I have seen many posts about them. I could tell you all you needed to know about the 1st gen 5.7 Hemi. But this is the second gen... Well today I learned a few things...

1. Changing interval... Like the first gen it is set at 30K. I had an 05 optioned out the same way as my 09. I changed that one at 30K and to be honest they did not look to bad and the gaps were really close to spec. Taking that into account, and the fact I will keep my truck until 100K I decided to wait until 35K to change my plugs, this means I will only have to do it 2 times during ownership vs 3. Now some may say... 30K on a plat plug is way to short, which leads me to #2.

2. What kind of plugs do we have and what should we put in it?? Again so may posts on this. Most of them stating they are plat. Some saying they are copper (which the 1st gen was). Well, IF you can believe the packaging they are NEITHER. They are Nickel. Can you put in something different, sure. But tell me, how do you know it will work like they should? Different plugs have different heat ranges, so you think you know enough to determine which plug is best for the engine? If your engine is stock sticking with OEM is your best choice unless you are some kind of mechanical engineer with all sorts of testing equipment available to you. Remember, a reseller will tell you want you want to hear to get your money. Our NGK OEM plugs are very hard to find at resellers. You can do it, but it will take time and they will probably have to be ordered. I decided my time was more valueable and picked up a set at the dealer. $4.41 each.

3. The pic you see below are my plugs, they have just over 36K on them. Not bad, just some buildup on them. Gaps were, like my 1st gen, VERY close to spec.

4. They are not that hard to do. I am 1/2 done (pain in the azz drivers side done) and decided to come into the A/C for a break. For that side I sat in the engine bay on the front cross member. I am 6'2" 240, so most of you should be able to fit. The passenger side I took out my K&N CAI and will be doing it from the ground. About a 3" extension, spark plug socket and a swivel joint will do the trick for getting the plugs out.

 

good writeup. thanks

 

good job car guy, but wait until you do the back two on the passenger side before deciding which side is the pain in the azz.

 

Yea, those back two were a little hard on the passenger side. Had to pull the heater hoses out of the clips so they would move a little and that is the only coil pack I disconnected the wires from.

 

Wow! Lots of thread on those.

 

Pi$$es me off about the 30,000 change interval. I will do it only to preserve my lifetime powertrain warranty. (if I don't trade the POS for somethin' else first)

 

Heck I remember the day when we had to change every 12K, along with points.

 

Yep, I do too, but since the advent of computerized ignition and fuel delivery in the prior century the change interval has been closer to 100,000.

One giant leap forward by the industry...Big step backward by Dodge.

 

Yep remember changing them once a yr if they needed it or not. every 6 months if I drove it very hard..

 

asked dealer about changing them at 30k. told me not to worry about it. said they have them going 100k without changing. do they know what they're talkin about?