Changing spark plugs and wires - LS3?

[IndeedSS1]

This will be my first time messing with plugs and wires on my Camaro. Anyone have any tips, suggestions, or things to look out for? The drivers side looks fairly easy to do. The passenger side and some plumbing looks like it's going to be a bit more difficult.

I know about putting anti-seize on the plug threads, small amount of dielectric grease on the plug boots (what about the coil end?) and torque to about 7 ft lbs.

Before anyone asks, MSD wires, OEM plugs, 10k miles on my current plugs. but the engine was ingesting a lot of oil from a bad valley cover for a few thousand miles and the idle has become very rough and irradic.

[Silver2SSRS6spd]

Why not let the dealer do it under warranty?

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Silver2SSRS6spd

Why not let the dealer do it under warranty?

They couldn't find a reason for the rough idle, or duplicate what I was seeing and there were no codes set. On the small stuff, I like to give it a shot.

[jlugo]

"engine oil ran 10 – 15F degrees cooler on average with the MSD coil packs than the OEM coils"

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...R5#post1902746

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by jlugo

"engine oil ran 10 – 15F degrees cooler on average with the MSD coil packs than the OEM coils"

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...R5#post1902746

Thanks for the read but I didn't see anything relating to installation of plugs and wires. I going with stock plugs and MSD wires and just want to know about installation.

[Jaysin]

The plugs and wires are no big deal. Nothing surprising to expect.

[SK360]

Make sure you start the threads by hand... I don't use a torque wrench, I hand tighten then do a 1/4 turn, never had an issue. I run NGK Copper plugs (TR55 when I was N/A, TR6 now that I spray) and MSD Wires (Only because I broke a stocker)

[13 ZL1]

I torqued the plugs and replaced the wires after getting shorties installed. I would follow the manufacturers recommendation for torque on the plugs. Give the wires a little twist and pull. I replaced my stock wires because they came too close to the headers.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116930

[IndeedSS1]

Thanks guys. It appears that the middle two cylinders of the passenger side may be the only two difficult ones, because of the hard lines semi blocking access.

[IndeedSS1]

I changed the plugs and wires this evening. It wasn't too bad except for the two middle ones on the passengers side.

My question now is, does anyone remove the exhaust manifold heatshields? Are they really needed on these cars? I;ve removed or left them off on others.

[Oldrocker]

Originally Posted by IndeedSS1

I changed the plugs and wires this evening. It wasn't too bad except for the two middle ones on the passengers side.

My question now is, does anyone remove the exhaust manifold heatshields? Are they really needed on these cars? I;ve removed or left them off on others.

They are there for protection from heat, to lower temperatures that will cause heat related failures to under hood components. The owner at a shop I once worked for had a good philosophy about leaving off "unnecessary" parts. He said "just think of the thousands of dollars the manufacturers would save if they didn't install these parts in the first place. If they don't have a specific reason for being there, they wouldn't be there." What would you gain by leaving them off?

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Oldrocker

They are there for protection from heat, to lower temperatures that will cause heat related failures to under hood components. The owner at a shop I once worked for had a good philosophy about leaving off "unnecessary" parts. He said "just think of the thousands of dollars the manufacturers would save if they didn't install these parts in the first place. If they don't have a specific reason for being there, they wouldn't be there." What would you gain by leaving them off?

I know what they are supposed to be there for, but am doubting the effectiveness. Headers don't have them and I cut my hand twice on the heatshields. There really isn't much on the drivers side it is protecting. The passenger side has the fuel and evap lines somewhat close.