OPTISPARK !! what a joke!!!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
OPTISPARK !! what a joke!!!
ok im going to complain about the optispark again, i had two customers last month that had there vehicles towed to my shop with a bad optispark, i have replaced so many of these over the years i can't even count them all, GM should be ashamed !! wheres the RECALL ?? i have even replaced two optis on my 94 LT-1 vette, i now run the MSD opti, and guess what? thats right no problems, i posted those problems before and and a couple of shade tree mechanics that dont know **** from applesauce had some comments but when i questioned them they could not answer but that dosent surprise me, just remember guys the opti is total junk !! buy the MSD opti and save yourself the headache, anyway i tell my customers the truth and they keep coming back i just dont feel like replacing any optis next month.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 23
From: Joplin, MO, USA
I wouldn't know why in the world GM would recall a 12 year old product, even if it was junk. Heck, look at the water pumps in the late 80s L98-they would fail at 60,000 miles just like clockwork, the list goes on.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
i posted those problems before and and a couple of shade tree mechanics that dont know **** from applesauce had some comments but when i questioned them they could not answer but that dosent surprise me, just remember guys the opti is total junk !!
What user name did you use to post about the opti being total junk last time
What user name did you use to post about the opti being total junk last time
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I think the jury is still out on MSD myself. I have read plenty on the failures most right out of the box. That and the denying nature of the support staff make me wary. I know of all the aftermarket ignition systems/parts they seem to be the best but that bar is not very high.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
GM should have stuck the HEI distributor on the front of the engine. 
No distributor, Opti or not, can withstand coolant poured all over it, don't blame the Opti, blame the poor location GM put it.
No distributor, Opti or not, can withstand coolant poured all over it, don't blame the Opti, blame the poor location GM put it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Too bad no one ever came up with an adapter to put the opti in the rear of the manifold .There is a gear back there..... Oh just wishfull thinking I know it would not fit.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
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From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,178
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From: Daleville Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,216
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
MSD going on.... My car only had 45k on it when the opti crapped out. There was some oil in it that made a nice fog over everything in there. The previous owner had the pump replaced but don't know about any service done to the Opti. Also there was 160 thousandths between the tip of the rotor to the contact posts and they were all roasted!
That coil must have been busting it's little *** to throw a spark across all that and a plug gap too! Finally gave out, got jerky & check engine light.
That coil must have been busting it's little *** to throw a spark across all that and a plug gap too! Finally gave out, got jerky & check engine light.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
MSD going on.... My car only had 45k on it when the opti crapped out. There was some oil in it that made a nice fog over everything in there. The previous owner had the pump replaced but don't know about any service done to the Opti. Also there was 160 thousandths between the tip of the rotor to the contact posts and they were all roasted! That coil must have been busting it's little *** to throw a spark across all that and a plug gap too! Finally gave out, got jerky & check engine light.
That coil must have been busting it's little *** to throw a spark across all that and a plug gap too! Finally gave out, got jerky & check engine light.The second biggest reason they go out the infamous intake oil leak and the opti shaft seal.. Another good reason not to neglect doing the gaskets and using "The Right Stuff" instead of regular RTV when you see them leaking under the TB. On the new opti's I have seen the area where the plug is has a very bad seal of RTV around it which will allow oil to get inside it.The one I built to upgrade my last 93 with a 95 cap and vent system(see my picks) I made sure that weak spot was sealed.