My first plug/wire swap.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 168
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From: Houston
My first plug/wire swap. So my car had a bug, it was definately time for a tune up. I did not want to change the plugs myself seeing as how they look like a PITA. After calling some local shops I could not justify spending $300 in labor, thats enough for a mod or two. I finally just went out today and started doing the **** myslef. I knew the back passenger was going to be a bitch, so I started with that one first. It was the hardest one considering I couldnt even see it. That's where a small mirror came in handy. Well so anyways after 3 hours I was done, and I am very happy not to spend $300 at the stealership. The car runs without a hitch now. I know some of you are thinking "big deal noob" but to me its an accomplishment. Anyways, much thanks to this site for being the wealth of info that it is.
Can someone post some good pictures of the passenger side coil packs on a 98 ls1? I want to make sure I put them back on correctly. The car runs fine but I dont want anything looking out of place under the hood.
Can someone post some good pictures of the passenger side coil packs on a 98 ls1? I want to make sure I put them back on correctly. The car runs fine but I dont want anything looking out of place under the hood.
Congrats! I have yet to tackle this job on a stock manifold LS1. (Previous owner changed plugs at 100k, car is at 111k now) and I did plugs on my friend's 99 SS when we installed his Pacesetter LTs.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 168
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From: Houston
Thanks FBDYLVR
cthomas:
I followed the write up on installuniversity, I removed the AIR pipe on both sides but only removed the passenger side coil packs, I removed them all since my car is a 98. with these out of the way it wasnt all that hard, just time consuming. Also, get all the tools they list in the write up including a 1" swivel, and a 10 mm wrench of some sort, I used a "ratchet" wrench with angled ends. It is, or seems impossible to unbolt all the coil packs with the ratchet. I am fairly happy from start to finish (car running and ready to roll) only took 3 hours considering I know nothing about these cars.
cthomas:
I followed the write up on installuniversity, I removed the AIR pipe on both sides but only removed the passenger side coil packs, I removed them all since my car is a 98. with these out of the way it wasnt all that hard, just time consuming. Also, get all the tools they list in the write up including a 1" swivel, and a 10 mm wrench of some sort, I used a "ratchet" wrench with angled ends. It is, or seems impossible to unbolt all the coil packs with the ratchet. I am fairly happy from start to finish (car running and ready to roll) only took 3 hours considering I know nothing about these cars.
Just did mine. Followed the instructions from installuniversity.com. The only thing I would change about their directions is to take the passenger side coil pack completely off. It's much easier to get to the #8 plug than by just moving the coil pack up. I put on NGK 55's and MSD 8.5mm.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 168
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From: Houston
Same plugs and wires I used, tr55 and msd. I didn't mind taking the coil packs completely off, I think it helped having all of them out of the way. I left them alone on the driver side, there was ample room just by removing the AIR pipe.
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My first time was a few weeks ago. The worse part for me was working up to actually doing it. Now that I have done it, the next time should be much easier. Went for the passenger side first by removing the coil pack completely as well. A few people on the board suggest going for the passenger rear from under the car. I couldn't get my big paws up to it though. Another tip, a good pair of mechanics gloves is a must. Even with those, my lower arms looked like a cat used them for a scratching post.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 304
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From: Buffalo, NY
One more tip I learned the hard way, and it sounds like dlmater did too: Push up the plastic tree screw's that hold the cowl down. Those are the culprit for most of your hand and arm scratches from doing this, especially when taking the coil packs off.
I just pulled my air and egr systems out of the car for good, and it looks like I now have enough room to do plug changes without touching the coil packs.
I just pulled my air and egr systems out of the car for good, and it looks like I now have enough room to do plug changes without touching the coil packs.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 168
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From: Houston
The only thing that even remotely did damage to my arms where the bolt holes from the coil packs. I didnt even draw blood on this one, so I would say that everything went as smooth as it could have for a job like this.