Opti Discussion
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,600
Likes: 88
From: Springfield PA
Philly 'Burbs Events Coordinator
Opti Discussion
Last year while chasing down an engine miss I replaced my Opti. Turned out not to be the Opti BUT upon inspection of the cap and rotor on the Opti I took out (30K miles on it) found them to be in worn condition in need of replacement. I was thinking that in all my years on the forum I don't think I have ever seen a thread about replacing just the Opti cap and rotor. Seems like whenever the Opti is suspect it gets replaced because it's the same amount of work as doing the cap and rotor. I'd bet there are a lot of LT1s (and LT4s) out there that have far too many miles on their cap and rotor but a perfectly good Opti. By the condition I saw on that 30K cap and rotor I would think we should be doing this as maintenance about every 20 - 25K? Something to think about.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 10
From: Apple Valley MN
I'm going to be replacing my water pump this winter, and have been thinking about doing the Opti as long as I'm in there (along with plugs and wires). The car has 38K on it and runs well (just a very slight miss at idle occasionally).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
It has been a while since I have posted but having done some opti upgrades and a replacement I would say you can tell if an opti needs replacing by inspection. Under 50k miles I would replace the cap and rotor over that since you are in there anyway do the whole thing
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
I think people forget that the opti is a distributor, on our other cars we always replaced the cap and rotor at certain intervals.
Of course on my '93 I don't have that problem anymore.
Of course on my '93 I don't have that problem anymore.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 16
From: Austin Tx
File In Section: 6E Engine Fuel & Emission
Bulletin No.: 87-65-27
Date: December, 1998
Subject:
Engine Miss/Poor Driveability Symptoms
(Install Opti-Spark (ABITS) Distributor Assembly Service Kit)
Models:
1994-96 Buick Roadmaster
1994-96 Cadillac Fleetwood
1992-96 Chevrolet Corvette
1993-97 Chevrolet Camaro
1994-96 Chevrolet Caprice
1993-97 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am
with 4.3L or 5.7L Engine (VINs W, P, 5 - RPOs L99, LT1, LT4)
Condition
Some vehicles with the above engines and equipped with the Opti-Spark (ABITS) ignition system may exhibit an engine miss and/or poor driveability symptoms.
Cause
The (ABITS) cap and rotor may exhibit carbon tracking, cracking, or water intrusion which can cause an engine miss and/or poor driveability symptoms.
Correction
Perform strategy-based diagnosis. If it is determined that the ABITS cap and/or rotor is the source of the concern, then a service kit may be now implemented instead of a complete ABITS assembly.
Bulletin No.: 87-65-27
Date: December, 1998
Subject:
Engine Miss/Poor Driveability Symptoms
(Install Opti-Spark (ABITS) Distributor Assembly Service Kit)
Models:
1994-96 Buick Roadmaster
1994-96 Cadillac Fleetwood
1992-96 Chevrolet Corvette
1993-97 Chevrolet Camaro
1994-96 Chevrolet Caprice
1993-97 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am
with 4.3L or 5.7L Engine (VINs W, P, 5 - RPOs L99, LT1, LT4)
Condition
Some vehicles with the above engines and equipped with the Opti-Spark (ABITS) ignition system may exhibit an engine miss and/or poor driveability symptoms.
Cause
The (ABITS) cap and rotor may exhibit carbon tracking, cracking, or water intrusion which can cause an engine miss and/or poor driveability symptoms.
Correction
Perform strategy-based diagnosis. If it is determined that the ABITS cap and/or rotor is the source of the concern, then a service kit may be now implemented instead of a complete ABITS assembly.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: Schwenksville PA
I bought my 92 2 years ago with 46K I have done all the maintenance stuff (wires, plugs, filter, fluids etc) except I did not even think about the opti. I have 58K on it and it runs fine. I am usually of the feeling that if it is not broke don't fix it. However, John brings up an excellent point. Normally the cap and rotor would have been replace except for the fact that it is so hard to get to.
Soooooo at 58K it seems to me to that if I am going to do the work to get to the opti and change the cap and rotor, then I should go ahead and replace the entire opti. But on the other hand it isn't broke...... What is the life expectancy of an opti on a garage kept, weekend driver, keeping in mind that it is 15 years old ? Additionally, I am planning a trip to Florida nex year and I would hate to have an issue whil n the trip ? how have others with similar mileage handled this ?
John, what did you replace the opti with ? standard OEM replacement or aftermarket ?
Thanks,
Al
Soooooo at 58K it seems to me to that if I am going to do the work to get to the opti and change the cap and rotor, then I should go ahead and replace the entire opti. But on the other hand it isn't broke...... What is the life expectancy of an opti on a garage kept, weekend driver, keeping in mind that it is 15 years old ? Additionally, I am planning a trip to Florida nex year and I would hate to have an issue whil n the trip ? how have others with similar mileage handled this ?
John, what did you replace the opti with ? standard OEM replacement or aftermarket ?
Thanks,
Al
Last edited by 92PGC; Nov 8, 2007 at 11:06 PM. Reason: addition
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,600
Likes: 88
From: Springfield PA
Philly 'Burbs Events Coordinator
I bought my 92 2 years ago with 46K I have done all the maintenance stuff (wires, plugs, filter, fluids etc) except I did not even think about the opti. I have 58K on it and it runs fine. I am usually of the feeling that if it is not broke don't fix it. However, John brings up an excellent point. Normally the cap and rotor would have been replace except for the fact that it is so hard to get to.
Soooooo at 58K it seems to me to that if I am going to do the work to get to the opti and change the cap and rotor, then I should go ahead and replace the entire opti. But on the other hand it isn't broke...... What is the life expectancy of an opti on a garage kept, weekend driver, keeping in mind that it is 15 years old ? Additionally, I am planning a trip to Florida nex year and I would hate to have an issue whil n the trip ? how have others with similar mileage handled this ?
John, what did you replace the opti with ? standard OEM replacement or aftermarket ?
Thanks,
Al
Soooooo at 58K it seems to me to that if I am going to do the work to get to the opti and change the cap and rotor, then I should go ahead and replace the entire opti. But on the other hand it isn't broke...... What is the life expectancy of an opti on a garage kept, weekend driver, keeping in mind that it is 15 years old ? Additionally, I am planning a trip to Florida nex year and I would hate to have an issue whil n the trip ? how have others with similar mileage handled this ?
John, what did you replace the opti with ? standard OEM replacement or aftermarket ?
Thanks,
Al
But just your cap and rotor, not the OPTI, if it isn't broke don't fix it
You'll save about $400+ and it will give you practice for when the Opti does go
It really isn't that hard, I could do it in my sleep now, glad to lend a hand if you need it.
I installed an MSD Opti. Liked the availability of replacement cap and rotor at the local speed shop, appears to be built and engineered very good. Reviews at that time were light because it was new but all were positive and it's treated me good for about 3K so far.
Last edited by Rex Ruby; Nov 8, 2007 at 11:49 PM.
