VTownGT Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 So, I basically have only had the courage to start maintaining my own Legacy because of the instructional posts that many of you put here. It is really an awesome feeling to do the maintenance yourself, but now that things are tight, the money saved makes it even better. I really appreciate all of you who take the time to write these guides up with pics and videos. And an extra thanks for the video about turning the coil pack 180 deg before removing/installing it. Wow. That really kept me from sticking my head in the microwave. So, I have a '05 LGT with about 107,000 on it. For some reason, many moons ago, my brain linked the timing belt life with the spark plug life, so my car still had the OEM plugs in it. I am not sure what made me realize that that was not the case... (Just to be sure that they were OEM, I looked through all of my Subaru records to make sure that it had not been done by them, and it wasn't. I even called the Subaru Dealership in Sherman Oaks to make sure they had not done it without asking just to be nice. I can not even remember any of the four dealerships that I have delt with recommending it...) Having the plugs in that long has not seemed to cause me much trouble except a louder idle and a slight drop in millage, but once I had the new ones in, I really, really felt the difference. The car was quieter, and my mileage on the first full tank of gas seems up by about 2 mpg. Also, the car seems more responsive and pulls better, but that could just be in my head. Thanks to all of you, the job went smooth. It took about 2.5 hours total, in part because I put the air box back in before I grabbed the sensor wire from under it, so I had to take the air box out again to get the wire and plug it in properly. I have relatively small hands, so while I can't throw a great curve ball, it really helped for this job... Overall, I had the most trouble with the rear passenger's side plug removal and installation, but nothing that was not mentioned in other posts. I took some pictures of the plugs. They look reasonably clean (I think), but the gaps were really big. The smallest one was about 0.052 and the largest one was more than 0.06, with the average around 0.058 or so based on the gapper that I had. The side/ground electrodes on were significantly worn. Also, one thing that I did not expect was to find Champion plugs in the car as the OEM plug. I replaced them with the NGK OEM plugs that were listed by many folks on this thread. For any of you that are less experienced with car maintenance, this job is def do-able in the garage! I would suggest that you read this thread a few times, and have it available while you do the job, and to MAKE SURE you have all the universal socket joints and other tools that are suggested. Lastly, I had got the best price for the plugs at Advanced Auto Parts, but I had to order them and pick them up the next day. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocHolladay23 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 nice, I just did mine a couple days ago on the GT for the first time, my 07 2.5i was waaayyyy easier. Thanks to the OP for the instructions! [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] You want stickers? Hit me up here!!! You want a shirt? Hit me up here!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SATSFYD Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 And I was just wonder how its done... Thanks for the heads up. I am used to 10 mins of work for a spark plug change. **There are two types of people in the world, those who build horsepower and those who buy it. Which one are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itzed Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Also, one thing that I did not expect was to find Champion plugs in the car as the OEM plug. I replaced them with the NGK OEM plugs that were listed by many folks on this thread. This would make me somewhat suspicious that they were not the OEM plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trademark Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Pulled these out friday with possibly 80K on them.. but I can't say for sure.. it was simple except for the FMIC pipes.. they were removed for this.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccorry Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Those look good to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugo L. Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Did it this past weekend... Whoever desgined the engine should be shot. Dammit, I got small hands and it was tight as hell. I seriously hope I never have to do that again, just because of the sheer aggravation. My plugs were whitish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onthewagon Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 I ended up getting the Autolite double platinum from Autozone, funny thing that was unexpected, sparkplugs.com quoted them at $5.91 each and they were only $3.99 each at Autozone for the same part #. I knew the part # before I went in, so as a test I had them pull it up in their system and they got it right, so I guess thats a point for Autozone. Doc - how did the Autolites work out for you? Were they like a rebadged/unbadged OEM part? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onthewagon Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Changed the plugs this past weekend, it wasn't bad at all. It's much easier if you don't have one of those darn turbo things in the way.