LT4 Plugs and Wires
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 2
From: Simpsonville SC
LT4 Plugs and Wires
What should I use? Need some real good plugs and wires, also is there any special way to changethem or is pretty basic?Thanks!
Last edited by happa; Mar 26, 2007 at 05:59 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
I'm not being an *** but do a search - there's a ton of info and lots of threads about it - that's what I did. I copied and pasted the bits I wanted then printed out in a text file I could read while I was doing it.
Different people use different tools.
Then I only did the easy half (passenger side) and then took it to a shop with proper tools to finish
Lots of people, inlcuding shops recommend ACDelco - the original GM parts. It's hard to improve on plugs and wires, they all do the same job more or less, but these are guaranteed to work well. I went with Delco plugs and Taylor Thundervolt 8.2mm wires because they are red and I'm a sucker for marketing..
Different people use different tools.
Then I only did the easy half (passenger side) and then took it to a shop with proper tools to finish
Lots of people, inlcuding shops recommend ACDelco - the original GM parts. It's hard to improve on plugs and wires, they all do the same job more or less, but these are guaranteed to work well. I went with Delco plugs and Taylor Thundervolt 8.2mm wires because they are red and I'm a sucker for marketing..
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
I'm not being an *** but do a search - there's a ton of info and lots of threads about it - that's what I did. I copied and pasted the bits I wanted then printed out in a text file I could read while I was doing it.
Different people use different tools.
Then I only did the easy half (passenger side) and then took it to a shop with proper tools to finish
Lots of people, inlcuding shops recommend ACDelco - the original GM parts. It's hard to improve on plugs and wires, they all do the same job more or less, but these are guaranteed to work well. I went with Delco plugs and Taylor Thundervolt 8.2mm wires because they are red and I'm a sucker for marketing..
Different people use different tools.
Then I only did the easy half (passenger side) and then took it to a shop with proper tools to finish
Lots of people, inlcuding shops recommend ACDelco - the original GM parts. It's hard to improve on plugs and wires, they all do the same job more or less, but these are guaranteed to work well. I went with Delco plugs and Taylor Thundervolt 8.2mm wires because they are red and I'm a sucker for marketing..
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Really? eek that's one thing I've not read on here! Sorry for giving crappy info then.
well I'll change em out again in a couple of months when I track down some Denso's. I went for Densos but my local NAPA place said they're really hard to get hold of, and I'm skint right now with it being in the shop...
well I'll change em out again in a couple of months when I track down some Denso's. I went for Densos but my local NAPA place said they're really hard to get hold of, and I'm skint right now with it being in the shop...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 805
Likes: 11
From: Hickory Flat Ga
AC Delco wires are fine and last as long or longer than other choices. There is no shame in stock replacement. The Platinum AC plugs do not automatically disintegrate and fall apart either. They looked new after 40k miles in my engine. The stock wires were also flawless after 75k miles and 11 years.
Many here throw out the baby with the bath water. Don't go with every single knock you read.
Many here throw out the baby with the bath water. Don't go with every single knock you read.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
AC Delco wires are fine and last as long or longer than other choices. There is no shame in stock replacement. The Platinum AC plugs do not automatically disintegrate and fall apart either. They looked new after 40k miles in my engine. The stock wires were also flawless after 75k miles and 11 years.
Many here throw out the baby with the bath water. Don't go with every single knock you read.
Many here throw out the baby with the bath water. Don't go with every single knock you read.
Nearly everyone experienced this problem, including me.....
Your plugs may have looked like new, but what was the gap.......Did you visually verify that the pucks were all still there??? Did you buy your LT4 new???
My pucks were mostly gone in under 30K miles...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
I just changed everything out. Went with NGK TR-55 IX plugs and Taylor SpiroPro 8 mm wires. You can get them in red and they are a direct fit. So far so good.
The passenger side wires are fairly easy but the driver's side is definitely a challenge. I recommend going from underneath rather than try to disassemble everything to get access.
I replaced AC delco rapid fires which I have nothing bad to say about. Good plug, but I changed them mainly because I don't drive the car much and often just fire it up to pull it out of the garage. I understand that can tend to create a coating on the plugs that isn't good. I was also starting to get black smoke out of the exhaust. Smoke is gone now, so I'm glad I changed them out.
The passenger side wires are fairly easy but the driver's side is definitely a challenge. I recommend going from underneath rather than try to disassemble everything to get access.
