spark plug change time
08-10-2006, 02:38 PM
#1
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spark plug change time can eveyone chime in with how long it takes them to change their plugs and how long it takes by the book shops use? i had to bring my camaro into the shop for some work cause i really dont have the time 
so i had them change the plugs wires filters etc..and i just got off the phone with them and they said it took them 5 hours JUST to change the plugs!!!! 
i could of prolly done it faster than that! i dont know what the bill is gonna be yet but im worrying that ther gonna try and charge me for all 5hours just for the plugs which would be insane at $80/hr 
so give me some ammo to shoot them down if they try doing that 
hell for $400 i would of taken a day off and done it myself
so i had them change the plugs wires filters etc..and i just got off the phone with them and they said it took them 5 hours JUST to change the plugs!!!! i could of prolly done it faster than that! i dont know what the bill is gonna be yet but im worrying that ther gonna try and charge me for all 5hours just for the plugs which would be insane at $80/hr so give me some ammo to shoot them down if they try doing that hell for $400 i would of taken a day off and done it myself 
08-10-2006, 03:03 PM
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My gm dealer quoted my 4 hours at $500. SO i said ill by the plugs and wires but have them put them in so they said $300. But i just decided to do them myself
08-10-2006, 03:50 PM
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Shops around here quoted $350 + parts. It took me about 4 hours, first time I had ever changed plugs on anything. Sounds like a rip off to me, but then again, most shops are.
with longtubes it takes me probably near an hour but I dunno it has been awhile. And yea that is a ripoff you should have just done it yourself.
08-10-2006, 09:28 PM
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dealer ship ripp offs. normally plugs and wires take an 1and 15 min for me with stock ex manifolds about 45 to an 1 hour with ac delete the number 2 plug is a b##ch most of the time when i get one in its the one thats never been changed .go figure.
08-10-2006, 10:17 PM
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plugs are easy just takes time and patients i think i can do mine in roughly two hours would be quicker if i had a good way to lift the car but i dont its the wires that are a bitch when you try and route 8.5 mm MSD's through 7mm wire looms
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08-11-2006, 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by 1994Z28Lt1
plugs are easy just takes time and patients i think i can do mine in roughly two hours would be quicker if i had a good way to lift the car but i dont its the wires that are a bitch when you try and route 8.5 mm MSD's through 7mm wire looms
08-12-2006, 12:04 AM
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I found that actually laying across the engine to get to some passenger plugs helps. I have the BBK with the AIR, removing the AIR tops on the headers also gives more room.
Some heplful tools:
Chopped spark plug socket(get one of those China ones and cut of about an inch, use spare plug for guide, may need to remove or modify inside rubber grommet)
A racheting box 3/4 wrench both standard length and stubby
Some ruber hose, to slip on the plugs and help get them started
Anti-seize, to make the next change a little easier
Some heplful tools:
Chopped spark plug socket(get one of those China ones and cut of about an inch, use spare plug for guide, may need to remove or modify inside rubber grommet)
A racheting box 3/4 wrench both standard length and stubby
Some ruber hose, to slip on the plugs and help get them started
Anti-seize, to make the next change a little easier
08-12-2006, 05:19 AM
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yikes it seems like $400 is a pretty average rip off price.. but does anyone know how long those shop books say it should take???? i had intended on doing it myself, had a whole box of parts waiting, waiting and waiting to go on but its a real challange finding the time when you work 100+ hours a week, prolly should of givin the shop some tips like back off the headers or somin, 5hours for an ASE mechanic to change 8 plugs is pretty weak imo, specialy at $80/hr :-/
08-12-2006, 09:53 AM
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When i first got the car I had my "friend" who has a shop do mine. It took him 5 hours also but he was just $20/hr. That was with stock manifolds. Since I've figured a lot out about this car, I have LT headers now and I can do plugs in about an hour.
08-12-2006, 03:02 PM
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Not to hijack the thread, but how do you experienced guys get to the #6 wire when you have long tubes? From the top or bottom? I keep on burning the #6!
08-12-2006, 09:51 PM
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took me 4 hours to do plugs and msd 8.5 wires the first time ... the plugs werent the hard part ... running the thicker wires on the passenger side was a pita! also this was with stock manifolds.
08-13-2006, 08:26 PM
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i know were all bashing shops but you got to understand that that is a good deal expecialy because it is very hard to do a tune up on an lt1 car and most shops go by the book requirement for each job so if the book says 4 hours youll get charged for 4 hours no matter if it takes him 4 or it takes him 6 and 80 dollars is a good labor rate cuz the dealers charge like 115 an hour now
