So the dealer is telling me that I need to change the spark plugs and they want $200 for the labor alone. So I'm thinking about saving some money and doing it myself. I just wanted to know what kind of plugs are the most popular among us ram owners. I'm looking for something in the medium price range with better performance for the buck. Also if anyone knows what the gapping on the plugs and the torque that they should be tightened to I would appreciate it. It's an '03 hemi by the way. Thanks in advance.

 

By all means do it yourself, a couple of the plugs are a little tight to get to, but for the most part, it's a simple job. The Hemi seems to run best on regular copper plugs, changed every 30k miles, and actually report worse performance with the higher priced, longer life plugs. I replaced mine right at 30k with Champions.
DIY for the plug change with proper torque can be found at:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-ram-faqs-diys-and-how-to-s/167196-changing-plugs-in-the-5-7-hemi.html

 

Thanks alot, that's exactly what I was looking for. I knew the forum wouldn't let me down. Any idea on what the gap on the plugs should be set at?

 

All 16 of the Champs I put in were already at the required gap - I checked 'em all(I think .045)
Steve.

 

I just looked up the info in a overhaul manual I have for the 03. The torque for plugs on the 5.7 is 13 ft-lds or 156 in-lbs. Depending on what type of torque wrench you have. The gap should be .045. It's also a good idea to put a little anti-seize on the threads of the plugs before you install them. It'll keep them from freezing into the head.

 

I'm hesitant to put anything on the threads of a spark plug, especially in an engine with aluminum heads. The lubrication of the additive makes it easy to over-torque the plug and possibly strip the threads.

I've never had plugs get stuck in an engine, whether those I've changed on a regular schedule or when I was the first person to change the plugs on my old TBI 350 after 100k miles.

 

I've always used anti-seize with no problems on aluminum heads.

 

with aluminum heads you should always use anti-sieze, to do all 16 plugs takes about an hour and remember to put the coil back where it came from

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll be doing it sometime next week.

 

Police Ram

16 plugs in an hour, you must be superman with tiny hands!