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

Is my optispark going out?

Old 03-23-2007, 07:50 AM
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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?
Old 03-23-2007, 11:03 AM
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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)
Old 03-23-2007, 11:23 AM
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I dont have a code reader...
Old 03-23-2007, 11:25 AM
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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.
Old 03-23-2007, 11:42 AM
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alright, im from spartanburg, sc theres an upstate fbody club im in but there all ls1's
Old 03-23-2007, 12:14 PM
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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..
Old 03-23-2007, 01:21 PM
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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...
Old 03-23-2007, 02:07 PM
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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.
Old 03-23-2007, 02:38 PM
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if your car is OBD2, AutoZone will scan it for you for free
Old 03-23-2007, 04:34 PM
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yea i got advanced auto to do it thanx guys i hope this works ill let u know
Old 03-23-2007, 04:51 PM
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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
Old 03-24-2007, 09:50 AM
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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
Old 03-24-2007, 11:23 AM
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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.
Old 03-24-2007, 05:54 PM
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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.
Old 03-24-2007, 07:25 PM
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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...


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