My tune up choices

[Railhead_Ed]

My truck is a 2009 1500 Laramie 5.7 with 133,000 miles. It still has its original plugs and coil packs. I'd like to change the plugs myself. Should I also change the coil packs? It runs fine, but I'm sure it could be improved. The shop that has worked on it all its life says they only change the coils as they go bad. I have read that they weaken over time.

Any thoughts?

Ed Dowdy
Fithian IL

 

[MADDOG]

Ed,

At that many miles I'd replace them before one of them goes bad while you are on the road, trying to get somewhere. You apparently have some time to shop around for the best deal on the coil packs but they will eventually go bad.

 

[Railhead_Ed]

Thanks brother,

Any suggestions on brand? I thought about MSD. Asside from being pricey, they didn't have one specifically made for the Hemi.

Ed

 

[MADDOG]

MSD makes good stuff.

They do offer a coil pack set, their "Street Fire" p/n 5516 which fits your truck. You can get an 8 pack of these coils under p/n 55168.

Accel makes a set as well, just a bit pricier than the MSD 55168 pack, which is p/n 140038-8.

Davis Unified Ignition, Delphi & NGK also make coil packs for your truck.

I'd contact 1A Auto, one of our supporting vendors here, on your options. Most of what I listed above is available at Summit Racing as well.

 

[Tach_tech]

There is virtually nothing to be gained by upgrading the coils on your truck unless it has extensive engine modifications. MSD coils are pretty much just rebranded OE coils that seem to have a higher failure rate.

If you really want to upgrade, just get the coils from a 2013 or newer.

 

[Railhead_Ed]

I think I'll just stick with OE type for the year of the truck I have. Unless there is a really compelling reason for ones design for the newer truck?

Ed

 

[crackerjack1957]

2013 + coil packs setup for 100k plugs, years below coil pack & plugs good for 30k
Seems you proved the above wrong...lol

 

[MADDOG]

I think I'll just stick with OE type for the year of the truck I have. Unless there is a really compelling reason for ones design for the newer truck?

Ed

Can't think of a good reason not to go with the OE type packs.

 

[Tach_tech]

2013 + coil packs setup for 100k plugs, years below coil pack & plugs good for 30k
Seems you proved the above wrong...lol

If you do go with the 2013+ make sure to use the 2013+ plugs as well. The older plugs were copper plugs, and while they work great, they wear out much faster compared to the newer iridium plugs.

 

[Railhead_Ed]

I want to thank all you guys on your suggestions. Parts wise looks like some where just north of $250. Not including dielectric grease. Any suggestions on that? I have lithium grease, but I don't think it's much of a conductor of electricity.

 

[Tach_tech]

Any dielectric grease is fine. The new coils may already come with some grease in them.

 

[Railhead_Ed]

Any dielectric grease is fine. The new coils may already come with some grease in them.

Thanks!

 

[rotwiler]

My 2013 build truck has copper plugs, I would say to be safe, 2014+ coils, RAM changed mid 2013 at about same time the 8 speed was added. I still can't seem to verify coils are any different, so I kept with original mopar nickel (copper) plugs to be safe. Even at 40k miles, noticed a big difference changing plugs.

 

[crackerjack1957]

You can only buy new coils thru Mopar #68238603AA now, they have replaced the older.

 

[Wahrsuul]

From reading around this site, I think the coil change was in 15 along with the long life plugs. Haven't heard of anyone doing the swap out on an older truck though.

 

[tidefan1967]

I have read where some guys put anti-seize on the threads but I never have. That kind of falls into the same category as torquing the drain plug on your oil pan but hey your never know might be worth it in the long run.