spark plug change
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
The last plug on the passenger side, cylinder 8, will make you want to cry. It's hard to reach, the plug boot will likely fight you to the death before coming off, and you'll have a ton of fun trying to get the new spark plug angled correctly so that you can thread it in without getting a bunch of grime on it first.
The driver's side will make you want to sell the car.
I'm only half-kidding. If you're only doing plugs but not wires, then it's not all that bad. Just move the ASR and throttle cable mechanisms out of the way to make room, and remove the driver's side wheel well inner cover if you need more than that. The plugs aren't too bad, it's changing the wires on the driver's side that is awful.
The driver's side will make you want to sell the car.
I'm only half-kidding. If you're only doing plugs but not wires, then it's not all that bad. Just move the ASR and throttle cable mechanisms out of the way to make room, and remove the driver's side wheel well inner cover if you need more than that. The plugs aren't too bad, it's changing the wires on the driver's side that is awful.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 231
From: Hawthorne CA
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 231
From: Hawthorne CA
whatever you do, dont force with a plug socket. You should start each plug (carefully) by hand then hand tighten. Once it is in there by hand torque to spec. Its absolutely no fun at all when you cross thread a sparkplug boss. Ask me how I know.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 344
Likes: 65
From: Ontario, Canada
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 287
From: Minnesota
The last plug on passenger side (#8) worked best for me with no extension and getting it loose enough to use my hands for the removal, baby turns basically.
Drivers side was super easy. remove the ASR box (1 bolt, in the wheel well) and the wheel-well dust cover so you can get straight access. I think for me, the worst one was either #4 or #6 (cant recall) but the control arm was in my way just enough to
really, not a big deal...just pay close attention to installing, don't force the thread and make sure the area is clean (good idea to use LP air prior to removal and blow out the dirt/sand/debris. Another tip is to go up a size on the plug wires. OE is 7mm but many people go up to 8mm. the only issue with doing this is the looms...the 8mm wires wont fit that great in stock "mounted" looms.
Not sure why people complain so much, nothing is "hard"...hard is relative...instead just accept that certain tasks are going to suck and just go for it and get it over with
Drivers side was super easy. remove the ASR box (1 bolt, in the wheel well) and the wheel-well dust cover so you can get straight access. I think for me, the worst one was either #4 or #6 (cant recall) but the control arm was in my way just enough to
really, not a big deal...just pay close attention to installing, don't force the thread and make sure the area is clean (good idea to use LP air prior to removal and blow out the dirt/sand/debris. Another tip is to go up a size on the plug wires. OE is 7mm but many people go up to 8mm. the only issue with doing this is the looms...the 8mm wires wont fit that great in stock "mounted" looms.
Not sure why people complain so much, nothing is "hard"...hard is relative...instead just accept that certain tasks are going to suck and just go for it and get it over with
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 986
Likes: 487
They're really not that bad. I've dealt with much, much worse.
Just take your time, have a few different length extensions on hand, use an actual spark plug socket (so you can put a wrench on it if you need to), blow the pocket out before removing and restart them by hand.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
You can do it! If your spark plug socket has a hexagonal backside, that is for a reason. Find a box wrench that fits it and this setup could make things much easier when access gets tight.