LT4 Change Spark Plugs '96 LT4

[vintage]

My LT4 has 68k miles on it. Running fine. What is the recommended interval for changing plugs, plug wires, and the optispark distributor? Should the optispark be changed at the same time as the plugs and wires?

About what should the labor cost for plugs and wires change if I have it done at a shop? (I looked under the hood and recognized that my mechanical ability may not be up to the challenge! )

 

[wx briefer]

Some, as I, wait until the water pump goes (and it will) to change the opti while there with the wrenches. Mine went at 67K miles and soaked the opti. If it is running fine, I would just wait, personally. Of course, I also did the Hot Cam at the same time. Try it, you'll like it!!!

 

[Vettelt193]

plugs are a real PITA on our cars. If you haven't noticed, the engine is offset a little to the passenger side, which makes the passenger side difficult. With the LT1/4 cars, with traction control ++, the drivers side is covered, and is actually harder than the passenger side. I highly suggest trying to make friends with a corvette tech. many of them do work on the side for cash. The plug job could easily run $100 for labor with the prices they are charging these days

as wx says, swap the opti when it breaks, or the water pump goes.

 

[lt4 gs]

My LT4 has 68k miles on it. Running fine. What is the recommended interval for changing plugs, plug wires, and the optispark distributor? Should the optispark be changed at the same time as the plugs and wires?

About what should the labor cost for plugs and wires change if I have it done at a shop? (I looked under the hood and recognized that my mechanical ability may not be up to the challenge! )

In the manual it states, that the plug life is 100k. Labor for plugs alone is about a buck and a half. It is a good idea to change the wires at 100k. I would leave the opti spark alone if you are not expeiencing problems. I would also stay with the factory replacement AC plugs.

 

[vintage]

Thanks for your wisdom lt4gs, wx briefer, and Vettelt193! For those of us who are "mechanically challenged" but love our corvettes, this forum is a lifesaver.

 

[Corvettemannen]

Hi,
I agree that it´s difficult to change spark plug and wires. The wires on drivers side did take some time to change.....(I changed it on my old LT1 before i got my new ride with LT4) so i will not doing this before the winter...

Is there anybody who has experience of Bosch +4 spark plugs and Moroso 8mm wires on a LT4?

Christer

 

[CKA_Racing]

Plugs are easy to change.
The drivers side wires can be a pain due to the limited space. I thought my LT4 was running ok until I changed the plugs. I had changed the drivers side plugs 30,000 miles before this so they were practically new. All 8 plugs to include the new ones were missing the little puck on the electrode when i checked them. This changes the plug gap to 60. Not good.

don't be surprised if a dealership charges you $200-$300 bucks just to change the wires.

Leave the opti alone for now.

 

[vetsvette]

plugs and wires

If you want your dealer to do it, I have been quoted between $400 and $600 for the job. I was installing headers when I changed mine (+4s and Taylor spiro pro wires, good stuff by the way) It makes things a lot easier if you remove the inner wheel wells when you do it, that way you can use longer extensions and flex joints as needed. Sounds like a lot of work but onlt 6-8 torx screws per side. I had it on jack stands with the front wheels off at the time so that made it even more convenient. I don't know about you but I've reached the age that I much prefer to sit on a stool to work versus the floor. You may need to remove the alternator since on mine the driver side wires all fed through a hole in the bottom mounting bracket. Used a Dremel and milling bit to enlarge the hole and make it a little easier to feed the larger wires through. Also since I have hands like catchers mitts it was handy to have a friend with small hands to put the last couple of wires on the opti. Make sure you use a little dialectric grease on the boots (both ends) for a good seal and to make it easier the next time you work on it. Sorry to be long winded. Just some of the things I ran into and would recommend.