LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Any one know how hard it really is to change plugs and wires on my lt1?

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Old 01-02-2007, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by cr8tive ta
been told it takes 5 hours and a labor cost of $150 any help
Yep it can easily take 5 hours for a first timer and I have even heard of labor costs sometimes being over the two hundred mark.
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Old 01-02-2007, 03:34 PM
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plugs+wires

took me 9hrs on a lift had to remove starter,power steering pump and alternator plus i have stock manifolds it is a bitch plus i put msd8.5 wires boy did i go crazy!!!!!!!!have fun
eric
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Old 01-02-2007, 03:42 PM
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With stock size wires which is all you really need and stock manifolds I'd charge 150$ for replacement of both. Take me around 4-5 hours to do it all. No biggie though. Of course I have owned 4 LT1 f-bodies and changed the plugs on them about 10 times. It becomes easier and easier. Do it yourself and save the $$$.
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Old 01-02-2007, 07:27 PM
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Changing plugs and wires on an LT1 in an F-Body with stock manifolds for the first time is a HUGE pain in the butt !
The first time I changed my plugs (no wire change) it took me over 5hrs with huge amounts of expletives thrown in for good measure.
It took me about 6 hrs to change the wires when I did them.

I got to the point where I could change the plugs in under 2hrs with the manifolds.

I now have MAC headers and can change all 8 plugs in under an hour, including removing the starter to access plug #8 on the passenger side.
It still takes me about 4hrs to do wires, but I now let my mechanic do this as he only charges me $70 in labor to do them.
Best $70 I could ever spend !!!!
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Old 01-02-2007, 08:17 PM
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I have Kooks long tubes and it takes less-than 3 lite beers to change the plugs.

WD

Last edited by The Engineer; 01-03-2007 at 08:45 AM.
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Old 01-02-2007, 08:54 PM
  #21  
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Lightbulb

It's not that hard even with my BBKs. I chopped and ground my own spark plug sockets so I can take a wrench to em, especially for the 7.
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Old 01-02-2007, 08:58 PM
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I always dropped my stock Y-pipe to help with the pass. side. Always have done #2 from the top after removing alternator.

It does take some time. $150 sounds like a good deal, sure will save you some frustration.
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Old 01-02-2007, 11:09 PM
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If the car is on jack stand or on a lift, it shouldnt take more than five minutes to pull the starter, two bolts holding it in, and two bolts holding the wires onto it. This clears up a little room, the alternator, has three bolts total if i remeber correctly to remove and one wire two wires to disconnect on the back of it. Then remove the 1-2 braces that hold the alternator where it goes, this should be a fifteen minute job if you have a socket set. Thats about all you should have to remove... Maybe the dipstick if needed, ( i dont remeber its been a while ) which would take five minutes. so within thirty minutes you should have everything removed you need to, and then its just a matter of going back and forth from under the car to the top and switching back between socks, swivles, and extensions to ge what you need. I honestly dont see why it should take some one more than 4 hours thats not ever done it before, and no more than 3 for some one that has. Yeah you might come out with a cut or two on your hands and wrists, but i always wear gloves, and if you drink enough beer in the process it doesnt bother ya that much. To me the hardest part on working on f-bodies is getting them high enough up in the air to be able to get under them and do what you wanta do. It usually takes a good hour for me to get one up on blocks and safe be wrenching under.. I just need to invest in a lift and hell, why not a new garage while im at it
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Old 01-02-2007, 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by SnakeOiler
I always dropped my stock Y-pipe to help with the pass. side. Always have done #2 from the top after removing alternator.

It does take some time. $150 sounds like a good deal, sure will save you some frustration.


For $150 bucks i would some how mark the original plugs and wires, just to make sure they actually did something other than rip ya off
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Old 01-03-2007, 01:55 AM
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Originally Posted by jtull
Took me 5 days! Broke two plugs. Had to abandon it for a while to cool off. The driver's side was a walk in the park, took about 30 minutes and most of the time was spent screwing around with the heat shields.

The middle two plugs on the passenger side I got from the top. A good swivel and long handled wrench is a good idea. Also a good idea is a piece of 3/8 hose to start the new plugs.

The plugs at either end were the worst. The 8th I got from the bottom and I took the starter out and just moved it out of the way. The plug is on a bias so it was a pain to start but finally went in with no problem using the 3/8 hose.

The plug under the alt. I got by removing the alt. and again, using the 3/8 hose to start. Now that I know how, it isn't a job for the meek but sure ain't worth more than a few beers.

Same here...it took me a few days too 'cause of frustration and I also had to take the Alternator and Starter off to get to the passenger side plugs. I don't know how you guys do it in a couple of hours.
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Old 01-03-2007, 02:30 AM
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Everybody says you need to take this and that off, but I did all of them and the wires in about 6 hours my first time without taking anything off. I had a buddy help me, but I'm sure we could do it in much shorter time this time around. If you lived a little bit closer to me I'd do it for 50 bucks for you if you brought your car down and it was warmer outside.
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Old 01-03-2007, 09:52 AM
  #27  
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make a "slp" style socket and used a gearwrench!
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Old 01-03-2007, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by The Engineer
I have Kooks long tubes and it takes less-than 3 lite beers to change the plugs.

WD
Same here. Changing the oil filter is more troublesome with the kooks than the plugs are. My BMR K member makes it very easy to get the back two passenger plugs from the bottom, no starter removal or anything. I do unhook the battery just in case though. 45 min to change plugs and wires.
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Old 01-03-2007, 04:43 PM
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+1 for my fellow Kook's owners
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