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New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech Basic Technical Questions & Advice

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Old 08-28-2009, 06:19 PM   #1
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Default Best tools to change spark plugs?

What tools and advice do you recomened to make changing spark plugs a lot easier? I changed them once before over a year ago but i'm just looking for more suggestions.
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Old 08-28-2009, 07:19 PM   #2
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5/8 deep socket, universal joint (or swivel head ratchet if you can get one cheap).

I use this ratchet to reach difficult areas http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...que-wrenches-2

I also have the 1/4 drive version. I am sure you can find it in the USA.

People say its very hard to change plugs on an LT1. I removed them in 30mins with stock manifolds. That ratchet helped do the rear ones so much easier.

Good luck.
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Old 08-28-2009, 07:45 PM   #3
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One of those magnet on a stick things... I wish I would have had one lol. Also, I hope you have skinny arms lol. Just follow the guide on installuniveristy.
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Old 08-28-2009, 08:01 PM   #4
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this is the best one i have found
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
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Old 08-28-2009, 08:08 PM   #5
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socket wrench, spark plug socket, 1in extension, 3 in extension, 10mm socket (to remove coil packs), 3 foot pipe to slip over ratchet

dont forget antisieze for the threads and di-electric grease for the wire boots
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Old 09-02-2009, 04:15 AM   #6
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get rid of the egr stuff and get long tubes on there its so much easier and a good reason to upgrade
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Old 09-02-2009, 01:45 PM   #7
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Spark plug socket with the hex on the outside (similar to the SLP unit), 3/8 swivel head ratchet, 1" and 3" 3/8 extensions, 3/8 thumb driver (basically a knurled knob with a 3/8 adapter on it to get the plugs started and threaded most of the way down), 5/8" ratchet wrench (or whatever size the hex is on the outside of your socket), anti-sieze, jack & jackstand (for #8). Without the AIR & EGR I can change the plugs in 15 or 20 minutes with both the factory manifolds and the headers. All except #8 from the top, but they're all easy to get to.
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Old 09-02-2009, 04:42 PM   #8
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3/8" Ratchet, Spark Plug Socket with the Hex back, 4" Extention, 3/4" deep Socket, Emissions Delete..AC Delete..new Heater Lines..




13min Plug changes..hot at the Track..
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Old 09-02-2009, 05:24 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by devilssled View Post
get rid of the egr stuff and get long tubes on there its so much easier and a good reason to upgrade
o ya. that egr crap can really git in the way sometimes. who needs it anyway? lol
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Old 09-02-2009, 08:26 PM   #10
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Easy way - have your wife slide her skinny arms in there and do it ;-)
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Old 09-05-2009, 04:22 PM   #11
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Quote:
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3/8" Ratchet, Spark Plug Socket with the Hex back, 4" Extention, 3/4" deep Socket, Emissions Delete..AC Delete..new Heater Lines..




13min Plug changes..hot at the Track..
merv, that is bad ass. I never thought of rerouting the heatercore lines, know what I am going to do here shortly Thanks bro.
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Old 09-05-2009, 11:41 PM   #12
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No prob man, shit works like a charm..
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Old 09-10-2009, 03:40 PM   #13
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Quote:
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merv, that is bad ass. I never thought of rerouting the heatercore lines, know what I am going to do here shortly Thanks bro.
Thats the same way my LS1 WS6 has them, previous owner worked at a dealership and changed all the hoses and lines. the rerouted heatercore lines make it easy to install and remove the plugs. Also I would remove the coil brackets that way you dont scratch the crap out of your hands.
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Old 09-11-2009, 01:07 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADM View Post
5/8 deep socket, universal joint (or swivel head ratchet if you can get one cheap).

I use this ratchet to reach difficult areas http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...que-wrenches-2

I also have the 1/4 drive version. I am sure you can find it in the USA.

People say its very hard to change plugs on an LT1. I removed them in 30mins with stock manifolds. That ratchet helped do the rear ones so much easier.

Good luck.
I agree that this is all you really need. Some of the other suggestions are good but require some fairly large changes to your car.
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Old 09-11-2009, 02:02 PM   #15
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The_Merv: like how you routed the fuel line too, did you have to extend it or just re route and cover in that plastic sheathing?
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Old 09-12-2009, 12:02 AM   #16
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The best tool you can have is patience... a crapload of it. I pull the coil packs, and after you do it the first time, make a slot out of the rear hole so you can just loosen those bolts on each side instead of remove them.
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Old 09-12-2009, 12:53 AM   #17
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best thing ever for plug changes is headers. With mine I just use a 5/8" spark plug socket with some various length extensions and a 3/4" wrench to turn the socket when the ratchet won't fit.
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Old 09-12-2009, 11:21 AM   #18
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On Driver side .. easy work ... on passanger - take off coil packs. ( I only put the four bolts back in on install/Makes everything easier next time. )
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Old 09-12-2009, 01:12 PM   #19
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beer.
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Old 09-12-2009, 01:36 PM   #20
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I did mine with a spark plug socket, a series of extensions, and a ratchet. You don't really need to have a ton of tools. I was so hesitant to do mine at first, but when one of my 80k spark plugs had the metal split in half leaving the threads in the block, I decided it was time to do them. I disconnected the EGR tubes from the exhaust manifolds on both sides, and loosened the coil packs on the passenger side so I could slide it up and get in there (the drivers side is easy). For the rear passenger plug, I had to jack up the car and get it from underneath. Sounds like alot, but after 3.5 hours of grunting I got it done and was happy to have new plugs.
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