Spark plugs

[96Camaro]

What kind of spark plugs are best for the LT1's, and how exactly is it you get to all of the plugs? Whats the easiest way to do them? Tips greatly appreciated.

[MN6WS6]

Best thing would be to do a search. Basically, you better have small arms and be very articulate with your hands, impervious to burns, more religious than Billy Graham, and be double jointed with the ability to bend your bones like Stretch Armstrong

In other words, it's a PITA.

I pulled the y-pipe on my car, some folks pull the starter, some pull both. You have to pull the alternator, I had to loosen the power steering pump since I did wires at the same time (which I HIGHLY recommend you do at the same time as well). #2 is the worst one, but a lot of people have problems with #8. The drivers side of the motor (1,3,5,7) is simple once you get the heat shield/wire holder/loom piece out of the way. The passengers side is bad, but everybody is in agreement about #2. I wanted to pay somebody $100 just to do #2, it is that bad.


P.S. I purposely said "#2" repeatedly because it's funny, and now that you catch what I mean, you'll go back and reread it as well. Enjoy, because once you do the plugs, you'll need all the comic relief you can get.

[Jeanius]

Took me 3 hours to do mine without loosening or removing any parts

[Joe 1320]

Took me 3 hours to do mine without loosening or removing any parts

I would love to know the details of how you did that.

[Christopherrr]

what's harder? LT1's or LS1's? I took me well over 6 hours my first attempt on my plugs...I'm down to 4.5 now. LOL

[MN6WS6]

Anybody that can do plugs in an LT1 without removing anything that has factory manifolds and factory spark plug wires is the friggin MAN. Now I know people with mid lengths, long tubes, over-the-valve-cover wires, and modified fenderwells that can do it without moving anything. Heck, they can do it in the parking lot in 45 minutes, but never with factory manifolds and wires. I spent 2 days on my plugs/wires swap, but they were not complete, full days either (because I would have torched the front end of the car off and welded it back on had I tried to do it all in one sitting), and I managed to break 3 spark plugs in half trying to get the tools in there to get the new plugs in. So if somebody can do it without removing parts, I want to hear it.

[AmericanZ28]

I actually did both plugs and wires without removing anything but the K&N FIPK. I did the last one on the passangers side from under the car. I basically snaked my entire arm up in between the pipes, and had my brother hand me the parts and tools to do both R&R from the top. It was very painfull, and requires nimble hands to be able to do that. Plus the blood circulation to your arms will be comprimised as there are numerous pressure points along the way. It took my brother and I 7 hours to do the whole thing. Looking back, (5 years later), I think the hand of God himself was helping us that day because I cannot picture myself being able to do that ever again. Talk about devine intervention!

[95TransAm]

I've been doing a little project to my car recently. Tomorrow (and hopefully the final day), is plugs and wires day. My first time ever doing them on an LT1. At least my power steering pump and water pump are off...hopefully a little better access there.

I think I'm looking forward to this one

[Blazer]

I can help you. I will sit back an say all the bad words you are going to use. It is best if you have a friend to help. But when you get done you can sit back an say I did it.Have fun an take your time. Blazer

[Joe 1320]

I actually did both plugs and wires without removing anything but the K&N FIPK. It took my brother and I 7 hours to do the whole thing. Looking back, (5 years later), I think the hand of God himself was helping us that day because I cannot picture myself being able to do that ever again. Talk about devine intervention!

That's why removing other things makes it easier. I removed the alternator, starter and Y pipe. The result was doing the job in less than 5 hours. I can't imagine trying to do it without removing certain items.

[paxton350]

its even harder with a huge blower and extra plumbing to get at the drivers side plugs... i wish i had a remote turbo system.....

[Injuneer]

As far as the specific spark plugs, people seem to have better luck with NGK and Rapidfire plugs than they do with AC/Delco. The stock AC/Delco platinum plugs are notorious for losing the little platinum pucks on the electrodes, and leaving you with a huge spark gap.

Since you don't list any modifications, you should look for a stock heat range plug. The NGK TR-55 in either platinum or non-platinum would probably be the best. Platinum will last longer, as long as the pucks stay put. I've seen a lot of people trying the NGK "Iridium" plugs, but so far I haven't seen any feedback on the results, good or bad.

[Jeanius]

I would love to know the details of how you did that.

It was on my 93 when I first got it, I was 16, I honestly dont remember having to loosen or remove any parts besides the intake assembly, I did them from both above and under the car, Older brother helped me. I emailed him to make sure my memory isnt shot, I must have been real flexible or something but I remember 3 hours...

[Jeanius]

Just talked to him, it was 3 hours, Did most from above, jacked up the car and did the others from underneath, We used a socket wrench with an elbow joint on it. He said he remembers being suprised at how I could fit my hand into tight spaces. Ill be doing the plugs on my 95 in a couple months, well see how long it takes me now that I'm alot bigger than I was when I was 16

[96Camaro]

sounds like this is gonna be loads of fun