94Z28rag

iTrader: (10)

I'm either going to convert over to a vented optispark for my 396 build or get rid of the opti all together if it's not going to be reliable at those RPMs.

I haven't ordered anything yet, so I'm able to go both directions. I don't want to upgrade if its not necessary, but I know I will be pushing it at those RPMs.

This is essentially a drag race only setup.

Thoughts?

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

I would keep the opti unless it proves repeatedly unreliable. Should be able to get it to work just fine and then you can spend the savings on something to make it faster.

94Z28rag

iTrader: (10)

That's my thought as well. A little birdie told me to locktite the screws and cross my fingers.

I just don't want to spend the money on a full conversion only to find that it can't take the RPMs.

05HD

Just locktite the non-vented opti and go for it. Changing the cap and rotor occasionally on a drag only car is minor maintenance. Plus it will give you an excuse to get in there and see how it is holding up before it actually flies apart.

SS Aleks

opti is more than ok at that RPM. Mine is a vented OEM unit (out of the box, no tricks). It regularly goes 7500 and even flashed 8,000 more than once. Good Luck.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

I would think on a build of that magnitude a vented opti upgrade would be needed in order to facilitate the use of a double roller timing chain.

05HD

He didn't mention anything about a double roller but if he has one or plans for one, he is going to need to make some $$ changes regardless what route he takes for ignition.

I'd stay with the single chain and original opti if it was mine though.

robsquikz28

iTrader: (246)

OEM vented opti for sure!

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

If you've got trust in a stock single link-bar OEM timing chain at 7k+ RPM making upwards of +550HP, you've got more guts than me.

05HD

Or more spare time to fix it, lol.

But, if going the money route, may as well get a bombproof ignition setup. LTCC etc...

355TurboLT1

iTrader: (11)

LTCC would be bulletproof.....EFI connection 24X= Bombproof!

94Z28rag

iTrader: (10)

Exactly. Double roller is a given on this setup.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

LTCC still requires a funbctional opti base, IF it fixes anything all you needed was a cap and rotor, TUNEUP ITEMS.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

I too have a vented opti shifting at 7200rpm for the last 2+ years. No problems as of yet.

FASTFATBOY

iTrader: (23)

Mine goes to 6800-7000 often, stock GM opti with the rotor screws loctited.

Colin91Z

iTrader: (9)

Chalk up another for the vented opti Mine is shifted @ 7k, been together for more than 2 years on a bone-stock Delco opti.

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

I went crank trigger for the signal but I still use the opti just to send the spark (cap/rotor). Mine shifted at 7000 all last year on my 355 and its been shifting at 7800-8200 constantly on my 385 and its holding up fine. They actually work pretty good if you don't have to depend on them sending a good ignition signal to the computer ;-)

+1 for the Opti Cap and Rotor
No so much for the actual "Opti" part of it

AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

I spin to 68-7k and blew up one opti and the 2nd has been fine. Both are GM parts

Pimpallya59

I'm going with the ltcc setup on my build. Stroked forged lt4 block trickflow heads and the infamous mease/eaton supercharger setup. On the b body forums the opti isn't known for lasting in high rpm setups. Maybe it's different for the f body guys. My tuner doesn't even want to tune it till I swap over to the ltcc.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

LT4 block huh?? A tuner that resists tuning it with an opti?? I don't see this going well for you.

It is mostly the ignorant that have opti problems and swear it wont work. You say the stock opti is not known for lasting on high rpm stuff on the b-body boards BUT Jeff Green, Mike Harris, Pat Gish, Karl Ellwein, Nabil Guffrey, myself and a lot of the other guys with cars that perform well enough to be noticed use the stock opti.