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccorry Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Did it this past weekend... Whoever desgined the engine should be shot. Dammit, I got small hands and it was tight as hell. I seriously hope I never have to do that again, just because of the sheer aggravation. Dude... not to burst your bubble.. but this car is the easiest plug change I've ever done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSiWRX Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 ^ You and those old V8s. You've *really* gotta try it on a DSM. My 3-year-old could've done that one, with her eyes closed! <-- I love Winky, my "periwinkle" (ABP) LGT! - Allen / Usual Suspect "DumboRAT" / One of the Three Stooges '16 Outback, '16 WRX, 7th Subaru Family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 The easiest plug change I have ever done is on my home built moped My subaru was pretty darn easy too though. Yay for the 2.2L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocHolladay23 Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 Doc - how did the Autolites work out for you? Were they like a rebadged/unbadged OEM part? Thanks Sorry you probably wanted an answer before you did the project they worked fine, I ended up using Autolite XP Iridium for the GT and they're doing great as well [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] You want stickers? Hit me up here!!! You want a shirt? Hit me up here!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devobuzz Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 No the easiest is the 2.2/2.5 SOHC Dodge. All the plugs face forward. The only thing in your way is the prop rod holding up the hood! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onthewagon Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Doc - I sent you a PM and you responded. They are working fine for me, too. Thanks again for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocHolladay23 Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 ^ Oh cool, glad to hear it! [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] You want stickers? Hit me up here!!! You want a shirt? Hit me up here!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkailburn Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 HELP QUICK!! i'm only 1hour into the project and i need to know what the plug gap should be. i don't see any gap's mentioned here in this article. i ended up buying the autolite xp iridium plugs.(i would have preferred ngk iridiums but they didn't have em in stock). please help quickly!! my old plugs are out and new plugs are waiting to go in just don't know what to gap them at! thanks guys!!! -Luke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeondacouch Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 They should be pregapped, but I think the recommended gap is 0.028 - 0.032 Mine are at 0.030 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGT_King Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Only re-gap copper plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkailburn Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 (edited) i figured they were pregapped but the ngk plugs i pulled out of the car were gapped at about .30. the pregap on the new autolites has got to be like 40+ somewhere. i'll have to recheck what the pregap is. i was using a feeler gauge lol -Luke Edited August 8, 2009 by lkailburn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeondacouch Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Oops. Didn't see that the autolite's were the iridium ones. The gap should be listed on the box. Just make sure they aren't the ones for NA 2.5. (which is .44 I think? ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkailburn Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 shit. the autolite's are pregapped to .44. how can i check to see if they are for the NA. the girl at autozone asked is it the turbo model and i said yep.. the box says autolite XP Iridium XP5325 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkailburn Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 i checked sparkplugs.com and also advanceauto.com and both sites list the autolite xp iridium xp5325 with a gap of .44 as a plug for the legacy gt? I dunno what to do at this point. has anyone isntalled this plug in a LGT before? not sure if links will carry through http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_app.asp?productTypeID=1&AAIA=1430733 http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/partlist_Spark-Plug_960_R%7CGRPTUNEAMS___ -Luke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeondacouch Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Hi All, I've checked one of the plugs (The others are too difficult to get to with the tools I've got at the moment) and it had been gapped by the mechanic at 1.0 mm which is the normally aspirated gap instead of the Turbo gap of .7 to .8 mm. The car needs new cam cover gaskets to fix an oil leak so I'm going to get them to do the rest when they replace those. Even fixing one has helped. Thanks to everybody for their help with this. Cheers Mark the proper gap for our plugs. I know the 2.5i is .44, which on a TC car will likely lead to misfires. I am guessing it will be around .28-.33 or wear abouts. Yes, .028. If you get a plug with a .045 gap then that is a -11 plug which is a wide gap N/A plug. If your getting plugs with that wide of a gap that are not -11's then you need to purchase from another retailer. Out of the 10 sets I have gotten from Sparkplugs.com NONE of them have been gapped any wider than .028. Not to mention the numerous sets I have installed for customers, all being gapped within spec. -Matt You make the call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkailburn Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 thanks for the replies dude on the couch. I put the car back together with the original ngk plugs. I'm going to return the autolites to autozone and then I'll stop down at subaru and order some or if someone has a recommended site to purchase from i'll go that route. thanks again, -Luke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now