I went to change out my stock plugs this morning to the Bosch #4482 +4s that have gotten such good reviews lately. I snapped a few pictures to show how easy this is on the Ecotec 2.2.

Once you get the intake off this is what everything looks like. The plugs are under the black plastic cover in the middle of the motor. The plug on the right side has to be disconnected. It is a two part disconnect, the grey part of the tab moves first and then you release the black clip and it slides right off. There are 4 bolts which hold down the cover, remove them, and lift the cover off.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i107/jbhenn/Spark%20Plugs/DSC01295.jpg

This is the spark plug cover and the spark plug boots. You'll notice, no long stringy spark plug wires to deal with here.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i107/jbhenn/Spark%20Plugs/DSC01296.jpg

Here is the motor minus the plug cover. The spark plugs are down there in those holes. In case you have not worked on a motor with deep plugs before, DO NOT let this intimidate you.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i107/jbhenn/Spark%20Plugs/DSC01297.jpg

Here are both plugs side by side. The stock plugs shown here have 14,000 miles on them.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i107/jbhenn/Spark%20Plugs/DSC01298.jpg

This picture shows my plug socket on the end of a 6 inch extention to give you an idea of where the plugs are in realtion to the top of the holes.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i107/jbhenn/Spark%20Plugs/DSC01299.jpg

IMPORTANT TIP #1: I'm sure there are different tools and methods for getting to deep plugs, here's how I do it. I use two spark plug sockets, one with the rubber insert and one without. The one with is used to remove the plug. Next I push the new plug far enough into the rubber insert to hold the plug while I start it by hand. Once I feel the threads take hold I pull out the socket with the rubber insert and change to the socket without the insert. The socket without the insert will not try to grip the top of the plug, it is only used to tighten up. This makes it easy to remove the socket from the hole without a fight. :thumb:

IMPORTANT TIP #2: If you try to remove the socket with the rubber insert and it will not let go of the spark plug. DO NOT PANIC, the socket will not be stuck in your engine forever, just flip your rachet the work in the opposite direction and remove the plug and try again. Switch to the plug without the insert sooner next time. :thumb:

I used anti-sieze on the plug threads and boot goo on the plug boots. Once you've changed all the plugs, reassemble in reverse order. I could tell an immediate change in my mid-range power.

I've changed plugs on many types of cars/trucks and the HHR was a simple straight forward job. The parts were easy to access and remove, no maze of wires to work around, no fuel rails in the way. Easy job in my opinion. :thumb:

Excellent job on showing how this is done. This should be in the How-To section...great explanation and pictures to go along. :thumb:

Thanks TX-HHR.
Now we need a 2.4L Demo. I may do it this afternoon and take picts.
There is quite a bit of difference between the two engines.

John

Excellent job on showing how this is done. This should be in the How-To section...great explanation and pictures to go along. :thumb:

Thanks Deb,

Just wanted to show everyone how easy these little cars are to work on. :D

Thanks TX-HHR.
Now we need a 2.4L Demo. I may do it this afternoon and take picts.
There is quite a bit of difference between the two engines.

John


A 2.4 demo would be great. From the pictures I've seen of the 2.4 I think the process would be similar. :thumb:

Thanks TX-HHR.
Now we need a 2.4L Demo. I may do it this afternoon and take picts.
There is quite a bit of difference between the two engines.

John

I shot all the pics for the 2.4L yesterday, will post soon.

Don't waste your time swapping to the Bosch plugs in a 2.4L though; no power improvement at all. We did several G-Tech computer runs before and after and both the 0-60 and 1/4-mile times were actually slower with the new Bosch plugs than with the stock AC Delco plugs that had 9,000 miles on them.

We will be trying some other plug brands here to find out which (if any), is an improvement for the 2.4L.

Right now, it appears these Bosch Platinum +4 plugs only offer power improvements for teh 2.2L engine.

Hope it helps,

I shot all the pics for the 2.4L yesterday, will post soon.

Don't waste your time swapping to the Bosch plugs in a 2.4L though; no power improvement at all. We did several G-Tech computer runs before and after and both the 0-60 and 1/4-mile times were actually slower with the new Bosch plugs than with the stock AC Delco plugs that had 9,000 miles on them.

We will be trying some other plug brands here to find out which (if any), is an improvement for the 2.4L.

Right now, it appears these Bosch Platinum +4 plugs only offer power improvements for teh 2.2L engine.

Hope it helps,

Mike:thumb:

Thanks. I am just itching to do something on the HHR this afternoon when my wife gets back with it, but I guess I will wait on that. Maybe I'll just give her a good wash and cleaning.:lol: The HHR not my wife.

Right now, it appears these Bosch Platinum +4 plugs only offer power improvements for teh 2.2L engine.


Mike,

Must be nice to have a G-tech to play with....:D

I don't have anything like that to qualify any changes, just the butt dyno. It's not like this change turns your HHR into a corvette, but I noticed the same mid-range change others have mentioned. I'm eagerly awaiting your report on different plugs. :thumb:

Right now, it appears these Bosch Platinum +4 plugs only offer power improvements for teh 2.2L engine.

