Greg, I have read that the '96 (I think '95 as well) opti spark is sealed better and has a vacume assist line to remove water and/or condensation.

Do you, or anyone else, know anything about this? If this is these case, how much more reliable are they?

Thanks,
Brannon

 

They're not. Do your own research and check it out.
The opits were and are stupity in motion.
Its a Mitsubishi made part that has a HIGH failure rate.
GM is as backward a company as there ever was.
Any wonder when oil prices are creating record profits and GM is building and betting the farm on pickups. But not to worry one big spike in the price of oil and GM will be history.

A high failure rate is to most a RED FLAG.
I know its a brillant feat of engineering that only lasted 5 years.....no logic there.

 

What is your opion on this person's information?

http://www.delteq.com/products_opti.htm

"There are two slightly different versions of the Opti-Spark distributor manufactured by GM. The first design version was made between 1992 and 1994. Other than some small vent holes, the first design Opti-Spark had no provision for evacuating built-up moisture. Also, the caustic ozone gases created by the ignition process were also left inside the distributor with no vacuum removal. This design was replaced in 1995 with a vacuum-vented Opti-Spark (1994 B-Body cars received the updated Opti-Spark before the F-and Y-Body cars). Along with the new venting provision, the second design featured a redesigned cam drive and a different electrical connector. "

 

Stupity in motion?

My car has run perfectly with your hated Optispark. I think it's a great distributor. It costs $175 if you get it wet and ruin it. Your genius observation of GM is also a little weird. You throw out the baby with the bathwater.

 

That quote is correct. The 95 and 96 Opti's have much better service records. I'm like the 6th owner of my '96, but I think my Opti is original, at 82k miles and still going strong. As long as your water pump doesn't dump water all over it, the Opti should be fine. It's a good design, just poor placement. It should NOT be a reason not to buy a C4.

 

He knows his stuff.......but why buy a car that you know has built in problems?

The differnece between a C5 and a C4 is night and day. After a C5 a C4 is a disapointment, a big one.

Wheres Murphy? Im in El Paso.

 

I've owned a C3 bought used when I was in College. I've owned a c5 (bought new and modded). I've owned a C6 (bought new and modded). All were great cars, each better than the previous. Due to a down turn in my industry, I sold my C6 to have no car payment and reduce expenses. Since that point I've been miserable.

I've always liked the CE '96 LT4 and decided, since I can buy it outright for the price, it's time that I own that model as well. It's is excellent condition with only $59k miles on the OD. We'll see how I like it soon.

Murphy is near Plano TX, about 20 miles outside of Dallas.

 

I have a 96 LT4 Vert that just turned over to 70,000 miles. I have had the car for a little over two years. The car had good maintenance records and nothing of significance related to problems were listed. Just had the first problem, the fuel pump went out, other than that no issues. I did a lot of research prior to purchasing and most every article was very positive about the 1996. Most previous problems were corrected in prior years. My guess the 1996 LT1 & LT4 are about the same as far as reliability goes. It is mainly whether you want the extra HP and 6 speed. The LT4 will probably hold its value a little better just because it is an upgrade from the base car and a little more desirable by those looking for performance.

 

I bought my 96 LT4 12 months ago for $11,500 w/ 59K on the clock.
I can say do not buy a car like this if you do not want to get your hands dirty.

 

Rick, you can nit-pick ANY vette to death. C5 column lock issues, rear axle seals leaking, evaporator core drain placed perfectly so that when it clogs up it floods the BCM and elec bussed center, battery on top of the PCM, oil consumption issues, seats that rock, fuel sending unit issues...I could go on but do I really need to? It doesnt mean the C5 isnt a great car and vette, it just has its own set of issues. Many of which are very ex$pen$ive to repair, or at least more so than an opti.


As for the high failure rate much of it has been to owners washing the engine bays and poor maintenence. My Mom just traded her 92 vert with 130k+ on the clock...still had the original opti going strong. My original opti went out when my water pump took a dive at 96k miles. FWIW, mine has also seen a couple hundred dragstrip passes, years of autox and a few track events so it sees plenty of RPMs. I dont mind replacing a $250 part every 100k miles or so. I burn up more $$ in tires than that on a regular basis. I chalk it up to maint. My point is, if you're not going to buy a particular car based on having to buy a $250 part every 100k miles then you need to ride the bus anyways.



To the OP, it will have a different 'feel' to it from what you are used to. Its often been said that you dont get in a C4 or drive one, you wear it. Theres some truth to that. It feels much smaller than the newer ones and is ergonomicaly challenged but it gives great feedback, something you'll enjoy. The seats and seat materials are top notch compared to any GM vehicle too. My 96 has been very good to me and despite the abuse I've thrown its way it is still remarkably tight with no squeaks and rattles other than the change in the ashtray. If you're machanicly inclined they're not hard to work on, especially under the hood. Under the dash is a PITA. Parts are plentiful and reasonably cheap. Most all issues are known by now along with the most cost effective ways to fix them (something C4 owners excell at )

The oil leak is most likely the intake but as mentioned earlier could be a seal in the timing cover. The seal kit is $<30 but its about a 3-5 hour job for a decent C4 mechanic to R/R the opti/water pump to replace them. The later optis are more reliable and cost less. I paid $250 for mine last winter for a new Delphi unit. I also replaced the water pump with an electric one $190. A stock water pump is about $220ish.

 

If you have owned a c5 and 6, why would you want a c4? I would go with the c6. The reason I dont have a c6 is because I cant afford one.

 

I second that........

 

You bash GM and its products but yet you kept buying GM PRODUCTS.

 

See previous statement above.

 

Que pasa amigo?

 

¿Tartamudeo yo?