I ran injector cleaner ($3) in a tank of gas, it would run noticeably better. But the next tank would do the same thing. Finally I replaced the injectors with 30,000mile used ones from a vette and the problem totally went away. One injector fot the LT1 is ~$90 at the store. I bought 8 off of a guy on EBay for $65! It took about 2 hours to put the injectors in.

If I were you, I'd put some injector cleaner through and see if anything improves.

gwj

Get #8 from underneath, really easy. Also disconnect the AIR rubber tube from the check valve and you can gently move the tube from the check valve to the manifold toward the front of the car to get #6 easier. A short 3/8" ratchet and a variety of extensions helps, including a short "wobble" extension. A universal can be helpful for breaking plugs loose, but I never install with it. Like was said, use anti sieze on the plug threads and dielectric grease in the boots (not on the electrodes).

AronZ28

iTrader: (2)

I never used a swivel to get to any of my plugs. On the driver's side I removed the air tube and got to all of them fairly easily. On the passenger side I removed the air tube and completely removed the coil packs(they are all on a metal rail). That last bolt on the coil pack rail is a real bitch(its up under the windshield), and don't worry about putting it back on. I managed to get to #8, the back one on the passenger side, with just the spark plug socket and my 3/8" ratchet. A very helpful tool would be a very small 3/8" ratchet. Getting at them from underneath is impossible on my 1999, due to the way the cats and manifolds are positioned.

http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...sity/index.htm

A very good writeup on what's involved. Just completely remove the coil pack rail before doing any of the passenger side plugs, makes it much easier. If you have a Saturday or Sunday to kill, then do it yourself.

2002CobraKiller

iTrader: (1)

also my ses light has been coming on occasionally but it only stays on for 10-15 miles and goes off, i had it scanned and it only had one code that said it was running lean this is why i thought it was the plugs

Ryan1985

Just take the coil packs of the passanger side and you can get them all from the top. I can do it and i have big fore arms.

Quickin

I do them all from the top, both sides and I don't remove anything except my STB.

My first time....2 hours.

My second time.....45 minutes

My third I did it in about 40 minutes.

The last time on my friends LS1 it took about 5 minutes to do all 8. But the motor wasn't in the car.

Its a bitch.

zombie1

Bust your cherry and your knuckles!Be the man!

marine02ss

iTrader: (3)

Changing spark plugs is easy take a good look at your engine bay its no big deal #8 plug can be taken off from the top

Osiris

You must do it your self. I’d run a can of sea foam in the tank and one in the engine right before an oil change. You can get Sea foam from O’Reillys. This will totally clean out your system and you will know that there is no blockage that can be throwing off the computer.

The more you do yourself, the more you will learn about your car and the less you will be dependent on others to do little things for you. That’s why you joined this site anyway right?

Your car running lean, Have you done anything else to your car lately ie. pulley Lid, or any other intake mods. This will most def. throw off the PCM and force your car to pull timing. Also check that your gas cap is fully seated and tight, and I know that your not being cheap and using anything less than 91 octane. You should be using 93!

But overall, I’m with jkichline, it is most likely that your fuel injectors are dirty. Put a min, of two cans in there or sea foam.

Have fun learning you ride man. This last three years with my car has been great!!

blackrat

Honestly, the hardest part will be trying to get your stock wires off. It was for me. 45 minutes EACH to get 4 and 6's wires off, and only 5 minutes to get the plug out. Just be creative in your angle of attack for the plugs. I get 4 and 6 by leaning over the lid and winding my arms through from the front. It looks weird and you have to have fairly long arms, but it gave me the perfect angle.

EDIT: And wear gloves too! Your hands will appreciate it.

Patman

I always did my own plugs on my 98 Formula and could do it in 45min after I'd done it about three times.

The plugs on my C5 are super easy, I can do it in 45min without even rushing. All of the plugs have easy access.

SporkLover

iTrader: (2)

change it out yourself!

Save yourself the money.....

ss427ci

iTrader: (3)

Your asking on a LS1tech forum. I love the percentage difference. lol
When you pull your own plugs you can also compare them to a good Plug diagnostic chart and find A/F ratio problems or valve problems, etc.

Speed Density

iTrader: (38)

im gettin new plugs and wires, my mechanic say $150 to do it. i really really want to do it myself, but i dont know how to do anything on my car. i think i would really mess **** up. argg NE help would be GREAT