Minor Modding/Tuning Up

**brandonl2000** · 07-07-2010

okay. thx!

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 07-07-2010

no problem

**blueguy** · 07-07-2010

Just tell them they need to weld a new bung for the o2 sensor and make sure they put it on the side and not on the top like the factory one or it won't work.

**brandonl2000** · 07-07-2010

aw man..i dont want to chance someone messing it up.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 07-07-2010

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

aw man..i dont want to chance someone messing it up.

just tell them that you want the u bend gone and have them put the senosr on the side instead. Its all about talking with them so they do it right. You should be able to watch them do it, so you will be able to know what they are doing.

**Rust** · 07-07-2010

Stock U-bend, Pretty bad. It is done that way to gaurantee that the O2 never snags on anything. Seems to be a solution to a problem that does not really happen very often.
http://www.zzperformance.com/products_img/504_2.jpg

The fix, instead of crushing the pipe into a U, the O2 sensor goes in the side. You get easier, straighter flow.
http://www.hoganperformance.com/ubd1.jpg
These mods do not affect emissions.
If you are unsure, then you should probably wait and see how you feel about it later.

**brandonl2000** · 07-07-2010

okay sounds great. the pics helped! thanks! i'll definitely make sure to get that done, eventually. i've got to get the car first, get the intake gasket done, take it to the dealer for the valve cover recall, new plugs/wires, THEN inspection, then tags. then i can have my fun

lol

**motorking** · 07-13-2010

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

On a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8L, I am wanting to do a basic tune up when I get it. I would like to put new plugs and wires and do the oil and fluids etc. I was reading the "Safely Modding" thread and it was talking about putting cooler plugs in there. It has a stock engine. I intend to put a short ram intake on it a little later on. Which plugs do I need; Autolite 605 or 606? What is 1 heat range cooler going to do and what could it hurt?
Also I would like to replace the thermostat, as keeping the engine cooler would be more efficient, correct? So which is better; the 160 or 180? I don't want to mess up and end up hurting my performance.
And what is step 8 where you do the Transmission Pan Drop/New GM Transmission Filter? in detail... and is it even necessary?

Thanks!

Brandon,
I work as the technical manager at Autolite. As long as you have not done anything to raise the boost or compression in your car, you should not use a colder spark plug. there is simply no benefit to doing so at all. What may happen is a fouled spark plug, a failed cold start or partially fouled plugs. The reason you would need to go to a colder plug can be found by watching the videos posted at www.autolitechallenge.com/pro. The 5th video in the series explains what spark plug heat range is all about, when and if you would need to change heat ranges. You can also get a Autolite branded Carhart jacket for watching all 6 video's. There is one video about the DIS ignition on your car as well.
You should also stay away from using a copper core spark plug unless you really enjoy changing spark plugs. Your DIS ignition fires one half the spark plugs in the opposite direction, meaning the spark actually jumps from the side wire to the center wire. using any copper plug in a DIS ignition vehicle is a mistake that will cause rapid degradation in the sidewire and misfires in as little as 16k miles. Use the Autolite XP606 Iridium fine wire plug. Yes, they cost 7 bucks a piece. They are worth it. They take less ignition voltage to fire and have a 25% larger flame kernal than the stock plug. The also have a platinum button on the side wire to prevent gap erosion. They have a 100k life span as well. If I can answer any other questions for you, please feel free to contact me at Jay.Buckley@Honeywell.com

**Bio248** · 07-13-2010

Originally Posted by motorking

Brandon,
I work as the technical manager at Autolite. As long as you have not done anything to raise the boost or compression in your car, you should not use a colder spark plug. there is simply no benefit to doing so at all. What may happen is a fouled spark plug, a failed cold start or partially fouled plugs. The reason you would need to go to a colder plug can be found by watching the videos posted at www.autolitechallenge.com/pro. The 5th video in the series explains what spark plug heat range is all about, when and if you would need to change heat ranges. You can also get a Autolite branded Carhart jacket for watching all 6 video's. There is one video about the DIS ignition on your car as well.
You should also stay away from using a copper core spark plug unless you really enjoy changing spark plugs. Your DIS ignition fires one half the spark plugs in the opposite direction, meaning the spark actually jumps from the side wire to the center wire. using any copper plug in a DIS ignition vehicle is a mistake that will cause rapid degradation in the sidewire and misfires in as little as 16k miles. Use the Autolite XP606 Iridium fine wire plug. Yes, they cost 7 bucks a piece. They are worth it. They take less ignition voltage to fire and have a 25% larger flame kernal than the stock plug. The also have a platinum button on the side wire to prevent gap erosion. They have a 100k life span as well. If I can answer any other questions for you, please feel free to contact me at Jay.Buckley@Honeywell.com

great, super informative post.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 07-13-2010

Originally Posted by Bio248

great, super informative post.

Bio, you should some how like STICKY it or put that somewhere where other people and can see it and that way they can all know about it. I dont how you can do it, but i think it worth a shot.

**brandonl2000** · 07-13-2010

Yes, that was very informative. I really appreciate that

**SlowNA06** · 07-13-2010

Funny, I was just in a conversation with a coworker on the merits of copper, iridium, and platinum plugs. It's good to see information from someone in a position to know.

Jay Buckley is the Technical Manager (which means he teaches mechanics around the world) for Honeywell Consumer Products (Autolite, Fram, Prestone), is an ASE and Michigan Master Technician (30 yrs), and (part?) owner of Motorking Automotive (22yrs?) in Shelby Twp, Michigan. I like the hell out of where this information is coming from.