Tune-up

RoGuE · November 14, 2007

I just hit 80,000 miles a little while ago. Is it too early to replace the plugs? If I do, do I need to replace the wires as well? Also, what replacement plugs are best for this car? I am look for efficiency more than anything.

Draenor · November 14, 2007

I just hit 80,000 miles a little hwile ago. Is it too early to rplace the plugs? If I do, do I need to repalce the wires as well? Also, what replacement plugs are best for this car? I am look for efficiency more than anything.

Nope, you can replace them now. Remember these plugs are supposedly last "up to" 100K. If you do replace the plugs defintiely replace the wires. I use only ACDelco.

*Dont forget the antiseize and the plug lube.*

RoGuE · November 14, 2007

And I forgot to mention it is the regular 5.3L.

RoGuE · November 14, 2007

I just hit 80,000 miles a little hwile ago. Is it too early to rplace the plugs? If I do, do I need to repalce the wires as well? Also, what replacement plugs are best for this car? I am look for efficiency more than anything.

Nope, you can replace them now. Remember these plugs are supposedly last "up to" 100K. If you do replace the plugs defintiely replace the wires. I use only ACDelco.

*Dont forget the antiseize and the plug lube.*

Ya, I have changed plugs before on a FWD V6. Man, what a pain it is to get to those back plugs. Hopefully a RWD mounted engine is easier.

C & A s Dad · November 14, 2007

First, I would not consider it too early to change the plugs. GM says they will run 100K and they will. In fact, they will go even further if you want to run them. I just do not like to run them this long. Yes, I would recommend replacing the wires. You will find the OE wires very difficult to remove and you will likely have to put some strength into getting them off. This leaves a lot of room for internal damage. Get good wires, do not mess around with economy wires. Prestolite is our (CARQUEST) premium wire supplier and they are OE on about 70% of all vehicles produced in the US. You cannot go wrong with Belden (NAPA) OE Delco or Standard Motor Products either. Be sure and put dielectric grease back inside the boots on the plugs to help seal them and keep them from sticking. You will need antiseize on the plug threads as well. Use it sparingly.

Make sure the engine is cool when you do it. Hot alum heads will sometime allow the threads to come out with the plug. You do not want this to happen and you will have no problem if the engine is cold. Do the right rear first. Use a flex head 3/8 ratchet with a 1" ext and a sp plug socket. You can lean in there, put the socket right on the plug and take it right out. Some people use a longer extension and a universal joint but I do not like this on plugs. I want the ratchet to be as close to the plug as possible so I can feel what is going on. The other 7 plugs are a breeze.

For the plugs. You will likely find NGK in your truck from the factory. You may find this hard to believe but when you remove the OE plugs, they will have a Delco # on one side and NGK and their # on the other side. GM used NGK for a few years. I have seen only one case where the OE plugs in the early year 5.3 s were not NGKs. I used part #7862 Laser Platinums, which are Plat and Iridium and have been very pleased with them.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

Draenor · November 14, 2007

First, I would not consider it too early to change the plugs. GM says they will run 100K and they will. In fact, they will go even further if you want to run them. I just do not like to run them this long. Yes, I would recommend replacing the wires. You will find the OE wires very difficult to remove and you will likely have to put some strength into getting them off. This leaves a lot of room for internal damage. Get good wires, do not mess around with economy wires. Prestolite is our (CARQUEST) premium wire supplier and they are OE on about 70% of all vehicles produced in the US. You cannot go wrong with Belden (NAPA) OE Delco or Standard Motor Products either. Be sure and put dielectric grease back inside the boots on the plugs to help seal them and keep them from sticking. You will need antiseize on the plug threads as well. Use it sparingly.

Make sure the engine is cool when you do it. Hot alum heads will sometime allow the threads to come out with the plug. You do not want this to happen and you will have no problem if the engine is cold. Do the right rear first. Use a flex head 3/8 ratchet with a 1" ext and a sp plug socket. You can lean in there, put the socket right on the plug and take it right out. Some people use a longer extension and a universal joint but I do not like this on plugs. I want the ratchet to be as close to the plug as possible so I can feel what is going on. The other 7 plugs are a breeze.

For the plugs. You will likely find NGK in your truck from the factory. You may find this hard to believe but when you remove the OE plugs, they will have a Delco # on one side and NGK and their # on the other side. GM used NGK for a few years. I have seen only one case where the OE plugs in the early year 5.3 s were not NGKs. I used part #7862 Laser Platinums, which are Plat and Iridium and have been very pleased with them.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

You sum'ed it up perfectly.

RoGuE · November 14, 2007

For the plugs. You will likely find NGK in your truck from the factory. You may find this hard to believe but when you remove the OE plugs, they will have a Delco # on one side and NGK and their # on the other side. GM used NGK for a few years. I have seen only one case where the OE plugs in the early year 5.3 s were not NGKs. I used part #7862 Laser Platinums, which are Plat and Iridium and have been very pleased with them.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

Are those laser platinums considered the best for the 5.3 right now? They sound like they might be a little pricey. How much would those happen to be each?

Where is the best place to buy wires from?

C & A s Dad · November 15, 2007

I would say they are exactly right for your motor. However, you cannot go wrong with AC plugs either. I will let you know tomorrow an approx cost. You will find many satisfied NGK users on this forum.

ws6_guy · November 15, 2007

NGK & ACDelco are the most prefered plugs. I sugges Taylor spark plug wires. You can find stuff on http://summitracing.com/

C & A s Dad · November 15, 2007

You were correct about the price. The NGKs do run about $9.00 depending one where you go. I think the ACs are in the same price range.

