Freakin' Plugs!!!
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Teching In
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Freakin' Plugs!!! I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong area, but I'm really not looking forward to changing the plugs on my '01 WS6. I was hoping you guys could help me out with a couple of questions. First I've done a total of 3 spark plug changes on the other LS1's I've owned and no matter what...I always dread it (for obvious reasons). It's such a PAIN!!! I guess what I really want to know is how often do the plugs really need to be changed. Also, if I breakdown and try to have the dealership do it, how much would I look at spending AND how do I know that they will actually change the infamous #8 plug? My car only has 79K miles on it, so is a plug change really necessary? Thanks!
You'll spend too much money at the dealership and the only way you'll really know if they changed the #8 plug is if you check it yourself. At that point you might as well just do it yourself and keep the money. 79K miles is definitely a good time to change them out. First time I did it I almost broke down and took it to a shop. After they told me they wanted $300 I decided to do it myself. That's a shop price, not a dealership price either. Dealership I'm sure would want much more. Take your time, get the right tools, and have plenty of beer. Beer helps when you cut yourself or smash your knuckles. 
Spark plugs aren't anywhere bad enough to pay the stealorship. Here's a few tips i've found to help.
You can take off the coilpacks/brackets and that'll make things a lil easier to work around. As far as number 8 goes, you can feed a wrench in backwards, and once you get your hand/arm back there it's actually seems easier to get the plug loose, out and back in.
You can take off the coilpacks/brackets and that'll make things a lil easier to work around. As far as number 8 goes, you can feed a wrench in backwards, and once you get your hand/arm back there it's actually seems easier to get the plug loose, out and back in.
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 39
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#8 is not bad jsut unbolt ur exhaust right after your headers or if you still have stock manifolds then just unbolt it right before the cat and hope ur bolts dont break i guess... then attack that plug from the bottom
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Once I pulled the coil packs and the dipstick tube, it actually wasn't too bad (and I've got pretty large hands and forearms) - the LT's didn't even seem to get in the way much.
Bird
Bird
bullshit, get #8 from the top and use the force. You must do it by feel. Just attach an old cutoff plug wire to the plug before you try to screw it in or do it by hand. Also, do remove the coil packs and plug the #8 wire in to it before remounting it. Just shove it down there where it will reach and plug the wire to the coil and then mount the coil bracket. The rest are cake.
changing the plugsis easy, as mentioned above remove coil brackets and makes it alot easier, also for the #8 plug get a fine tooth ratchet like a 3/8 snap on or sk and put it on there and use a little force. granted im a small fkr 5 7' 125 lbs its easy enough. Also when you put plugs back in get them started then put the socket on there without the ratchet and get em tight so u dont have to ratchet all day
Delete the hvac and watch how easy it is to change #8 
I'd remove the air and egr and get that stuff tuned out, and then you have a whole bunch more room in there if you haven't already ditched that crap. Once that stuff is out of the way it's pretty easy, and like I said, ditch the hvac and believe me it gets really easy. I have an easier time with #8 then I do with #2 or #4, because of the motor plate being in the way.
I'd remove the air and egr and get that stuff tuned out, and then you have a whole bunch more room in there if you haven't already ditched that crap. Once that stuff is out of the way it's pretty easy, and like I said, ditch the hvac and believe me it gets really easy. I have an easier time with #8 then I do with #2 or #4, because of the motor plate being in the way.
I can do mine in 30-45 minutes.its not that bad.i have no ac though.I have pacesetters with no egr or air.I use a spark plug socket.the ones with the 3/4 nut like part on it and a combination wrench on some and an old small craftsman 3/8 ratchet,a u-joint and said socket on some.And just the ratchet and socket on #8.
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
I just used a short socket on number 8 and got it from the top. I undid the coil packs except for the back bolt and swung the coil pack out of the way.. I didn't think it was so bad.. I just took my time and took it one plug at a time.
