Spark plugs LS1

[Rmbodie]

I spent some time yesterday trying to change my plugs on my 2K T/A LS1. After a couple of attemps pulling on the plug boots . Then making a hook to use . Then pulling again . Then cramping my arms and cutting my hands . I have come to the conclusion that it would be easier to pull the engine out than to change 8 plugs . I wasted a couple hours and never even got one wire off . And I cant even get my hand to the passenger side plugs. The cars must have been built around the engine !!!! Rob

[Mr. Luos]

I can do the plugs on my LS1 car in under an hour.

Takes practice/patience.

Remove the coil packs. Gives you a little more space to work with.
Some people go after #8 from the bottom of the car as well.

[79Bandit]

Originally Posted by Rmbodie

I spent some time yesterday trying to change my plugs on my 2K T/A LS1. After a couple of attemps pulling on the plug boots . Then making a hook to use . Then pulling again . Then cramping my arms and cutting my hands . I have come to the conclusion that it would be easier to pull the engine out than to change 8 plugs . I wasted a couple hours and never even got one wire off . And I cant even get my hand to the passenger side plugs. The cars must have been built around the engine !!!! Rob

Haha you think you have it bad ... trying doing plugs in a 79 ta with a 400 c.i engine in it lol.... hard but after about an hour it was done. im only 17 though so i would imagine im a smaller guy than you are..

[ikeyballz]

use something as a leverage to pull the boot off...theres some spark plug remover things also, if it fits..

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

I can do the plugs on my LS1 car in under an hour.

Takes practice/patience.

Remove the coil packs. Gives you a little more space to work with.
Some people go after #8 from the bottom of the car as well.

Agreed. Just reach in there, grab a hold of the wire and pull son. *best British accent* Don't be a little girl */best British accent*

As far as the plugs, I just use a 3/8s ratchet with a crows foot(swivel) and a spark plug socket. Have them in/out in an hour. Drivers side is easy...passenger side kinda sucks and I get #8 from the bottom if that helps out at all.

[giddyup50]

Originally Posted by Rmbodie

I spent some time yesterday trying to change my plugs on my 2K T/A LS1. After a couple of attemps pulling on the plug boots . Then making a hook to use . Then pulling again . Then cramping my arms and cutting my hands . I have come to the conclusion that it would be easier to pull the engine out than to change 8 plugs . I wasted a couple hours and never even got one wire off . And I cant even get my hand to the passenger side plugs. The cars must have been built around the engine !!!! Rob

Sorry man. Pulling the engine is even harder. Did you see when Horspower TV pulled one out of the Z28SS? They had to take out the frontend of the car with the engine sitting on top. They disconnected everything and had the car on a lift and lifted the body up then rolled the frontend and engine out from underneath the car.

I THINK IT TOOK ME JUST AS LONG TO TYPE THIS OUT!!

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by giddyup50

Sorry man. Pulling the engine is even harder. Did you see when Horspower TV pulled one out of the Z28SS? They had to take out the frontend of the car with the engine sitting on top. They disconnected everything and had the car on a lift and lifted the body up then rolled the frontend and engine out from underneath the car.

I THINK IT TOOK ME JUST AS LONG TO TYPE THIS OUT!!

Pulling an engine out of a 4th Gen Fbody takes all of 1 hr with a lift. Unplug the computer and put the connectors on top of the engine. Put a roll away cart under the engine/tranny and then lower the car onto the cart. Unhook the AC/radiator/few vacuum lines/clutch hydrolic line or automatic stuff/subframe/drive shaft and tranny cross member. THen unhook the engine mounts form the subframe and lift the body off.

[Rmbodie]

I am trying to find one of the plug boot pullers locally ,but no luck yet . I bet it is difficult on a 400 ci block . Now that I am 40 , my arms don't like to move in unusual positions . I did not want to pull hard on the boots until I had a set of replacements in hand too . Murrays law plays into everything I do . I am going to try again tommorrow . Thanks for the encouragement . Rob

DarkblueTA : What is that in the grill of your picture , Looks like an oil cooler ? Rob

I am trying to install these new NGK Irridium tipped plugs . From what I read NGK are the best plugs . Any opinons are welcome . Rob

[ikeyballz]

i have bosch +4 plats on mine...ive heard theyre not so great for some cars tho... it seems to work fine on mine@!

[Mr. Luos]

Took me just a hair over an hour last night to change the plugs on my 402 LS1.

You shouldn't need a spark plug boot puller. Just get a good grip on it and wiggle it loose.
Like I mentioned before....remove at least the passenger side coilpack for more room. I actually normally take off the valvecover on that side as well.


I recommend NGK TR55 plugs gapped at .055" for a stock LS1.
They are NGK part number 3951.

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by Rmbodie

DarkblueTA : What is that in the grill of your picture , Looks like an oil cooler ? Rob Rob

Rob,

Its an intercooler for the turbo system. I tell ricers its an "oil cooler" though.

Btw, have your kid do the plugs or a neighborhood kid. If I was around, I'd help ya out. good luck! (and for the record, I joke around a lot so my last post about doing it was just that.)

Matt

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by ikeyballz

i have bosch +4 plats on mine...ive heard theyre not so great for some cars tho... it seems to work fine on mine@!

Plats suck. Who in the world convinced you of getting another set of plats?