Spark plugs and sway bar install problems - GT

[bgstewar]

I bought Eibach sway bars and HKS spark plugs and was planning on getting a 1.5 ecu tune from Lap3. I took it to my independent mechanic to install the plugs/bars since I don't have a lift and don't have time to figure out how to install these parts. Mechanic said he can't install plugs without a special tool (?) to take off the manifold and the stock sway bars need to be cut off because the nuts won't budge. Quoted me for 1.5 days of labor and thousands of dollars. I don't want to track the car, I just like driving fast in a sporty vehicle.

I know many of you have installed these yourselves, but without a lift, car tools, and time - is this typical? I think the local Kia dealer could install them but it takes 3+ months to get in with them. I'm considering scrapping the whole idea of tuning this car because I just don't have the patience to do stuff like this. Any thoughts?

 

[Snowwhite]

no that is not typical. find another mechanic. I did both of those jobs in my garage with nothing more special than some wobble and flex extensions for my socket wrench.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

If he needs special tool to remove intake manifold on stinger, he's not a mechanic. Find different mechanic. I am not a mechanic, and takes me less than an hour to remove intake manifold and replace spark plugs.

 

[Snowwhite]

I didn't even take off the manifold, just worked the #5 plug out with my hands and the various flex/wobble socket extensions. took me less than an hour to do all 6.

 

[LordKOTL]

I bought Eibach sway bars and HKS spark plugs and was planning on getting a 1.5 ecu tune from Lap3. I took it to my independent mechanic to install the plugs/bars since I don't have a lift and don't have time to figure out how to install these parts. Mechanic said he can't install plugs without a special tool (?) to take off the manifold and the stock sway bars need to be cut off because the nuts won't budge. Quoted me for 1.5 days of labor and thousands of dollars. I don't want to track the car, I just like driving fast in a sporty vehicle.

I know many of you have installed these yourselves, but without a lift, car tools, and time - is this typical? I think the local Kia dealer could install them but it takes 3+ months to get in with them. I'm considering scrapping the whole idea of tuning this car because I just don't have the patience to do stuff like this. Any thoughts?

Snowjob--especially on the swaybar.

Yes, a single bolt for the driver's side rear of the swaybar is a pain in the ass, but the rest, especially on the front, is a cakewalk. If you have a jack and stands the front is easily DIY, rear is a little more trouble but easily done.

A different mechanic might help--barring that do you know any gearhead friend that would help you do it for a half-rack of good beer?

 

[Thomby]

I didn't even take off the manifold, just worked the #5 plug out with my hands and the various flex/wobble socket extensions. took me less than an hour to do all 6.

I didn't remove the manifold either. I believe I used a swivel spark plug socket, with one additional swivel and a short (3-4" extension), which gave enough offset to get around everything.

I also started with the problem plug (which is cylinder 3 btw, see below) to make sure I wouldn't get stuck part way through. Probably spent 45min on the passenger side bank, and then half that on the driver's side.

T

Thread 'Definitive Kia Stinger cylinder numbering'

Aug 16, 2024

With the ambiguity regarding cylinder numbering on the Stinger's V6 (saw a reference to cylinder 3 on the driver's side in the oil line recall doc), I decided to disconnect the middle driver's side (right bank facing the engine bay, left bank from inside) coil pack, shown with red arrow below:



At startup it was obvious that I was down a cylinder, with the open hood visibly shaking at ~1000 rpm. Not sure if rpm was up there to compensate, or just because it was a cold start...I didn't run it like this very long. Check engine light was on, and my ODBII reader pulled a...

• Thomby
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Engine, Drivetrain, Intake, Exhaust Discussion

• 
• 

 

[Volfy]

I've installed anti-roll bars a total of 5 times on 3 G70/Stingers. 2 extra times were for swapping out the bushings for greaseable ones. It ain't that tough to do. Just take patience and the right tools. If your mechanic doesn't have either, find another one.

 

[bgstewar]

I've installed anti-roll bars a total of 5 times on 3 G70/Stingers. 2 extra times were for swapping out the bushings for greaseable ones. It ain't that tough to do. Just take patience and the right tools. If your mechanic doesn't have either, find another one.

Did you need to use a lift or could you get under the car?

 

[Volfy]

Did you need to use a lift or could you get under the car?

Of course. You need to remove both wheels off the axle (front or rear) you're working on.

 

[Snowwhite]

I didn't remove the manifold either. I believe I used a swivel spark plug socket, with one additional swivel and a short (3-4" extension), which gave enough offset to get around everything.

I also started with the problem plug (which is cylinder 3 btw, see below) to make sure I wouldn't get stuck part way through. Probably spent 45min on the passenger side bank, and then half that on the driver's side.

