Well, I just got the package from JOD with my NGK plugs and getting ready to do the plug swap (when it decides to stop raining). I need any kind of help you folks ccan come up with in either text or picture form. I talked to Jim at JDM and he said that it isn't that bad but I'm no mechanic. I tried getting quotes from the dealers around here and they want $150-$250 to install the plugs. A list of tools needed and ANY tricks you have found on how to do this will be great.

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2000 White Lightning #808
New Mods as of May 7 2001:
JDM 90mm air intake kit.
JDM Warm Weather Program
Previous Mods:
Pro-M 80mm mass air meter
Superchips R9 chip
Best Stock E/T: 13.92@99.64mph
Best E/T with mods so far:
13.395@101.53mph

 

Uh....I dont care how long it takes you, do it yourself!!! I let the dealer change them on my 97 Expy 5.4, Not only was the price way too high but they scratched (goudged) the tops of both front fenders bad enough that they need to be repainted!!!! The dealership said they would pay for it,but still, Ive kept this Expy scratch and dent free for nearly 4 years and inside of a day, they screw it all to hell!! I wanted to hurt somebody. Anyways,goodluck and just take your time with it.

 

If you have a heavy bag, i'd suggest you hit it bare knuckled for a couple of days, to toughen them up. ice down some beer the morning of "the change". you will want to drink them all, later that evening.

 

Its really not all that bad. I thought it would be a pain in the *** too. but its more or less the tools that you need to do the work. having the EGR stuff out of the way helps allot too, but I just did mine last night. I did my plugs at the track and it took me about 2.5 to 3 hours to do them. First time too. I'm confident that I could get them done in about an hour now, and maybe faster with the EGR stuff gone. Just remember to put anti seize on the plugs, and if you do plan on running NITROUS then you should go with a TR8 or TR9. this is what I was told by the NX guy and trust me, the TR6's don't last to long on a nitrous application. I melted five out of the 8 electrodes on mine in about 2 passes. Not a good Idea, so I'm going to try the TR8's and ('s and see how well they do.

tools required: 1/4 and 3/8 swivel, a whole bunch of different extensions, and the rachet's. also the 8mm socket and plug socket. make sure you got one with the rubber or else you'll never get those damn plugs out. Have fun, and remeber that if you can do this on an L, you can do anything to her. HAHAHAHA thats why mines always broke. J/K.

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I found the best advice was to get a 1/4" drive 7mm socket/universal joint combination. I bought one at Sears for $7.50 and it was worth every cent. Start on #1 (right front) and work your way in order, that way you get practice before you get to the left side. #5 (left front) is tough under that bracket, #7 tougher and #8 is a BITCH! I just lost the scabs off my wounds from getting that little coil screw back in. I started at 10 in the morning and, with the half-hour trip to Sears, had the first 7 in by lunchtime. #8 took me an hour and a half! Good luck.

 

Go to Sparkplugs section on the link below to find instructions.

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Later,
Chuck
Black 00
Chuck's Lightning Page

 

Done it twice. It is not that bad. The only one I had real trouble with is the drivers side under the fuel rail connector.

I used masking tape to stick the 7 mm screw to the socket for replacement, made it a LOT easier. Start it a turn or 2 and pull the tape off. Then tighten it.

Other than the 3rd from front on drivers side, I could do then all in an hour now. But I have (2) 200 piece Tool sets.
There are a couple good web pages with pointers around.
Good Luck.

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Picked up Silver 2000 Lightning 2/28/00!!
1st run 13.9 sec 1/4 !! Best Run 13.025
Silver_2000@SVTLightnings.com

www.SVTLightnings.com

2000 Lightning, FMS 3.73 gears ( Expensive ), PSP 4 Way Chip, PSP Intake, Valentine 1, Snuglid, Bedrug, Lighted Ford Logos, Superchip R9, and 3m Panther Black nickel tint, Clear corners., Boston Acoustics 5x7s and Components, Alpine v12 5 channel Amp and JL Sub, Chrome SVT Rims and G Force R1a Autocross Tires, .
Link to my profile because the UBB doesnt support semicolons any more

 

Check out Chucks site, lots of help.
I just changed mine today. 2hours and no skined knuckles. start on pass. side, much easier. 3rd back on drivers side sucks. It helps to remove the injector connection on that one. I'd do it all day for 150.00 a truck.
Mike

 

Some things that help, Use an air hose to clean the plug holes out before you remove the plugs, and to clean around the coil packs before you remove them.

Dont drop anything, you will really cus if you drop one of the coil pack screws and it doesn't hit the ground.( this one cost me an hour one day)

Save the cold ones till after the job is done, this will keep some problems to a minimum.

My worst day changin plugs is when the neighbors drop by to chat and want to help.
Dale

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Black 00'
12.977 @ 110.49
full weight, stock F1's

 

I agree, check out Chuck's site for that.

 

Thanks a lot for all the info guys. As soon as I get a day without rain here in SE Michigan, I'll start work. Hopefully this will stop the pinging I get at tip in with the JDM toys. Look out 12s, here I come!!!

DHFerguson: I just noticed that you live in Ann Arbor. Thats a stones throw from where I'm at. How bout I get a case of the cold ones and we put em in together. LOL

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2000 White Lightning #808
New Mods as of May 7 2001:
JDM 90mm air intake kit.
JDM Warm Weather Program
Previous Mods:
Pro-M 80mm mass air meter
Superchips R9 chip
Best Stock E/T: 13.92@99.64mph
Best E/T with mods so far:
13.395@101.53mph

[This message has been edited by OleSprky (edited 05-24-2001).]

 

The local dealership charged me $47.00. I've changed enough plugs in my life and for 47 bucks I didn't want to jack with it.

 

It's really not that bad! [b]Go to Chucks web site[b/] it will save you a bunch of time. The only thing I would add is get a telescoping magnet, it makes dealing with the 7mm coil pack bolts a breaze.

 

Lastly, get some neosporin and band-aids ready for your knuckles.



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Adam
01 Black Lightning - JDM 'FlipChipenfiltered','Straightpiped', 'splitfired', 'billetted', 'Neoned', and 'Grooved' thanks to Blaupunkt, Alpine, Sony, Clarion, Dynomat, and MTX