Opti SPark Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
From: Douglassville PA
Opti SPark Question
When do the opti's usually go on the C4's? I have a 96 and thinking of doing a total tune up and wondering If I should replace the opti while I'm at it. I have 50K miles on it...
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Hi Neighbor,
You have a gen II opti, so figure 100,000+ miles. In other words save your money and keep the hammer down. Just be carefull for all the LEOs around the Chapel Hill Rd exit. Guess it tis the season for the Douglasville motorcycle squad as well.
You have a gen II opti, so figure 100,000+ miles. In other words save your money and keep the hammer down. Just be carefull for all the LEOs around the Chapel Hill Rd exit. Guess it tis the season for the Douglasville motorcycle squad as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,493
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From: The Clem MI
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
On my 96, I had fuel / start issues. So, the Opti / Fuel Pump and Injectors were all dealth with at 60,000.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Scott, you should be fine, Mackey went well over 100,000 on his '96 without replacement and he even did the waterpump a couple times.
I did mine at 67,000 only because the waterpump was shot, so I figured as long as we're in there, get it done.
I did mine at 67,000 only because the waterpump was shot, so I figured as long as we're in there, get it done.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
The original in my '95 was still going strong at 93K when I replaced it while doing some major engine work/mods. I sent it to Alaska and as far as I know it's still going. The new one has nearly 30K miles on it now w/ no issues. Opti-shmoti.... Oh, and I wash my engine. 
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Graniteville SC
Opti
I have a 92 with 90K and still the original opti. I just changed the original plugs at 80K. The LT1 is still running just fine. Varing driving I think is Chevrolet key. I drive it like I stole it and other times I'm just cruising around with the top down getting some sun. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
It could go 100k or 50k. As long as it not a problem leave it be.
If your doing the tune up and not paying to have it done, its no big deal to repalce it. But if your getting it done, in my area its $2,000.
The opti-spank is a "brilliant piece of engineering" that fails at the drop of a hat.
Of course I could be wrong but it appears from all the reported failures that the opti-spark is a real piece of crap.
Documented evidence not withstanding.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
As far as the early ones, being better than the later ones, it just aint so. How long do they last? It won't break till your sure it wont.
It could go 100k or 50k. As long as it not a problem leave it be.
If your doing the tune up and not paying to have it done, its no big deal to repalce it. But if your getting it done, in my area its $2,000.
The opti-spank is a "brilliant piece of engineering" that fails at the drop of a hat.
Of course I could be wrong but it appears from all the reported failures that the opti-spark is a real piece of crap.
Documented evidence not withstanding.
It could go 100k or 50k. As long as it not a problem leave it be.
If your doing the tune up and not paying to have it done, its no big deal to repalce it. But if your getting it done, in my area its $2,000.
The opti-spank is a "brilliant piece of engineering" that fails at the drop of a hat.
Of course I could be wrong but it appears from all the reported failures that the opti-spark is a real piece of crap.
Documented evidence not withstanding.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,863
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Got 110k out of mine, but I've got the later vented style.
a lot of times it doesn't "die" it just gets gunked up and the optical unit can't see correctly. also it's a distributor, so the cap&rotor need replacing like any other.
Here's an FAQ:
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ing_modifying/
a lot of times it doesn't "die" it just gets gunked up and the optical unit can't see correctly. also it's a distributor, so the cap&rotor need replacing like any other.
Here's an FAQ:
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ing_modifying/
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
From: Douglassville PA
Got 110k out of mine, but I've got the later vented style.
a lot of times it doesn't "die" it just gets gunked up and the optical unit can't see correctly. also it's a distributor, so the cap&rotor need replacing like any other.
Here's an FAQ:
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ing_modifying/
a lot of times it doesn't "die" it just gets gunked up and the optical unit can't see correctly. also it's a distributor, so the cap&rotor need replacing like any other.
Here's an FAQ:
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ing_modifying/
Thats a very good link.. thanks.. I guess I should just do the cap and wires then.