I am ready(overdue) to change the plugs. I was wondering what is the best plugs to buy for a 100% stock 04? I think that I'm going with the oem plugs and was wondering if anyone had some input as to the gap, brand. I tryed some of the bosch +4 in another truck and quickly removed them and returned them to the store. Idle was worse than before I changed them. I really don't see any improvement in the high dollar plugs over the oem. How often should they be changed and how difficult is it? It LOOKS like it will be an easy change. :blowup:
hmmm, Guess I will grab some popcorn as I have been wondering the same thing for the wifes SRT10... I bet Kevan and a few others will chime in this evening.
Why not NGK they seem to be a favorite: http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/part_finder/car_truck_suv/results.asp?engineid=1448503
100% stock? Go with the OEM Champion plugs. Test after test have shown that the Champions work best in the Viper engines. Forced Induction/N20? You'll need a colder plug, like the NGK's. It's no party changing them, esp. those two back by the firewall. It's not impossible, but not fun either. I'll check the scheduled maintenance record, but I think it's 30K mi.
No, OEM Champions are copper. Dont let anyone talk you into anything else. Copper plugs may not have as long of a life span, but they are a better PERFORMING plug. Here is a pretty good rundown: Stock: RC12ECC (92-06 Vipers/Ram SRT's. The RC12ECC is better than the RC12LYC, but they can be substituted) <800 Horsepower FI: NGK BKR6E <1000 Horsepower FI: NGK BKR7E or RC10ECC [If you can find them, good luck!]
I received a set (10) of the NGK BKR7E's from Dave W. (Bone), but haven't gone F/I in my truck (yet...LOL) I think he had less than 1000 miles on them. "BKR7EIX-11" is printed on the plugs. Cover shipping and they're out the door to whomever wants them. Also.... DO NOT use the multi-tip plugs (like the Bosch +4 and the like). You risk SERIOUS engine damage if you use those. They work great in some engines, but not the Vipers. DO NOT use the "super spark" plugs. The ones that claim to throw off a surface-of-the-sun-type spark. If you want to arc weld inside your engine, well.....no.....you don't. Trust me on that.
If it's not so much fun how is this. I will do your next time. and you can do all 16 of mine!:whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle:
Ok...I changed 8 plugs...Now guess which 2 that I did not change... I bet you guessed right if you ever changed them yourself. The back 2 on the driver side. How the "F" do you change them with the heat shield around the plug wires? I had to pull out all the other heat shields on the other plugs because none of the 3 plug sockets that I have would fit down to get a bite on the plug. The last 2 I cant figure out how to remove the heat shields(not enough room)to remove the plugs. Even if I did get them out,I would'nt be able to get them back in. Do you guys have any tips or tricks on getting them out?
It's been a while since I did the plugs. I don't remember how I did those bad boys in the back. It might be "loosen with wrench; take out by hand" then "thread in with hand; tighten with wrench". Next time the hood is up and the engine is under 200F, I'll re-enact it.
No...the heat shield is the problem...The socket won't fit around the plug at the base to get a bite on it. The heat shield has to come out like the others. The problem is there is not enough room to get it out. And there surely not enough room to tap it back in.
You're going to have to mutilate the shield to get it out. Some guys use THESE, or make something similar.
I finally got them in. I did it caveman style..:sweat: I grabed the shields with a regular pair of pliars and worked them out. To put them back in, I mashed the diameter closed just a little bit and sprayed wd-40 on them and tapped them back in with the ratchet handle. Almost worth the 130.00 to let the dealer do it.(ALMOST):censored: I WILL be buying the ones from jegs before the next replacement!!! :ilovesrtc:
Just got back and saw this. I remember using pliers as well. I wrapped the jaws in a layer of duct tape to prevent the shields from getting marked. The heat shield cloth that Jake posted is a good move. I'll probably do that next plug change (along with new wires...heh heh).
Glad it all worked out, Snakz. :miner: The boots from Jegs are almost grotesquely expensive... They only sell them in singles or packs of 8 (so, it's $80 either way). I have a buddy that made his own for his Viper.... let me see if I can get a hold of Dennis and see what he used. :shifty:
A thin walled socket would, without a doubt be the easiest way to do it...but...out of the 4 spark plug sockets, none would fit down far enough to bite. I have an auto zone brand, craftsman, snap-on, and the good o'l chinese made. :hmm:
