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

Dreaded optispark question ! Please help ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 04:39 PM
  #1  
edgarm8933's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
Default Dreaded optispark question ! Please help ?

94 Trans Am Gt 64k miles , stock aside from a magnaflow catback.

So long story short, bought the car a month ago, idled bad, it was the Opti, dealer paid for a new Opti and labor (Carquest one). Two weeks later, car sounds like it wants to turn off, it’s idling below 500 rpm while stopped, check engine light comes up. I turn it off and try to turn it on and it cranks but it won’t turn on. Ordered a tow and called the dealer and complained, owner is super apologetic and offers to pay for new Opti, water pump, spark plugs And wires and labor. Told him ok but an Opti of my choice.

So far it seems Petris might be the one I’m going for.
https://petrisenterprises.com/collec...-kit-and-bonus

anyone have any experience with Petris or any other Opti that is reliable ?? I’ve searched the forums but it’s 2020 and wondering of any new advice.

Thank you
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 08:02 PM
  #2  
chevymec's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 34
From: Eastern NC
Default

Last Opti I bought was a used Dynaspark. It was from when they used good parts but not sure if they are still in business. Mine was for a 97. I know others will chime in that still currently dabble in the LT1 .
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 09:54 PM
  #3  
94_LT1_TransAm's Avatar
12 Second Club
10 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 294
Likes: 7
Default

I've heard that name thrown out on here, but I dont have any experience of them. Not trying to say that opti's are bad or anything [because they are not], BUT if I ever have to replace mine in the future I'll just do the Torqhead 24X conversion and be done with it all together lol. More reliable and tunability is amazing from the performance aspect with the ole LT platform [H/C/I mods]

Back on to your question tho... Since that guy offered to pay for your new opti, I put an Accel Opti on mine a while back and it's been just fine ever since [59124 spline drive or 59125 for pin drive] YMMV

**unless you could convince him to pay for the torqhead kit lol jk

EDIT: I just looked at the price in your link for that petris opti, if he is willing to pay that much for the opti, might as well go torqhead for not much more lol
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 10:42 PM
  #4  
edgarm8933's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
Default

Ok well hopefully somebody responds if they’ve had any experience with the petris opti. I spoke to my mechanic whose worked on LT1’s before and he had warned me about the cheap advance auto opti but again the dealer payed for everything so I took my chances. My mechanic told me he can get me an AC Delco one that he gets from a distributor that deals with car dealerships only and that he’s installed before and gave people no issues.
So I’m stuck on the ac Delco one which I feel is going to be more of a Chinese knock off in my opinion (he tells me he’s used that one and it’s been reliable) or the Petris one. Idk which one to take my chance on.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2020 | 06:19 AM
  #5  
Germansheperd1's Avatar
On The Tree
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 110
Likes: 19
From: Ohio
Default

A lot of the AC Delco of today isn’t the AC Delco of yesterday and what people remember. I’d go with the Petrie rebuild.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2020 | 12:29 PM
  #6  
Z28Roxy's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 27
From: Waukesha, WI
Default

Just bought a spare opti from the opti doctor on Ebay. He appears to be back in business.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2020 | 01:57 PM
  #7  
edgarm8933's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
Default

Well fellas I placed the order for the Petris. This is what I got.

https://petrisenterprises.com/collec...rk-distributor

https://petrisenterprises.com/collec...cts/plug-wires

https://petrisenterprises.com/collec...ts/spark-plugs

hope it’s all good quality and that it last me years smh. I haven’t even enjoyed my car. Bought it a month ago and I’ve only put 200miles smh opti was replaced two weeks ago and it failed lol so screw cheap advance auto and hopefully money spent on this will be worth it.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:03 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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