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

The Mysterious Miss

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Old 04-27-2010 | 11:41 PM
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Default The Mysterious Miss

Well I still have a severe engine miss. To remind everyone, I installed long tube headers and when I went to drive it, it misses like crazy. It had a problem before I started the install where it would miss badly when I first started it, and then it would smooth right out down the road. Now it is a constant miss.

I decided to check at night under the hood to see if maybe any of the wires were burnt and/or arcing. I instantly noticed a large arc in where the coil wire goes into the Opti Spark and around the actual coil itself. So I replaced the coil tonight. I started it again still noticed an arc around the coil! There is also a small arc around the Opti boot as well. I also changed the coil wire and made sure that wasnt causing my problems but it didnt change any of it. Does anyone have any idea what could be happening here? Its like a lightning storm on my brand new coil. What is going on?
Old 04-28-2010 | 01:23 AM
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I believe I could see some blue arcing coming from my coil as well...change the plugs.

Last edited by FAD2BLK93; 04-28-2010 at 01:24 AM. Reason: miss spell
Old 04-28-2010 | 08:26 AM
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Plugs are brand new. I changed them all when I did the headers...
Old 04-28-2010 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by lt11994
...Spark and around the actual coil itself. So I replaced the coil tonight. I started it again still noticed an arc around the coil! There is also a small arc around the Opti boot as well. I also changed the coil wire and made sure that wasnt causing my problems but it didnt change any of it. Does anyone have any idea what could be happening here? Its like a lightning storm on my brand new coil. What is going on?
Well electricity will always take the path of least resistance. Meaning it is finding the easiest path to ground, and the 'leak' is not the intended path.

If you are certain ALL connections are correct and wires are in order (grease and grime free) then the connection between the coil to the plug is the culprit.

That leaves the connection at the coil, at the cap, from cap to the rotor, rotor to cap (plug connection), plug wire to plug, and of course the plug.

I am betting the opti cap and rotor are corroded. BUT I would definitely clean all connections again and make sure there is not grease, grime or oil to allow the coil voltage to take the alternate path.

What coil were you using? Have you put it back and seen what happens? What coil are you using now?

It is frustrating but there is a reason and many times there are cracks on a coil or cap that are almost impossible to see. Yes even on new parts, it is a PITA but in the end you will have to eliminate even the most asinine possibilities because this is not a 'common' occurrence.

Good luck
Old 04-28-2010 | 01:15 PM
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I was using the stock coil but replaced it with one I got quick from Autozone.
Old 04-28-2010 | 01:29 PM
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Well if it were me I wouldn't bother replacing the coil to see if the old one works...

You want the new coil so use it. The new coil probably is putting out a higher voltage or something was damaged when you worked on it....

Either way it ain't working now...so check and recheck everything external to opti and if the problem persists then IMO you will need to change the Opti and rotor. If you replace them I recommend you buy an MSD cap and rotor.

Make sure to read about how to and locktite rotor and silicon the cap.

Good luck
Old 04-28-2010 | 01:30 PM
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I just checked my ground wires etc. and all looked well. I am getting very fed up with the car at this point. It just doesnt make any sense. Could it be the Opti? Im so lost right now, the for sale sign is sounding good...
Old 04-28-2010 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by lt11994
I just checked my ground wires etc. and all looked well. I am getting very fed up with the car at this point. It just doesnt make any sense. Could it be the Opti? Im so lost right now, the for sale sign is sounding good...
Well if you prefer, bailing out is always an option BUT a car with a problem is worth a lot less. Opti CAP and rotor MIGHT be cause. Opti won't cause arching.

As I said in early post

Originally Posted by boosted LT1
...I am betting the opti cap and rotor are corroded. BUT I would definitely clean all connections again and make sure there is not grease, grime or oil to allow the coil voltage to take the alternate path...

It is frustrating but there is a reason and many times there are cracks on a coil or cap that are almost impossible to see. Yes even on new parts, it is a PITA but in the end you will have to eliminate even the most asinine possibilities because this is not a 'common' occurrence.

Good luck
As I said it is frustrating but unless you want to pay someone to do it...you are the only person on site. If I could fix it for you I would, I can't and BEFORE you replace the opti cap and rotor I HIGHLY recommend you check EVERYTHING else first!

Good luck



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