ls2 spark plug removal question

[Peter M.]

Though I have 71 LT-1, hope don't mind but have a question on my 2006 gto which I bought new as my commuter car. I have long commute(almost all highway) so have 145K plus miles. Still getting 24 mpg but figure I should change the plugs and wires anyway.

The 2006 GTO, for those who do not know, came with the Corvette LS2. Question - since this is aluminum motor, do I warm up the engine before taking out the plugs or do I take them out with engine cold. Never worked on aluminum engine before so petrified of stripping spark plug hole. Any tips appreciated.

Thanks

Pete

[Tom H.]

Re: ls2 spark plug removal question

Remove and install in a cool engine.

[Clem Z.]

Re: ls2 spark plug removal question

i would take it to a experience shop that has done this before because they know what to look for so there is no problems when removing the plugs. pulling out the threads in the heads would not be fun to fix

[Peter M.]

Re: ls2 spark plug removal question

Tom/Clem thanks for feedback appreciated.

Clem - you have me wondering if there is more background to your answer. Now that Tom answered it(do it cold), I just assumed pulling this was like any plug. Your response has me concerned--is that because it is difficult to do even cold(i.e. do the plugs seat really tight and even cold you are concerned I could strip as a novice?) Let me know.

Tom - so I gather your guys pull a customer in to shop and let sit till motor is cold. Is there any other tricks overall or for a specific plug?

And for what it is worth, i find the ls2 engine amazingly smooth. Just wish the gto was 600 lbs lighter like back in the day when I had 65 and 66 gto's!!

[Tom H.]

Re: ls2 spark plug removal question

Although we don't do plugs often anymore, we always do it cold. A customer's car is always dropped off and allowed to cool before a plug is removed.

[Jim T.]

Re: ls2 spark plug removal question

Having a 96 LT4 with plug change at 100K I have a ways to go. However I do have the service manual and having a cold engine is when the plugs are removed from its aluminum heads.
If you remove the plugs from your GTO recommend using anit-sieze on the new plugs. Spark plug torque for aluminum heads is lower than cast iron heads. For my LT4 with it is only 15 ft. lbs.
I just changed the plugs in my 96 Monte Carlo this year and it has aluminum heads with the same spark plug torque of 15 ft. lbs. It has has a label under the hood about only removing spark plugs from a cold engine.

[Clem Z.]

Re: ls2 spark plug removal question

Having a 96 LT4 with plug change at 100K I have a ways to go. However I do have the service manual and having a cold engine is when the plugs are removed from its aluminum heads.
If you remove the plugs from your GTO recommend using anit-sieze on the new plugs. Spark plug torque for aluminum heads is lower than cast iron heads. For my LT4 with it is only 15 ft. lbs.
I just changed the plugs in my 96 Monte Carlo this year and it has aluminum heads with the same spark plug torque of 15 ft. lbs. It has has a label under the hood about only removing spark plugs from a cold engine.

GM does not recommend anti seize on LS engines that is why i posted take it to someone who has experience doing these plug changes.

[Bill H.]

Re: ls2 spark plug removal question

Well, this is my first post here, just rejoined, I was a member in the late '70s.

What the guys have said is correct, cold/cool engine.

With that mileage, the old ones will be in there tight.

What Jim said about antisieze is important and it will make the next removal easy.
And with antisieze, you can pull plugs at any engine temp, we do it all the time at the track.

Torque values should be lower when using antisieze but for plugs, 15 lbs is fine. I just did this on my 92 LT1 using a torque wrench.

[Tom H.]

Re: ls2 spark plug removal question

<LI type=1>From the GM service manual. <LI type=1><LI type=1>Remove the fuel rail covers.Caution: Allow the engine to cool before removing the spark plugs. Attempting to remove the spark plugs from a hot engine may cause the plug threads to seize, causing damage to cylinder head threads.
Caution: Clean the spark plug recess area before removing the spark plug. Failure to do so could result in engine damage because of dirt or foreign material entering the cylinder head, or by the contamination of the cylinder head threads. The contaminated threads may prevent the proper seating of the new plug. Use a thread chaser to clean the threads of any contamination.