Replacing spark plugs after cam install for tune

[JehalinTA]

Hey guys,

I called a local guy in the Tulsa area that is known for tuning LS1 engines. I recently did a Cam and spring install and put LT headers on last September, which was when I replaced the spark plugs to NGK Iridium plugs. He recomended replacing the plugs for optimal power before bringing it in for a tune. I told him that the plugs were replaced less than a year ago and the car isnt a DD so probably put only a few thousand miles on them. He said that they definately need to be changed then and he would change them every oil change if it was his car?! I have never heard of this and think that is excessive. Would you guys recommend this before I drop a few hundred on a tune. Thanks.

[pajeff02]

NGK Iridium plugs have an 80,000 to 100,000 mile recommended change interval if I recall correctly. That being said, I would probably swap them out at about 25,000 to 40,000 miles, but that's just me. Unless a half of a horsepower is really going to make a difference to you, I think your plugs are probably fine. Changing spark plugs with every oil change is only a requirement if your engine burns more oil than gasoline.

[Knight]

Agree with Jeff. I see no reason to change plugs that often.


It would also throw a red flag up for having him tune it, at least for me. He may do a great job for all I know, but when someone says something like that, it makes me call into question how much they really do know. Being a little cautious about who works on your car isn't a bad thing, and can save you many future headaches.

[transamtom]

Unless that thing is burning two quarts of oil between between changes your plugs will be fine.

Its a modern fuel injected vehicle with a coil per cylinder and a very short wire,kind of hard to foul them.

Get a hold of Steve Williams (Frost) and get one of his mail order tunes he knows his stuff.JMHO

[JehalinTA]

Thanks guys that makes more sense than what he said. The guy who answered the phone was different from a guy I talked to before at the shop so he may just be a front desk employee because the other guy appeared to be more knowledgeable. I have heard nothing but good things about Frost, however I heard that there is a benefit to getting it tuned on a dyno also it's nice to know numbers after mods. This shop said to do a speed-density test during the tune. I am no expert on tunes so I might do more research before taking it to his shop.