T

Thread 'Definitive Kia Stinger cylinder numbering'

Aug 16, 2024

With the ambiguity regarding cylinder numbering on the Stinger's V6 (saw a reference to cylinder 3 on the driver's side in the oil line recall doc), I decided to disconnect the middle driver's side (right bank facing the engine bay, left bank from inside) coil pack, shown with red arrow below:



At startup it was obvious that I was down a cylinder, with the open hood visibly shaking at ~1000 rpm. Not sure if rpm was up there to compensate, or just because it was a cold start...I didn't run it like this very long. Check engine light was on, and my ODBII reader pulled a...

• Thomby
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Engine, Drivetrain, Intake, Exhaust Discussion

• 
• 

That’s the one. Passenger side middle. Not as bad as it’s made out to be, and I wouldn’t call myself a mechanic by any means.

 

[LordKOTL]

Did you need to use a lift or could you get under the car?

You don't technically need a lift, as long as you can jack up the front, or rear end of the car and set it on jack stands. Like @Volfy said: you need to remove the wheels from the axle to get at the end links. For the rear, you also need to thread the stock swaybar out through the wheel well.

 

[Volfy]

You don't technically need a lift, as long as you can jack up the front, or rear end of the car and set it on jack stands. Like @Volfy said: you need to remove the wheels from the axle to get at the end links. For the rear, you also need to thread the stock swaybar out through the wheel well.

I thought he meant just any ordinary means to raise the car, when he said "lift". Now I re-read it, he probably did mean a hydraulic inground lift that can hoist the car 6ft in the air. Very few shadetrees have such luxury in their own home garage, so that didn't even register in my mind, LOL.

Yeah, a floor jack (or 2, or 3) is what most of us have at home. BTW, for the front bar you need to get under the car. For the rear bar, you don't. Just remove the rear wheels and you can R&R the bar from one side or the other.

 

[BIG-D]

Removing the inner shields makes the rear swaybar removal a piece of cake, just one 10mm nut holding the fuel filler tube and you push it out of the way to get the swaybar nuts and bolts with a ratchet spanner...

Just make sure you tighten the end links up with weight on them after, i prefer to place the jack under the lower control arm

 

[BIG-D]

Pic's are always good?

 

[LordKOTL]

Pic's are always good?

View attachment 89173

View attachment 89175

View attachment 89176

View attachment 89186

View attachment 89177

View attachment 89178

View attachment 89179

View attachment 89180

View attachment 89181

View attachment 89182

View attachment 89183

View attachment 89184

View attachment 89185

Where were you when I was doing this. I worked around the filler tube and it was a pain in the ass.

Seriously though, great info and pics!

 

[MiaParker]

I bought Eibach sway bars and HKS spark plugs and was planning on getting a 1.5 ecu tune from Lap3. I took it to my independent mechanic to install the plugs/bars since I don't have a lift and don't have time to figure out how to install these parts. Mechanic said he can't install plugs without a special tool (?) to take off the manifold and the stock sway bars need to be cut off because the nuts won't budge. Quoted me for 1.5 days of labor and thousands of dollars. I don't want to track the car, I just like driving fast in a sporty vehicle.

I know many of you have installed these yourselves, but without a lift, car tools, and time - is this typical? I think the local Kia dealer could install them but it takes 3+ months to get in with them. I'm considering scrapping the whole idea of tuning this car because I just don't have the patience to do stuff like this. Any thoughts?

I just had Eibach front and rear installed today at Corinth Kia near Denton, TX. The service manager is a modification junkie so was excited to have his suspension tech install mine. I was quoted 5.5 hours and they gave me a nice discount on the hourly rate (it took them about 4 hours). They also did an alignment. Based on my experience and what others said below, I’d move on. I had mine put on soft/soft. It’s quite a noticeable difference behind the wheel. Why not reserve at the dealership a few months out and get them installed there by someone familiar with your car?

 

[Snicklefritz]

I was quoted 5.5 hours and they gave me a nice discount on the hourly rate (it took them about 4 hours).

That was about 2.5 hours too long. Typically front takes c. half an hour and rear takes c. an hour to install sways. Hopefully they gave you a really good discount on their hourly rate, because it sounds like they dawdled, enjoying themselves.

 

[Volfy]

Why not... get them installed by someone familiar with your car?

Agreed. There is nobody more familiar with my car than... me.

 

[LordKOTL]

Agreed. There is nobody more familiar with my car than... me.

 

[bgstewar]

I just had Eibach front and rear installed today at Corinth Kia near Denton, TX. The service manager is a modification junkie so was excited to have his suspension tech install mine. I was quoted 5.5 hours and they gave me a nice discount on the hourly rate (it took them about 4 hours). They also did an alignment. Based on my experience and what others said below, I’d move on. I had mine put on soft/soft. It’s quite a noticeable difference behind the wheel. Why not reserve at the dealership a few months out and get them installed there by someone familiar with your car?

My dealership won't install them unfortunately.