Whats the low down on Optispark?
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From: arlington heights, Illinois
Whats the low down on Optispark? I just bought a 1994 LT1 motor for my 68 Camaro. I keep hearing mixed opinions on optispark. Is it really that bad? I assume it cant be that bad considering im still seeing people build LT1's up all the time. I just wanna make sure it will be reliable.
thanks
Jesse
thanks
Jesse
its definately not the best thing GM ever did but its made out to be a horrible thing. as long as you take care of your car, and never let the OPTI see any kind of water you should be fine. Theres a lot of ppl out there that have a ton of miles on a stock opti
Don't worry about it. Some people have problems with it and some don't. I'm sure there are many variables contributing to how long an optispark lasts like mileage, weather conditions, abuse, maintenance... If you replace it now, chances are you'll be good for a long time.
I myself never had a problem with 70K miles on the car.
I myself never had a problem with 70K miles on the car.
It's made out to be a lot worse, then it is. My buddies 94 Z28 has 90K miles on his unvented opti, same one that came on the car in 94. A lot of people don't diagnose whats wrong with the car, any sort of issues they start throwing parts at it. People blame that single part for so much ****, its ridiculous. I have had one go bad due to the water pump taking a dump on it.
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It's made out to be a lot worse, then it is. My buddies 94 Z28 has 90K miles on his unvented opti, same one that came on the car in 94. A lot of people don't diagnose whats wrong with the car, any sort of issues they start throwing parts at it. People blame that single part for so much ****, its ridiculous. I have had one go bad due to the water pump taking a dump on it.
OEM opti here...
I've only had one go bad, 168k on the car. Non vented also, it took it a long time, even after a waterpump failure, I think the discs rusted over real bad when it wasn't driven when I was in Japan for 5 months. My friend drove it only a handful of times while I was gone.
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Oem opti here also, been to 6700 MANY times.
The key is to take it apart and Loctite the rotor screws. I did mine with green Loctite, no probs at all.
ALso keep it dry, at all times. I let mine get wet once way back icing the intake. Ran like crap on the way home. I left it set overnight and was fine the next day.
The key is to take it apart and Loctite the rotor screws. I did mine with green Loctite, no probs at all.
ALso keep it dry, at all times. I let mine get wet once way back icing the intake. Ran like crap on the way home. I left it set overnight and was fine the next day.
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I haven't had any issues with them on two LT1's and they aren't nearly as bad as alot of people make them out to be. Just keep water away from them and if the waterpump is leaking that could seep in there and cause an issue so just be careful with leaks and water.
Launching!
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I bought an LT1 for my project 4runner. Overlooked the Opti and spent a lot of time/money tracking down an Opti problem. I still think it is a good motor, but if I ever buy another I will factor in a new MSD opti from the get go. It can cause a wide variety of frustrating problems. If nothing else pull it apart and check it out before you install the motor, replace at least the cap and rotor with a MSD setup, use some silicone where the two factory seals are and around the plug (MSD opti deletes one and has a sealed plug), make sure the vent is clear, and if it isn't a vented version may god be with you ( an MSD unit will convert it). I also drilled and tapped the weep hole in the WP and put a barb with a hose leading away instead of on the opti in case it goes out. After this experience my Chevelle is getting an LS, but the LT1 is still a neat motor.
IMO, the Optispark is a great unit, regardless what is said, i've got 159K on mine (with original cap/rotor) & it still works just fine with the cap/rotor still being in relatively good shape for the mileage, I've NEVER in my 44 yrs. seen any older style dizzy/cap/rotor run for that many miles, even the good o'le HEI had its faults & takeing a dump after 100K+ miles, they all will, so when mine goes, i'll replace it with another Delco & not worry, they are NOT hard to change like most think, once you do it once, there simple after that, Bottom line IMO, the Opti is/was great technoledgy. my 2 cents.
I would have to say OPTI for the win. Never had a problem. Had to replace stock unit (156k miles) but thats it. Also, my old and new one have been through "wet" conditions with no problems. Water pump has leaked plenty of times on my optis and I've been through like 2 feet of water with no issues. If you install and SEAL it right, even with an unvented unit (like all of mine), you will NOT have a problem. No matter the conditions. The key here is sealing it right. Inside and out.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Raleigh
Mine "froze up" one night at 5am.. that was a fun night.. had 108K on it at the time. I agree the bad apples are overrated as far as failure goes. Just because one does it doesn't mean they all suck, kind of like cops lol
