New Opti- Runs terrible
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
New Opti- Runs terrible I have a 1995 Trans Am LT1, supercharged, new motor, etc. So about a month ago I finally got this thing running good and then all the sudden it started dying at high RPM's (completely dying- try to get on the highway, would die as soon as it got over 3500 RPM). It wouldnt start the next time I tried to start it, but then I did get it to start once or twice. (It would always crank, just never fire) I figured it was ANOTHER opti, I had the jegs one for about 1000 miles, so I put in a GM one from Summit. However, the thing still wont run. It started for about 10 seconds, sounded like crap, (dad/mechanic thought it sounded like the timing was advanced) and then it died and has not again restarted. Is my new opti bad? I have had that happen before. I also read some other posts where a fuel pump could cause this. Thanks for all the help.
No it doesn't... don't listen to that ^
Your Dad could be correct, it is very possible to insert the opti the wrong way and severely advance the timing, make sure that's not the case.
Your Dad could be correct, it is very possible to insert the opti the wrong way and severely advance the timing, make sure that's not the case.
Whats greg said, I'd be looking into if the opti was installed correctly (the cam dowel is in the right spot on the opti). From what you mentioned it sounds like the new opti was installed in the wrong position. And if you want to make sure the fuel pump is good throw on a fuel pressure gauge and see what kind off pressure you get.
i vote coil or module SINCE originally it was breaking up and dieing at high rpm where a coil shows its weakness the most if its still trying to spark.
but i would for sure check the fuel pressure as well as it could make it die at high rpm as well
but i would for sure check the fuel pressure as well as it could make it die at high rpm as well
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Nashville
Mine would die over 3k also and I just replaced Opti. Eventually it went out completely and wouldnt restart. Coil and ICM later she runs great. I missed the cam dowl on my 1st Opti install and it ran fine for a min then it managed to move and sounded exactly like it had jumped time. Once it moved though it wouldnt run for ****.
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On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Dunedin, Florida
shbox.com has a good view of the opti and where it should be at tdc for each piston... I would first pull the coil and check that. I believe Autozone can test it if not here is a link to with the specs to test it yourself. The other thing to give a quick check to is fuses for the injectors. I had one blow for what ever reason and it felt like the cam was 180 out. Car would start sometimes but would not stay started of coarse it was only running on 4 cyl.
http://shbox.com/1/coil_testing.jpg
http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#opti_test
http://shbox.com/1/coil_testing.jpg
http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#opti_test
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Mine did the exact same thing last week. I was driving and when it got around 3000 the car would shut off. Then after starting it a few times it stopped firing. I had a new opti, Coil, ICM, wires, etc put in. I just had BBR redo basically everything. It fixed the problem and I'm going to pick it up today.
If someone torqued it down even after seeing that, then they are stupid.
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Dunedin, Florida
not a completely true statement at all... if they have a aftermarket cam most of them are made for different years and the pin is different between the vented and non vented opti. So may have to cut the pin if your running a non vented opti.
Not true either, I've done it
I don't see how it will run. If the coil fires and the rotor is 120-degrees away from the terminal on the cap on every cylinder, where is the spark going to go? If you turn a conventional distributor 120-degrees, will it run? No.
My Chandler opti will go in correctly or 180* off into my hotcam. My old summit opti will only slide in one way. I think the splines are slightly different on the Chandler unit.