MSD vs Optii Spark
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Laurel MS
MSD vs Optii Spark
Toasted my Opti Spark apparently from a shorted pigtail at the coil.
Believe it fryed the OS diodes.
Purchased the OS, Jegs label but took a close look at the MSD option.
For those of you running the MSD, do you need the MSD coil and module to make this thing work?? Are there clear performance and longevity advantages with the MSD system??
Believe it fryed the OS diodes.
Purchased the OS, Jegs label but took a close look at the MSD option.
For those of you running the MSD, do you need the MSD coil and module to make this thing work?? Are there clear performance and longevity advantages with the MSD system??
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
The MSD is a much better engineered unit than the OEM Opti, more solidly built, vented in both the gen 1 and gen 2 versions. But there is a cost difference, you get what you pay for. Given the procedure for changing one I'd go with the MSD over OEM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,214
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From: Miami FL
I have the MSD unit. Very nice piece
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 313
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From: Laurel MS
Looks like bargain to me if you don't need a special MSD coil and module!
Le Mans Master
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Race Director
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
If you want the whole distributor:
http://www.jegs.com/p/MSD/760803/10002/-1
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Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Gents, shop around. Actually if you go to the Pep Boys web page, you can order MSD products on line, free shipping and Pep Boys sells the MSD wires cheaper than MSDignition.com, Autozone and TPI parts. I did not check on the pro-billet but if any of you are going to buy this magnificent piece of equipment...do your homework, too late for me 
Burning Brakes
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From: Chico California
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From: Sherwood, Arkansas
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Laurel MS
Did that MSD Opti Spark require their MSD Blaster coil? Recently installed Jegs Opti. Took a close look at the MSD. Wondered if the stand alone MSD was compatible in the LT1 ignition circuit?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Please Read...
I installed a New MSD and below. Is this a timing issue, the MSD is time adjustable.
I installed new shorty headers, new O2 sensors, new MSD Pro-Billet Optic Distributor, new MSD Blaster Coil, new MSD wires and new OEM AC plugs.
The Vette started right away and lasted 2 seconds, tried again, lasted 2-3 seconds, again, 3 seconds. I tried a fourth time and this one lasted a bit longer. The idle was a "perfect" idle, no shaking, no misfiring
I checked all connections, all are ok, all breathers and vacuums are plugged so, I decided to stop, disconnected the battery and wrapped it for the night.
Any toughts or ideas, what the heck may be wrong?
I installed a New MSD and below. Is this a timing issue, the MSD is time adjustable.
I installed new shorty headers, new O2 sensors, new MSD Pro-Billet Optic Distributor, new MSD Blaster Coil, new MSD wires and new OEM AC plugs.
The Vette started right away and lasted 2 seconds, tried again, lasted 2-3 seconds, again, 3 seconds. I tried a fourth time and this one lasted a bit longer. The idle was a "perfect" idle, no shaking, no misfiring
I checked all connections, all are ok, all breathers and vacuums are plugged so, I decided to stop, disconnected the battery and wrapped it for the night.
Any toughts or ideas, what the heck may be wrong?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: StLouis, 93 Vert LT1
I dont understand the "adjustable" timing thing. thats the computors job. When I installed my MSD Opti, The instructions said 2 turns out on the screw is equil to factory I believe. Just for kicks I played with the screw for weeks on and off but never noticed a difference? Try installing your old coil to see if stays running, Check for spark as the engine dies and start from there. 
Last edited by RetroTA; Apr 19, 2008 at 04:35 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
It's ALIVE!!! I installed the AC Delco back. Is the MSD blaster coil an upgrade or just a good looking red coil?
