Tuneup 1992 corvette

[IRISH KELLY]

Does anyone know approximally the round off figure cost to have an auto shop do a tuneup plus replacing the spark plugs would like to know the low$$ to High$$ thx;help

 

[Toms007]

Really depends on what you are going to have done. Are you replacing the optispark or just the cap and rotor? The parts alone can run a few a bucks. I'd consider doing it myself if I were you.

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

Lets try this...and anyone can feel free to speak up about pricing here, I'm kind of guesstimating this, but...

Opti, 150 -510 depending on if you do basic cap/rotor up to 510 for an MSD like I put on.
Wires 50-100 depending on brand and type, you can get some really good wires though near the bottom end of this range.
Plugs, 16-60, again depending on brand and type of plug...although my opinion is that some of the cheaper AC Delco or NGK basic plugs are just as good or better than the newer high dollar gimmick plugs.
Belt 55
Radiator hoses 75 for the three large hoses maybe?
Thermostat 30
Waterpump 170
Antifreeze 10

Labor? Who wants to guess at this one? I wouldn't be surprised to do all of that for it to run somewhere close to 400.

If it needs to go deeper into the front changing out the front seals and timing chain, someone else will need to speak up because I have no clue at all what that would end up running.

 

[IRISH KELLY]

Really depends on what you are going to have done. Are you replacing the optispark or just the cap and rotor? The parts alone can run a few a bucks. I'd consider doing it myself if I were you.

Well I was looking at replacing the spark plugs and wires do not think I can do it! can work on old MG's but this is a horse of another kind for me thx for your reply

 

[IRISH KELLY]

Lets try this...and anyone can feel free to speak up about pricing here, I'm kind of guesstimating this, but...

Opti, 150 -510 depending on if you do basic cap/rotor up to 510 for an MSD like I put on.
Wires 50-100 depending on brand and type, you can get some really good wires though near the bottom end of this range.
Plugs, 16-60, again depending on brand and type of plug...although my opinion is that some of the cheaper AC Delco or NGK basic plugs are just as good or better than the newer high dollar gimmick plugs.
Belt 55
Radiator hoses 75 for the three large hoses maybe?
Thermostat 30
Waterpump 170
Antifreeze 10

Labor? Who wants to guess at this one? I wouldn't be surprised to do all of that for it to run somewhere close to 400.

If it needs to go deeper into the front changing out the front seals and timing chain, someone else will need to speak up because I have no clue at all what that would end up running.

Well I was looking at replacing the spark plugs and wires do not think I can do it! can work on old MG's but this is a horse of another kind for me thx for your reply

 

[Toms007]

If you are looking at Plugs and wires only, my guesstamite would be:

Parts; Plugs $80, Wires $100

Labor; $200-$400

But if you can work on an MG, you can work on this LT1. It just takes a few tools to do what you are talking about. The first time I changed plugs it took me about 3 hours, I did it in about 1 1/2 hours last time. Now the wires are something else, the way they run is a real PITA, but it can be done.

Hope this helps!

 

[LT4man]

What Tom says is very true! If you know how to use a wrench, you would be able to do this job. Do a search here on replacing the ignition wires. You will find a lot of advice that will make the job almost enjoyable.

Just be prepared for bending your back, because you can do all the work from on top.

Allow yourself plenty of time. Have a cold six-pack in the fridge for when you complete the work. Your Vette will run SUPER when you are finished!

SAVE THE

 

[IRISH KELLY]

If you are looking at Plugs and wires only, my guesstamite would be:

Parts; Plugs $80, Wires $100

Labor; $200-$400

But if you can work on an MG, you can work on this LT1. It just takes a few tools to do what you are talking about. The first time I changed plugs it took me about 3 hours, I did it in about 1 1/2 hours last time. Now the wires are something else, the way they run is a real PITA, but it can be done.

Hope this helps!

Well you make me want to give it shot so I guess I will and will post the out come thx again

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

If you are looking at Plugs and wires only, my guesstamite would be:

Parts; Plugs $80, Wires $100

Labor; $200-$400

But if you can work on an MG, you can work on this LT1. It just takes a few tools to do what you are talking about. The first time I changed plugs it took me about 3 hours, I did it in about 1 1/2 hours last time. Now the wires are something else, the way they run is a real PITA, but it can be done.

Hope this helps!

wow...talk about a cost of living price difference! lol

Now that I'm home and could do a little price checking...

AC Delco plugs here are 4.99 each...you can order them from Summit even cheaper. Champion or NGK's are even less than them.
A set of Bosch wires is about 60$, AC Delco's are 75, Accel's are about 85, MSD's are 90-125 depending on which set you want.

Changing the spark plugs really is no big deal, make sure you've got a variety of extensions and a swivel joint, plus a spark plug socket that you can use an open ended wrench on the back end of.

Changing the plug wires though is a different story. Maybe this sounds crazy, but if you're changing wires, you might as well pull the water pump, it'll be worth it having it off to just so you can get to the distributor...and if I'm pulling the water pump to get to the opti anyways, might as well go ahead and change both those while you're at it.

