How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
10-07-2004, 08:42 AM
#16
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 261
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
As everyone else has said, driver's side is a since. The passenger side is much more difficult. _THE_ tool for the job is a spark plug socket and a stubby gear wrench (but a regular combination wrench will do just fine). Just slide the wrench over the hex end of the spark plug socket and you're laughing. The first few times I did the plugs I tried all sorts of crap, like long extensions, u-joints, and all that bs. No way anymore. If you have everything all laid out for you, you can do it in 30 mins. But if you have to sit there, grease the plugs, gap the plugs, apply dielectric grease to the boots, etc. etc. it's going to take closer to 1 hour 30 minutes.
10-07-2004, 08:58 AM
#17
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 958
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
Originally Posted by madwolf
Here we go again.... 
"Yea, I can change mine in 15 minutes with one hand, smoking a cigar and a double whopper with extra onions in the other hand....hmmm now I might as well drop the engine through the bottom in the next 30 minutes to make things easier..."
I'm sure the times will get lower and lower as you get more replies to this post....
Honestly, it was the first thing I did on a 4thgen. Took me half a day to do wires and plugs the first time. I can probably do it in under 2 hours now....(stock manifolds)... less with the long tubes.
"Yea, I can change mine in 15 minutes with one hand, smoking a cigar and a double whopper with extra onions in the other hand....hmmm now I might as well drop the engine through the bottom in the next 30 minutes to make things easier..."
I'm sure the times will get lower and lower as you get more replies to this post....
Honestly, it was the first thing I did on a 4thgen. Took me half a day to do wires and plugs the first time. I can probably do it in under 2 hours now....(stock manifolds)... less with the long tubes.
Took me a good half a day, but now I can do it alot easier since I have a little more experience. I am putting on pacesetter longtubes this winter and I have heard the spark plug access is great.
10-07-2004, 08:58 AM
#18
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: dalton Ga.
Posts: 1,013
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
Originally Posted by CrAkD X 95TA
good luck man. I ended up breaking one of the plugs off inside the block trying to get it out. ended up having to bring it to a shop and have them get the broken one out and do the rest of em. Now that ive had my engine rebuilt and the SLP's put on im hoping to never have to do it or when i do ill probably just pay to have it done.
How do you break one off in your block???? Your plugs are in your heads.
10-07-2004, 08:58 AM
#19
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: WBL, MN
Posts: 297
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
I actually changed my plugs last night in prep form the nitrious install and overall wise it took about an 1 hour 30 min. All but the driver side rear can be gotten to from the top. Last one from the bottom. Heh I'm not even going to try changing those plugs wires until the lt's go in!! But yeah hour and a half and a few layers of skin and you'll be there.
Mike
Mike
10-07-2004, 09:33 AM
#21
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Vermont
Posts: 43
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
With FLP Longtubes, it took me about 3 hours, when I first did it. A 3/4 ratchet wrench and the SLP plug socket are KEY!
I could probably do it inside of two hours now, having already done it once.
I could probably do it inside of two hours now, having already done it once.
10-07-2004, 10:03 AM
#22
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: O'fallon, mo
Posts: 236
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
45 minutes or so depending on beer breaks. its really easy with slp shorties, true duals and no emisions. all i use is a short 5/8" wrench and a s shaped 5/8" wrench
10-07-2004, 06:54 PM
#26
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,517
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
I can do an opti swap in less time than it takes me to change all my spark plugs. Having one of those chopped down sockets really helps and w/o one I dont think Id ever get them all replaced.
10-07-2004, 07:04 PM
#27
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Felton, Delaware
Posts: 867
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
Originally Posted by Zepher
I can do mine in about 15 minutes if I wanted to.
I've got longtubes and my LT1 is mounted in my 3rd gen Trans Am.
I've got longtubes and my LT1 is mounted in my 3rd gen Trans Am.
10-07-2004, 07:05 PM
#28
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 40
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
On my stock 95 Z28 it takes about 3 hours, including lifting, tool gathering and cleanup.
If you are doing a spark plug change on an F body LT1 for the first time, I STRONGLY recommend you get a friend to help ( the passenger side is such a pain, you might destroy engine parts without a witness to calm you down!).
Have to say, I'd like to find the engineers who designed this engine and kick their *** from one side of Michigan to the other side of Kansas.
Having said that, I love the power and the torque!
If you are doing a spark plug change on an F body LT1 for the first time, I STRONGLY recommend you get a friend to help ( the passenger side is such a pain, you might destroy engine parts without a witness to calm you down!).
Have to say, I'd like to find the engineers who designed this engine and kick their *** from one side of Michigan to the other side of Kansas.
Having said that, I love the power and the torque!
10-07-2004, 07:12 PM
#29
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Felton, Delaware
Posts: 867
Re: How long does it take YOU to change your spark plugs?
Originally Posted by sallmon
Have to say, I'd like to find the engineers who designed this engine and kick their *** from one side of Michigan to the other side of Kansas.