I replaced AC delco rapid fires which I have nothing bad to say about. Good plug, but I changed them mainly because I don't drive the car much and often just fire it up to pull it out of the garage. I understand that can tend to create a coating on the plugs that isn't good. I was also starting to get black smoke out of the exhaust. Smoke is gone now, so I'm glad I changed them out.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
[QUOTE=CrvtBB;1559557998]I replaced AC delco rapid fires which I have nothing bad to say about. Good plug, but I changed them mainly because I don't drive the car much and often just fire it up to pull it out of the garage. IQUOTE]
Just to clarify Rapid Fires are NOT the LT4 OEM plug.....
Just to clarify Rapid Fires are NOT the LT4 OEM plug.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
From: Laguna Niguel California
While on the topic of plugs and wires. Putting a new set of plugs in tomorrow, 11.5 years and 107k miles later. What are you guys gapping your plugs at? Car is a 96 LT1, plugs are NGK t55's.
Second question, planning on doing wires soon, looking to go with the AC Delco ones. Did the 96 have special wires? Was looking on midamerica and Ecklers and they both have wires but Ecklers have the ones for the 96 separated and they are twice as much? Anyone shed some light or is it just a marketing game.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1286
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=3.140.805
Second question, planning on doing wires soon, looking to go with the AC Delco ones. Did the 96 have special wires? Was looking on midamerica and Ecklers and they both have wires but Ecklers have the ones for the 96 separated and they are twice as much? Anyone shed some light or is it just a marketing game.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1286
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=3.140.805
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 805
Likes: 11
From: Hickory Flat Ga
Try partsladi on ebay. The red ones are for the LT4 and cost more, same wires. LT1 '96 are specific. The prices vary greatly.
The AC Delco Platinums I removed after 40,000 miles and 4 years were picture perfect in every regard. I am running NGK irridiums now for giggles. They idle a tiny bit better but no other difference as a spark is a spark is a spark.
Hey I'm the first to upgrade when replacing but there is no benefit in this area.
The AC Delco Platinums I removed after 40,000 miles and 4 years were picture perfect in every regard. I am running NGK irridiums now for giggles. They idle a tiny bit better but no other difference as a spark is a spark is a spark.
Hey I'm the first to upgrade when replacing but there is no benefit in this area.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: NYC....In the Place to be!
Sorry, i don't mean to hijack this thread, but I just bought Taylor wires and AC Delco Iriduims for my LT4.
After reading the reply about AC Delco being low quality, should I swtich the plugs for something else?
After reading the reply about AC Delco being low quality, should I swtich the plugs for something else?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
ok I just got the car back
AC Delco platinum plugs that came out were fine. The problem was with the OEM wires. Shop mechanic has never heard this tip-falling-off tale either.
I can provide photos. I'd like to see proof for any claim, or it just goes along with internet talk...
I'll chase down some Densos when I want to change em out again, as they were recommended by a vette expert that has a shop and does racecars.
Good luck!
AC Delco platinum plugs that came out were fine. The problem was with the OEM wires. Shop mechanic has never heard this tip-falling-off tale either.
I can provide photos. I'd like to see proof for any claim, or it just goes along with internet talk...
I'll chase down some Densos when I want to change em out again, as they were recommended by a vette expert that has a shop and does racecars.
Good luck!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I've been using AC Delco OEM platinum plugs and AC Delco OEM wires (5 sets of each) for many years on two different cars and have not had any problems. I changed them because of miles/mainenance and the cars were still running fine.
Most good shops I have called recommend AC Delco plugs and wires. Good shops would not recommend and warranty them if they were no good.
Most good shops I have called recommend AC Delco plugs and wires. Good shops would not recommend and warranty them if they were no good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
ok I just got the car back
AC Delco platinum plugs that came out were fine. The problem was with the OEM wires. Shop mechanic has never heard this tip-falling-off tale either.
I can provide photos. I'd like to see proof for any claim, or it just goes along with internet talk...
I'll chase down some Densos when I want to change em out again, as they were recommended by a vette expert that has a shop and does racecars.
Good luck!
AC Delco platinum plugs that came out were fine. The problem was with the OEM wires. Shop mechanic has never heard this tip-falling-off tale either.
I can provide photos. I'd like to see proof for any claim, or it just goes along with internet talk...
I'll chase down some Densos when I want to change em out again, as they were recommended by a vette expert that has a shop and does racecars.
Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
I've been using AC Delco OEM platinum plugs and AC Delco OEM wires (5 sets of each) for many years on two different cars and have not had any problems. I changed them because of miles/mainenance and the cars were still running fine.
Most good shops I have called recommend AC Delco plugs and wires. Good shops would not recommend and warranty them if they were no good.
Most good shops I have called recommend AC Delco plugs and wires. Good shops would not recommend and warranty them if they were no good.
maybe the quality of these plugs have improved since 1996...pucks falling off is really old news.......
the problem only occurred on AC Delco plug 41-943