Hope it helps,

Any chance we could talk you into testing the 2.2 and posting results so we can quantify improvements? I realize that may involve expenditure, so I'd understand if ya can't ;)

Thanks for all your input (even if you aren't able to do this) :bow:

Mike,

Must be nice to have a G-tech to play with....:D

I don't have anything like that to qualify any changes, just the butt dyno. It's not like this change turns your HHR into a corvette, but I noticed the same mid-range change others have mentioned. I'm eagerly awaiting your report on different plugs. :thumb:

I'm not discounting your gains at all, but rather feel this is specific to the 2.2L engine, as the 2.4L is losing a tiny bit of speed.

I spoke with CJ last night at length about this, and feel this is probably a worthwhile mod for 2.2L owners.

As we all know, the 2.2L & 2.4L engines are completely different animals.

If you have a 2.2L - I would say go for it! :thumb:

Any chance we could talk you into testing the 2.2 and posting results so we can quantify improvements? I realize that may involve expenditure, so I'd understand if ya can't ;)

Thanks for all your input (even if you aren't able to do this) :bow:

I's love to, but we don't have many 2.2L owners in our neck of the woods.

Most out here have the 2.4L.

Thanks for the research folks. Owning a 2.4 I guess I'll wait a bit and see where the sparkplug thread goes :bow:

Any 2.2L owners can have mine for $25 shipped if they want them...:D

I'm not discounting your gains at all, but rather feel this is specific to the 2.2L engine.....and feel this is probably a worthwhile mod for 2.2L owners.


No worries Mike, we're thinkin the same. :thumb:

So how about a VVT mod for the 2.2 so we can be more like you 2.4 people. :lol:

I's love to, but we don't have many 2.2L owners in our neck of the woods.

Most out here have the 2.4L.

I have a 2.2L if you want to run some tests on mine once I get it back from the dealer. I am going to swap the plugs anyway.

mike

I'll take 'em!

-wC

well i just went to autozone the guy wasn't pay attention got all four for 7.15
and when i changed mine i noticed that after the idle was a lot smoother then it was before also i look at the tip of the old plugs the first one was black and the other three were white does that mean anything or is that normal.

Nice steal; literally.
Check this for your plugs.

http://server2.uploadit.org/files/Elcasso-scan.jpg

look like the old plugs might have been mis gapped

It's possible. You can check the gap with a spark plug gapper, or to be more precise use feeler gauges and you will know.

When I changed the plugs in my 2.2, and was reinstalling the cover that has the sparkplug boots attached, it seemed that the boots would not completely seat on the sparkplugs (even using boot lube). So I re-installed the cover bolts pressing down with one hand and torqued them down with the other. I was just wondering if this is how its supposed to be done, or if anyone else ran into the same situation when trying to re-seat the sparkplug boots to the plugs. After tightening the bolts I started the car and everything ran fine, so I'm wondering does the pressure along with tightening the bolts eventually re-seat the boots like they were originally or is there some kind of secret? ....Regards

When I changed the plugs in my 2.2, and was reinstalling the cover that has the sparkplug boots attached, it seemed that the boots would not completely seat on the sparkplugs (even using boot lube). So I re-installed the cover bolts pressing down with one hand and torqued them down with the other. I was just wondering if this is how its supposed to be done, or if anyone else ran into the same situation when trying to re-seat the sparkplug boots to the plugs. After tightening the bolts I started the car and everything ran fine, so I'm wondering does the pressure along with tightening the bolts eventually re-seat the boots like they were originally or is there some kind of secret? ....Regards

Same here and no problems. :thumb:

Same here
you paid $7.15 for 4 platinum Bosch's?

unreal price. supposed to be $6 each
nice

Same here
you paid $7.15 for 4 platinum Bosch's?

unreal price. supposed to be $6 each
nice
yeah now that i look at the paper work it was 7.35 and it says qty 1
i think he scanned the box of four as one it was a steal, and my car is happier for it

yeah now that i look at the paper work it was 7.35 and it says qty 1
i think he scanned the box of four as one it was a steal, and my car is happier for it
how is it running and do you have the 2.2 or 2.4?

how is it running and do you have the 2.2 or 2.4?
i have a 2.2 auto 1lt and it pretty smooth now i think they helped.

Put in Bosch +4's while I was (finally) putting on my CGS. I guess I'll have trouble figuring out whether it was the intake or the plugs that added the most performance :lol:

One addendum to TX-HHRs instructions: the spark plug boots pull off the spark plug cover. I found it easier to pull them off, install them onto the plugs and then mount the cover by first inserting the bolts into the cover, gently centering the cover over the boots and then pressing down firmly with one hand and using a nut driver to tighten the bolts. Since I have the CGS, I only put in three bolts to start with, tightened them and then installed the CGS bracket bolt into the fourth hole.

