Installing spark plugs and wires

[hangtym3]

Hello! I just purchased NGK Iridiums IX plugs, and 8.5mm Magnecor wires(Dont know if they're a good set, but its too late now) and I was wondering if anybody could tell me how to install them, or know a website that shows me? Oh yea i have a 2003 gt. Thanks

[quicksilverdon]

You've got it easy - with an '03 GT with metal intake, you don't have to remove the intake.
Do one wire at a time, replacing that plug as you go. I recommend you get Dielectric grease and anti-seize lubricant.
Smear the dielectric grease around the outside of the rubber plug boots that go into the head, and a little around the ceramic of the plug. Put a dab of the anti-seize on the plug threads.
Keeps everything from sticking together.
One more thing - the plugs are WAY down in the head. Find a spark plug wrench with a rubber insert to grab the plug, or use a piece of rubber hose to hold the plug when taking out or installing.

[Electric Blue GT]

I used the copper anti-sieze on the plug threads, its rated to 1800f on the temperature. Torque the plugs to 13 ft lbs (156 in lbs) to get the proper seal. Don't torque cold plugs into a hot (warm) engine. If the engine is hot, the plugs will be overtight when the temps are equal, and will be a booger when it comes time remove them next time. Install the spark plug ends of the wires first, then the coil end. When you first remove the wires, twist the boot about 90 degrees as you pull it off. On the GT, there is a plastic cover over the throttle cables, it comes off with a clip, you'll need to remove this to get access to spark plug #3.

[rszappa1]

You better look at the instuction sheet that came with the Magnacor wires. It specifically talks about not putting any type of grease onn the terminals or boot.

[rszappa1]

I messed up. It actually statea that a very small thin film can be put on the boot but that is it...

[crazyjoe]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but REMOVE THE MAP SENSOR.

If this is your first time changing plugs, the boots are likley going to be VERY difficult to get off. You will probably have to yank pretty hard. And in the process, you might just hit the MAP sensor, which is that little dealio sticking out of the passenger side of the intake.

It comes out with two torx screws, and goes back in very easy. It's like a 50 or 75 dollar part, and you car will run in limp mode without it.

[Topless in Cali]

Go to the auto parts store and pick up a 5/8" universal joint spark plug socket and 12" extension. It makes it a ton easier to get the plugs in and out. Make sure the plugs are gapped at .028-.033 with those iridiums. They run better with a pretty low gap. BTW, those are real good plugs and wires, good choice[^]

[rszappa1]

I called NGK and they do not recomend the gap that small. They stated that they would not go lower then 0.44 on the iriduim type plug.

[SteelBlueGT]

I went with the standard NGK gap of .052 and it runs like a top, an electric top at that! With my MOPAR wires and these plugs and my Sun grounding wires ir runs as smooth as an 8 cylinder!

[SuGamer]

quote:Originally posted by SteelBlueGT

I went with the standard NGK gap of .052 and it runs like a top, an electric top at that! With my MOPAR wires and these plugs and my Sun grounding wires ir runs as smooth as an 8 cylinder!

LOL Must not be like any of the V8's my friends and I beefed up! One had a camshaft so wild that the car jumped like it was running on six cylinders at idle. But when you took off, boy you'd better hold on! LOL

By the way, it has been proven by companies like Psi-Fi that when you up the boost you will need to close the spark plug gap. .028-.033 gap on the NGK Iridium's is ideal. Don't rely on NGK's customer service. One told a friend that the .052 gap was perfect for our cars, and another told him that the .052 gap was way to big for a turbocharger car and he needed to close the gap if he raised his boost. Either way, I know several people running gap at .028 and they can't stop raving about how strong the car pulls and how smooth the idle is.