Finally got the headers on...Opti quits
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Finally got the headers on...Opti quits So I have been to hell and back getting my Long tube headers on my car and when I finally finish it today I take it for a ride. I noticed the car was missing quite a bit and decided to wait until tonight to check for any possible arcs. I lifted the hood and notice a strong arc in where the coil wire goes into the Opti-spark. I thought just maybe I'd be lucky and a coil wire change would help but it didnt, it still arched by the Opti. Is this my Opti-spark telling me he's had enough after 16 years and 109,000 miles? Any help or input is appreciated, thanks guys. Kyle.
Buy the correct cap and rotor from MSD, read about how to, locktite rotor screws, use RTV on upper half of cap and it will likely last a couple years.
I WOULD change the water pump while I was in there, that is a wear item, and a rebuilt water pump will have new seals and bearings a good preventitive maintenance for the opti.
Be EXTREMELY careful to keep antifreeze away from the opti as you pull it.
Good luck
IF you can get a 'good' opti change it. I have gotten rebuilt opti's and had to change it twice on a couple different vehicles. I find if the opti is working it tends to be as good or better than a rebuilt unit.
Buy the correct cap and rotor from MSD, read about how to, locktite rotor screws, use RTV on upper half of cap and it will likely last a couple years.
I WOULD change the water pump while I was in there, that is a wear item, and a rebuilt water pump will have new seals and bearings a good preventitive maintenance for the opti.
Be EXTREMELY careful to keep antifreeze away from the opti as you pull it.
Good luck
Buy the correct cap and rotor from MSD, read about how to, locktite rotor screws, use RTV on upper half of cap and it will likely last a couple years.
I WOULD change the water pump while I was in there, that is a wear item, and a rebuilt water pump will have new seals and bearings a good preventitive maintenance for the opti.
Be EXTREMELY careful to keep antifreeze away from the opti as you pull it.
Good luck
I don't own one I MIGHT put one on my drag car ONLY because it would allow me to circulate coolant without starting the engine between runs.
The power added switching from mechanical is insignificant, and is not enough to justify the cost IMO, BUT on a drag car with open thermostat it allows water to circulate in the pits and cool engine using fan and electric water pump.
Friends use it they cool faster in pits but they also run hotter down the track, so there are trade offs. Personally I would never put one on a street car, but many people do.
All changes need to be thought through this is a time to consider changing to electric water pump since you would be buying a new mechanical pump. BUT think it through and do what you feel is right for where you are taking your car and make mods accordingly.
Good luck
The power added switching from mechanical is insignificant, and is not enough to justify the cost IMO, BUT on a drag car with open thermostat it allows water to circulate in the pits and cool engine using fan and electric water pump.
Friends use it they cool faster in pits but they also run hotter down the track, so there are trade offs. Personally I would never put one on a street car, but many people do.
All changes need to be thought through this is a time to consider changing to electric water pump since you would be buying a new mechanical pump. BUT think it through and do what you feel is right for where you are taking your car and make mods accordingly.
Good luck
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I don't own one I MIGHT put one on my drag car ONLY because it would allow me to circulate coolant without starting the engine between runs.
The power added switching from mechanical is insignificant, and is not enough to justify the cost IMO, BUT on a drag car with open thermostat it allows water to circulate in the pits and cool engine using fan and electric water pump.
Friends use it they cool faster in pits but they also run hotter down the track, so there are trade offs. Personally I would never put one on a street car, but many people do.
All changes need to be thought through this is a time to consider changing to electric water pump since you would be buying a new mechanical pump. BUT think it through and do what you feel is right for where you are taking your car and make mods accordingly.
Good luck
The power added switching from mechanical is insignificant, and is not enough to justify the cost IMO, BUT on a drag car with open thermostat it allows water to circulate in the pits and cool engine using fan and electric water pump.
Friends use it they cool faster in pits but they also run hotter down the track, so there are trade offs. Personally I would never put one on a street car, but many people do.
All changes need to be thought through this is a time to consider changing to electric water pump since you would be buying a new mechanical pump. BUT think it through and do what you feel is right for where you are taking your car and make mods accordingly.
Good luck
I replaced it with a mechanical. My car isn't a daily driver (more of a weekend warrior), but 3 years later, at 113k my mechanical died instantly on me and took out my head gasket.
If I have to deal with that poo (dying instantly from a mechanical), I'm just going to run an electric. My Meziere HD flows more than a mechanical except at very high RPM anyway. Plus when the time for a rebuild comes, an electric pays for itself when you can buy a $200 cheaper timing chain.
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I did a MSD cap and rotor change on my original Opti during my rebuild. After only 1300 miles, I'm pulling it apart again to deal with a code 36 that won't go away (optical encoder is done, acts up when hot). Should have done a new Opti with the MSD cap & rotor. The 8481 kit makes a 93-94 Optispark vented, comes with the hoses.
Cap & rotor may cure your problem since you're not getting low res or high res failure codes yet, but I'd think sooner or later you're going to have SES light/code 36. Seller on EBay "thepartsladi" has Delphi Optis for $295.00. I'm posting up some pics of the 93-94 Opti I bought from them today so you can see what the quality is like on the Delphi.
Cap & rotor may cure your problem since you're not getting low res or high res failure codes yet, but I'd think sooner or later you're going to have SES light/code 36. Seller on EBay "thepartsladi" has Delphi Optis for $295.00. I'm posting up some pics of the 93-94 Opti I bought from them today so you can see what the quality is like on the Delphi.