This is the spark plug cover and the spark plug boots. You'll notice, no long stringy spark plug wires to deal with here.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i107/jbhenn/Spark%20Plugs/DSC01296.jpg



Hope this helps :thumb: and my thanks to all who contributed to the spark plug install threads :one:

it appears the 07 2.2L is different than the 06. My 07 has the 2.2L and it has the coil on plug like the 2.4's i've seen in this forum. Not like the photos shown at the beginning of this thread

it appears the 07 2.2L is different than the 06. My 07 has the 2.2L and it has the coil on plug like the 2.4's i've seen in this forum. Not like the photos shown at the beginning of this thread

That's probably where they found that 6 HP.

it appears the 07 2.2L is different than the 06. My 07 has the 2.2L and it has the coil on plug like the 2.4's i've seen in this forum. Not like the photos shown at the beginning of this thread


Can you post pics of this please? I am curious because HPTuners is almost done with 07 2.2 tuning and they said that the 07 2.2 computer is a different unit than the 06's. I would love to see your valve cover and coil-on-plug setup!:cool:

If the '07 2.2 has coil on plug I wonder if the '06 can be upgraded?

If what HPTuners is saying is correct then probably not. An HPTuners rep on the cobaltss.net forums has said the computer is different for 07. This means a whole new operating system and set parameters for people to hack/diagnose. The fact that Chevy may have used the computer for the HHR 2.2 for just ONE year makes it hard for companies like HPTuners and others to support it. So as far as upgrade? I highly doubt it unless you change the whole ignition system to a distributor style from MSD but even that is costly and needless. Our stock ignition system is more than adequate for daily driving.

Looks cool. Im an idiot. What's the benefit of the bosch plugs? I'll swap em this weekend if its really worth it. What do they cost by the way?

p.s.
Don't know if you guys have noticed...i've caught the minor mod bug...slowly talking my wife into getting it lowered...using handling as the main selling point...she actually gets a little motion sick on these curvy rhode island roadways

Teech... you could aslo tell her about the lower center of gravity helps to decrease wind resisitance and increase gas milage on the freeway! :D Worked for me along with the handling. Just too bad I didn't know the fiance wouldn't be sticking around or I wouldn't have needed to worry! HAHA! :lol:

I have a 2.2 LT. So I think I will get me some of them bosch plugs for mine.
Thanks for the Info,
rhoss1

How much of an improvement in power is there with the spark plugs on a 2.2?
HP go up?:thumb:

There is really no HP increase to speak of that you are really going to notice. It might seem to pull a little better in the mid-range, and in my case it just seemed to idle smoother. These are only going to give you a more complete burn in the cylinder, nothing more. Any HP increase you will never actually be able to tell without some sensitive equipment, and a "butt dyno" is not sensitive.

I think the biggest "gain" with the plug change is that off-idle hesitation disappears. The engine starts better, seems to run smoother and sounds "healthier" even at idle. All good things.

there is definately a gain in the mid range...when I step into the pedal at 3-4k it roars a little more and is not as slugish


-wC

I didn't see anyone
going to a colder range of plugs on any application.

I went one range colder... due to mods... helps ... engine will run a bit more hotter with all the mods I did...
FYI...

Got my bosch platinum +4 plugs today, Got a brand new set of four for $5.99. Going to install them in a day or two.:smile:
rhoss1

Great pictures

I get my plugs the other day and installed them today. It was a very easy painless install (<15 min). I concur with the others that this definitely adds some mid-range power, and smoother idle.

HOWEVER, my 4 plugs were (~$26) :wtf: and the Advance Auto Parts clerk opened my 4-pack of plugs, and scanned each plug individually...!!! :eek:

Oh well, despite paying $21 more than everyone else, this was a great investment :)

TX-HHr
Very nice Phots but I assumed that the plugs were good for 100.000 miles
am I wrong or is it just that you rather change them early. I will have to read the Owners Manual, My Last vehicle was a GMC Envoy and I didn't change the plugs untill 125.000 miles and my vehicle ran great the hole time.
I have a 2.4L engine

I get my plugs the other day and installed them today. It was a very easy painless install (<15 min). I concur with the others that this definitely adds some mid-range power, and smoother idle.

HOWEVER, my 4 plugs were (~$26) :wtf: and the Advance Auto Parts clerk opened my 4-pack of plugs, and scanned each plug individually...!!! :eek:

Oh well, despite paying $21 more than everyone else, this was a great investment :)
Dude!

How ya doing? Haven't heard much from ya in a while. Looking forward to Bristol next year!

Make sure you check out the thread on Shindig in Shell Knob.

TX-HHr
Very nice Phots but I assumed that the plugs were good for 100.000 miles
am I wrong or is it just that you rather change them early. I will have to read the Owners Manual, My Last vehicle was a GMC Envoy and I didn't change the plugs untill 125.000 miles and my vehicle ran great the hole time.
I have a 2.4L engine
Plugs are good for a much longer time, but the reason for replacing them with upgraded plugs is for performance and MPG's. They are fine if you leave the old ones in 'till they go bad, but putting the Bosch plugs in will just be an added improvement, not required though...