94 plugs and wires?

[Krono353]

My 94 gt has the 2.3 quad 4 high output engine. From what I've been told and read it should be pretty quick. But awhile back I was racing a 96 or higher civic hx and it got me pretty good so I have impression that my engine is real sluggish. I bought the car last february so I never knew it's full power. But I think the car needs new plugs and wires. It just feels like it's dragging itself and not wanting to go. I've replaced the air filter and tps not too long ago. So should replacing the spark plugs and wires make a big difference? And should I get it professionally done? I don't even know where the plugs and wires are, I called a shop and for plugs and wires with labor it is about $180 is that right? It just seems too expensive for that. Okay next, are there any performance plugs availible to maybe up the horse a little more. I also want a different air intake on but I can't find a cold air intake for this engine so will a intake like that with just a k&n cone filter make much of a difference?

[GASE 95]

assuming the H.O. is the same setup as my quad 4 dohc...the plugs are underneath the top cover panel/coil packs. I think its held in by 4 bolts if i remember correctly. Once you remove that you should see 4 black plastic boots in a row(these are the "wires")
remove those by simply pulling on them and you'll expose the plugs. You can buy new "wires" at a parts store.

[skibum1111]

$180 for parts and labor for a 20 minute job? Highway robbery. The idi cover is held on by 4 bolts, you need a 13mm wrench or socket for that, unplug the electrical connector on the driver's side before you take the bolts out as its easier to do with the cover on tight. The boots should cost you around $20 at the parts store, and plugs vary depending on what you use. Personally, I use bosch platinum 2x in a 95 dohc with some mods. Good luck.

[Krono353]

Yeah the engine is the dohc. So would I be taking off the panel that says quad 4 dohc high output? And the plugs and boots are under there? Now should I replace the boots too or just the plugs?

[GASE 95]

yeah its under there and you will see the 4 black plastic boots. The boots might not need replaced but its not a bad idea to do it anyways.

[Krono353]

Alright well thank you for the information. And saving me money that would be robbed from me.

[davemcj]

Unless you already know that the wires need to go on the same plug and coil they came off, I would only do one plug and wire at a time, so you dont get them mixed up.

[Krono353]

After I had bought the plugs earlier, the car almost stalled on me. Now it is a manual but I pulled it out of gear to stop and the rpm's dropped a litttle below 1000. That's where it is normally at but I don't know if that is where it should be. But under 1000 it almost stalls. Now the plugs should stop anything like that from happening if they are the cause right? and is it possible a cylinder is misfiring or not firing at all and how would I be able to tell if either of those is going on? I might also add the car is very sluggish and has a slight problem with getting up in the rpm's. I also bought the bosch 4+ platinum plugs and new boots.

[GASE 95]

in response to davemcj...these ones do not actually matter what order they are in because it is a direct plug into the coil pack. So its impossible to get them mixed up.


as far as a cylinder missfiring i think the car might shake a bit more than the usual running of the engine. Make sure the gap in the spark plug is where it needs to be. The manual will tell you how much of a gap is required. If you dont have a manual i can look mine up for you.

[Krono353]

I know the gap is .035 but I can't gap them. They are the bosch platinum 4 plugs and have 4 points where the spark is instead of 2. But thank you for your concern. I plan on doing the plugs tomorrow morning is there anything I should be really careful about like how much I tighten the plugs? Should I use a torque wrench or just until they are snug? I do know not to over tighten I just don't know how much is too much.

[GASE 95]

just dont strain yourself to put them but dont under-do it. Im sure you can use ur judgement as to what is too much or not enough. A little more than snug will do.

[phantomracerGA95]

With my quad 4 i found that the autolite platinums worked better than the 2 or 4 prong plugs and are easily gapped. I gained performance and fuel mileage going to 1 step cooler of a plug because mine ran a little lean causing a bit of a misfire at idle. Once i changed to the cooler plug the car ran excellent. Mine was not a HO but it would run right with those beretta GTZ's and beat out a mitsubish GST. Hope this helps you.

[Krono353]

Well yesterday I changed the plugs. Quite and interesting set up in that engine. My first time seeing under the quad 4 part of it. The car does run a little better and I am trying out to see if the gas mileage does a little better. The older plugs prongs or whatever they are, the part that gaps, was like a weird looking white and I believe they are supposed to be silver or black. And those autolight plugs sound good, usually when I put the car in reverse all I can smell is like the rotten eggs/sulfur smell. I guess I'll see if it's any different with these new plugs. But thank you all that helped me out. I really appreciate it. First time I changed plugs on quad 4

[GASE 95]

yeah that white stuff u saw is the sulfur and it definitly was time for a change...you shouldnt smell it anymore

[skibum1111]

Sulfur is naturally occuring in fossil fuels, sometimes gas has more sulfur in it than normal. If you keep smelling it, switch gas stations.