Tune up.
08-31-2010, 10:08 PM
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Midlothian, TX
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tune up. I have the next two days off work so I'm going to try to do some work on the z28. I'm figuring it needs a tune up considering it idles a little rough and kinda backfires coming off throttle when it's cold. How much of a pita is doing a tune up? I heard something about the #8 plug.. Let me know, tips and pointers will be appreciated.
Oh and whats the rule of thumb for how long to leave seafoam in the oil of an ls1 (miles/time etc) Its got 137k and is in the need a change.
Oh and whats the rule of thumb for how long to leave seafoam in the oil of an ls1 (miles/time etc) Its got 137k and is in the need a change.
08-31-2010, 10:29 PM
#2
I'll do 100 miles in 1 day when I put seafoam in my oil every 30k miles. But my friend will do 200 miles in 3-4 days when he does it every 10k miles. No loss either way. Don't forget seafoam in your gas tank and the brake booster line 
Don't forget about: plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter (or clean the K&N), tranny flush, rear-diff fluid, oil change (after the seafoam of course), coolant flush, fresh brake fluid.
Don't forget about: plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter (or clean the K&N), tranny flush, rear-diff fluid, oil change (after the seafoam of course), coolant flush, fresh brake fluid.
08-31-2010, 11:24 PM
#3
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,252
Likes: 0
Received 1,685 Likes
on
1,207 Posts
#8 is a pain, espeically the first time. There isn't much you can do to make it easier on a '98. '99+ you can pull the rail for all coil packs on the passenger side, for a '98 the coils are all bolted individually to the valve cover. IMO, taking them off is just as hard as doing the plug with them in place.
You will need to remove the AIR tubes at least.
You will need to remove the AIR tubes at least.
08-31-2010, 11:42 PM
#4
On The Tree
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
best thing ive found on doing the number 8 plug on my 01 and 02 is from the bottom looking up makes it so much easier dont know if it will help on your car but its worth a shot
09-01-2010, 12:36 AM
#5
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (16)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Internet
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I did mine i was looking at it and thought that it was gonna be harder from the bottom but its not, its allot easier. I forgot to add that I don't have AC anymore so that makes it allot easier 
Trending Topics
09-01-2010, 03:37 PM
#8
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Newport, RI
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found #8 easy.
Before you start, pull the car up on ramps. This makes working on it a bit more confortable, since you don't need to bend over as far.
Also, it allows you to get under it, which is where you want to be to get at #8.
I was able to change the #8 plug AND wire from underneath, I found that the easiest way. For me, #6 was the real PITA.
If you have arms like Popeye you might have trouble here, but it was a snap for me. Also I'm running stock manifold/cats, so with headers it might be harder. Also, I left to coil rail in place, I found the last bolt was too much of a PITA to get at.
Anyway, it's really not as bad as people make it out to be. Just take your time and be patient, it'll be easy enough. Oh, and a .75" extension is a help.
Before you start, pull the car up on ramps. This makes working on it a bit more confortable, since you don't need to bend over as far.
Also, it allows you to get under it, which is where you want to be to get at #8.
I was able to change the #8 plug AND wire from underneath, I found that the easiest way. For me, #6 was the real PITA.
If you have arms like Popeye you might have trouble here, but it was a snap for me. Also I'm running stock manifold/cats, so with headers it might be harder. Also, I left to coil rail in place, I found the last bolt was too much of a PITA to get at.
Anyway, it's really not as bad as people make it out to be. Just take your time and be patient, it'll be easy enough. Oh, and a .75" extension is a help.
09-01-2010, 03:47 PM
#9
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,252
Likes: 0
Received 1,685 Likes
on
1,207 Posts
Everyone remember that the '98-'99 cars, and the '00+ cars have a different cat and exhaust placement on the passenger side. Going from underneath might be easier depending on which exhaust you have.
Personally, I don't know how you guys find this method easier with either exhaust setup. Maybe I should give it another chance next time.
Personally, I don't know how you guys find this method easier with either exhaust setup. Maybe I should give it another chance next time.
09-01-2010, 03:48 PM
#10
Launching!
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: West Covina, So Cal
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found #8 easy.
Before you start, pull the car up on ramps. This makes working on it a bit more confortable, since you don't need to bend over as far.
Also, it allows you to get under it, which is where you want to be to get at #8.
I was able to change the #8 plug AND wire from underneath, I found that the easiest way. For me, #6 was the real PITA.
If you have arms like Popeye you might have trouble here, but it was a snap for me. Also I'm running stock manifold/cats, so with headers it might be harder. Also, I left to coil rail in place, I found the last bolt was too much of a PITA to get at.
Anyway, it's really not as bad as people make it out to be. Just take your time and be patient, it'll be easy enough. Oh, and a .75" extension is a help.
Before you start, pull the car up on ramps. This makes working on it a bit more confortable, since you don't need to bend over as far.
Also, it allows you to get under it, which is where you want to be to get at #8.
I was able to change the #8 plug AND wire from underneath, I found that the easiest way. For me, #6 was the real PITA.
If you have arms like Popeye you might have trouble here, but it was a snap for me. Also I'm running stock manifold/cats, so with headers it might be harder. Also, I left to coil rail in place, I found the last bolt was too much of a PITA to get at.
Anyway, it's really not as bad as people make it out to be. Just take your time and be patient, it'll be easy enough. Oh, and a .75" extension is a help.
I just climb on the engine bay, and my skinny (but strong :p) arms can reach almost everywhere.
09-02-2010, 03:05 AM
#12
12 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found #8 easy.
Before you start, pull the car up on ramps. This makes working on it a bit more confortable, since you don't need to bend over as far.
Also, it allows you to get under it, which is where you want to be to get at #8.
I was able to change the #8 plug AND wire from underneath, I found that the easiest way. For me, #6 was the real PITA.
If you have arms like Popeye you might have trouble here, but it was a snap for me. Also I'm running stock manifold/cats, so with headers it might be harder. Also, I left to coil rail in place, I found the last bolt was too much of a PITA to get at.
Before you start, pull the car up on ramps. This makes working on it a bit more confortable, since you don't need to bend over as far.
Also, it allows you to get under it, which is where you want to be to get at #8.
I was able to change the #8 plug AND wire from underneath, I found that the easiest way. For me, #6 was the real PITA.
If you have arms like Popeye you might have trouble here, but it was a snap for me. Also I'm running stock manifold/cats, so with headers it might be harder. Also, I left to coil rail in place, I found the last bolt was too much of a PITA to get at.
09-02-2010, 04:58 PM
#14
TECH Addict
iTrader: (75)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: South Jersey (15 miles from Atlantic City)
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I use the Autolite Platinums 5245 available at walmart for less than $5 for the 2 pack. Alot of people use the NGK TR55. As for the tune up. Its easy after a couple times. I can do my Vette and my Camaro in 1hr taking my time. I never once in all 12 F-bodies I owned got the #8 plug from the top. I always got it from the top. Like others stated removing the coilpacks in the best bet but since you have a 98 you could just remove that #8 coilpack. That is what i normally do.
09-03-2010, 04:29 PM
#15
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Newport, RI
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was able to get at the plugs just fine with the coil rail still in place.
