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

Opti Spark Choices

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 13, 2014 | 03:59 PM
  #1  
windowrattler's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default Opti Spark Choices

Need to pick up an Optispark for a 94 Camaro. Got two bad out of the box cardone autozone ones (indexed wrong on the last one). Was about to order a Delphi but it seems like they aren't built anymore with the Mitsu sensor. Is there any source of ones with the correct sensor. I know this is a hot topic with buy "OEM" but it doesn't seem like that is an option anymore. Otherwise it seems my options are down to Petris vented or just get the Delphi. Thoughts? Links? Comments?

Thanks!
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2014 | 09:41 PM
  #2  
GhosT5's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default

AC Delco or MSD are the only good options IMO.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 02:34 AM
  #3  
SS RRR's Avatar
Village Troll
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,111
Likes: 596
From: Jackstandican
Default

I'd go with a Delphi before MSD.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 05:46 AM
  #4  
PA94Z's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

The Delphis do have the Mitsubishi sensor. Atleast the one I bought last year did..
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 07:28 AM
  #5  
JOHNNYMO's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by SS RRR
I'd go with a Delphi before MSD.
For what its worth...New MSD's are supposed to have new and improved internals... I learned this from the tech I spoke with who performed the rebuild on mine a momth or so back.....
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 10:10 AM
  #6  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

i have msd billet and its been great.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 12:02 PM
  #7  
Catmaigne's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 25
From: Conshohocken, PA
Default

When did the delphis start not having the mitsu sensor?! Pics please
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 12:49 PM
  #8  
Shownomercy's Avatar
Man-Crush Warning
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 129
Default

24x ftw
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 01:18 PM
  #9  
saccitycorvette's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 785
Likes: 32
From: Sacramento, Ca.
Default

The MSD Pro Billet is a great unit but for the more budget friendly we sell the procomp units and people are having great luck. whatever you get dont forget the lock tight the rotor screws.
__________________
Don't forget to check out our products at www.saccitycorvette.com
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...c361808_12.gif
If you like our products, tell others! If not, tell us! https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s/thumbsup.gif

Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 05:29 PM
  #10  
96capricemgr's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,975
Likes: 15
Default

Originally Posted by jrwilliams95z28
i have msd billet and its been great.
and a LOT more folks have had Delphi/Delco units a LOT longer and been great.

Like it our not the failure rate on the MSDs is higher. Glad your's has been good but a number of guys gave up on them and went back to Delco.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 09:28 PM
  #11  
flyinZ's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,642
Likes: 0
From: IL
Default

check out rockauto for the Delphi units. They have a decent price on them.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 09:36 PM
  #12  
1999CamaroSS's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Default

I had an MSD unit that lasted about 8 months but this was 4 years ago so I'm assuming the new design is not what I had.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 09:37 PM
  #13  
1999CamaroSS's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Default

That was on a bolt on car btw so no more work load was being put on it then what it was designed for.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 06:18 AM
  #14  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

Originally Posted by 96capricemgr
and a LOT more folks have had Delphi/Delco units a LOT longer and been great.

Like it our not the failure rate on the MSDs is higher. Glad your's has been good but a number of guys gave up on them and went back to Delco.
That's great for them, no complaints for MSD here. I got mine for cheap to, girlfriends dad owns a partstore.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 11:06 AM
  #15  
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 3
From: jersey shore
Default

Originally Posted by 96capricemgr
and a LOT more folks have had Delphi/Delco units a LOT longer and been great.

Like it our not the failure rate on the MSDs is higher. Glad your's has been good but a number of guys gave up on them and went back to Delco.
My delphi/delco failed pretty quick, less than a year. My msd has been flawless for years now and plenty of rpm. I try to not listen to the internet and find things out for myself though.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 04:40 PM
  #16  
stevo9389's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 680
Likes: 7
From: Clearwater
Default

is this why you believe the Mitsubishi sensor is no longer used?

from an ad on amazon.com:

Note: Delphi partners with other manufacturers to supply the parts your car was originally built with. This product is in a Delphi package, however the part may have been manufactured by an independent Delphi supplier
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2014 | 12:53 PM
  #17  
windowrattler's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

Just wanted to follow up on the thread.

I'm not sure exactly where but I started to get the impression that Mitsu stopped making the sensor and Delphi started to use a different facility. It may or may not be true.

I ended up buying a msd through amazon for the simplicity of things if there was a problem. Amazon is great and friends have had good luck with MSD customer service. Now to the fun stuff.

Next day shipped the MSD and my friend and partner in crime who is a diesel mechanic during the day and has extensive experience in most things automotive installed the Opti while I was at work. Gets it in and it seems we have the opposite problem. Idles good but under load instant spark knock...and baaaaddddd spark knock. He takes it out and installs it 4 times and has another friend install it once just for good measure. All the same results.

So once I get home I flash the computer with 7 degrees of timing pulled out of the tables and its better but still not right. Why 7 degrees? This is what the MSD Opti can retard/advance with the adjustment screw thinking it was set all the way advanced. Well we pull the Opti one more time and I check out stuff for myself. Everything seems fine. We turn the adjustment screw and it is set the correct 1.5 turns. I install the Opti myself with what seems like the same results in fitment. We fire it up and voila.....fixed. Running good for a week now. What the problem was with the msd who knows. I'm wondering if moving the adjustment screw "fixed" something internally. Time will tell.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2014 | 01:46 PM
  #18  
JOHNNYMO's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by windowrattler
Just wanted to follow up on the thread.

I'm not sure exactly where but I started to get the impression that Mitsu stopped making the sensor and Delphi started to use a different facility. It may or may not be true.

I ended up buying a msd through amazon for the simplicity of things if there was a problem. Amazon is great and friends have had good luck with MSD customer service. Now to the fun stuff.

Next day shipped the MSD and my friend and partner in crime who is a diesel mechanic during the day and has extensive experience in most things automotive installed the Opti while I was at work. Gets it in and it seems we have the opposite problem. Idles good but under load instant spark knock...and baaaaddddd spark knock. He takes it out and installs it 4 times and has another friend install it once just for good measure. All the same results.

So once I get home I flash the computer with 7 degrees of timing pulled out of the tables and its better but still not right. Why 7 degrees? This is what the MSD Opti can retard/advance with the adjustment screw thinking it was set all the way advanced. Well we pull the Opti one more time and I check out stuff for myself. Everything seems fine. We turn the adjustment screw and it is set the correct 1.5 turns. I install the Opti myself with what seems like the same results in fitment. We fire it up and voila.....fixed. Running good for a week now. What the problem was with the msd who knows. I'm wondering if moving the adjustment screw "fixed" something internally. Time will tell.
Thats strange indeed. Did your buddy start off by adjusting the timing screw the first time? Seems like it. I never touched the screw and mine ran perfectly.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2014 | 01:57 PM
  #19  
windowrattler's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

Timing screw was never touched ahead of time and was verified in the correct position which we put it back to. Odd thing was the autozone opti seemed 20 degrees or so retarded. The MSD seemed 20 degrees advanced or so. I'm wondering if the inside spline is "loose" and makes it easy to install one tooth off either way. Thats what it really seems like.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2014 | 01:58 PM
  #20  
windowrattler's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

I have the ability to flash 94-95 lt1s so I was adjusting timing in the computer to test our theories about the opti's being retarded or advanced.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:24 AM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE