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

They DO exist!! (MSD Opti)

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Old 05-23-2006, 12:05 AM
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it also depends on your application i guess... the high rpm's are a big factor.. i have replaced mine once and a buddy of mine has replaced his probably 6 or more times... but he is running a very fast and powerful TA....
Old 05-23-2006, 01:16 AM
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The MSD opti is a nice opti, its got great accuracy up to even 10,000 rpms... a bit pricy tho... I just bought the MSD cap and rotor set since i was having a misfire... took my opti apart and only the contacts were trashed on the cap and rotor... everything else was perfect... 150 dollars later and the car runs perfect... much cheaper than buying a new one or an MSD one, unless im planning on reving that high...
Old 05-23-2006, 01:22 AM
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My one friend (who breaks one or more of everything) has toasted a few optis at high RPMs. My other friend was running his original opti in his hot cammed 350 to 6600rpms no problem
Old 05-23-2006, 01:50 AM
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im just hoping its going to be as reliable as they say it is.... then no one will have to worry if its an opti problem and still be used for high performance...
Old 05-23-2006, 03:27 AM
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I'm waiting for the Dynaspark Gen III to be released. What they're doing for the Gen III is eliminating the whole cap and rotor section and making it a dedicated optical sensor in a billet housing that's designed specifically for guys running Delteq or LTCC setups. I wanna see how it compares to the MSD in price. If the MSD ends up being cheaper, I'm gonna buy one and delete the cap and rotor. Then I'm gonna have a billet cover welded over the optical sensor half making it permanently sealed, and run it with my Delteq. Either way, it oughtta be the last time I lay hands on an opti.
Old 05-23-2006, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by OneFast97Z
The MSD opti is a nice opti, its got great accuracy up to even 10,000 rpms... a bit pricy tho... I just bought the MSD cap and rotor set since i was having a misfire... took my opti apart and only the contacts were trashed on the cap and rotor... everything else was perfect... 150 dollars later and the car runs perfect... much cheaper than buying a new one or an MSD one, unless im planning on reving that high...
I have to agree with you. My opti has only 63,000 miles on it, although it's 10 years old. 2-3 years ago, I don't remember exactly, I replaced the cap and rotor with a Delco replacement, as they were the only things available at the time. Just for insurance, I used a little RTV on the seal when I put it back together. It's worked well for me....
Old 05-23-2006, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by thesoundandthefury
I'm waiting for the Dynaspark Gen III to be released. What they're doing for the Gen III is eliminating the whole cap and rotor section and making it a dedicated optical sensor in a billet housing that's designed specifically for guys running Delteq or LTCC setups. I wanna see how it compares to the MSD in price. If the MSD ends up being cheaper, I'm gonna buy one and delete the cap and rotor. Then I'm gonna have a billet cover welded over the optical sensor half making it permanently sealed, and run it with my Delteq. Either way, it oughtta be the last time I lay hands on an opti.
Itll never happen.
Old 05-23-2006, 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Honda Hunter
Itll never happen.
What makes you say that?
Old 05-23-2006, 11:29 AM
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Because the talk has been around forever and what have we gotten? What happened with Electromotive? Anyways like I said, Ill stick with my Dynaspark until the GENIII comes out, if it comes out.
Old 05-23-2006, 02:13 PM
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I hear alot about this. I know my car still has the factory dist. What is the big downfall of the factory piece? Is it the distributor itself or just the fact that the caps and rotors are junk? My car seems to run fine. I have 88,000 on it. Am I due for trouble? Is mine the vent or non vent? Its a 94
Old 05-26-2006, 05:18 PM
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keep us posted on your results. my stock opti is starting to go south,143,000 km's and the msd is my first choice.thanks.
Old 05-26-2006, 05:26 PM
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every since you posted I have been trying to get one for a customer..no luck yet

I installed the MSD cap and rotor on the shop car and have been VERY happy with the results. First time we have ever had completely clean dyno graph's all the way to the 7,200 cut off!

Can't wait to test the entire unit

Let us know how it works for you!
Old 05-26-2006, 09:46 PM
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So... what is the downfall of the stock piece?? Is it just the cap and rotor? The electronics? I have 88,000 should I be shopping for one?
Old 05-26-2006, 10:27 PM
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the rotor is the major downfall of the stock unit. I would bet the electronics in the new MSD unit are from the same company the stock stuff comes from
Old 05-27-2006, 12:31 AM
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Well I have very bad news. We have not torn it aprt yet but we just got done trailering the car home. looks like I burned up one of the new MSD rotors

FIRST time in seven years my car has left me stranded. Tons of spark! MSD 6T into a MSD GM coil and a three inch flame when you crank it. Not a damn thing coming back out of the Opti.

For those who do not know this means the guts in the Opti are working fine but the high voltage is not getting from the coil to the spark plug wires.

Out of all the opti's I have been through this is the first one to leave me stranded....in the middle of the road in holiday traffic......


Only other thing it could be is the Rotor came un-screwed or broke off. I used locetite to put it together so I HOPE it is still screwed in place!
Old 05-27-2006, 12:39 AM
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Whats the red flag that the factory unit is going out? A misfire in the upper rpms? Poor idle?
Old 05-27-2006, 12:42 AM
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Originally Posted by buffman
I would bet the electronics in the new MSD unit are from the same company the stock stuff comes from
No, they are not. http://www.msdignition.com/2006/06-4.htm Read about it on the left-hand side of the page.

Originally Posted by TwoFast4Lv
Well I have very bad news.
Sorry to hear that!! Please keep us informed!!

I will be installing my billet opti this weekend, so hopefully I will have results for you guys soon!
Old 05-27-2006, 04:51 AM
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Daym Ellis! Now I know why you were trying to push the car throught the stop light in the middle of rush hour

I'll keep checking on this for the T/A - the one part (and headers) still stock that need to be replaced when we get done with you-know-who.
Old 05-27-2006, 06:03 AM
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Originally Posted by LS1Silverado05
Whats the red flag that the factory unit is going out? A misfire in the upper rpms? Poor idle?
mine misses at high rpms, and runs really crappy when it rains. checked plug wires there ok.
Old 05-27-2006, 07:45 PM
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i run my stock slightly modded opti to 8000RPM on the gun without any problems


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