Hi there,

How do you guys change your plugs on the passenger side of the car with those Mac headers? At first glance, they seemed simple. But once I got into it, I'm finding I can't get to them. I'd rather not drop my y-pipe to get to them from underneath. I got the very back one that's close to the firewall, but the ones closer to the front of the engine...I couldn't even fit a ratchet and socket down in there. Unless I go buy a 5/8 deep well socket for a 1/4 inch drive ratchet. That may give me the room I need to get in there. Any one else have this problem?

 

MACs are considered by most to be the easiest headers to change plugs. I could swap my plugs in less than 30 minutes with the MACs doing all of them from the top and not even removing the alternator. I don't recall exactly what tools I used on all the plugs but it wasn't anything special. AS&M headers on the other hand are a PITA... you sure you don't have those??? LOL!

 

Thanks for the reply Brent!

No, I'm positive I have the Macs....which was one of the reasons I went with those because of the plug access. I did a search about it, and came up with nothing. I removed the alternator just to make it easier. (I'm also doing those OVC Taylor wires at the same time.) So, while I was in there, I decided to change my plugs. Like I said, so far, I could get to the back one on the passenger side by the firewall.... but the rest...I don't know. I was using a 3/8 inch drive ratchet with a 5/8 inch deep well socket, and I couldn't get it to fit in there. The header pipes are just too close to the plugs. That's why I thought about using a 1/4 inch drive ratchet with a 5/8 inch socket...but I don't have one yet. And I don't know if they make a socket that big with that small of a drive! I've never heard of anyone else having this problem. I don't know!

The driver side should be a lot easier! I hope.

 

I don't even know if this is applicable, but you have a 97 and I have a single cat 94. I don't recall what the differences are between the single and dual cat MACs but that could be the difference and why you are having some extra troubles?

 

I'm not sure if there's a difference or not. Perhaps someone with a '96/'97 car with Macs could chime in??? I believe its the #6 plug and the #4 plug. Its frustrating when your good 'ol fashioned american sockets won't work!

 

I have Mac's on my 94, and getting to all the plugs are easy, except for cylinder number 2, which was trickiest. I couldnt use a rachet, but you can still put on a spark plug socket with an end fitted to use a wrench, and work it out from there. I dont see why you are having so much trouble.....

 

Without a picture, its difficult to describe. But I appreciate your efforts guys.
The problem is, is that the space between the spark plug, and the header pipe, is just not wide enough to get a ratchet and socket in there. Now, I hadn't thought of using a socket with a 'wrench end' on it, placing that on the plug, and then using an open end wrench to get it loose. Good idea. I'll have to try that.

 

Picture?

Passenger side MAC header. Are yours different?

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/exh-0658_IMG.JPG

 

Thanks for the pic Brent

That's it...its the plug right next to the oil dipstick and the one before it.

 

Well, if it is the same style then it really shouldn't be all that hard to get to them from the top As has been mentioned above, #2 is the most difficult but is still doable from the top without removing the alternator (although for some it might be quicker to remove the alternator then re-install it ).

 

I don't know...I'm stumped. But I will definitely try the socket/wrench combo and see if that works. I'm at work...so I won't be able to get to it till this afternoon.

 

I got one of the cut-down mini-sockets off of eBay. You can get them from SLP also. Then, I got a 5/8 ratcheting wrench (flat) from Sears and access is easy now. You don't need the ratcheting wrench, that just makes it faster...

-Michael

 

How do you guys like the MAC headers? I considered those as a possible mid-length headers, what kind of gains did you see from those?

 

use a 5/8 wrench to get to it, I found it to be the only way to reach it since you can put a socket on it just use an 11/16 open end wrench to torque the socket

 

I like mine just fine. I had them Jet-Hot ceramic coated. Makes for a darn nice finish.
As far as gain....I noticed a decent SOTP response. I dont' have any exact dyno numbers yet. But if you're really in tune with your car....you can definitely tell it helps the motor to breathe waaaay better! Not to mention, it makes it sound mean as hell.