Spark plugs and wires

[derf]

I'm coming up on 90K miles and I want to start thinking about replacing the plugs and wires. I've read that the stock plugs and wires aren't bad. But are there better out there?

[camarochevy1970]

how you modified anything on the car?

[derf]

how you modified anything on the car?

[edit] I added details in my sig.

It's pretty much a stock 5.7 with bolt ons. Intake, cat back, handheld programmer. Nothing fancy. I may add headers in the next year or two.

When I go the Maggie/cam/heads route, I'm sure I'm going to need different plugs but I'll worry about that when it comes.

Also, when is the recommended time to replace the coil packs?

[camarochevy1970]

stock plugs and wires should be fine then. As far as coil packs, run them until they die

[Lancer-AM]

I went to a TR5 plug from NGK after I broke one of mine in an act of tired stupidity. They have been great so far. Are they better than what was there? Well that is still up for debate but I haven't had an issue. For FI they say to go to something like a TR6. The factory coil packs from what I understand are pretty good. You don't see too many people replace them till around 700-800hp.

[Pappa Prich]

Hey man, with your mods the stock ones will be just fine. If you are looking to upgrade, do it with the headers. That is when I had the plugs replaced with a TR55 NGKs and I have since replaced the wires with Hendrix Engineering wires when I did the cam.

[derf]

So where's the best place to get stock replacements? I'm sure the stealership charges a lot for them. Can I just go to my local parts store and buy the AC Delco or is there something else I need to look for?

[camarochevy1970]

just go to Advance Auto, and buy Ac Delco, or NGK. Either way you don't need anything fancy

[Kingsize]

Use your stock wires and get a stock replacement or equivalent iridium plug. NGK makes an equivalent iridium under part number BKR5EIX-11. They will work great for you and they are not too difficult to find most auto parts stores.

[MuhThugga]

I get NGK TR5 copper V-Powers from Pep Boys for like $16 for all 8.

When you do headers, you may need to get MSD wires for clearance purposes.

[gage]

my stock wires contacted the jba shorties hard when i tried using those, the msd wires cleared with no hassles

[Kingsize]

Strange, I'm still using stock wires with my ARH headers. To the OP, you are going to have to find out what works for you as far as wires, seems like it is hit or miss as far as fitment.

[camarochevy1970]

yep, stock wires here with my Stainless works headers, and no issues at all with clearance

[derf]

Well, I have stock manifolds right now so stock wires should do fine.

I'll worry about the wires if they hit the headers I buy.

[MuhThugga]

Like I said, you may or may not have clearance issues. I did, so I replaced. No need to change them now, though. Just letting you know in advance.

[mygto]

I would go with the Hendrix wires they are sweet!

[iblubyu]

Yea id stay with the compatible plug and stock wires....

[Hummina]

stock wires are fine. matter of fact the only raeson i replaced mine was for header clearence like others have stated

[05cyclone]

When I swapped mine I put in NGK plugs and MSD Wires.

[derf]

I know it's probably listed somewhere but just so it's contained in the thread, what's the gap for the stock plugs?

[gage]

i set mine to 0.58 but i believe the margin is 0.55-0.60

[Kingsize]

I know it's probably listed somewhere but just so it's contained in the thread, what's the gap for the stock plugs?

i set mine to 0.58 but i believe the margin is 0.55-0.60


Now that's a huge gap. LOL Over half an inch huh...

The gap for 04 GTO's were .060. The LS2 spark plug gap in the 05-06 GTO's have always been .040. A service bulletin was issued for the 04 GTO's and they are now gaped at .040 according to the service information for AC/Delco plugs from GM.

[BillsMafia]

When I ordered my headers I ordered NGK plugs..

[GFORCE1320]

I've had real good luck with MSD wires and NGK plugs.
I'll be introducing a new set of plug wires here real soon but they will be over kill for what your needing.
Not wires that I make, just a new line that most have not heard of. They are made by a company that make the wires for the big boys, ProMods and outlaw cars.
Best on the market hands down IMO. You'll be hearing some of the GTO heavy hitters switching to these.

[LILGTO]

I have msd 8mm wires, and ngk tr55 plug. No problems so far.

[littlecrunch2000]

I have had 2 sets of MSD wires. First one dried up on me and the boots just crumbled off. I have since replaced them with another set of MSD wires. Ive always ran them on my cars so I was a little biased. Other than the boots issue, no problems thus far.

[derf]

I finally got around to swapping in the new plugs. I went with the basic stock replacement AC delco. I also ended up screwing up a couple of the wires (hand slipped off the plug and jerked the wire) so I went ahead and bought a basic Autozone replacement set. No one had any "performance" wire sets in stock and I didn't really think they were all that necessary for a mostly stock car.

I just ran out to grab a pizza after finishing up and I can already tell that it's running a little better. Nothing huge but my SOTP meter and my "highly calibrated" ear noticed it running more smoothly than it was.

I know they say that you can go 100K miles with these plugs and I guess you can but changing them out early (at 87K in my case) is worth it.

[TrendKill6.0]

I bought some NGKs a while back (don't remember what kind, they were expensive), and I am going to try the AC Delco Iridiums with my MSD wires. Any comments on these plugs?