MSD 8381 Optispark Performance
#21
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
#22
Pro
Thread Starter
I had replaced the optidrive hole seal (on the cam chain cover) when i originally installed the 8381 with a GM seal but seems to seep a little. I had a blue colored oil seeping out of the back of the 8381. MSD replaced that seal. I did have power steering fluid seeping from the reservoir to pump. Power steering fluid had coated the right front (facing the car) of the engine. It had ruined that side of the spark plug cable boots at the opti. The fluid had also coated that side of the opti.
I repaired that hose.
I repaired that hose.
Last edited by mixalive; 01-08-2017 at 09:04 AM.
#24
Drifting
I had replaced the optidrive hole seal (on the cam chain cover) when i originally installed the 8381 with a GM seal but seems to seep a little. I had a blue colored oil seeping out of the back of the 8381. MSD replaced that seal. I did have power steering fluid seeping from the resevoir to pump. Power steering fluid had coated the right front (facing the car) of the engine. It had ruined that side of the spark plug boots. The fluid had also coated that side of the opti.
I repaired that hose.
I repaired that hose.
Last edited by Christi@n; 01-06-2017 at 06:09 PM.
#26
#27
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z-corvette (03-19-2017)
#30
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MSD claims good through 10,000 RPM also. Something a weakness of the OEM was a 7,000 RPM limit - at least that's what the rumors/gossip say. Well it's pretty rare someone would need a >7,000 RPM motor but if you do you would otherwise need to upgrade the whole ignition system to something else like a 24X.
Also like the ±5 degree timing adjustment.
Well glade to read the failure was mechanical rather than electronic/sensor.
Also like the ±5 degree timing adjustment.
Well glade to read the failure was mechanical rather than electronic/sensor.
#32
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
For MY money? I'd buy the cheapest one I could get w/a warranty. The Sac City one that is advertised on here. Now...If the MSD were proven to be reliable, then the debate would be: is the extra money (~2.5x more) worth avoiding the R&R? For me, probably not as I could bust one out in about an hour. I'd still probably buy the cheepy, take that gamble, and not sweat the labor, if it failed. Others would do differently, but there would be a "debate" depending on people's circumstance.
But the MSD isn't reliable. I've seen as many MSD failed posts on here as any brand...probably more. So what's the premium getting you? Nothing of any value, IMO. FYI, I have "no dog in this fight" (not that there is a fight)...I bought a NAPA/Echlin brand when mine failed. Why? Not b/c I thought it was "the best" but because I needed it in a pinch (right now) and it was there/available. That was 4 years and ~30,000 miles ago, so it's working.
O.K. But isn't that about the same price as the Sac City unit on here that has a 2 year warranty?
So you buy a MSD, $500 or something, it dumps, you spend $150, now you've spent $650.... You could have bought another Sac City, and had 4 years worth of warranty...or one on the shelf!
Sorry, but there is no value in the MSD unit, IMO. Except for those guys turning over 8k RPM RPM.
But the MSD isn't reliable. I've seen as many MSD failed posts on here as any brand...probably more. So what's the premium getting you? Nothing of any value, IMO. FYI, I have "no dog in this fight" (not that there is a fight)...I bought a NAPA/Echlin brand when mine failed. Why? Not b/c I thought it was "the best" but because I needed it in a pinch (right now) and it was there/available. That was 4 years and ~30,000 miles ago, so it's working.
O.K. But isn't that about the same price as the Sac City unit on here that has a 2 year warranty?
So you buy a MSD, $500 or something, it dumps, you spend $150, now you've spent $650.... You could have bought another Sac City, and had 4 years worth of warranty...or one on the shelf!
Sorry, but there is no value in the MSD unit, IMO. Except for those guys turning over 8k RPM RPM.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; 01-09-2017 at 04:51 PM.
#33
Pro
Thread Starter
Sac City doesn't have a vented opti for a 92 and warranty would void if you modify. So that point is mute.
#34
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MSD claims good through 10,000 RPM also. Something a weakness of the OEM was a 7,000 RPM limit - at least that's what the rumors/gossip say. Well it's pretty rare someone would need a >7,000 RPM motor but if you do you would otherwise need to upgrade the whole ignition system to something else like a 24X.
Also like the ±5 degree timing adjustment.
Well glade to read the failure was mechanical rather than electronic/sensor.
Also like the ±5 degree timing adjustment.
Well glade to read the failure was mechanical rather than electronic/sensor.
#35
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Who cares if the thing is vented if it takes a dump on you? Who cares if it's NOT vented if it lasts for years and/or has a good warranty? What I care about is price and results. MSD doesn't seem to deliver in the promise that it's price implies.
#37
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#39
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Who know what "a shop" would charge...that shop would know.
Mitchell calls for 3.5 hours, 2.6 warranty. I think it can be done in less than 2 hours.
Mitchell calls for 3.5 hours, 2.6 warranty. I think it can be done in less than 2 hours.
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z-corvette (03-20-2017)
#40
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