Opti Spark
The stocker is the most reliable, maybe consider adding an MSD cap and rotor too it and making sure the rotor screws are secure.
Someone will chime in and sing the paraises of the MSD whole opti but they are proving to be troublesome, some people just are unwilling to admit they made a $500 mistake. The added "features" it offers over just their cap and rotor are only usable by the most advanced users.
Someone will chime in and sing the paraises of the MSD whole opti but they are proving to be troublesome, some people just are unwilling to admit they made a $500 mistake. The added "features" it offers over just their cap and rotor are only usable by the most advanced users.
The Accel is JUNK, and the MSD besides rotors falling off is exibiting rubbing between rotors and caps. Without a keyed hub, degreed damper and fabricated timing pointer you never know what the timing setting actually is.
Speaking from experience I don't post unless I'm speaking from personal experience.
When I first got my car in April, I replaced the original stocker (even though I wasn't having problems with it) with one from eBay which said AC/Delco - lasted one month, less than 1k miles and left me stranded. (I replaced it because coolant was leaking from the WP on it.)
Replaced with a NAPA one a mechanic recommended - went out in two month, less than 1k miles.
Tried to replace the NAPA one with a replacement for the first "AC/Delco" eBay one, couldn't even put it on because the prongs in the connector were bent. A mechanic said it was NOT a real AC/Delco opti.
Currently running a TRUE AC/Delco opti. Hopefully this one will be fine. (In hindsight, I shoulda just left the stocker on and waited it out!)
A lot of people in various forums say the Accel is crap and the MSD is hit or miss. The general consensus is that the best way to go it the real AC/Delco opti.
EDIT: One thing that I have noticed since the new AC/Delco's been on is that a slight bog at take off is gone.
When I first got my car in April, I replaced the original stocker (even though I wasn't having problems with it) with one from eBay which said AC/Delco - lasted one month, less than 1k miles and left me stranded. (I replaced it because coolant was leaking from the WP on it.)
Replaced with a NAPA one a mechanic recommended - went out in two month, less than 1k miles.
Tried to replace the NAPA one with a replacement for the first "AC/Delco" eBay one, couldn't even put it on because the prongs in the connector were bent. A mechanic said it was NOT a real AC/Delco opti.
Currently running a TRUE AC/Delco opti. Hopefully this one will be fine. (In hindsight, I shoulda just left the stocker on and waited it out!)
A lot of people in various forums say the Accel is crap and the MSD is hit or miss. The general consensus is that the best way to go it the real AC/Delco opti.
EDIT: One thing that I have noticed since the new AC/Delco's been on is that a slight bog at take off is gone.
Last edited by Cheap Guy; Sep 23, 2007 at 07:03 PM.
I got my authentic AC Delco off Ebay as well but it was a dealership. Be careful when buying stuff like that on Ebay. Usually just looking at the seller and the info they provide about their selves is enough for me.
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I am now running a GM opti. I replaced the stocker for no reason at 95k. It worked perfect at the time. If I get another 95k from this one I will be more than happy. 280$ from jegs.
I know of people that have over 100,000 miles on stock Opti's and others like myself that have lasted a week. I went and purchased one from my local chevy dealer and the car wouldnt even start, then I took it back for another, it would not start either, took it apart and the rotor was pressed on backwards, I went Dynaspark and never looked back........
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Northvale, NJ
Originally Posted by Cheap Guy
....Tried to replace the NAPA one with a replacement for the first "AC/Delco" eBay one, couldn't even put it on because the prongs in the connector were bent. ...
I am by no means an expert - but if you search Optispark on this or other message boards you will find frustration and horror stories. It boggles my mind how there can be so many problems in the aftermarket when the manufacturer is charging $500 !! - its inexcusable.
It does seem the Delco is the best way to go - they have the "fewest" problems reported. I am currently having luck with my Ebay one (which by the way was advertised as Delco - but seems not to be) - but I think about it every time I turn the key. I rolled the dice early in the game before people started reporting failures with these.
You gotta decide if you are rolling the dice like me - or paying more (Genuine GM from the dealership) - for further peace of mind.
If you read the ad for the cheap one on eBay, they don't actually claim that it is an AC Delco. What they say is that they manufacture AC Delco optis, which is mealy mouth sales talk for "It's not really an AC Delco". And the cap is the wrong color.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Northvale, NJ
Originally Posted by koolaid_kid
If you read the ad for the cheap one on eBay, they don't actually claim that it is an AC Delco. What they say is that they manufacture AC Delco optis, which is mealy mouth sales talk for "It's not really an AC Delco". And the cap is the wrong color.
No sir. Look at auction #150164897102 - which is where I purchased. It states very clearly:
THIS IS A BRAND NEW GM OPTISPARK PART #1104032
Furthermore, the email response I got from them before I bought stated:
We buy these direct from AC Delco's factory in large bulk, they are brand new optisparks
So, early in the game before people started questioning the color of the unit against a known GM unit - and before failures started occurring - everything looked above board. There is still a claim of it being GM today.
What are the legal ramifications of that? If he is lying can't he be sued?
Further down it says "Unit is produced by AC Delco Manufacturer".
These are conflicting statements. I suggest he is not being accurate with his information, but of course I have no proof.
I just bought a used one; I am probably going to examine it in detail to verify. I would expect the AC Delco part to have their stamp on it somewhere.
These are conflicting statements. I suggest he is not being accurate with his information, but of course I have no proof.
I just bought a used one; I am probably going to examine it in detail to verify. I would expect the AC Delco part to have their stamp on it somewhere.