I have to change the spark plugs and am also doing the clutch. I was going to tackle the plugs next weekend but thought maybe the plugs would be accessible when doing the clutch in which case I would wait and do them together.

So with all that said, are the plugs accessible when doing the clutch or would I still have to remove rear bumper and the intercoolers?

Thanks!

 

i did plugs this weekend. many have said the plugs can be done from underneath but i couldnt even get the heat shields off. rather to say i could get them off by letting the bolts fall out but no way i could them back into the shields when done. removed the bumper and i/c and was done i 1 hr later

 

Im wondering with the tranny down though if I can get to them from the other side?

 

tranny wont have anything to do with the plugs. the turbos are in the way if you have k24 in the oem position. for me there just isnt enough room to get my hands in there

 

can anyone tell where to get step by instructions on changing plugs. Thanks

 

the easiest way but not necessarily the fastest way is as follows

1. remove bumper and tailights
2 remove intercoolers
3 bend up the heat shields
4 remove the heat shields from the lower engine area
5 remove the coil packs
6 remove the plugs

reinstall in reverse order

 

it's all in here man.. gotta love ecs. the whole maintenance kit w/plugs and all oil/filters etc is like $150.00.

here's the complete diy instructions on plugs/oil/filters etc.

http://bd8ba3c866c8cbc330ab-7b26c6f3...anceupdate.pdf

 

have you done it? how long does it take? does it require much experience? thanks
what would dealer charge? MY car has only 31k miles but skips at around 5000 RPMs

 

yes i have done it twice. but im a wrench from way back and a glutton for punishment! its a fairly easy job unless a coil pack bolt strips or a plug cracks and breaks. mine were installed by a gorilla the first time. thought i would break them off getting them loose.

figure 8 hrs for a first timer and not knowing how it all comes apart and not knowing what tools are needed. its a 2 out of 10 job if you take your time.

use plastic baggies for all the hardware and separate and tag them. put the bumper out of the way so it doesnt get scratched. dont bang up the fins of the intercoolers. you can remove the entire i/c package ducts and i/c and frames in 1 package. its easier for me to do it that way as i built 4.5" i/c and they fill the entire area up

 

thanks I'll keep it all in mind. Any other obvious stuff to do when its all apart?
Any idea what a dealer would charge?
Any thoughts on whether tune up might be causing skipping and jerking at around 5000 RPMs or if its in ignition system. I have no cell on but OBD check says cylinder 5?

 

without codes its just a guess but sounds like a misfire in cyl 5. could be coilpack, or plugs.
dealer most likely charge about 1000$ or more.
boost leakdown test, oil change, cam sensor mounts, and check all boost hoses or replace them with silicone while its apart

 

thanks so much for the help!

 

no probem. trying to give back a little of what the guys on here have given me

this should help
http://www.renntech.org/forums/tutor...-instructions/

 

the links broken.. just repost the one i did. ( chopped liver here lol )

 

guess you need to register on the site. it works fine for me