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

Ideas regarding Optispark install

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Old May 26, 2010 | 09:29 PM
  #1  
Spektre's Avatar
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Default Ideas regarding Optispark install

Was having trouble with car (94 TransAm GT) not pulling in high gear and was getting worse. Started bucking even in 3-4 gear if AC was on. Could not pull well in 5th or 6th at all.

No codes but 2 shops agreed it sounded like the distributor.

Bought a new Opti and had a trusted shop install it.

Car now pulls fine but will sputter and stall. Service Enginer Soon light comes on and it is throwing a code 36.

What do you think, did I get a bad opti? I hate to pay the labor to put another one in. Shop is asking way too much for them to buy it (and thus warranty it and the labor).

Spektre
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Old May 26, 2010 | 09:48 PM
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Check the harness and make sure it clean,plugged in right,and not corrded to hell.
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Old May 30, 2010 | 11:12 PM
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Harness seems fine. Suggetions for somewhere to get a reliable optispark distributor?
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Old May 30, 2010 | 11:23 PM
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I and MANY other people have had the best luck with AC Delco originals.

You can get them from Summit for not too bad. Cheaper on ebay but since the partsladi disappeared you have to be careful it's authentic.
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 09:57 PM
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Was a bad optispark.

Had to shell out the bucks for an AC/Delco.
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Old Jun 10, 2010 | 05:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Spektre
Was a bad optispark.

Had to shell out the bucks for an AC/Delco.
OUCH!!

Hope the "trusted shop" cut you some slack on the labor for the 2nd install...
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 10:35 PM
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Default So much for "genuine AC/Delco"

Yeah they did cut a break.

And now I have to ask them to do it again. The AC/Delco Optispark failed after about 3 weeks.

This is getting ridiculous.

Summit (seller of the first part) is shipping out a replacement tomorrow. I'm making this garage rich LOL

Spektre
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Old Jul 15, 2010 | 01:06 PM
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So a new question...Assuming I did not just get 2 lemon Optisparks...is there anything upstream/downstream taht could be blowing them out. Supposedly, this latest AC/Delco part is not sparking on posts 2 and 5.

Spektre
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Old Jul 15, 2010 | 06:36 PM
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Replace the vacuum harness. I went through opti's every 5000 miles or so until I got a new one, now I have over 80,000 on the one in the car now.
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Old Jul 15, 2010 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Spektre
So a new question...Assuming I did not just get 2 lemon Optisparks...is there anything upstream/downstream taht could be blowing them out. Supposedly, this latest AC/Delco part is not sparking on posts 2 and 5.

Spektre
Be sure to keep it dry. Opti's HATE water!!! Make sure your waterpump doesn't drip onto it, too.

Some guys loctite the rotor screws. I've never done this, and never had an issue with them backing out. But, it's something to consider...

You can run a tube of fuel line (for an R/C car, or lawnmower) from your Waterpump weep hole past your opti, so if it does leak, the escaping water won't affect the opti.

Oh, and did I mention keep it dry?!?!?!
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