Has there been any new part that replaces the Optispark on these cars once and for all? I mean something I can finally install and be able to race the car and never have to worry about "hmm is it the optispark" ever again like a normal person. This is seriously the only reason that I want to dump my engine and find an LSX to put in there. The Optispark has left me stranded too many times. I want it gone once and for all.

 

Your prayers have been answered. http://www.torqhead.com/index.html

 

i believe its just the 24x EFI and Torqhead stuff. i myself was leaning towards torqhead but i dont know. i feel blessed that my opti has never cause me an issue so i dont know if i will replace it outright. i believe it was gonna be a $1600 drain last i checked.

 

http://www.torqhead.com/buy-24xlink-...=0&sort=normal
its lower if excluding the HP Tuners software package.

 

while there are options to eliminate the Opti (torquehead, ect).....the cost is 4-5 times the cost of a working Opti.

Might want to look into the "why" you are having issues with your opti (weeping WP, cheap china junk Opti or bad wiring). 100's of thousands of LT1/4 motors with Optis that work...

 

TorqHead 24x Conversion equals:

1. No opti......replaced with a 24x coil-to-cylinder setup;

2. LSx ECM replaces LT1 PCM;

3. Increased RPM potential....breaks through that 7000 RPM barrier;

4. Stronger and more consistent/reliable spark above 6000 RPMs.

5. Marginally more power through the RPM range; less than 10 hp/tq to the wheels in all but the most extreme cases. BUT, due to higher RPM capability your peak power can exceed peak opti power by as much as 30 HP depending on how high you can rev it AND still build power.

6. See #1.

KW

 

Sheeed.. I don't have any opti problems but you sure know how to sell the hell out of a product.. You make me want to buy that Torqhead kit NOW lol..

 

How long does it take to install all of that?

 

I'm a seasonal driver when it comes to my car, but I drive the wheels off her. I wonder why people have so many issues with their OptI. It's never gave me an issue from day one and the only reason I replaced mine is because I had access to a new upgraded unit super cheap. Also, they tend to show signs of going bad before they kick the bucket giving people warning.

That being said in relation to your question and as previously stated some 24X system which also has the added benefit of tunability or some people go carb with a distributer.

 

I purchased my '97 brand-new back in January of 1997 and I have never had any issues with the Opti. I did however put in a new AC Delco unit back in 2003 since I had the motor out.

I just recently dropped in another forged 383 LT4 and decided to go with the TorqHead 24x system. I decided to go that route mainly for the ability and ease of getting the car dyno-tuned. It's pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to find anyone besides the few mail order tuners that will tune an Opti equipped car.

 

Was it a plug and play system? Or did you have to repin anything?

 

Plug & Play using the stock wiring harness.

 

NewOrleansLT1 That setup is a thing of pure beauty

 

You can go 24x or you can go carb and conventional distributor. I'm wondering how so many people have opti problems. I have only replaced mine once and I'm at 165k. Been through 4 leaky water pumps with it also.

 

Yes I agree.. That's an awesome setup he has..

 

I wonder the same thing. And I've never heard of a an Opti working just fine one second and then just completely failing with no signs of it going bad. Not saying it hasn't or can't happen. But it seems like that's always everyone's problem with them.

 

I agree. Although I no longer have my '96 Z/28, I removed the Opti around 30-35,000 miles and cleaned it out thoroughly, and installed a new cap and rotor. I wasn't aware, at the time, of having to apply some blue Locktite to the rotor screws, and several thousand miles later, one of the screws worked itself loose.

Fortunately, the rotor didn't come completely loose, and just "cocked" a little, causing the tip of the rotor to brush against the contacts in the cap. This, in turn, created a "ticking" noise, which alerted me to the problem, which I then found with a little investigation. I probably could have simply gotten away with just re-setting the rotor and applying some Locktite to the screws, but to me, that would have been "half-assing" it, so I replaced the cap and rotor again, and this time applied Locktite to the rotor screws.

I sold the car two years ago, with 77,000 miles on it, and it was still running well. I have to agree with you, "nomoneyz", that there are most likely a LOT of Optis out there, working properly for a LONG time, that we never hear about. Think about how many Impala SSs, and LT1 equipped police cars that are out there, that racked up a lot of miles.

Due to the limited market, however, I doubt that you'll ever see any improved Optis in the future. MSD built one, and there was a short lived unit called the 'Dynaspark', that was supposed to be the Cadillac of all Opti-sparks, but I think they fell by the wayside, a number of years ago. Too costly, and too limited a market, is what I think doomed the unit.

 

Hi ALL, yes the Torqhead product is a fine answer for a DIS AND CNP Ignition/EFI.
YES, EIGHT COILS are better than ONE !

Paul is just about to finish/test the 58x UPGRADED crank trigger system.
This ALLOWS for an increase in resolution for Spark Accuracy. (2 degrees to the 58x of 1/4 degree)

That will allow the newer GM (DBW) EMS to be fitted to a SBC. (Including UEGO)
Take the time to CALL Paul for your quote.

Lance

 

Thanks, that system looks good and quite excessive though if your going to be running NOS or direct port but very cool.


As for the opti... it's junk and it's always been the weak point of these motors. It's why GM ditched it and never looked back. I never had moisture problems I always ran an electric pump. These things just don't take well to aftermarket ignition systems and they don't like high rpms. They also malfunction like nothing. At this point in my life you could blindfold me and I could replace one (and I wish I was kidding about that). If your car is stock or bolt on it's okay when you start getting into the block and changing this it's a PITA. The coil packs have it beat in every way. Oh and my favorite changing plug wires and running them to that idiotic location they placed it in. I'm just tired of them not holding up.

Here's what life is like when you try racing cars with an Optifart.



Sorry I'm bitter about the Optispark it's cost me more races and tow truck rides than I'd like and you always know when the Opti is holding you back and your car starts flat lining when your in the red and it makes your engine bog as it breaks your rpms up every time you shift up high. Used to **** me off when I would take it apart and see the inside of it worn to high hell and it was only a year old. Then you try to be cheap because the things are so damn expensive you start just replacing the rotor and the cap (good luck with that). Bah sorry I can go on an opti rant for days. The GM ones suck, the Accel ones really suck and I'm not dumb enough to blow the money on an MSD to find out the same story.

 

Heatmaker,

For a high revving motor that see's track time frequently I would advise stepping away from the Opti. Im not saying its a good system, I actually think the Engineer was very intoxicated when he designed it. But for a car that never goes past 6k hell even 6300 rpms on a regular basis. The average, every day street car that is not a DD maybe just weekends and may see the track 3-5 times a year I see no point in spending the money. (I plan on going 24x in the future) I have taken my car to open track days on many occasions and run the road coarse keeping it high in the RPMS the entire time and to this day after owning my car for 9 years replaced my Opti once, last year because I had access to a new one super cheap and I happened to be inside my motor at the time...(Bada Bing) Actually I still have the old one, and have never opened it up. Do you guys want me to take a look and see how it looks?



And I know I'm not "Lucky" as the money keeps disappearing out of my bank account before I can buy go fast parts. If anything I'm surprised I haven't replaced my Opti 30 times just because that's my luck..lol...by the way Adulting sucks