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

Is my optispark going out?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 07:50 AM
  #1  
95N20FORMULA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Default Is my optispark going out?

Ok well recently over the last week or to ive noticed that when i was getting on the car and after it gets to about 4800rpms it starts to spit and sputter alittle bit, and sometimes backfires when i shift at 5200(which is where i shift at) i have a bad plug i believe, and im changing them today and if that doesnt fix it then could it be my opti, because when i was at the dragstrip this weekend past someone told me it seemed like my opti was going out as he had owned 4 lt1 fbodys...
So basically what im saying if the plug doesnt fix the problem is there anyway to tell if its my optispark?
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 11:03 AM
  #2  
LiENUS's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 95N20FORMULA
Ok well recently over the last week or to ive noticed that when i was getting on the car and after it gets to about 4800rpms it starts to spit and sputter alittle bit, and sometimes backfires when i shift at 5200(which is where i shift at) i have a bad plug i believe, and im changing them today and if that doesnt fix it then could it be my opti, because when i was at the dragstrip this weekend past someone told me it seemed like my opti was going out as he had owned 4 lt1 fbodys...
So basically what im saying if the plug doesnt fix the problem is there anyway to tell if its my optispark?
Pull codes Opti should throw a low res or high res pulse failure. It could also be a dirty MAF. the way to check for that is just unplug it, ignore the check engine light and drive her a bit to see if she still acts up the same. Shel'l be a little less powerfull (starts pulling timing when you unplug the MAF) but she should rev fine without backfiring. Mine did the same thing around 4800 rpm would spit and sputter and backfire sounded awfull, I took the maf apart cleaned it, she rev'd beautifully. I took the MAF off entirely replaced it with a peice of PVC pipe and tuned out the MAF. I may put the MAF back on later but for now she runs beautifully in speed density mode (with a lot of tuning work)
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 11:23 AM
  #3  
95N20FORMULA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Default

I dont have a code reader...
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 11:25 AM
  #4  
LiENUS's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 95N20FORMULA
I dont have a code reader...
Post where you're from and maybe someone with a code reader nearby can scan for you. Try the MAF thing while you're at it though maybe itl'l clear up with just that.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 11:42 AM
  #5  
95N20FORMULA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Default

alright, im from spartanburg, sc theres an upstate fbody club im in but there all ls1's
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 12:14 PM
  #6  
Ntimid8r7's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From: Stank Cloud, FL
Default

If it is spitting and sputtering at high RPMs you should look at just replacing the cap and rotor. I had this same exact problem and this cured it. The inside of the cap looked like *** and the rotor was burnt..
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 01:21 PM
  #7  
95N20FORMULA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Default

I got some one to read my codes, and it gave me a code for my MAF being bad...i got some MAF cleaner but not exactly sure where all to spray it, i hope i dont gotta buy another sensor...
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 02:07 PM
  #8  
LiENUS's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 95N20FORMULA
I got some one to read my codes, and it gave me a code for my MAF being bad...i got some MAF cleaner but not exactly sure where all to spray it, i hope i dont gotta buy another sensor...
You need to pull the MAF sensor out then disassemble it (4 torx bolts) Don't touch the elements just spray them good at a distance of 2-3 inches untill they are clean. Do both sides front and back, then reassemble it and pop her back in.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 02:38 PM
  #9  
Captainofiron's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
Default

if your car is OBD2, AutoZone will scan it for you for free
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 04:34 PM
  #10  
95N20FORMULA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Default

yea i got advanced auto to do it thanx guys i hope this works ill let u know
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 04:51 PM
  #11  
95N20FORMULA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Default

One of the elements is almost black even after cleaning it....and the code said code 42 or 46 i cant remember and then said MAF Circuit Problem if that helps
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2007 | 09:50 AM
  #12  
95N20FORMULA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Default

its code 48 my bad, i cleaned it and drove it for a while and when back to advanced and it throws the same code, does that mean i need a new MAF
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2007 | 11:23 AM
  #13  
Formula413's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 910
Likes: 1
From: Western Mass
Default

For what it's worth, when I cleaned my MAF sensor the ends were pretty gunked up, and spraying them down didn't get it off, so I VERY gently wiped them off with a q-tip moistened with MAF cleaner. Be careful if you do this, they are very delicate. I wasn't having any codes or problems related to the MAF though.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2007 | 05:54 PM
  #14  
1FstFormulaV8's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, Ohio
Default

I was absolutely certain my Opti was going out. I replaced and it it was not the problem. The vehicle needed plugs & wires. It's a pretty expensive guess. I would look at EVERYTHING. No matter how small you think it is. Your high RPM hesitation almost sounds fuel related. Again, had that problem, thoroughly diagnosed and found it to be the fuel pump. I had a RaceTronix system installed a week later. Problem solved. Opti
's are blamed for too many problems lately. Check and recheck everything.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2007 | 07:25 PM
  #15  
95N20FORMULA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Default

its getting worse now, it does it every time i get on it over 4600rpms it spits and sputters and doesnt pull and is backfireing bad....i need someone that knows about my car around here to look at it...
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:56 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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