OHHHH I hate the OPTISPARK!! MSD 6A is killing them?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 178
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From: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
OHHHH I hate the OPTISPARK!! MSD 6A is killing them? i have installed a 6A with a high output MSD coil. I am also running the boost retard on the 6A.
I have went through 2 optisparks in 2000 miles. I am wondering if it is the high output coil, not the 6A, that is killing them. Anyway...time for another change out.....AHHHHH.
The upside....changed the last one out in 2hrs, and I had to deal with a supercharger also.....but this is not necc a skill I endevour to develop.
If anyone has any other ideas what could be killing them, please let me know. I was very carefull with the last installation and I live in a very dry climate (so it should not be moisture). I am using the El CHEAPO units from Autozone...maybe that is it??
My plan at this point...buy an MSD Opti as soon as someone actually gets it in stock. (hopefully next week). Then, if that blows, I will convert over to the Delteq system. Thoughts?
I have went through 2 optisparks in 2000 miles. I am wondering if it is the high output coil, not the 6A, that is killing them. Anyway...time for another change out.....AHHHHH.
The upside....changed the last one out in 2hrs, and I had to deal with a supercharger also.....but this is not necc a skill I endevour to develop.
If anyone has any other ideas what could be killing them, please let me know. I was very carefull with the last installation and I live in a very dry climate (so it should not be moisture). I am using the El CHEAPO units from Autozone...maybe that is it??
My plan at this point...buy an MSD Opti as soon as someone actually gets it in stock. (hopefully next week). Then, if that blows, I will convert over to the Delteq system. Thoughts?
im pretty sure its the cheapo autozone units
at least that was my exp. the one that lasted the least was about 2
weeks.
i replaced 4 units from autozone.
on anther car i had i got a bad fuel pump,and a misfiring opti at the same time
messing up, from az, somehow broke a few rotor contacts,
i got the summit one and it worked like it should
2 hours with a blower huh?
took me lik hour and a half at the most, but i had a turbo crossover in the way sort of.
like an hour an half on reg engine
at least that was my exp. the one that lasted the least was about 2
weeks.
i replaced 4 units from autozone.
on anther car i had i got a bad fuel pump,and a misfiring opti at the same time
messing up, from az, somehow broke a few rotor contacts,
i got the summit one and it worked like it should
2 hours with a blower huh?
took me lik hour and a half at the most, but i had a turbo crossover in the way sort of.
like an hour an half on reg engine
I've been running the msd coil for 10,000+ miles and a 6a for about 1,500miles, no issues with the opti so far. Replaced cap and rotor with the MSD pieces just because I had it all torn apart down there, haven't had opti problems even after the waterpump failed and spilled coolant all over it.
Originally Posted by camar0corey
I've been running the msd coil for 10,000+ miles and a 6a for about 1,500miles, no issues with the opti so far. Replaced cap and rotor with the MSD pieces just because I had it all torn apart down there, haven't had opti problems even after the waterpump failed and spilled coolant all over it.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2005
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yeah i was gonna say maybe your water pump is leaking and spilling on to your opti but most likely its the autozone junk go with a gm ac delco opti. also the msd 6a does not have boost retard unless you are talking about a differ model msd box, i myself have the msd 6a box and msd blaster coil, i have ran this set up for about 3 years now with no problems so im suggesting you get "out of the zone" lol sorry i feel like an idiot now but i just saw the comercial on tv
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I have the stock opti, (haven't received the MSD I ordered yet) MSD 6A. stock coil, and MSD boost retard ****. No issues here. I'm guessing it must be the autozone junk. If you're interested, I started a group buy with TByrne for the MSD opti. $429.99 Cant beat that! Thanks Tom!
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TECH Addict
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: The beautiful Kingdom of Bahrain
It's way more than one guy. Alot of people believe aftermarket boxes kill optis. It's happen to a fair amount of people. I dont know for sure if the boxes are only to blame, no one knows for sure because it's one of those hit or mis things. I have a aftermarket box and a Dynaspark, no issues here. But not all can say the same.
Yes. A good friend went thru 3 opti's in a short period of time and he 'felt' that they were due to the MSD6AL he had. Alternately, I had went thru 2 MSD6AL's on the same original stock Opti. Lol...
Jeez, I didn't think Optis **** out this fast, I only did the MSD cap and rotor because I was in there, before that it hasn't had a new opti since 40k or 60k, I will have to look at the records when I get back. My car has 137k on it now.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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One thing to think about with the opti is, it is fragile. I had two Optis and for *****/giggles I fitted them both on the my 95 LT1 engine. the both fit differently, one wash flush, the other one needed a little help from the bolts to put it on all the way. Wow, same year, same part numbers.
My point is, when you buy a Dynaspark, for example, they have very specific instructions on ensureing fitment. This is critical. The factory engines with no mods etc will last, but when you start swapping Optis, gaskets, putting sealants, cams timing chains etc etc, you move the weak part around, which is the Opti.
The MSD boxes etc do put allot of stress on the Opti cap and rotor as you are throwing more electricity through it, and over time it causes carbon tracking etc.
This is my 2 cents.
My point is, when you buy a Dynaspark, for example, they have very specific instructions on ensureing fitment. This is critical. The factory engines with no mods etc will last, but when you start swapping Optis, gaskets, putting sealants, cams timing chains etc etc, you move the weak part around, which is the Opti.
The MSD boxes etc do put allot of stress on the Opti cap and rotor as you are throwing more electricity through it, and over time it causes carbon tracking etc.
This is my 2 cents.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 178
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From: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Update.....I went ahead and purchased/installed the MSD Opti. All is well with the world again - I have run it for ~500 miles now with no issues. I have read mixed reviews on the MSD units, but I have been really happy wiht the performance so far. Power is back and I have clean ignition to 6000rpm. If the MSD fails on me I will post and let you all know......and one more thing.....No more autozone junk for me......
Originally Posted by real82it
Update.....I went ahead and purchased/installed the MSD Opti. All is well with the world again - I have run it for ~500 miles now with no issues. I have read mixed reviews on the MSD units, but I have been really happy wiht the performance so far. Power is back and I have clean ignition to 6000rpm. If the MSD fails on me I will post and let you all know......and one more thing.....No more autozone junk for me......
