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Last weekend I started the tune-up on our 2000 Pontiac Trans-AM LS1 (practically same LS1 engine as in our 2000 C5 ).
We are the original owners, plugs had NEVER been changed, but with 110K, the plugs were way overdue (pinging was noticable even at 2500 rpm).
Boy was I surprised when I pulled-out the first driver side plug and saw it was NOT an AC Delco, but a DENSO (12563707 - PTJ16R15).
Further, the wires were all labeled with a 'Packard' name, contrary to the replacement AC Delco wires, which did not have that same label.
So, whereas GM may be putting the not-so-well-liked AC Delco platinum plugs and wires in our Corvettes, it would appear that someone at Pontiac realized the problem with that selection, and decided to NOT use AC Delco as OEM in the 2000 TRANS-AMs.
BTW, the plugs were really shot (center electrode was still flat, but the edges were rounded, HOWEVER, all the platinum pucks were still there, unlike AC Delco's (e.g. on our 94 LT1).
FYI, decided to install NGK's 100k OEM Laser Iridium (ITR5F13 - 6044 -- iridium center electrode with a platinum puck on the ground electrode) and have noticed a big improvement already with only having done the driver side (OMG, the passenger side may require removing the engine -- Fbodys ouch).
...and that is the reason you have them...in 2001 some of us got the Denso's from the factory...my 2001 Corvette got Denso's right from the factory (I checked when the missing puck thing came up around that time)...Packard makes the plug wires for GM too...remember that there are reasons for the changes, strikes by plants producing the parts, running changes...etc. fear not.
Bill
Last weekend I started the tune-up on our 2000 Pontiac Trans-AM LS1 (practically same LS1 engine as in our 2000 C5 ).
We are the original owners, plugs had NEVER been changed, but with 110K, the plugs were way overdue (pinging was noticable even at 2500 rpm).
Boy was I surprised when I pulled-out the first driver side plug and saw it was NOT an AC Delco, but a DENSO (12563707 - PTJ16R15).
Further, the wires were all labeled with a 'Packard' name, contrary to the replacement AC Delco wires, which did not have that same label.
So, whereas GM may be putting the not-so-well-liked AC Delco platinum plugs and wires in our Corvettes, it would appear that someone at Pontiac realized the problem with that selection, and decided to NOT use AC Delco as OEM in the 2000 TRANS-AMs.
BTW, the plugs were really shot (center electrode was still flat, but the edges were rounded, HOWEVER, all the platinum pucks were still there, unlike AC Delco's (e.g. on our 94 LT1).
FYI, decided to install NGK's 100k OEM Laser Iridium (ITR5F13 - 6044 -- iridium center electrode with a platinum puck on the ground electrode) and have noticed a big improvement already with only having done the driver side (OMG, the passenger side may require removing the engine -- Fbodys ouch).
You can get those 2 plugs on the back pass side just need a 1.5" extension and plenty of band aids. I did it on my 98 WS6. Also take the coil packs off and the air tube.
Sorry, I didn't know the AC Delco plug puck problem was eliminated by a switch to Denso starting circa 1999.
I had direct experience (our 94 was missing 3 pucks) that the AC Delco's were still a problem for the C4's (due to limited AC Delco choices), and assumed the problem continued into the C5s until the TSB on the Iridiums was published by GM.
My bad -- I had only lightly followed the issue for our C5 as ours has only 10k and figured I had years before I had to worry about it.
To Craig04c5, thanks for the suggestion -- I had planned on trying that approach -- so hopefully with a new box of bandaids, I'll get the passenger side done next weekendl
Sorry, I didn't know the AC Delco plug puck problem was eliminated by a switch to Denso starting circa 1999.
I had direct experience (our 94 was missing 3 pucks) that the AC Delco's were still a problem for the C4's (due to limited AC Delco choices), and assumed the problem continued into the C5s until the TSB on the Iridiums was published by GM.
My bad -- I had only lightly followed the issue for our C5 as ours has only 10k and figured I had years before I had to worry about it.
To Craig04c5, thanks for the suggestion -- I had planned on trying that approach -- so hopefully with a new box of bandaids, I'll get the passenger side done next weekendl
If I were closer to you I would come over and help you change them out. While it was hard it was very satisfying. To long of an extension and you can't get the plug to back out of the threads and to short and you can't get the socket on the plug.
BTW, several of my Denso OEM plugs on my '99 had missing pucks first time I pulled them.
Ouch -- sounds like I should check to see what plugs are in our 2000 C5 and plan on changing them out earlier regardless.
Originally Posted by silversport
I thought the whole reason for the Denso's was they had no pucks...???
Bill
I Guess it's possible some model Denso's do not have pucks, However, I can tell you that the four I took out of our 2000 TransAm's driver side, all thankfully still had their pucks.
Originally Posted by craig04c5
If I were closer to you I would come over and help you change them out. While it was hard it was very satisfying. To long of an extension and you can't get the plug to back out of the threads and to short and you can't get the socket on the plug.
Wow, thanks for the offer, it sure would be easier having someone else who's done it, right there to share in the misery and beer -- anyway, I'll let you know how I make out.
06-28-2008, 06:28 PM
AC Delco plugs are not always OEM for GM!
-- Fbodys ouch).
