96 Tahoe Head/intake and or Spyder replace

[AK3E]

I have a 96 2 door 4wd Tahoe. I've been driving it for about 5 yrs. It's had several issues during that time frame. It fouls number 4 plug every 2-3000m. Lately it idles rough and hi rpm's. I have replaced plugs, cap and rotor, cam and crankshaft sensors and the IAC. Nothing has helped. I finally took to the dealer. He said that it appears to be the injectors. These would be the original ones. The vehicle has 169,000m. ))) I can believe that may be part of my problem. However getting back to the fouling plug....I can only think it could be a leaking valve guide. I read (I think I've read too much) that these heads are prone to sticking valves. I have decided to replace the spider myself with the oem spider. While in there should I go ahead and remove the heads? Is there a better performing head to replace them with versus having the old redone? Also is there a better intake system? Whatever changes I make I want it to work with the oem electronics. I am also thinking about openning up the exhaust, headers and full flo cat keeping the oem oxygen sensors. Any thoughts on any of this?

 

[Sepiroth]

To replace the injectors, you only need to remove the upper plenum and not the lower intake. Your fouling plug issue could also be from a leaky injector.

 

[AK3E]

Tnx I didn't think about that just figured it would be a bad valve guide. Just hate to do the upper work then have to go deeper. It's cold in the driveway this time of year. )) Want to fix it all at 1st try.

 

[Sepiroth]

There are ore tests one can run to diagnose a bad or leaky valve. IMHO, I would just do the spider's first. Oh and a bit of advice, ake sure you use new gaskets and be sure the spider gasket to upper plenum is secure.

It's a real easy job to do, but a PITA, if you loose some parts.

 

[NYrr496]

Yeah, swap out the spider.

If and when you do your heads, look at EQ Cylinder heads. They make a great replacement Vortec head. Probably cheaper than redoing factory heads and they flow better to boot.
Also, you'd probably have a better gain per dollar just using a cat back system on your cats.