So so...

The money I'm saving for a new upper intake manifold aside (last replaced in '02, watching for oil in the coolant or vice versa, knowing these cars it'* simply a matter of time) I've got a bit to spend on some minor odds and ends that I'd like to see put on this car.

Mainly little things, but since you all own similar cars I thought I'd ask what you all thought was the best in each of these areas.

Firstly, spark plugs. I'm running the AC Delco platinum tipped ones that I'm guessing are the same type that the car had when it was new. Question is, am I really going to gain anything by changing those out for "performance" plugs? They haven't been in there that long, so I tend to think not.

Ignition wires. I've just got some Duralasts in there, replacing my old wires that threw a CEL. So I would definitely benefit from some performance wires, question is what kind? Accel or another brand?

Ignition coils. Just have the stock units in there now. What brand would you recommend? And how hard is it to install? I haven't had to change an ingition coil on this car yet, and the Hayne'* manual procedures are vague at best as to relative difficulty.

Other than that I'm really not sure. Everything else is more long term due to expense, such as an L67 swap, headers, PCM, etc.

I was thinking about switching over to a 180* thermostat until I did more research. Bore reeming and sludge production, ick. Not something I want to deal with.
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Spark plugs are not power-adders.
Neither are ignition wires or coils.


Are you doing a tune-up, or adding power?

Yeah, they won't add new power, but may restore lost power. I've got MSD coils, but I replaced them because two of the posts were corroded. I ended up replacing my wires because a mouse chewed them in half.

Oh indeed, I know that I won't be gaining anything (except maybe lost power, as mentioned). I'm just looking to improve the overall running of the engine. Not that I'm really having a problem, but I'm looking into various options.

Pretty much any of the power additions I desire are a bit out of what I have allocated for the car right now. Basically just getting a few little things until I can get away with something larger.
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LeSabre owners unite!

In the '98 I run NGK TR55 plugs, AC Delco stock wires and stock coils, and have never had a miss. (The '04 has stock AC Delco wires and coils, too...we've only had it two weeks, so I don't even yet know what plugs are in it!)

I highly recommend the drilled 180 T-stat (depending on your winter climate, of course). I'll also be putting one in the '04 soon.

I'd highly recommend Belden Premium wires from Napa. Lifetime warranty and under $40.

We need to either move this topic, or start talking about Performance parts rather than tune-up parts.

Let'* leave it to the topic author which he wants to discuss.

Thanks for the information! I'll be looking into some NGK'* and Belden'* in the near future.

Since you put it that way...

Let us move on to the PCM. Is there even an aftermarket unit available for these cars with the L36? Try as I might I can't find one.
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