jrzvette

Well, my luck finally ran out. Last year, shortly afet I bought my 93 6 speed, the water pump started leaking. I caught it before any damage was done to the opti and the car has run perfectly ever since. This morning I noticed coolant on the ground and when I checked, one of the upper hoses had a small pin hole in it and it was spraying directly onto the opti. Right now the car won't even start so I guess its time for a new opti.

So, it seems my options are:

Replace with an original 1st gen opti - would rather not
Upgrade to a 95/96 version - what additional parts are needed to do this?
Replace with a Dynaspark - do they make a first gen replacement and what is their web site?

thanks

CrvtBB

Just saw an add in the most recent Corvette Enthusiast magazine about new optis from Accel and MSD. The MSD has a manual adjustment screw that allows some timing adjustment. Both have the later style vented cap.

When my opti goes, I'll probably go for the MSD product.

aminnich

What ever you do DO NOT buy one on ebay . I was foolish enough to do that and thought I saved some money. Six weeks later it failed and I am still fighting to get refund . Stay with AC/Delco and I got best price from Advance Auto, which really surprised me.

Redeasysport

I have one and it has plenty of members who like them.They are especially good for 92-94 cars as they add the positive vent hoses like the Gen II optis.
check this to contact them
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...18&forum_id=48

corvette-pilot

Might be in the same boat

jserio

I saw some on Ebay. I just got one from on there. You know for one of those just in case times.

Joe

'94 torch red

FYI -- There is a good article in the March 2006 issue of "Corvette Magazine" on replacing old "Sparky".

sonomacrew01

convert to the 95+ style

DG'sVette

Here are some prices out of the current Summit Catalog. I posted this info early to see what everyone thought of the products. MSD seems to be the choice but its new just like the ACCEL.

Summit Lt1 Cap & Rotor Kit
SUM-G5241 $109.95

ACCEL Performance Replacement Opti-Spark II
ACC-59125 $299.95

ACCEL Cap & Rotor
ACC-8136 $99.95

MSD Opti-Spark
MSD-83811 $499.88

GM OEM Replacement
NAL-1104032 $289.88

Redeasysport

Don't know why anybody would want to be a Gunea pig for MSD or Accel.I have yet to hear anyone use them.Why don't you put one in DG and evaluate it for us?

I am wondering what benefit having an opti than can manually advance the timing would have when the ECM does that itself.It seems to me it could be a bad thing if it causes knocking.

81c3

Not trying to hi-jack here, but, If I replaced my 94 opti & asked for a replacement from GM, does that mean I just got the same faulty piece that was put in there from the factory in the first place?

I saw 3 little vent holes at the bottom, but they were in the original one also.

DG'sVette

I have 75,000 on my 95 & the opti still seems to be fine. Although, I am waiting for it to go. I'm always interested in everyone's choice. I'm not ready to make up my mind just yet.

Redeasysport

I had 160k on mine when I replaced it so OEM can last especially the GEN II optis.I too would like to hear some feedback on MSD but there is none.

SJW

Yes, you'll get the same deficient POS from GM, if you opt (sorry, couldn't resist) to go the OEM replacement route.

The three weep holes are the passive vents that the engineers originally thought would be adequate. They were wrong.

I would NEVER install another OEM Gen 1 Opti. The Gen 2 Optis are sufficiently better (and less expensive) that I would probably go OEM with a second-gen car, but for a first-gen car, forget it.

I was facing this decision when the original, Gen 1 Opti on my '94 died. I decided to go with the DynaSpark, and after 18 months and 10K miles, I'm convinced that I made the correct decision. I now have no fear of coolant leaks.

I recommend you consider the DynaSpark. It's a very high-quality piece. The Accel and MSD units are either brand new to the marketplace, or not yet actually available. The Dyna has a good record with lots of units in the field.

Be well,

SJW

jrzvette

I'm not trying to flame anyone's prices, but this doesn't make any sense.

Summit is charging $289.88 for pn NAL-1104032, which is the Gen II vented opti, and $379.88 for pn NAL-10457702, the Gen I opti.

Thunder Racing wants $394.99 for the Gen II (pn 20-1104032) and $529.99 for Gen I (pn 20-10457702).

I am not addressing the price difference between suppliers, but why is the Gen I (generally considered to be crap) priced higher than the improved Gen II?

81c3

Well, looks like I screwed myself good on this one. I went to GM & ordered the opti for my 94, paid $471. for it & never thought to ask if it was an updated/improved unit.

I guess the good thing is that I also put in a new water pump so I should be ok there. I also did the plugs & wires while it was apart. The old one never died, I just did it as a preventative maintainence measure. My car has just under 50k on the odo & it gave me some trouble starting a couple a weeks back.

Live & learn I guess. Next time I'll go with a better unit, if there is a next time.......If not, I wont have to worry about it in my new C5

Redeasysport

I always thought the same thing but that is the way it is
They ought to be giving them away since they are so crappy.Who knows mabey they knew and were trying to make a little extra money on the replacements

C4Crazy787

I upgraded my Gen I Opti-spark as-per the Corvette Fever Tip; http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758 using the GM vacuum harness # 12558921.

Here are a couple of pictures of the finished product.

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corv...optivent01.JPG

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corv...optivent02.JPG

Good Luck...

VinceC4

I have 78,000 miles on mine should I start to worry?..seems fine so far

bogus

Vince,

Don't worry... when it goes, it goes. The Gen II can last upwards of 120k before major problems set in, mostly due to better venting. But all bets are off if coolant gets in. I would replace the waterpump, tho... They become very suspect after 75k miles.