Changing Spark Plug Wires on LT-1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
Changing Spark Plug Wires on LT-1
I am changing the spark plug wires on my 93 LT-1 and had a few questions. First, what is the easiest way to access the wires on the optispark on the drivers side. Second, I am replacing with MSD wires which are larger in diameter and they don't want to fit in the stock holder clips. Is there someone who sells modified clips or I am stuck trying to make the stock clips work? :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
Re: Changing Spark Plug Wires on LT-1 (93Ruby)
Made-for-You-Products has wire holders...
I have large arms but was able to get my arm up in there from underneath the car. I had to identify each plug and then "blindly" (only by feel) put each wire in it's correct spot because of the position I had to be in to comfortably get my arm up in there. It wasn't much fun.
Important note...I went with 10mm wires and had a heck of a time routing them on the drivers side. Pay close attention to where your old wires feed up from the opti...
I have large arms but was able to get my arm up in there from underneath the car. I had to identify each plug and then "blindly" (only by feel) put each wire in it's correct spot because of the position I had to be in to comfortably get my arm up in there. It wasn't much fun.
Important note...I went with 10mm wires and had a heck of a time routing them on the drivers side. Pay close attention to where your old wires feed up from the opti...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 790
Likes: 2
Re: Changing Spark Plug Wires on LT-1 (93Ruby)
Remove the center panel in the fenderwell which gets you into the side of the engine, down low...then remove the serpentine belt and unbolt the a/c compressor and move it out of the way. Of course, you don't want to disconnect the hoses...so you're just moving it out of the way. That opens things up a lot.
I've had the same problem with the wire holders. Go to http://www.madeforyouproducts.com. They have some nice setups for centerbolt valve covers. I'm going with the aluminum bracets that use the same bolt holes in the head as the original brackets. You'll see em...and you'll like em. Not cheap though. Figure on spending $50-$60.
Hope this helps.
Dave
I've had the same problem with the wire holders. Go to http://www.madeforyouproducts.com. They have some nice setups for centerbolt valve covers. I'm going with the aluminum bracets that use the same bolt holes in the head as the original brackets. You'll see em...and you'll like em. Not cheap though. Figure on spending $50-$60.
Hope this helps.
Dave
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 1
From: Pinellas Florida Misfit
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Changing Spark Plug Wires on LT-1 (KCvetteowner)
I just did this last weekend on my 95.... I'm sure it's possible to get the wires from under the car, but after looking at the small area the new wires needed to go back through, I decided to take the front of the engine apart. (And this was with 8mm Taylors)
I took the alternator and idler off... and loosened the PS pump. Was easy after that. Took about 6 hours to do the wires, oil change and PCV valve. Now that it's been done I figure I could do it again in 2 to 3.
I took the alternator and idler off... and loosened the PS pump. Was easy after that. Took about 6 hours to do the wires, oil change and PCV valve. Now that it's been done I figure I could do it again in 2 to 3.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Re: Changing Spark Plug Wires on LT-1 (93Ruby)
Accomplished the same upgrade to my 94 LT1 last weekend. Turned into a much bigger job than I had expected. Managed it by removing the fenderwell, serpentine belt, idler pulley and belt tensioner but found that the 8.5mm MSD's wouldn't fit exactly where the OEM plug wires were routed. After quite a time of intalling the wires blindly I opted to do away with the wire looms and made do with some well placed ty-wraps. Installation looks okay - I've got the ty-wraps out of view. Luckily the MSD wire lengths are a little longer than the OEM wires and I could get creative with routing & placement. Good luck - it's an aggraving job, just plan on it taking longer than you think.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: Changing Spark Plug Wires on LT-1 (Topload)
After quite a time of intalling the wires blindly I opted to do away with the wire looms and made do with some well placed ty-wraps.
I took off the serp belt, tensioner, and lossend the A/C system as others described. Takes a few hours.....PITA! :seeya
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 790
Likes: 2
Re: Changing Spark Plug Wires on LT-1 (Goody)
As we all know, the only real PITA is routing the drivers side wires through the alternator/power steering bracket and down to the opti. I would just start removing the stuff described here, eventually you'll see the way through. That center side panel removal is VERY easy and VERY essential. It's really not as hard as it sounds, just time consuming.
Do the drivers side first...the passenger side is a walk in the park after that.
Do the drivers side first...the passenger side is a walk in the park after that.