Really, if you think about it this is not too bad. We used to have to replace $2.00 plugs every 20,000 miles or so, now they cost more but they will last a lot longer.

RoGuE · November 15, 2007

You were correct about the price. The NGKs do run about $9.00 depending one where you go. I think the ACs are in the same price range.

Really, if you think about it this is not too bad. We used to have to replace $2.00 plugs every 20,000 miles or so, now they cost more but they will last a lot longer.

When you said, "I used part #7862 Laser Platinums, which are Plat and Iridium and have been very pleased with them." Does that mean that are made out of both platinum and Iridium or are available in either kind?

And either way those NGKs are better than the AC Delcos in both mileage and performance?

Where can I get those NGKs? Autozone?

C & A s Dad · November 15, 2007

I am sorry I was not clear on this. There are some applications of the Laser Series that use an Iridium Center Electrode and a Plat pad on the ground electrode. The 7862 uses Platinum on both the center and the groudn electrode.

NGK does offer an Iridium plug for your truck. It is called the Iridium IX and the part # would be 7164. Iridium has been all the rage for the past couple of years and it is harder than Platinum. In fact it is 6 times harder than Platinum meaning they should last longer. However, a set of Plats will run 100K if you want. I recommended the 7862 Lasers because that was the the OE plug for your truck.

As far as are they better than the AC s? I prefer the NGK simply because that is what GM opted for when they designed this engine. In fact, I was told by an NGK Rep that GM and NGK worked together very closely on this plug when the 5.3 was being developed. My bet would be you would never know the difference in mileage or performance. You may search this forum a little becasue I have read a few posts where some have claimed their idle is not as smooth after replacing with AC plugs. My idle is smooth as warm butter.

Where to get them? I am not sure if AutoZone sells NGK. I do my best not to sound like I am selling something on this forum but I work for CARQUEST Auto Parts and if you have one in your market, we do sell NGK. If not, look for a NAPA or O'Reilly as I know they do as well. If you are not sure, go HERE and we have a store locator.

Norseman · November 15, 2007

Where is the best place to buy wires from?

Get the Prestolite from CARQUEST. You will be very happy with the quality.

And no I don't work for CARQUEST, it just seems that the parts I get from there are always top quality.

RoGuE · November 19, 2007

I am sorry I was not clear on this. There are some applications of the Laser Series that use an Iridium Center Electrode and a Plat pad on the ground electrode. The 7862 uses Platinum on both the center and the groudn electrode.

NGK does offer an Iridium plug for your truck. It is called the Iridium IX and the part # would be 7164. Iridium has been all the rage for the past couple of years and it is harder than Platinum. In fact it is 6 times harder than Platinum meaning they should last longer. However, a set of Plats will run 100K if you want. I recommended the 7862 Lasers because that was the the OE plug for your truck.

Where to get them? I am not sure if AutoZone sells NGK. I do my best not to sound like I am selling something on this forum but I work for CARQUEST Auto Parts and if you have one in your market, we do sell NGK. If not, look for a NAPA or O'Reilly as I know they do as well. If you are not sure, go HERE and we have a store locator.

I am doing this on Thursday so I need to go and collect parts.

I have a few questions still:

I am guessing that platinum will be cheaper than the Iridiums. If there is not a very big difference between them other than the Iridiums last longer than the plats then I will stick with the platinums. Is this a good choice? Since I will be using the platinum it will be the NGK 7862? I have a NAPA and O'Reillys by me.

What wires do they offer at the usual auto parts stores that are good? Or is ACDelco the best?

C & A s Dad · November 19, 2007

I am sorry I was not clear on this. There are some applications of the Laser Series that use an Iridium Center Electrode and a Plat pad on the ground electrode. The 7862 uses Platinum on both the center and the groudn electrode.

NGK does offer an Iridium plug for your truck. It is called the Iridium IX and the part # would be 7164. Iridium has been all the rage for the past couple of years and it is harder than Platinum. In fact it is 6 times harder than Platinum meaning they should last longer. However, a set of Plats will run 100K if you want. I recommended the 7862 Lasers because that was the the OE plug for your truck.

Where to get them? I am not sure if AutoZone sells NGK. I do my best not to sound like I am selling something on this forum but I work for CARQUEST Auto Parts and if you have one in your market, we do sell NGK. If not, look for a NAPA or O'Reilly as I know they do as well. If you are not sure, go HERE and we have a store locator.

I am doing this on Thursday so I need to go and collect parts.

I have a few questions still:

I am guessing that platinum will be cheaper than the Iridiums. If there is not a very big difference between them other than the Iridiums last longer than the plats then I will stick with the platinums. Is this a good choice? Since I will be using the platinum it will be the NGK 7862? I have a NAPA and O'Reillys by me.

What wires do they offer at the usual auto parts stores that are good? Or is ACDelco the best?

If you go with the plats, the 7862 is what you want. NAPA's wires are mfg by Belden and they are good wires. Just be sure you get their premium wires and not their second line. O Reilly's premium wires are supplied by Borg Warner. I really do not think you can go wrong with any of these including the Delco's. Chances are the Delco's are made by another company anyway but you can still count on them to be good quality. You always have the choice of getting Taylor's from an on line source. They are excellent quality and the route I took. Not that I think they are any better than our wires supplied by Prestolite, but becasue I wanted RED wires and we did not offer them.