Ok, my car has 80k miles on it. It started to run bad yesterday so when I go home the waterpump was leaking on the opti. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out what's going on. So I'm off to NAPA or autozone for a new water pump and opti.
This is my first time changing it on a camaro. What are some things that I need to be on the lookout for or what are some common problems that you have run into when changing these? Are all the parts needed usually included (gaskets etc) What kind of sealant should I use?

I'm also going to change the plugs while I'm down there, so any suggestions on brand/type of plugs and wires?

Thanks.

 

The only sealant you'll use is some white teflon thread sealant on the six water pump bolts and you can use some of the light adhesive on the water pump gaskets to hold them in place until you get the bolts started. Be sure to clean off all the old water pump gaskets...they like to stick to the block. You'll need to line up the opti drive pin (pin on end of the cam shaft) to the hole in the back of the opti. The opti has 3 or 4 holes, if you look at it closely one is different from the others...this is the correct one. The opti should mount flush to the timing chain cover by hand, if it doesn't, you don't have it lined up properly.

I like the Accel 9000 wires. Heat resistant for headers and will fit in the stock looms.