Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#103470 - 12/23/05 12:22 AM Spark Plugs
01GPGT Offline
Member
Registered: 11/25/05
Posts: 108
Loc: Minnesota
I am gonna replace the spark plugs on my GP. any tips? I think im gonna go with NGK t55 spark plugs, maybe go for the iridium ones. i know the front 3 plugs are easy to get at, what about the 3 in the back? are those pretty easy to get at too? thanks savewave
_________________________

Short Ram Air Intake | Throttle Body Spacer| Throttle Body Screen Removed | ZZP PCM | 180* Thermostat| Debaged |Flipped Sway Bar | Strut Tower Stabilizer | Motor Mounts | Tr55's | Coming soon : 3" DP |
Top
#103471 - 12/23/05 01:22 AM Re: Spark Plugs
shawny519 Offline
Member
Registered: 11/25/05
Posts: 138
Loc: Kansas
No, they are a pita!
_________________________
2000 Grand Prix GTP...Memphis 1000 watt RMS amp, 2 Audiobahn 15"'s in custom box, Sony X-Plod Deck, and Bose package. Pontiac windshield decal, bumper fill ins, hood scoop, GTP overlay, U-bend delete, 180 T-stat, FlowMaster 40's, 3.5" pulley, CAI.
Top
#103472 - 12/23/05 01:54 AM Re: Spark Plugs
crimpton Offline
Member
Registered: 05/01/02
Posts: 2126
Loc: Portland Or.
If you are familiar with changing plugs they aren't so bad.
You know... There is an angle, and a feel for putting them back into place.
If you want to make it a bit easier, you can roll the engine forward by disconnecting the top motor mounts and pulling the engine forward. the RH mount has an extra hole in it to slide the bolt into. This will give you a bit more room to work with.
(edit - removing the wires can be difficult...... get a full twist on them to break them loose before trying to pull on them)
_________________________
Clint Anderson
'00 Black GTP Sedan

http://pdxcgp.com
Top
#103473 - 12/23/05 06:48 AM Re: Spark Plugs
DoberManJT Offline
Member
Registered: 09/09/04
Posts: 650
Loc: North Carolina - Raleigh/Cary
If it's your first time changing plugs on the wonderful transverse 3800 do yourself a favor and roll the engine forward as Clint suggested. Also, buy new wires. Chances are they could use replacing anyways, but more than likely you'll damage one or two of the back ones in the process of removing them.

Have anti-seize and dielectric grease available so you can prep the wires and plugs so everything will pull apart easily next time around
_________________________
"120k and still going!"
Silver '02 SE with the "wee 'lil" 3100, raised spoiler, custom-made cone intake, dual exhaust catback, u-bend delete

04 GTO Impulse Blue Metallic, LPE intake system, headers, dyno tune from "RPM"

http://photobucket.com/albums/v221/Dobermanjt/GrandPrix/
Top
#103474 - 12/23/05 08:25 AM Re: Spark Plugs
AustinGTP Offline
Member
Registered: 05/23/03
Posts: 8078
Loc: Austin, TX
Take off the motor hoist brackets and toss them under your tool box.
It's really not that bad of a job. I did mine last year and it turned out not to be as bad as I thought. The hardest one to do is the back drivers side. The O2 sensor is right up next to the plug... and speaking of O2 sensor, while you're back there you might as well change that too.
Do as posted above... roll the engine forward and lock it into place, twist the boots don't pull.
You should be fine.
_________________________
Bobby

Died 5/1/08, resurrected 5/15/08
ASCD SD hood, 17" Bullitts, Overkill PCM, 3.4" Pulley, NGK TR55IX, K&N 9" cone filter, JimmyC D/P, U-bend removed, Flowmaster 40 series, Hooker big bore tips with resonators, S/B brake lines, drilled/slot rotors, GMPP handling kit, KYB struts, F&R strut supports, HID's, LED's, 2.5" Air Dam, red GTP overlays on custom badges, white rear insert.
Top
#103475 - 12/23/05 11:04 AM Re: Spark Plugs
2fast4u Offline
Member
Registered: 11/05/04
Posts: 2108
Loc: Livonia, MI
the first time i changed them last year i did it in 37 min!! not to shabby for the first change in a transverse engine cheers
_________________________
98 Gtp coupe

Mods: 11.87@115 strictly stock
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/98-GTP-burnout_207724.htm
Top
#103476 - 12/23/05 01:30 PM Re: Spark Plugs
01GTP_Girl Offline
Junior Member
Registered: 12/05/05
Posts: 22
Loc: Monterey, Ca.
I was able to replace mine in the back easily because I have such small arms! lol It only took me about 30 min. Also one tip is to buy the pre gapped plugs if youre lazy like me laugh
_________________________
The toy box: 02 Camaro ss, 01 GTP,
84 Chevy 4x4 diesel
Top
#103477 - 12/23/05 03:20 PM Re: Spark Plugs
2fast4u Offline
Member
Registered: 11/05/04
Posts: 2108
Loc: Livonia, MI
your so luckey, i have the big fat clumsy arms. kooky
_________________________
98 Gtp coupe

Mods: 11.87@115 strictly stock
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/98-GTP-burnout_207724.htm
Top
#103478 - 12/23/05 05:10 PM Re: Spark Plugs
framos242 Offline
Member
Registered: 07/15/04
Posts: 3141
Loc: Chicago, IL
Hmmm... take your time. You'll probably get some scratches on your arms.

