optispark
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 0
From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
no - get the newest Vette that has the options you want that still fits your budget. Be sure to save a few grand for mods and repairs as those always follow suit.
I have had my 96 for 3 years and don't mind the opti at all.. Just don't spray the engine with water. Clean it with rags and compressed air and all will be fine.
The C4 has that nice, balanced combo of raw power and refinement.
I have had my 96 for 3 years and don't mind the opti at all.. Just don't spray the engine with water. Clean it with rags and compressed air and all will be fine.
The C4 has that nice, balanced combo of raw power and refinement.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,228
Likes: 347
From: Albuquerque, NM
Definitely not! People make a big deal out of the opti because it is really the only weak point the LT1 engine has.
Optispark failure is usually caused by moisture from a leaking waterpump. Since the waterpumps seem to last about 60-80,000 miles, just replace the waterpump every 60,000 miles and don't wash your engine, and you'll probably never have a problem. Even if you do have to replace it, once you do it you'll be good to go for years of normal driving. It's not like you have to replace it once a month, or even once a year.
It is relatively expensive to take it to a dealer and have them replace the opti and waterpump, but you can get GM parts online for much less. You can either do the work yourself or find a mechanic who's more reasonable. You can also spend a little extra money and replace the opti with one of the aftermarket systems, so you'll never have to worry about it again.
Personally I'd take my '92's optispark over the C5's fat butt any day of the week!
Optispark failure is usually caused by moisture from a leaking waterpump. Since the waterpumps seem to last about 60-80,000 miles, just replace the waterpump every 60,000 miles and don't wash your engine, and you'll probably never have a problem. Even if you do have to replace it, once you do it you'll be good to go for years of normal driving. It's not like you have to replace it once a month, or even once a year.
It is relatively expensive to take it to a dealer and have them replace the opti and waterpump, but you can get GM parts online for much less. You can either do the work yourself or find a mechanic who's more reasonable. You can also spend a little extra money and replace the opti with one of the aftermarket systems, so you'll never have to worry about it again.
Personally I'd take my '92's optispark over the C5's fat butt any day of the week!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
I had a severe problem with my 96's optispark....Stupid me high pressure washed under the hood and I got the opti wet! The car sat for 3 weeks before she even fired up nicely....Then someone mentioned to me to put a small aquarium pump on the vent "IN" and "OUT" lines....after 3 days she dried out nice...Now I know I have been told about causing corrosion, but this is a quick fix. Think about it....Would you wrather spend $20.00 on a cheesey air pump or $1000.00 on replacing your opti?
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
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From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I'd stick with the C4 over the C5 because I like the C4 more (opti or not). I'd but a C3 before I'd buy a C5. I'm looking at possibly getting a '95 or '96. They have the vented opti-spark distributors in them that are supposed to be less troublesome. Don't let the opti scare you away from enjoying the C4. 
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
There are fixes for the opti. I replaced the water pump with an electric pump (Meziere HD) and eliminated the "weep hole leak" problem that usually takes out the opti. Then you can always upgrade to the 95-96 vented opti set up. Better yet, you can upgrade to a Dyna-spark from Dyno Tech Engineering.
Personally, I like the C4 shape and feel of the cockpit.
Personally, I like the C4 shape and feel of the cockpit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Co, NJ
Originally Posted by gaewsky1
Should the optispark situation keep me from buying a '94 Vette?
Or, should I save up a few thousand more and get an early C5?
Thanks for your thougts.
Or, should I save up a few thousand more and get an early C5?
Thanks for your thougts.
If you can't afford a C5, definitely you should get a C4 (a '92-'96 model) w/ an LT1, or better, an LT4 The Opti is no big deal, don't let water get on it by washing the engine, etc, you'll be okay, don't fret over it! People exaggerate that its garbage, its not! (usually the L98 devotees!
)Keep in mind, the C5 esp. the early ones are not without problems, either!
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Reynoldsburg OH
Thanks
Thanks to all those who responded.
Hopefully I'll be getting my first Vette in a couple of months. I'm going with the C4 for now. Probably a '94. I figure in a few years when the C5's prices drop lower I can sell the C4 for close to what I paid for, or keep it and have two Vettes!
Hopefully I'll be getting my first Vette in a couple of months. I'm going with the C4 for now. Probably a '94. I figure in a few years when the C5's prices drop lower I can sell the C4 for close to what I paid for, or keep it and have two Vettes!