DIY on Spark plug changes with supercharger kits

[MLife614]

Wanted to hear from those who diy spark plug changes with supercharger kits; ESS, Harrop, etc.: Hoping if anyone could chime in how long it takes and if its something that we could tackle on our own if we already know how to diy on a normal aspirated S65. What additional steps are involved once we upgrade our cars to a supercharger? Or do you simply just take it to an experience mechanic that are experience with the supercharger kit. Thank you for sharing.

[Mvy]

With the Harrop you have to take the plenum off to access all the plugs, so unless you have installed the SC yourself, you could have some issues depending on your level of comfort/experience. For me since I dont do that kind of work on my own car, it basically translates into paying someone 700 to take the SC on and off and while in there doing the plugs etc. Adding a SC adds to the cost of maintenance in a significant way as you have to remove it to access most things you want to work on.

Update: Found out I was wrong. Shop says its actually easier to access the spark plugs with the Harrop vs standard plenum. Not the case for all things you might need to access but for plugs no problem.

[kerrit]

I replace spark plugs on my car every 10k with my ESS 550 kit.

Leave the spark plug plastic covers off and you can get to them without removing anything.

Takes under an hour at a casual pace.

[MahiC]

Don't have a supercharger but I was able to pull all plugs without removing plenum or the windshield cowl, so I would assume you wouldn't need to remove the supercharger.

[eatsleepboost]

Originally Posted by kerrit

I replace spark plugs on my car every 10k with my ESS 550 kit.

Leave the spark plug plastic covers off and you can get to them without removing anything.

Takes under an hour at a casual pace.

+1. Left my covers off. Easy job.

[deansbimmer]

We mostly see ESS kits around here. Passenger side is no big deal. The driver side has to have a few things removed unless the coil cover has been trimmed to allow you to weasel it free. When we do them we trim the coil cover to clear the pipes etc so you can remove the cover easily in the future.

IMO the covers are a nice cosmetic piece...I personally think the engine bay looks better with them.

[Richbot]

I don't like leaving the fuel rail supply line unsupported but I ditched my passenger side one. Will report back with real world side-by-side cover longevity results when I change coils again, lol

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Mvy

With the Harrop you have to take the plenum off to access all the plugs, so unless you have installed the SC yourself, you could have some issues depending on your level of comfort/experience. For me since I dont do that kind of work on my own car, it basically translates into paying someone 700 to take the SC on and off and while in there doing the plugs etc. Adding a SC adds to the cost of maintenance in a significant way as you have to remove it to access most things you want to work on.

$700 every 10k mi to replace spark plugs would be a deal breaker for me. I didn't realize this was the case with the Harrop kit. Very important info for anyone who is comparing SC kits.

Originally Posted by kerrit

I replace spark plugs on my car every 10k with my ESS 550 kit.

Leave the spark plug plastic covers off and you can get to them without removing anything.

Takes under an hour at a casual pace.

Yep, with the ESS kit, changing spark plugs is no different than stock assuming you leave the covers off or trim them like Dean suggested.

[msan]

Anyone with AA S/C can chime in with experience?

[MLife614]

Originally Posted by Mvy

With the Harrop you have to take the plenum off to access all the plugs, so unless you have installed the SC yourself, you could have some issues depending on your level of comfort/experience. For me since I dont do that kind of work on my own car, it basically translates into paying someone 700 to take the SC on and off and while in there doing the plugs etc. Adding a SC adds to the cost of maintenance in a significant way as you have to remove it to access most things you want to work on.

this is very important piece, of maintenance on owning a supercharger between owning a Harrop vs an ESS kit!! wow, the trade off is definitely Night and day betweeen diy and feeling like paying someone to do it. Thank you for the info

[Bakerboy]

Originally Posted by GotV8?

this is very important piece, of maintenance on owning a supercharger between owning a Harrop vs an ESS kit!! wow, the trade off is definitely Night and day betweeen diy and feeling like paying someone to do it. Thank you for the info

This is simply not true, I change plugs on my harrop m3 without removing charger.

I just have to loosen the radiator header bolts to get a bit of extra space.

Whoever is working on Mvy car is ripping him off

[Mvy]

Originally Posted by Bakerboy

This is simply not true, I change plugs on my harrop m3 without removing charger.

I just have to loosen the radiator header bolts to get a bit of extra space.

Whoever is working on Mvy car is ripping him off

Thats great that you can do it and I stand corrected. Im glad there is a way.I have never taken the car in just for plugs, its always other things too and there are many examples of parts I am certain you cannot get to because of the SC. I looked yesterday and its so tight cant figure out how you would get to the plugs but I guess its cause I have all my covers on. So you dont even loosen the rubber boots to lift the plenum off to get to them? Thats impressive that you can reach especially the rear plugs.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by GotV8?

this is very important piece, of maintenance on owning a supercharger between owning a Harrop vs an ESS kit!! wow, the trade off is definitely Night and day betweeen diy and feeling like paying someone to do it. Thank you for the info

This info is not accurate, we have never had to remove the blower to change plugs.

And let's add that the Harrop requires no supercharger oil changes for 100k, unlike the other kits

Kit has been on our car for nearly 5 years and only removed it once to install the flex fuel kit and Stage II injectors.

[8500RPM]

Originally Posted by BPMSport

This info is not accurate, we have never had to remove the blower to change plugs.

And let's add that the Harrop requires no supercharger oil changes for 100k, unlike the other kits

Kit has been on our car for nearly 5 years and only removed it once to install the flex fuel kit and Stage II injectors.

Still teasing with the Stage 2 I see lol

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by msan

Anyone with AA S/C can chime in with experience?

With the AA kit I just needed to remove things from the driver's side. Air box, filter, and of course the cover. There are a few more tubes in the way, plus if you have methanol (i do) you need to be careful not to rip out the control wires when you get frustrated with the plug closest to the firewall.

No need to remove the manifold.

Passenger side was easy. Just need to remove the cover.

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by GotV8?

this is very important piece, of maintenance on owning a supercharger between owning a Harrop vs an ESS kit!! wow, the trade off is definitely Night and day betweeen diy and feeling like paying someone to do it. Thank you for the info

AA SC oil is supposedly good for 50,000 miles.

[e90///M3]

Originally Posted by BPMSport

This info is not accurate, we have never had to remove the blower to change plugs.

And let's add that the Harrop requires no supercharger oil changes for 100k, unlike the other kits

Kit has been on our car for nearly 5 years and only removed it once to install the flex fuel kit and Stage II injectors.

are spark plugs intervals the same as ESS (10k miles) on the harrop?

[DukeofAlexandria]

What are you on about? Who takes the plenum off (S/C or no S/C) for spark plugs...!?

You're doing it wrong my dude ha!