MSD Opti ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Exeter RI
MSD Opti ?
Seems there are a lot of Opti questions floating around, but I was hoping to get clarification on one thing.
According to symptoms the opti on my 93 is on it's way out. (Random misfires no SES light yet).
Looking at the MSD 8381 Distributor as a replacement. The installation instructions on MSD's site include connecting vacuum lines up which leads me to believe the 8381 is vented into the fresh air induction to remove condensation better than the OEM unit?
My question is, can anyone confirm that is the case? If so I'd think it was worth the additional money compared to an AC Delco. Incidentally I can't see the adjustable advance/retard is useful? Wouldn't the ECU just retard the timing when the knock sensor reports.
The car has 48K and the PO replaced the water pump and opti approx 15K/ 8 years ago.
According to symptoms the opti on my 93 is on it's way out. (Random misfires no SES light yet).
Looking at the MSD 8381 Distributor as a replacement. The installation instructions on MSD's site include connecting vacuum lines up which leads me to believe the 8381 is vented into the fresh air induction to remove condensation better than the OEM unit?
My question is, can anyone confirm that is the case? If so I'd think it was worth the additional money compared to an AC Delco. Incidentally I can't see the adjustable advance/retard is useful? Wouldn't the ECU just retard the timing when the knock sensor reports.
The car has 48K and the PO replaced the water pump and opti approx 15K/ 8 years ago.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,270
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
I think MSD's Opti's are vented for all years. The venting of the older models is a good idea as it not only gets rid of moisture but also the corrosive ozones produced by high voltage sparks in the cap/rotor area.
Bad news is the MSD unit is expensive. Although it has an excellently made case, it's filled with a crap shoot of electronics that many (including myself) have found to be no more dependable than three cheapie distributors you could have bought for the same price.
Wish I had better news, but I'm searching for another replacement for the Makes Sh**ty Distributors unit I have in my dead car right now.
Bad news is the MSD unit is expensive. Although it has an excellently made case, it's filled with a crap shoot of electronics that many (including myself) have found to be no more dependable than three cheapie distributors you could have bought for the same price.
Wish I had better news, but I'm searching for another replacement for the Makes Sh**ty Distributors unit I have in my dead car right now.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Palm Coast FL
Seems there are a lot of Opti questions floating around, but I was hoping to get clarification on one thing.
According to symptoms the opti on my 93 is on it's way out. (Random misfires no SES light yet).
Looking at the MSD 8381 Distributor as a replacement. The installation instructions on MSD's site include connecting vacuum lines up which leads me to believe the 8381 is vented into the fresh air induction to remove condensation better than the OEM unit?
My question is, can anyone confirm that is the case? If so I'd think it was worth the additional money compared to an AC Delco. Incidentally I can't see the adjustable advance/retard is useful? Wouldn't the ECU just retard the timing when the knock sensor reports.
The car has 48K and the PO replaced the water pump and opti approx 15K/ 8 years ago.
According to symptoms the opti on my 93 is on it's way out. (Random misfires no SES light yet).
Looking at the MSD 8381 Distributor as a replacement. The installation instructions on MSD's site include connecting vacuum lines up which leads me to believe the 8381 is vented into the fresh air induction to remove condensation better than the OEM unit?
My question is, can anyone confirm that is the case? If so I'd think it was worth the additional money compared to an AC Delco. Incidentally I can't see the adjustable advance/retard is useful? Wouldn't the ECU just retard the timing when the knock sensor reports.
The car has 48K and the PO replaced the water pump and opti approx 15K/ 8 years ago.
After consulting with many C4 / LT4 owners at Corvettes at Carlisle and talking with Gordon Killebrew, I yanked out the MSD and replaced it with an OEM style Delphi unit which I purchased from Eckler's. And it was $80 cheaper than the MSD. So far, no codes and no crazy antics either. I emailed MSD about 3 weeks ago and have yet to hear anything.
Bottom line, save yourself from doing the same job twice and don't get the MSD Opti.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
What about the Rich Porter Technology Optispark Distributors available at O' Reilly Auto Parts Stores? Are they dope or doody?
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...992&vi=1041310
www.richporter.com/
The price is certainly tempting ($212.99) for us budget-minded enthusiasts.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...992&vi=1041310
www.richporter.com/
The price is certainly tempting ($212.99) for us budget-minded enthusiasts.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
An archive search will yield many many opinions and perhaps no consensus as to the best place to spend your money. When I did the waterpump on my 95, after much thought and searching of the archives, I replaced the distributor with another stock one. There was nothing wrong with mine with 70K on it but since I was right there it seemed like good preventative maintenance. If I had an earlier car, I would consider the MSD or the Dynaspark as a way of getting a vented distributor. Right now, I would probably lean towards the Dynaspark but you could always vent your stock distributor or convert your timing chain cover to use a late model distributor.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
An archive search will yield many many opinions and perhaps no consensus as to the best place to spend your money. When I did the waterpump on my 95, after much thought and searching of the archives, I replaced the distributor with another stock one. There was nothing wrong with mine with 70K on it but since I was right there it seemed like good preventative maintenance. If I had an earlier car, I would consider the MSD or the Dynaspark as a way of getting a vented distributor. Right now, I would probably lean towards the Dynaspark but you could always vent your stock distributor or convert your timing chain cover to use a late model distributor.
I replaced my dead opti with a Dynaspark more than 4 years ago. No problems so far.
