C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Spark Plug Change?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 2, 2015 | 10:34 PM
  #1  
Glock 23C's Avatar
Glock 23C
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 579
Likes: 130
From: Chaska Minnesota
Default Spark Plug Change?

2001 Coupe-Stock. I am looking for advice on if or when I should change out my spark plugs. I have just over 50,000 miles on the car. It is driven pretty easy with occasional hot runs down ramps or long stretches. It runs great. Since my car is not driven year round like a normal car, i wonder if the owner's manual is a good reference for this maintenance. I drive it April thru November and then park it for the winter. I am interested in the opinions of folks a lot smarter than me on these matters. And how about plug wires or other related items I might consider to change out performance related. Thx for your time and advice.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2015 | 11:25 PM
  #2  
dork's Avatar
dork
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 237
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
Default

If they're the originals I'd change the plugs just because they've been for 14 years. I'd recommend a change just so you can start the clock over again. I changed mine out when I installed headers (at 12 years and 75,000 miles) and it took a breaker bar to break mine loose. I was praying and sweating each plug I removed. At least six of mine were in *extremely* tightly.

Coat each new plug with anti-seize and each boot with electrical grease so the wires don't stick to the plugs. Everything I've read says that the vast majority of owners tear at least one plug wire and the general recommendation is to replace the set with the plugs anyway.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2015 | 12:00 AM
  #3  
tblu92's Avatar
tblu92
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 326
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Default

Your car is 14 years old---I would deff. change the plug wires----I like the GM RED wires the best
As for the plugs---These new material plugs can last 50-100K miles--
The problem is if you have never taken them out yet or if you wait til 100K miles to change them-- the plugs get stuck in heads--They sorta get carbon welded into the holes---Often you will break them in two when removing them OR strip the threads
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2015 | 10:45 AM
  #4  
CaseyJones's Avatar
CaseyJones
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Default

It's a chore for sure. Care and patience are required. Getting the old boots off was the hardest part for sure when I changed mine at ~60K miles.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2015 | 12:02 PM
  #5  
grantv's Avatar
grantv
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Default

I would change it out; plugs and wires (you'll never remove the wires without breaking them). I did it last year at 40K miles when I did my headers. After so many years, why not.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2015 | 12:54 PM
  #6  
Glock 23C's Avatar
Glock 23C
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 579
Likes: 130
From: Chaska Minnesota
Default

Thx for the input guys. I will replace both wires and plugs to be on the safe side. It will happen either this fall or in the spring.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2015 | 01:20 PM
  #7  
StingrayRebel's Avatar
StingrayRebel
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,271
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

nice user name, I have the non-compensated version myself
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2015 | 03:41 PM
  #8  
Big_George_S's Avatar
Big_George_S
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
Default

Originally Posted by Glock 23C
Thx for the input guys. I will replace both wires and plugs to be on the safe side. It will happen either this fall or in the spring.


Good choice, review the post on how to, the rear plugs are tough to get to be patient and use a good spark plug socket with a knuckle. the sponge in the socket will help you hold in the plug when you go to replace them. Definitely us anti-seize on installation of new plugs.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Nov 3, 2015 | 08:33 PM
  #9  
Glock 23C's Avatar
Glock 23C
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 579
Likes: 130
From: Chaska Minnesota
Default

Originally Posted by neutron82
nice user name, I have the non-compensated version myself
I don't want to turn this into a gun thread, but since you brought it up I am kind of a Glock head. The Gen3 23C for off duty and the Gen4 23 for duty. And then there are the Smith revolvers. Vettes and Guns for hobbies--Ain't America GREAT? USA! USA!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Spark Plug Change?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:46 AM.

story-0
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE
story-9
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

Slideshow: Check out these easy-to-install upgrades from Extreme Online Store that reshape the look and feel of the C6 Corvette.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-03-23 17:00:27


VIEW MORE