Rear distributor questions
12-06-2007, 06:20 PM
#1
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Solon, Ohio
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rear distributor questions i have a 94 formula that has a messed up optispark. i have seen some people install small heis in their standard lt1 intake. how do you do it? i have all the machining equipment at my disposal. is there any computer problems if you switch?
sorry if the topic is old but for some reason the searched is messed for me
sorry if the topic is old but for some reason the searched is messed for me
12-06-2007, 09:00 PM
#3
Launching!
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Moore Oklahoma
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With the LT PCM engine management system, the distributor must provide high and low resolution pulses back to the PCM. If you went with the rear mount, you'll need a distributor that provide the pulses. I'm not sure if that is available off-the-shelf.
Personally, I like the MSD Opti.
WD
Personally, I like the MSD Opti.
WD
12-07-2007, 08:19 AM
#4
Launching!
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Ft. Worth, TX
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
agree just get an MSD opti, by the time you spend the money to get a rear one you could have just got an MSD, plus you don't have to do any cutting on the cowl.. 
12-07-2007, 08:27 AM
#5
Launching!
Love the red on black look in that picture. That's a sweet looking setup. Curious as to longevity and quality though with the MSD name. Personally I have not had problems with their stuff, but we hear so much about about them with concerns about quality.
Trending Topics
12-07-2007, 04:44 PM
#10
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Statesboro, Georgia
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
stock GM piece for me... no problems at all. main thing, everyone knocks the opti, but in reality if you fix leaks before they soak it they usually hold up pretty well... (as in vented opti)
12-07-2007, 05:02 PM
#11
With the LT PCM engine management system, the distributor must provide high and low resolution pulses back to the PCM. If you went with the rear mount, you'll need a distributor that provide the pulses. I'm not sure if that is available off-the-shelf.
Personally, I like the MSD Opti.
WD
Personally, I like the MSD Opti.
WD
You don’t have to eliminate the OPTI to run a standard distributor. You could leave the opti in place to give a signal back to the computer, just pull out the rotor so it not generating any spark. Then the computer is getting the signal it needs to run the injectors, and you let the distributor take care of the ignition. I am thinking about giving this a try this winter. I think it would be cheaper than some of the other options.
12-07-2007, 09:06 PM
#12
8 Second 6 Speed Director
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: windsor, ont. canada - Home of the fastest LT1 6spd.
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
i went the rear dist. mount and do not regret it one bit!!!!! one of the best mods i have ever done to the engine combo i am merely running a gm 95-7 pickup truck distributor, lol! nothing fancy.
i am merely running a gm 95-7 pickup truck distributor, lol! nothing fancy. 
12-08-2007, 12:28 AM
#18
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
From my recollection, it does.
At any rate, from when my friend repaired a Vortec 4.3, I took note at how that distributor worked (crab cap). It seemed EXACTLY like an Optispark, but rear mount. The Coil and Spark Control was the same as ours as well. The Crab Cap style uses a Cam Sensor inside the distributor, which I'm pretty sure is an optical sensor like ours. I've mentioned this before, but none of us have ever had a chance to test it, so :\ GO AT IT! lol
At any rate, from when my friend repaired a Vortec 4.3, I took note at how that distributor worked (crab cap). It seemed EXACTLY like an Optispark, but rear mount. The Coil and Spark Control was the same as ours as well. The Crab Cap style uses a Cam Sensor inside the distributor, which I'm pretty sure is an optical sensor like ours. I've mentioned this before, but none of us have ever had a chance to test it, so :\ GO AT IT! lol
12-08-2007, 07:02 AM
#19
Launching!
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Moore Oklahoma
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From my recollection, it does.
At any rate, from when my friend repaired a Vortec 4.3, I took note at how that distributor worked (crab cap). It seemed EXACTLY like an Optispark, but rear mount. The Coil and Spark Control was the same as ours as well. The Crab Cap style uses a Cam Sensor inside the distributor, which I'm pretty sure is an optical sensor like ours. I've mentioned this before, but none of us have ever had a chance to test it, so :\ GO AT IT! lol
At any rate, from when my friend repaired a Vortec 4.3, I took note at how that distributor worked (crab cap). It seemed EXACTLY like an Optispark, but rear mount. The Coil and Spark Control was the same as ours as well. The Crab Cap style uses a Cam Sensor inside the distributor, which I'm pretty sure is an optical sensor like ours. I've mentioned this before, but none of us have ever had a chance to test it, so :\ GO AT IT! lol
The rear mount distributor on an F-Body (under the cowling) whould be painfull!
WD
12-08-2007, 11:08 AM
#20
On The Tree
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You don’t have to eliminate the OPTI to run a standard distributor. You could leave the opti in place to give a signal back to the computer, just pull out the rotor so it not generating any spark. Then the computer is getting the signal it needs to run the injectors, and you let the distributor take care of the ignition. I am thinking about giving this a try this winter. I think it would be cheaper than some of the other options.
I am running a msd opti with no rotor(with stock pcm) to control the fuel and a rear mout msd distributer with a crank trigger to set the timing.I think you only need a setup like this if you have a solidroller and are going over 7k rpm
this is the rear mount I have
http://www.msdignition.com/2006/06-11.htm