BTW... don't waste your money on Iridiums. Stick with the TR55s.
_________________________
DHP V1.0, Slotted rotors, S/S Brake Lines, Custom CAI, GMPP Handling Kit, KYB's, Jimmy C DP (U-Bend delete w/ Hi-flow cat), Flowmaster Super 40's, drilled 180° T-Stat, Alt. Rewire & Alt. Voltage Booster Combo, 605's, ZZP Motor Mounts

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I am NOT mad!" - Dali
Top
#103479 - 12/23/05 10:07 PM Re: Spark Plugs
RooK Offline
Member
Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 5158
Loc: Southern KY
Check the gap on pre-gapped plugs just to be sure. It's not uncommon to have one or two in a box out of spec, I guess due to shipping.
_________________________
'13 Mustang 3.7V6 - MT82
'00 GP SE (L67 Swap, XP, Headers, 3.25")
'98 GTP, '01 Bonne
Top
#103480 - 12/24/05 07:50 PM Re: Spark Plugs
framos242 Offline
Member
Registered: 07/15/04
Posts: 3141
Loc: Chicago, IL
Quote:
Originally posted by RooK:
Check the gap on pre-gapped plugs just to be sure. It's not uncommon to have one or two in a box out of spec, I guess due to shipping.
Brings up a good point... are you going to keep the gap stock?
_________________________
DHP V1.0, Slotted rotors, S/S Brake Lines, Custom CAI, GMPP Handling Kit, KYB's, Jimmy C DP (U-Bend delete w/ Hi-flow cat), Flowmaster Super 40's, drilled 180° T-Stat, Alt. Rewire & Alt. Voltage Booster Combo, 605's, ZZP Motor Mounts

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I am NOT mad!" - Dali
Top
#103481 - 12/24/05 10:28 PM Re: Spark Plugs
AustinGTP Offline
Member
Registered: 05/23/03
Posts: 8078
Loc: Austin, TX
I ordered some copper core NGK's this afternoon, along with front O2 sensor, PCV valve, and some ceramic pads for the front.
I was planning on buying all this stuff local, but I really was able to get it cheaper by ordering over the internet.
Plugs and Hawk ceramic pads form PFYC, PCV and Mobil 1 oil filler cap from Ultimate Warrior, O2 sensor from W Body store.
Now instead of getting all this done on Monday, I have to wait until it get's here and I should be getting it all done next weekend.
_________________________
Bobby

Died 5/1/08, resurrected 5/15/08
ASCD SD hood, 17" Bullitts, Overkill PCM, 3.4" Pulley, NGK TR55IX, K&N 9" cone filter, JimmyC D/P, U-bend removed, Flowmaster 40 series, Hooker big bore tips with resonators, S/B brake lines, drilled/slot rotors, GMPP handling kit, KYB struts, F&R strut supports, HID's, LED's, 2.5" Air Dam, red GTP overlays on custom badges, white rear insert.
Top
#103482 - 12/28/05 03:29 PM Re: Spark Plugs
01GPGT Offline
Member
Registered: 11/25/05
Posts: 108
Loc: Minnesota
so to pull the engine forward just use like a rachet tie down or something?
_________________________

Short Ram Air Intake | Throttle Body Spacer| Throttle Body Screen Removed | ZZP PCM | 180* Thermostat| Debaged |Flipped Sway Bar | Strut Tower Stabilizer | Motor Mounts | Tr55's | Coming soon : 3" DP |
Top
#103483 - 12/28/05 03:37 PM Re: Spark Plugs
framos242 Offline
Member
Registered: 07/15/04
Posts: 3141
Loc: Chicago, IL
Yup. Be sure to take off the dog bones to tilt forward.
_________________________
DHP V1.0, Slotted rotors, S/S Brake Lines, Custom CAI, GMPP Handling Kit, KYB's, Jimmy C DP (U-Bend delete w/ Hi-flow cat), Flowmaster Super 40's, drilled 180° T-Stat, Alt. Rewire & Alt. Voltage Booster Combo, 605's, ZZP Motor Mounts

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I am NOT mad!" - Dali
Top
#103484 - 12/28/05 08:13 PM Re: Spark Plugs
boosnark1 Offline
Member
Registered: 05/13/05
Posts: 148
Loc: Cartersville, GA
Use one of the bolts from the dog bones to hold the engine forward. to rock the engine forward you can push the car back with your knees, or pull the engine forward.
The front plugs are easy, the back ones are not too bad. If you are removing the stock plugs, expect that they will be a royal pain. Just be persistant and you'll get them out. The worst plug (as mentioned above) is the right rear one. The first time takes the longest. After that you can do it in 15 minutes. Also make sure to get some plug boots for your new plugs (www.summitracing.com has the taylor boots in different colors). I got the red ones to go with my MSD wires smile
_________________________
2003 GP GTP
Victory Red
Mods: Pulley Boys 3.4" pulley, JimmyC downpipe /w cat, MSD 8.5mm plug wires, Taylor plug boots(Red), NGK TR-55 IX plugs, Thasher CAI, MAP Throttle Body Spacer, MAP Exhaust heat shield, GMPP handling upgrade kit, Energy Suspension Poly bushings, 97-02 Lotek A-pillar(3 gauge), Autometer Sport-Comp guages (boost, oil pressure, transmission temp), SilverStars Halogen bulbs, Blazertech 2200 foglights, Hawk HPS pads, F-body brakes, and rebuilt tranny....
Top