Had 102k so I guess it was time. Boy are they hideous! 100k spark plug changes my a$$. I'd suggest if you're nearing the 60-75k range I'd get them done. Can't wait to see what kind of mileage I get now!

Took a little under 3 hours to do start to finish. Wasn't as horrible as some like to let on here. Definately easier then changing them on a Subaru SVX. Just have to take a little bit of stuff off, only 1 screw that is pretty well hidden on the back of the intake.

 

My X has 56K on it , thinking about doing the plugs at the end of summer, want to get the oil pan gasket done in the next week. would you mind saying what you used and what other parts you ordered to do the complete job. This way I know what to order over the summer as I happen to order other things. 3 hours sounds pretty good. Any special tools?

 

A screw driver, 7mm socket, 8mm socket, 10mm socket, 1 1/4 inch extension on the 1/4 rachet and the 5/8" plug socket with a 6 inch extension. Then of course a pair of pliers for the intake hose and a torque wrench for reassembly. Took the filter box off (two screws down in the box release it from the snorkel going to the grille), take off the silencer thingie right behind it. The top of the air filter box can be sat over on the battery box. The fronts are now accessable. For the rear remove the 5 bolts holding the intake down on the front. Remove the oil vent hose from the intake side and it will slide away, Remove the 3 bolts on the rear firewall side of the intake (1 is down kinda far and in the center so you need some skinny hands) then remove the 2 on the sides of the intake. Take off the electrical connectors and you should be able to pull it up enough to have access to the spark plug coils. I didn't remove the vac lines or the throttle body. The gaskets are more like o rings and looked perfectly fine (just be sure not to bitch 'em up taking it off or putting back on. If you haven't done the air filter in a while you might as well since you have it all opened.

 

Thanks Ben, sounds pretty straight forward. I am not used to taking off intake manifolds for changing sparkplugs but in sounds like they made it easy enough.

 

Simple, not really, it is much easier in my TVR and that requires 4 different extensions, a elbow and a wrench on the plug socket for one plugs... straightforward would be a better description. Those back ones are a PITA. Also be sure to make sure all your electrical connectors are connectable before bolting down the manifold. I had one that decided to lay down and then had to debolt it to get it up.