SPARK PLUG change tips for 5.7L HEMI ??

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Anybody have any tips for a successful spark plug change on a 16 plug Hemi 5.7 from 2005? At best they have been changed 50k ago. Currently at 98k. These run copper standard plugs so 30k is the goal. It idles well currently and no codes but i have little doubt the gap is widening and probably taxing the ignition on a scientific level.

The ONLY thing that makes me truly cringe is the possible "pop" and breakage of a plug on removal attempt. I can deal with removing a wheel for access and the typical three hours of general hassle with this delightful Hemi task.

The cringworthy quality of stealerships at $300-$400 for this plug change have me leery due to prior experiences with other underhood components being elbowed and cracked and manhandled.
 
make sure you have extensions and universal joint socket adapter. i laid a blanket down to lay on and just went at it for a couple hours. I also used NGK Iridium plugs and new mopar wires so I dont have to do it again. truck runs great. The plugs under the brake booster are the only tricky ones.
 
I went for the 30K change for my 06. The local NAPA in Chula Vista did not have copper plugs so I went with platinum and there was no issues other than for about 2 weeks I averaged nearly 24 MPG after that everything returned to normal. Changing them was no issue then again I only had about 2 years on the plugs.
 
Originally Posted By: AntsinmyEyes
make sure you have extensions and universal joint socket adapter. i laid a blanket down to lay on and just went at it for a couple hours. I also used NGK Iridium plugs and new mopar wires so I dont have to do it again. truck runs great. The plugs under the brake booster are the only tricky ones.


Could I get away with original wires?

Was the blanket for laying over the engine bay or underneath with wheel well cover off?
 
$300 might not be bad considering the hemis use copper plugs (if I recall) at $3.50 for us but $7 a plug dealership plus the PITA it is to install. It is worth sticking with the OEMs but I agree that it is worth getting a u-joint socket extensions and adapters. They will be your friend
 
I have changed the spark plugs in my Camaro twice during its lifetime, and let me tell you, it was an ordeal. 5 hours to get 8 plugs, four of which must be accessed from below. My hands were cut and bruised something awful. I do it every 90k miles, so I have 20k to go until the next change is required at 270k.
 
Originally Posted By: SumpChump
Originally Posted By: AntsinmyEyes
make sure you have extensions and universal joint socket adapter. i laid a blanket down to lay on and just went at it for a couple hours. I also used NGK Iridium plugs and new mopar wires so I dont have to do it again. truck runs great. The plugs under the brake booster are the only tricky ones.


Could I get away with original wires?

Was the blanket for laying over the engine bay or underneath with wheel well cover off?


yes origninal wires would still work. just better to get it all done at once imo. yea the blanket lays across the fan shroud and spark plug wires. I did not do any through the wheel wells
 
Just changed them on my 2013 5.7 this past weekend. It was actually fairly easy. I may have a little more room in the WK2 bay than the WK though.

One thing that helped quite a bite was a magnetic spark plug socket, on a swivel. I believe it was a gearwrench tool, like $15 on amazon. It would have been way more work without that.

I saw alot of people online saying not to change to platinum's. Whether that was true or not, I went with OEM ($61 shipped for all 16). The Jeep runs great. Its recommended to change ever 30k.

Also, I didnt have any break. They seemed to be tighter than the recommended torque spec of 22ft/lbs but none broke (started with a cold engine in the morning).
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: HemiHawk
Just changed them on my 2013 5.7 this past weekend. It was actually fairly easy. I may have a little more room in the WK2 bay than the WK though.

One thing that helped quite a bite was a magnetic spark plug socket, on a swivel. I believe it was a gearwrench tool, like $15 on amazon. It would have been way more work without that.


Was that the magnetic socket permanently on a swivel with about 2&1/2 built in extension? I think I saw something like that surfing earlier today on the topic.

EDIT: Ah... Maybe this one Gear Wrench Spark Plug Socket 5/8ths


And thanks for sharing your experience.

Maybe I'll blow out the sparkplug tubes with air and the one quick shot of
Kroil for a few minutes.
 
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Yep, it was this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014ZVSVK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have to say, this tool was very nice fitting into some of the tighter spots, and being magnetic there was no chance of dropping a plug.

Here are the plugs I ordered, with amazon prime they seemed to be the best price. I believe the 05 5.7 uses the same (check part numbers though)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LME0BQQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also picked up some dielectric grease for the coil tubes.
 
Originally Posted By: SumpChump
Originally Posted By: HemiHawk

Here are the plugs I ordered, with amazon prime they seemed to be the best price. I believe the 05 5.7 uses the same (check part numbers though)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LME0BQQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also picked up some dielectric grease for the coil tubes.


I heard that the NGK dont need even a small amount of neverseeze....your thoughts anyone?


I trusted it. The fear is that this will cause the plugs to be over torqued. There is a nickle coating that should prevent them from seizing. I could tell there wasn't any on from the factory.
 
Originally Posted By: HemiHawk


Here are the plugs I ordered, with amazon prime they seemed to be the best price. I believe the 05 5.7 uses the same (check part numbers though)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LME0BQQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


For the standard nickel plugs this is not a very good price. you can get the correct plugs for 2005 year at advance or amazon much cheaper. For example


Sandard Champion OEM nickel tip copper core RE14MCC4 $2.00 EA

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-RE14MCC4...ywords=RE14MCC4


$2.50 each at advance auto

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/champ...mp;prefZC=80521



NGK 5306 {#LZTR4A11} V-Power standard nickel OEM equivalent $2.50 ea (on amazon for $4.50 if you search part number) These are the same as the plugs you have posted. Just not in a mopar box and not for later model years.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/ngk-v-power-spark-plug-lztr4a-11-5306/18090198-P


Champion Iridium RE14WMPB4 (9403) $6.30 ea on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-RE14WMPB4-Iridium-Spark-Plug/dp/B002FW2HT8


NGK Iridium $8.00 ea AAP

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/ngk-iridium-ix-spark-plug-2313/20651050-P


and also $8.00 at amazon

https://www.amazon.com/NGK-2313-Spark-Pl...ywords=NGK+2313


In short I would definitely stay away from any package type deals that are overpriced.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: AntsinmyEyes
Originally Posted By: HemiHawk


Here are the plugs I ordered, with amazon prime they seemed to be the best price. I believe the 05 5.7 uses the same (check part numbers though)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LME0BQQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



In short I would definitely stay away from any package type deals that are overpriced.


Looked into it a little more and that is a great price for NGK LZFR5C-11. They are for 2009 and newer hemis but they possibly would work since the engine is pretty similar to 2005.
 
2014+ rams come with iridium plugs.

run the truck hot and pull the plugs fast. good luck.
 
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