LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

MSD optispark

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 12, 2009 | 06:44 PM
  #1  
BOLO's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 2
From: Mundelein,Illinois
Default MSD optispark

I'm looking into a vented opti. But, I don't want to have to change length of the cam pin, timing cover, timing chain set, as well as removing the intake and dropping the oil pan again. Now, is anyone running a spline driven MSD opti without any issues, and the capability of high rpms? MSD supposedly made all their opti's vented, so all it takes is a simple swap.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2009 | 06:53 PM
  #2  
porksoda's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 2
From: Clovis, NM
Default

Love my MSD opti! A lot of people will bad mouth it but I had one of the first ones out and it works fine. Sees WOT at least once a day. By the way I used the newer square o ring gasket with mine.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2009 | 06:53 PM
  #3  
SPEED#1's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: Naperville,IL
Default

Thats what i heard
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2009 | 07:04 PM
  #4  
BOLO's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 2
From: Mundelein,Illinois
Default

Here's another question. Is anyone still running a spline driven non- vented opti and spinning it to 7000 rpm?
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2009 | 09:46 PM
  #5  
Wicked94Z's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 1
From: Spokane, Wa
Default

i've got one of the first MSD optis... still going strong, been spun to 7000 hundreds of times. hell even a few 8000rpm 2nd gear downshifts on the freeway
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2009 | 12:29 AM
  #6  
BOLO's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 2
From: Mundelein,Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by Wicked94Z
i've got one of the first MSD optis... still going strong, been spun to 7000 hundreds of times. hell even a few 8000rpm 2nd gear downshifts on the freeway
Which MSD opti do u have? #8381 or 83811. Spline driven or pin driven?
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2009 | 01:25 AM
  #7  
Wicked94Z's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 1
From: Spokane, Wa
Default

i have a pin driven, converted to vented a long long time ago.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2009 | 02:56 PM
  #8  
spudnick3119's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 5
From: Eastern PA
Default

I've had mine for 3 years with 20k on it so far. Car is daily driven except in winter and I've had zero issues with it. Old one died right when I first bought the car and drove it home, replaced with the MSD and don't regret spending the extra money. Car sees WOT regularly with no hiccups in acceleration. I'm doing a cam swap in the winter, so I'm going to be taking the cap off just to see how its holding up.

Btw, mine is the early version with the old style circular o-ring gasket, not the newer square shaped one.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:42 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE