2004 GMC Sierra Maintenance - MSD Ignition Coil Kit

2004 GMC Sierra Maintenance North Face Graphix Rendering

Are you in the same category as many of us-holding onto your truck and waiting to see what happens with this crazy economy? With truck owners holding onto their pride and joys longer than ever before, we wanted to address this increase in ownership time by providing you a tech section every issue dedicated to monthly maintenance. Maintenance is key to a long term, good-running truck and it may surprise you to find out how many aftermarket companies cater to the maintenance side, in addition to the performance side. We purchased our '04 GMC Sierra dubbed Project Novakane to be a street-driven performance truck and with 144,000 miles and without knowing much about the previous owners' maintenance schedule, we didn't want to drive another mile with old, worn-out parts and fluids.

For the inaugural monthly maintenance story, we focus on today's latest ignition technology from MSD, the always-important proper spark plug choice, and of course, an upgraded oil change thanks to Royal Purple and Fram. One piece of the maintenance puzzle that is often overlooked is the cooling system. Granted, antifreeze technology is better than ever, but like all fluids, it too must be properly maintained. To keep our GMC's 4.8L V-8 running nice and cool, we flushed the system and added Prestone's 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water and then added a bottle of Royal Purple's Purple Ice. This radiator super-coolant additive reduces radiator temperatures, keeps the water pump seals conditioned, and gets the most life out of the coolant.

To do everything we just listed took less than two hours and our Sierra project was running smoother, cooler, and we knew everything was done right, because we did it ourselves. Been putting off working on your truck? Do yourself a favor and spend two hours in the garage. Your truck will thank you and you'll hit that drive to work on Monday morning with peace of mind.

Popping the hood of our '04 GMC Sierra, the 4.8L was obviously given a steam bath by the used car lot we purchased it from in Phoenix. Keep in mind, like a hotel room comforter, just because it looks good from the outside doesn't mean you won't find bad news underneath.
Popping the hood of our '04 GMC Sierra, the 4.8L was obviously given a steam bath by the u
After examining the cracked original plug wires, we contacted MSD for a set of its Gen III LS-engine plug wires, and for a more consistent and stronger spark, we upgraded the factory coil on plugs (COP) coils with MSD's new coil kit. It should be noted that factory coils average $70 each and for nearly the same cost, you can upgrade to MSD performance coils.
After examining the cracked original plug wires, we contacted MSD for a set of its Gen III
Thankfully, the '99 and up engines are a breeze to work on and most things are easily accessible. The old plug wires were simply pulled free from the coils and plugs and discarded.
Thankfully, the '99 and up engines are a breeze to work on and most things are easily acce

After disconnecting the coil wire connectors, we used an 8mm socket and 1/4-inch ratchet to remove the two bolts holding each coil. With the bolts removed, the coils were removed from the valve cover coil bracket.
After disconnecting the coil wire connectors, we used an 8mm socket and 1/4-inch ratchet t
Using a 5/8-inch spark plug socket and 3/8-drive ratchet, each original plug was removed and we were now ready for the new plugs. To get the most out of our 4.8L V-8, we used a set of Autolite XP Iridium spark plugs. These pugs feature a .6mm fine wire design for better ignitability and durability.
Using a 5/8-inch spark plug socket and 3/8-drive ratchet, each original plug was removed a
According to our service manual and engine sticker, the proper plug gap was .035. We used this common ramp tool to set the gap and then easily installed the new Autolite plugs.
According to our service manual and engine sticker, the proper plug gap was .035. We used

As you can see by our sexy hand model, we used the supplied hardware to attach the new MSD coils to the valve cover bracket. The same 8mm socket was used to tighten all of the new bolts.
As you can see by our sexy hand model, we used the supplied hardware to attach the new MSD
A tip we recommend when changing plugs or wires, is to add some dielectric grease to the spark plug boots. This will help keep the plug and wire contacts protected from moisture and corrosion, while also keeping the plug wires from sticking to the plugs.
A tip we recommend when changing plugs or wires, is to add some dielectric grease to the s
After connecting the MSD wires onto the spark plugs, we connected the wires to the MSD coils. A "snap" should be heard or felt when the wire is fully secured onto the plug and coil.
After connecting the MSD wires onto the spark plugs, we connected the wires to the MSD coi

This photo clearly shows the perfect length of our MSD wires. Notice how the straight plug boots kick the wires out and away from the exhaust manifolds, this will ensure years of service without any wires getting burned.
This photo clearly shows the perfect length of our MSD wires. Notice how the straight plug
Besides a truer, more consistent spark, the MSD coils and wires added race styling to our engine bay and got us excited for the project's future.
Besides a truer, more consistent spark, the MSD coils and wires added race styling to our
The most popular and most familiar engine maintenance is changing the oil. Despite oil lube stores being on every corner, there's no real guarantee that your engine is getting what you're being promised and we don't want to risk getting shorted or some guy getting $8 an hour wrenching under our truck. Doing it ourselves, we know it's done right and to give our LS engine the most protection and performance, we chose Royal Purple XPR 5W-30 full synthetic oil and Fram's best oil filter, the Xtended Guard.
The most popular and most familiar engine maintenance is changing the oil. Despite oil lub

2004 GMC Sierra Maintenance Prestone 50 50 Antifreeze Coolant

Finishing off this month's maintenance, we flushed the cooling system and refilled it with Prestone 50/50 prediluted antifreeze/coolant. Dropping the cooling temps even more, we added a bottle of Royal Purple's Purple Ice super-coolant additive.

Finishing off this month's maintenance, we flushed the cooling system and refilled it with

FROM THE DRIVER SEAT
Changing the fluids in your truck is easy and doesn't take much time at all. If you own a '99 or newer GM V-8, then you know just how well engineered the engine bay is and just how easy it is to work on. Swapping the plugs and wires couldn't have been simpler. Keeping your truck on the road longer is as easy as spending some time under the hood with some tried and true upgrades that you can convince your wife is just routine maintenance.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Time Spent Working: 2 Hours
Degree Of Difficulty: Beginner

Tools Needed:
5/8-inch spark plug socket, 3/8-drive ratchet, 3-inch extension, 3/8-drive U-joint, 8mm socket, 1/4-drive ratchet, oil filter wrench, drain pan, dielectric grease, gap ramp tool

Parts Used:
Autolite XP Iridium spark plugs (eight) XP5245 $63.60
Fram Xtended Guard XG3506 $9.95
MSD coil kit 82468 $585.95
MSD plug wires 32829 $68.95
Royal Purple XPR 5W-30 synthetic oil (five quarts) $39.75
Royal Purple Purple Ice coolant additive $14.95

Total: $783.15
(all prices from summitracing.com and do not include tax or shipping)

SOURCE
MSD Ignition El Paso 915-857-5200 www.MSDIgnition.com	Fram 39 Old Ridgebury Road Danbury CT 06810 800-890-2075 www.fram.com
Summit Racing PO Box 909 Akron OH 44398 800-320-3030 www.summitracing.com	Royal Purple One Royal Purple Lane Porter TX 77365 888-382-6300 www.royalpurple.com
Prestone 39 Old Ridgebury Road Danbury CT 06810 800-890-2075 www.prestone.com	Autolite 39 Old Ridgebury Road Danbury CT 06810 800-890-2075 www.autolite.com