Tuneup Time!

[Need4Camaro]

Yeah I got delayed majorly by it... I was going to perform plugs and wires but I'm going to have to do it myself. I was wondering would I beable to reach the plugs/wires if I had the car up on ramps? It's a 97 3.8 V6... My dad's very skeptical about having the car on jacks so he wants ramps instead. Oh, will I beable to use those $20 - $30 ramps I see at Walmart/Autozone or are there special ramps I need since I have a relatively low car?...

[LwnGy83]

You will be able to get to the plugs while on ramps. And Those ramps should work. But if you already have a jack and jack stands, then I wouldn't spend the money. Just be safe about it all ;)

[Renzo]

I have rhyno ramps and they work wonders, changed my fuel filter with it and oil change is WAY easier now since i dont have to jack them up. The heavy duty 8,000 lbs rhyno ramps costed me $20 @ Autozone. I'm not sure how a 97 camaro's setup is but when i change my spark plugs and wires, i dont need my car on ramps.

[CamaroKRAZED]

I was able to replace all 6 of my plugs from above, you should be able to do the same.

[OneQuickV6]

It is MUCH easier to change the plugs on a 00+ car due to the tubular manifolds. For a 99- car, you might need to get a couple of them from underneath, namely the ones in the back nearer the firewall. Be sure to change your fuel filter while you're at it!! For an $8 part and about 10 minutes to change it, it can/will save you alot of frustrations down the road. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Need4Camaro]

Okay here's the lowdown...

What I HAVE done...
- OilChange + Lucas Oil Stablizer - HUGE performance increase...
- Had the shop add tranny fluid - Not as sluggish but I honestly think it's still low...
- Bought Rhino Ramps for $18.00 at Walmart...
- Bought Fuel Filter and PCV Valve...

What I HAVN'T done
- Installed the plugs/wires
- Installed the Fuel Filter and PCV Valve...

The car still feels KIND of sluggish, nothing noticable at all really untill you get moving. Basicly when I'm cruising down the Highway, the car won't downshift to maintain speed when climbing hills, It will just sit there and lose 10 MPH worth of speed even when I get on it alittle. It WILL downshift and opperate normally if I give it half gas or more but it used to be very reactive to resistance... what can be causing that? I'm also constantly losing MPG... I've been up to 26 and now I'm lucky if I can get 21 and thats HIGHWAY milage...

Another question... Where is the PCV Valve located? how do I change it and what tools will I need? Same for the fuel filter...

I have a question...

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by Need4Camaro:
Another question... Where is the PCV Valve located? how do I change it and what tools will I need?

http://home.cfl.rr.com/mkaprocki/Camaro/L36_Diagram.jpg
#10.

It's real easy to change. Just unbolt the cap, remove the old one, install the new one, and bolt it back down.

['94firebirdv6]

also
fuel filter is right behind driver seat on the inside of the frame rail...
u need a crescent wrench to get the one end off and maybe pliers depending on how well the other side is stuck on

[Tom Rs]

pvc valve is an easy change ? maybe i should do mine ? is it possible to screw it up any way or just unscrew pull out put in same way bolt on ? no new gaskets ?

[Need4Camaro]

Originally posted by Tom Rs:
pvc valve is an easy change ? maybe i should do mine ? is it possible to screw it up any way or just unscrew pull out put in same way bolt on ? no new gaskets ?

I just changed mine yesterday, incredibaly simple, no new gaskets... Barely a 5 minute job infact it was so simple I decided to paint the little black cover red with engine enamel... Just put the new valve on the same end of the spring as the old one came off... and just to let you know it WILL have oil on it... thats normal...

I also changed my fuel filter, had to buy tools and it was a PITA at first... after I got the right tools it just became a simple but messy little job... Prime your car three times by turning the ignition to the power position before trying to really start it... or forget it, it won't crank...

[Need4Camaro]

Originally posted by CamaroKRAZED:
I was able to replace all 6 of my plugs from above, you should be able to do the same.

I wish... The Manifolds cover all but two plugs... I can barely FEEL them from above less like get a socket in from on top... The two hardest are the rear ones on the passenger side... ESPECIALLY the one in the middle. I got a socket in to take it out but now I cant get the socket back in to tighten it. The Plug in the rear on the passenger side, as soon as I touched it the wire collapsed into charcolled bits and crisps... My hands are killin

[Need4Camaro]

My guess aswell is this was my biggest power robber... I couldn't believe what I found... All stock plugs, burned to charcoal... the wire that leads to the plug in the back on the passenger side was burnt to a crisp and snapped like a twig as soon as I just TOUCHED it...I found one Bosch platinum 4 plug in there meaning the previous owner probably found a misfire and replaced that plug and that plug only...well my car's been in dire need. Hey when I start getting new coil packs are high performance coil packs worth it or should I just stay stock? (I've replaced them before...but I know I'll need new ones again later...)