I've had non emissions headers on one car, which made it easy to change spark plugs. Now, I've got a stock 87 TPI with all of the emissions equipment. It is about impossible to change the plugs on it. So, does anybody know if headers (with air injection tubes) would be easier or harder than the stock setup? I know without them it would be easier, but I'm looking at staying as emissions legal as possible. Any input? Thanks.

 

the smog is on the top,they don't get in the way. if you've done it before, you can do it again! have some confidence in yourself!

 

It just seems like the air tubes make it almost impossible on the stock manifolds. Either they are where I want my hands or tools to go, or the manifold itself is in the way. Just hoping there is more room to work around things with header tubes instead of a manifold. And yeah, the smog is on the top....that's exactly my problem. Or do you do your plugs from underneath?

 

Depending upon the type/brand of header, you may or may not have an easier time.

The typical header has the A.I.R. tubes going in directly to the top of the primary tube, unlike the manifolds where they loop around from the top and go into the side. But, the header primary tubes themselves are a lot more in the way of the plugs than the stock manifolds were, at least in my case.

 

I have TES ... the first couple of times it was hard... now i can change those plugs faster THAN WHEN IT HAD MANIFOLDS!!!! scrap the socket... get a wrench..................

Rob

 

On my IROC with non smog headers, I can do a plug swap in 25 minutes including jacking time. I found out on Friday that if you don't count #5, I can do a plug swap from above in an hour.

But anyway... on my GTA with stock exhaust manifolds, it was a 4 hour project that resulted in my throwing of not less than 4 separate tools. #5 was by far the hardest, and having the POS plug break off in the hole didn't make it any easier. I hope to never do plugs on a stock thirdgen again.