I've got a '96 LT-4, all stock. I'm looking for recommendations on replacement water pumps and spark plugs. Also, if I go to a K&N air filter do I have to mess with the MAF?

 

The K+N won't affect the MAF. The water pump is a straight forward repair. If you car has over 100K on it, you should replace the cap and rotor while the pump is off. You should also replace the wires with the plugs and don't forget the fuel filter.


Have fun, Paul

 

The cars got 51K on it. When you say the water pump is a "straight forward repair," does that mean the pump is easily repaired or it's a straight forward remove and replace? I tend toward the R&R. In the process of changing the water pump, I'd like to make any minor changes I can to boost overall performance, if possible. Nothing too indepth or expensive. Any suggestions on higher performance plugs and wires?

Thanks for the response.

 

In my opinion, the original AC Delco plugs are as good as you will get. The others are over rated and will not give you any more performance unless you have heavy mods. The Delco wires are ok too, but you can get better, meaning that others will withstand more heat if you have aftermarket headers installed. Are the original wires 8mm or does the LT4 have 7mm like the LT1s. At least my '94 LT1 has 7mm on it. I replaced mine with 7mm Borg-Warner's since they are made exactly like the 8mm in other brands and are plenty good unless you have heavy mods. If yours are 8mm, replace with 8mm.

As far as the water pump. Definately replace it with a new one. It is pretty straight forward to replace, just hard to get to. You will probably want to unbolt the alternator and swing it out of the way so you can get to the pump. To replace the Opti cap and rotor as suggested, you will have to remove the harmonic balancer from the crankshaft hub to get to it, then it will be difficult to get the cap off since it is held on by about 5 screws and they are a bit*h. If they are like the LT1, they are male headed torx and take a special tool. I know it would be expensive to replace the Opti with a new one though. The later '95-'96 ones are sealed and vented better and not as apt to get damaged by water like the earlier ones. Those things can last 50K miles or 150K miles...you never know. But if you are in there that deep, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Sorry to say, none of this will give more performance.