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Topic: Spark Plugs

in Forum: Special Edition Vettes


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Spark Plugs (1/11)
 9/24/04 8:49am
Toms82
Former Member

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Vette(s):
1982 Collector Edition


Joined: 3/12/2004
Posts: 67

Hi,
Is it possible to remove the spark plugs from an 82CE without going under the car? Any recommendations as to what type of plugs to use?
Thanks,
Tom |headscratch|

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Spark Plugs (2/11)
 9/25/04 6:39am
82CE
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Sterling Heights, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Collector Edition, color is silver/beige.


Joined: 11/13/2003
Posts: 110

After installing all of the upgrades outlined above.....what is the basic gain from not going stock. I read and understand each item but what is actually gained or realized in the performance of the car? Is it really measureable? Because of my novice automotive "hands-on" experience I have read many threads which propose some upgrades. The parts used are explained but is the extra cost really justified and the difference is never really presented.

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Mike
Spark Plugs (3/11)
 9/25/04 12:31pm
kstyerLifetime Member
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!


Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

The key to any upgrade is to do it with a total goal in mind, and consider the other aspects of the car.
Some upgrades will help a lot in one car, and hurt in another car. If you do some thing to help one area, such as low torque, and something else, say high rpm, the overall effect could be to actually slow the car down. You may hurt the performance in one area, or overall drop.

The example of bosch plugs. They have less resistance then AC plugs. So the spark at the plug is longer lasting, but cooler. You could have some very negative effects from the cooler plugs. Hense, the high output coil. Note the two compensate each other for a break even at some rpm, but at higher rpm the spark may have more duration without fading. By also adding the low resistance wires, the effect is now a better spark at high rpm.

The low resistance plug or wires alone would cause a cooler spark and would likely hurt performance. The two together without the coil could make the car a real dog. At low rpm the plugs could easily foul. The coil alone would have too much power for the stock wires and plugs, and would cause ignition breakdown and arcing at the wires. This would drop performance. Doing the coil and wires, but not plugs, would make the spark longer, but the spark temp would raise too much and could damage the spark plugs.

All of these thing vary depending on each component in the combination. Some coils are bit stronger, and work well with stock components. Some are much stronger, and would fry stock components.

Again, the key is a complete combination that all parts complement each other. It does take some research. The guys at Summit racing tech line can help. So can the tech lines for Holly, etc. You may need to make several calls. Each one will recommend their products. And each will be good, but some will be better. Do the homework, learn all you can for what you want to do, then post the results found here and see if someone else has done that, and how it worked. Keeping in mind the other person here may have a different cam, compression, emissions etc.

Nope, it's not easy. The more people you talk to, the better. Don't forget to ask what someone did that did not work.
Spark Plugs (4/11)
 9/25/04 1:01pm
Toms82
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Vette(s):
1982 Collector Edition


Joined: 3/12/2004
Posts: 67

Hi,
Thanks for the advise. I'm just trying to smooth out my idle, so I figured I'd start with the plugs. The L83 motor in my 82 has a lot of issues that hinder performance, but I just cruise around town with the car, so I don't need alot of power.
Regards,
Tom |cheers|

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Spark Plugs (5/11)
 9/25/04 2:20pm
kstyerLifetime Member
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!


Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

For your situation, I would stick with the AC
Spark Plugs (6/11)
 9/25/04 7:36pm
dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe


Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6833

Ken
You are an AWESOME resource!!! |rollysmile| |rollysmile| |rollysmile|
Thanks from every reader. |thumb| |thumb| |thumb|

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Spark Plugs (7/11)
 9/26/04 9:01pm
kstyerLifetime Member
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!


Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

Glad to help where I can. I learn a lot from everyone else as well. Thanks all.
Spark Plugs (8/11)
 9/24/04 9:06am
kstyerLifetime Member
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!


Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

It's possible, but easier to get under.

If the car is stock use A/C Delco plugs.
Spark Plugs (9/11)
 9/24/04 1:13pm
82CE
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Sterling Heights, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Collector Edition, color is silver/beige.


Joined: 11/13/2003
Posts: 110

If you are jacking up either side of the car,I found it easiest to reach the rear two plugs, closest to the firewall, from underneath. The front two plugs you can get to through the wheel wells.

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Mike
Spark Plugs (10/11)
 9/24/04 3:25pm
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

I agree...use AC plugs. Unless a car came with the newer exotic type of spark plug, there's no advantage to using anything other than OE type plugs. All you'll do is lighten your wallet with the exotic type and your car won't run any different.
Spark Plugs (11/11)
 9/24/04 3:47pm
snivek73
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St. Louis, MO - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Corvette Stingray Coupe. All origional car - #'s Matching, white with saddle interior.


Joined: 8/5/2003
Posts: 46

I agree with all that has been said here.
However, if you are looking to upgrade the ignition...here's what I used on my '73 and the results have been amazing.
I converted the stock points type distributor to a Pertronics digital "solid state" type and used the Pertronics "Flame Thrower 2" high output coil. I think the whole set up was around 150.00 or so from Summit Racing. In addition to this, I recently upgraded the cap and rotor to MSD (all copper conducters...MUCH better than the standard brass)...it was $24.00 on sale at Advance Auto Parts. Also went to the 8.5MM MSD Super Conductor wire set ($92.00) at Advance Auto. The wires have the lowest resistance per foot of any wire out there (compare 40 ohms per foot on the MSD to over 200 ohms per foot of stock). Keep in mind that OHMS are a measurement of electrical resistance...or...the ability to move an electrical signal or current through a conductor. In comparison, My spark was running through a garden hose and now it's running through a fire hose. Also running the Bosch Platinum Plugs (just the regular one..not the +2 or +4).
I really didn't notice much more power off the line, but when it hits the 3,000 RPM mark...hold on! Just really pulls hard. Now I'm still using the stock exhaust manifolds so this was really a great improvement.

If you do all this, the set-up should last you for 50,000 miles if your engine is running clean.

Good luck!
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