I just got done changing the plugs in my 1994 z28. The left bank wasn't too bad, the first 2 plugs i was able to get at from the bottom, the 3rd one as i bit more interesting, and i kinda blacked out and dont really remmeber how i got the 4th one, i know that i was sitting on the motor and could squeeze 1 finger in to hold the plug, while my asian buddy was under the car using his small hands to sort of twist the plug. Of course the header was directly over the plug so i couldnt slip a plug socket over it. The right bank was definatly more interesting, NO room to work with, could NOT get at any of them from the bottom, had to remove the alternator and A.I.R. pump (which i was planning on doing anyway), use a LONG screwdriver to pop the boots off and could only get 1 finger in to turn the plugs while leaning over the car upside down twisted in some weird yoga pose. And of course my lil asian buddy wasnt there for this side so it was me and my cousin (who is even bigger than i am) trying to work our big hands around the headers. Oh the plugs came out easy enough but getting the threads started again was a real trick. Next time i do this it will be when i pull the damn motor, huge hands and pacesetter headers do not make this easy.

Required tools:

2 5/8 spark plug sockets (one with rubber sleeve one with out)
1 3/4 rachet
1 3" extension
1 1" extension
1 universal joint
1 5/8 open end/racheting swiveling box end wrench
1 big *** flathead screwdriver to pop the boots off and put back on
1 coat hanger straightend out to retreive plug wires and all the tool that you keep droping that dont hit the floor
2 30 packs of beer
1/5 of jackdaniels
unload and hide all firearms

 

It is part of the game.

 

I've only messed around with plugs on a stock car and my car with Kooks but it took about 45 minutes to change mine all from the top. Sounds like an ordeal for ya.

 

yea, it wasnt too bad i guess, i definatly wasn't gonna pay someone to do it, just with my big hands and the pacesetters it wasnt to easy, i lost count of how many times i droped extensions and sockets, lol

 

think you forgot something under required tools;

"little asian buddy",,every body needs one

 

headers help alot!

 

It is never as bad the second go around. Muscle memory and oh yeah I know that doesn't work kicks in. Mine only took about 30min. the second time from 3 hours the first.

 

haha yea so true

yea one can only hope

 

without the emissions crap, its not that bad really. I'm now without heat/ac, powersteering, emissions, and running shorty headers (they were on the car when i got it ) and i can probably do them in 20 minutes.

 

Plugs is one of those things you think is a nightmare the first time and you rapidly get better at it every time thereafter.

 

I've said this about a dozen times in this Forum.....remove the "Y" pipe from the engine, and then you can get 7 of the 8 plugs with EASE, from the bottom. #2 plug is a PITA, no matter what....

 

Actually the pacesetter headers give you more room than the hooker long tubes... lol

 

I'd add to get to that pass side front plug - in addition to the SLP short socket (with a 3/4 shallow on the outside of it) , use a 3/8 drive air ratchet - this saved me alot of time!

 

that does no good considering he has Pacesetter LT's where obviously the y-pipe is a non-issue anyway

with the Pacesetters #1 and 3 can be had from either the top or bottom #5 and 7 need to be had from the bottom although #5 can a a little tricky

#2 and 4 i get from the top with the alternator removed, just with a regular sparkplug socket and a gear wrench

#6 and 8 can be had from the bottom 8 is no problem but 6 could be tricky for some

 

No problems here with Pacesetters and A/C. I do have all that stupid emission stuff missing though.

I did plugs on a completely stock T/A awhile back, I still didn't get the #2 plug in for that guy, now that is difficult.

 

Now that you mention it, the air ratchet is a really good idea...when removing the plug, that is!!