Is it running a bit rough or giving you an idea that something is wrong with the plugs or wires?

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

Oh, one thing to keep in mind if you do decide on new plug wires, and hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but the MSD wires are 8.5mm and will not fit in the stock clips that you route the wires through to keep them in place...Accels are 8mm and I honestly don't remember if that's small enough to go through the clips or not? AC Delco's I would imagine be fine through them....anyways, if you step up to a larger sized plug wire, keep that in mind. I do think there are larger clips you can by too if you do want to go that route.

 

[IRISH KELLY]

Oh, one thing to keep in mind if you do decide on new plug wires, and hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but the MSD wires are 8.5mm and will not fit in the stock clips that you route the wires through to keep them in place...Accels are 8mm and I honestly don't remember if that's small enough to go through the clips or not? AC Delco's I would imagine be fine through them....anyways, if you step up to a larger sized plug wire, keep that in mind. I do think there are larger clips you can by too if you do want to go that route.

Thank you for all your input will check and see what the total cost and make sure I have all the right tools to do the Job sounds like it will be a fun challenge! I am in no hurry car running little rough Idle 600 to 700 rpms when in gear, 700 rpms out of gear yes I have an automatic trans have a great day

 

[Toms007]

I forgot to ask, how many miles on your 92? Plug change is really pretty straight forward. The only tough ones are the 2 back ones on the passenger side.

 

[IRISH KELLY]

I forgot to ask, how many miles on your 92? Plug change is really pretty straight forward. The only tough ones are the 2 back ones on the passenger side.

85,000 Just bought it and do not have any information as it was on consignment with small dealer and I made a deal as I liked the look of it and it seems to drive OK need a little tender care as the sun visors need recovered or replaced, seats not to bad can live with them, body look good I guess time will tell if I got burned or not, but my gut feeling tells me that all and all it will be a nice set of wheels just got rid of my 1977 MGB which I liked but was getting board working on it all the time wanted to try something with a little more get up and GO

 

[Toms007]

Well, I think I can say for a fact that the Corvette will have a bit more get up and go. I'd probably just start with the plugs and see where you are then. If you are still having the "miss" then jump into the wires. Just a thought.


Oh, and I'm not sure that we officially said this:

Welcome to CAC!

 

[IRISH KELLY]

Well, I think I can say for a fact that the Corvette will have a bit more get up and go. I'd probably just start with the plugs and see where you are then. If you are still having the "miss" then jump into the wires. Just a thought.


Oh, and I'm not sure that we officially said this:

Welcome to CAC!

Thank you for the welcome, and thank you for all your advise

 

[jrogensk]

I just replaced the plugs and wires, along with a water pump, this past weekend. I used NGK TR55 plugs ($14 from Autozone) and Taylor SpiroPro wires ($78 from O'reilly's Auto Parts). I really don't know how the wires can be replaced without removing the water pump, at least on the drivers side. I had the pump out and I could barely get the wires on.

If you decide to pull the water pump then I would recommend replacing the Opti also. I decided not to replace it (lack of funds) and I still have a slight miss. ad Now I will have a slight miss until the Opti stops working altogether.

 

[IRISH KELLY]

I just replaced the plugs and wires, along with a water pump, this past weekend. I used NGK TR55 plugs ($14 from Autozone) and Taylor SpiroPro wires ($78 from O'reilly's Auto Parts). I really don't know how the wires can be replaced without removing the water pump, at least on the drivers side. I had the pump out and I could barely get the wires on.

If you decide to pull the water pump then I would recommend replacing the Opti also. I decided not to replace it (lack of funds) and I still have a slight miss. ad Now I will have a slight miss until the Opti stops working altogether.

Thank you for the info, by the way I am not sure what Opti is perhaps you can let me thanks again

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

Opti...short for optispark...is your distributor. On LT1's, it located on the front of the motor, kind of behind and under the water pump. You can't really see it if you go raise the hood on your car, but if you follow the plug wires to where they disappear at the front of the motor, that's pretty much where it's at...lol.

 

[IRISH KELLY]

Opti...short for optispark...is your distributor. On LT1's, it located on the front of the motor, kind of behind and under the water pump. You can't really see it if you go raise the hood on your car, but if you follow the plug wires to where they disappear at the front of the motor, that's pretty much where it's at...lol.

Thank you I from old,old school Now I know what the new name is for a distributor

 

[Toms007]

As rascal stated, it is the LTx series engines' distributor. Instead of a mechanical sensor or points it uses an optical sensor (thus the "opti" portion of optispark). And they are not known for their outstanding reliability (even though gmjunkie would disagree with this reputation). The placement of the "opti" was in fact a logical location (driven off the front of the camshaft), but the opti is somewhat finicky as far as "moisture" goes. The early optis were not vented properly and it caused problems when the water pump started leaking coolant down on to the opti. The placement left the leaking coolant no where to go except right down on the opti usually killing it. The placement also makes changing out the wires a bit difficult as you have been informed.

Good luck and keep us posted on the progress.