Optispark waterproof enclosure?
02-25-2010, 11:52 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Optispark waterproof enclosure?
I work in plastics manufacturing, I'm a small biz owner.
"If" an Optispark waterproof enclosure were available, made out of heat resistant ABS polycarbonate, easliy installed...would you buy it?
It's a matter of a simple vaccum molded enclosure and gasket utilizing exsisting Optispark mounting hardware.
OK, start the ridicule now.
"If" an Optispark waterproof enclosure were available, made out of heat resistant ABS polycarbonate, easliy installed...would you buy it?
It's a matter of a simple vaccum molded enclosure and gasket utilizing exsisting Optispark mounting hardware.
OK, start the ridicule now.
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Richard Carr (12-22-2019)
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Richard Carr (12-22-2019)
02-25-2010, 02:07 PM
#4
Safety Car
No, I'd buy the aftermarket coil pack kit that relocates the hi voltage portion to the top of the engine and just leaves the crank/cam sensor part to spin off of the cam on the front of the engine.
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Richard Carr (12-22-2019)
02-25-2010, 02:16 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
After thinking a lot about this..I've come to the following.
It's a niche market, with an ever shrinking demand ( every year theres fewer C4's)
Designing the enclosure would take a min. 100 hours.
Making the enclosure, cost $2.00.
It's the gasket that would be Killer $$. I'd have to find an exsisting gasket and design the enclosure around it. A mold to make the gasket would cost about $30k-50k..no joke!
So, if I did this, I'd have to do it expecting not to make any real money off of it.
The big question is, is can I find a gasket that would work, and how much does it cost? The rest is just time, not $.
It's a niche market, with an ever shrinking demand ( every year theres fewer C4's)
Designing the enclosure would take a min. 100 hours.
Making the enclosure, cost $2.00.
It's the gasket that would be Killer $$. I'd have to find an exsisting gasket and design the enclosure around it. A mold to make the gasket would cost about $30k-50k..no joke!
So, if I did this, I'd have to do it expecting not to make any real money off of it.
The big question is, is can I find a gasket that would work, and how much does it cost? The rest is just time, not $.
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Richard Carr (12-22-2019)
02-25-2010, 02:28 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
i'm surprised nobody has come out with a "crank" sensor to replace the optical sensor in conjunction with the coil packs moved up top
02-25-2010, 02:29 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
02-25-2010, 02:37 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '10
After thinking a lot about this..I've come to the following.
It's a niche market, with an ever shrinking demand ( every year theres fewer C4's)
Designing the enclosure would take a min. 100 hours.
Making the enclosure, cost $2.00.
It's the gasket that would be Killer $$. I'd have to find an exsisting gasket and design the enclosure around it. A mold to make the gasket would cost about $30k-50k..no joke!
So, if I did this, I'd have to do it expecting not to make any real money off of it.
The big question is, is can I find a gasket that would work, and how much does it cost? The rest is just time, not $.
It's a niche market, with an ever shrinking demand ( every year theres fewer C4's)
Designing the enclosure would take a min. 100 hours.
Making the enclosure, cost $2.00.
It's the gasket that would be Killer $$. I'd have to find an exsisting gasket and design the enclosure around it. A mold to make the gasket would cost about $30k-50k..no joke!
So, if I did this, I'd have to do it expecting not to make any real money off of it.
The big question is, is can I find a gasket that would work, and how much does it cost? The rest is just time, not $.
Good luck with your project if you decide to proceed!
02-25-2010, 02:43 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
100 hours, considering my daily schedule, access to an optispark and motor to do this...6 months min.
Just thinking out loud............
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Richard Carr (12-22-2019)
02-25-2010, 03:06 PM
#12
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"Assuming", man I hate to use that word, I could use a gasket that costs under, or up too $10.00 and using no new bolts, then the enclosure would sell for $15.00 plus shipping.
100 hours, considering my daily schedule, access to an optispark and motor to do this...6 months min.
Just thinking out loud............
100 hours, considering my daily schedule, access to an optispark and motor to do this...6 months min.
Just thinking out loud............
Joe
Last edited by cal55; 02-25-2010 at 05:42 PM.
02-25-2010, 03:06 PM
#13
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02-25-2010, 03:39 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Hmmm...my ignorance is showing.
"...Also, the caustic ozone gases created by the ignition process were also left inside the distributor with no vacuum removal."
Which effectively means, if i "cap it off" I'll have no venting, causing probs.
Details...details...
"...Also, the caustic ozone gases created by the ignition process were also left inside the distributor with no vacuum removal."
Which effectively means, if i "cap it off" I'll have no venting, causing probs.
Details...details...
02-25-2010, 04:57 PM
#15
I had the same idea when I got my 94.I talked to Gordon Killebrew (briefly) about it thought it was a good idea.
Then reality kicked in.......
How many vehicles were produced needing this?
How many left?
How many actually would buy?
Then design and cost to make.
Oh well good luck so far I have had no problems!!!
02-25-2010, 05:42 PM
#16
Team Owner
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You can stuff opti electronics in a regular distributor
Let's you run an LT1 computer on an L98 BTW
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...rk_system.html
http://www.weswoodperformance.com/
Let's you run an LT1 computer on an L98 BTW
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...rk_system.html
http://www.weswoodperformance.com/
The biggest obstacle in the development of the Digispark system was creating a conventional distributor that would produce the signals that would keep the PCM happy. Burch accomplished this by installing an OptiSpark shutter wheel and optical sensor in a standard HEI distributor housing. Because the distributor is located in the traditional Gen I location, high and to the rear of the engine, it does not suffer from the reliability problems that plague OptiSpark distributors. The US Patent & Trademark Office has accepted a design Patent application for the Digispark distributor and has approved legal use of the term "Patent Pending."
02-25-2010, 06:11 PM
#18
I think this is an interesting idea. If one has to replce the opti even once, I would think they'd prefer to put something in that was a better 'idea'. As far as the C4s becoming fewer and fewer, there will always be the few who will keep them as "antiques" (think Model T Ford) and need good working parts.
02-25-2010, 06:21 PM
#19
Melting Slicks
This drain takes care of water coming from the weep hole, and I've done it on mine. However, would not a simple shield over the top and front of the opti take care of 90% of water coming from outside the engine, i.e. puddle splash, engine rinsing? I think a water-tight enclosure would be overkill. A shield would negate the need for a gasket, and most of the time and effort of a more elaborate solution. I was actually thinking about banging something out of a piece of aluminum flashing.
02-25-2010, 06:56 PM
#20
Race Director
This drain takes care of water coming from the weep hole, and I've done it on mine. However, would not a simple shield over the top and front of the opti take care of 90% of water coming from outside the engine, i.e. puddle splash, engine rinsing? I think a water-tight enclosure would be overkill. A shield would negate the need for a gasket, and most of the time and effort of a more elaborate solution. I was actually thinking about banging something out of a piece of aluminum flashing.